SDB Interviews: Paige of Chris and Paige

Do you have a friend or colleague who is just a freak of nature? 

My freak of nature spells her name t-a-l-e-n-t and c-r-e-a-t-i-v-e and b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.

Or maybe just P-A-I-G-E. As in Chris and Paige.

When I worked at Archiver's scrapbook store, my crafting ineptitude ran into a Jolly Creative Giant named Paige. I will admit that I thought she hated my guts, because homegirl is really quiet. Though we worked together there for a few months, we really became fast friends when I began working with her at Northridge Publishing. Being together on the editorial staff of magazines like Scrapbook Trends, Simply Handmade, and Cards really gave us a chance to get to know each other.

I found out that she doesn't hate my guts, for one thing.

It also came to light that Paige was born to bring art into the world. She is the King Midas of crafting (want to see drop dead gorgeous scrapbooking?), the Little Train that Could of book binding, and ...the Stephanie Meyer of art. I am not sure what that last one is supposed to mean, but Paige sure loves a good Twilight reference.

Here is a little more about Paige in her own words:

Paige is from Seattle. Chris is from Denver. We met when we were 18 as freshman at BYU in 2004. We got married on May 8th 2007 in the Nauvoo, IL temple. Currently we're living in South Pasadena, CA. Paige is working as a Copy/Creative Editor for Northridge Publishing, the Blog Hostess/ Design Team Manager for American Crafts, and an assistant scrapbooker to Amy Tan for LA clients. Chris is in his third of four years at USC School of Dentistry class of 2013, and he's a Lieutenant in the Army reserves. Fox Thomas was born on October 14th, 2010 and he's the cutest little boy ever! We love life and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Paige is one good egg. I know that's not cool to say, but it's true. Here's some of her insights into various aspects of crafting, blogging, and being a mama.

1. Please paint a picture of what your blog is all about. A literal picture is not necessary, but will be accepted if given.

What don't I blog about?! I blog about places we go, things we do, trips we take, things I make, things I find around the internet that inspire me, goals, hopes, dreams, pregnancies, giveaways, blog hops, parties I work at, EVERYTHING!

2. You have so many fingers in a lot of creative pies: scrapbooking, writing, blogging, drawing, photography. How do you A) have all of the energy to do it, and B) keep your mojo flowing in order to stay inspired?

A) I've always been super self-motivated. My parents never had to bug me to do my homework and I get major satisfaction crossing things off my "to-do" lists. So my energy comes from within. It's definitely a trait I picked up from my dad - from dawn 'til dusk he's always doing something.

B) Like so many others, Pinterest has definitely become a major go-to source for inspiration. I subscribe to 359 blogs via Google Reader and every night I go through them and drag my favorite images into my own "inspiration" folder or "pin" them. Also, I stay inspired at my jobs looking at hundreds of lovely scrapbooking layouts and projects on a daily bases.

3. Being a mama is tough as it is, but you have added a work-at-home aspect to that as well. Is that something you want to do for the long haul, or is simply this to put Mr. Chris through USC Dentistry School?

I actually enjoy working at my jobs! If I didn't like my jobs I definitely wouldn't still be working and do the loans/Medical route. While we definitely need my income right now, I hope to continue to work even when Chris is done at dental school because I like the people I meet and the relationships I build through said jobs.

4. Your work with other people in the creative industries is far-reaching; you have access to product designers, design team members, and publishers of craft magazines. Out of all of the things you have participated in, what has been your favorite?

My favorite job was working as a Product Designer/In-House Scrapbooker at American Crafts for 20 months in 2008-2009. It was sooooo cool to design paper and stickers and such and then see them in stores a few months later! Even still when a paper of mine is used in a layout published in a magazine, I point at it and say (to no one in particular), "Hey! I designed that!". So very fun. 

5. Your personality is naturally shy and reserved—I love that about you. My personality is more outgoing, which I love about me, too. If you and I switched personalities for a week, what would you like to do as your more outgoing self?

Reach out to all of my old friends that I don't talk to anymore, host workshops and give talks without being scared, chat with the people I sit next to in church or on the plane or at the store instead of ignoring them, be the life of the party instead of the wallflower, things of that nature. I wish I could strike up conversations with strangers or new people I meet instead of being so quiet and shy! I think it comes off as snobby when really I'm just shy. I stumble and fumble with my words when meeting new people. I guess practice makes perfect so I'll work on it!