Introducing Our Newest Fresh Face Designer: Lowri McNabb!

We're so excited to introduce Lowri McNabb as our newest Fresh Face Design Team Member! Lowri has a sophisticated style that made her entry really shine. We took the time to ask her a few questions that we'd like to share with you today.

Name: Lowri McNabb

Blog: http://papervinenz.blogspot.com/

What is your favorite Echo Park Paper collection?

I love the "For the Record" Collection for it’s retro but clean look but I am really excited about the upcoming "Season’s Greetings" Collection too. It is the best holiday collection I have seen so far this year.

Where do you reside?

Marlborough, New Zealand

Where do you do most of your creating?

I do all my creating in my own little craft room. I used to have a table in the corner of the kitchen but about a year ago I persuaded my husband to move out of his study into a room we never used much and I just love having my own space. At the moment I can see approximately 2 square inches of floor space – keeping my room tidy has never been a strength of mine!

Keep reading for additional information on Lowri and to see one of her amazing entry projects!

Tell us about your family.

I live on a vineyard in Marlborough with my husband and 3 young children. I am originally from South Wales in the UK and I also lived in Toronto for 9 years on the way to settling in New Zealand. The country life is wonderful, but I can’t deny I miss the city life once in a while.

What’s one scrapbooking tool you can’t live without?

A very sharp craft knife – I go through a lot of blades! Two other things that always live on my desk are an adhesive eraser  for ensuring a clean edge on my projects and a piece of very fine grit sandpaper – perfect for smoothing the edges of cut paper.

What’s one tip you can share with our readers regarding scrapbooking?

Look to others for inspiration but always create what works for you!  For some people scrapbooking is all about preserving memories, for some it is about documenting everyday life but for me it’s about having fun doing something I really enjoy and everyone loves to receive a hand-made gift.
If you are a beginner – I would say try and take a couple of classes. I have always learned heaps – and it’s a great way to meet people who share your interest.

Are you a card maker, scrapbooker, altered artist or a combination of these three?

I guess I would call myself a papercrafter.  I make a lot of altered items and mini albums but I also love to make custom stationary, party decorations and the occasional card-set.

Do you have additional hobbies besides scrapbooking?

If you had asked me this question 8 years ago I would have said playing squash, but this hasn’t really been an option since moving to NZ.  I love to watch sports (especially cricket) and now that my kids are getting a bit older we are trying heaps of sports out for fun! I have dabbled in sewing and a couple of other crafts but nothing has ever grabbed my interest like scrapbooking.  I am also a bit of a foodie - I love to cook and eat!

Anything else you’d like us to know about yourself?

I adore Christmas time – living the other side of the world from family has meant that it is often the only time of year we all catch up – (Christmas here in New Zealand is in the middle of summer which seems so wrong!) I started really enjoying this hobby when I realised that if you email pictures to people they look, and then maybe file away the email. BUT if you print a couple out, glue them into a simple mini album – chances are they will keep it as a treasured item. It’s a great way to connect with family near and far!

We wanted to share one of Lowri's projects here. We've included several photos of this project to show you the details involved. Keep watching for Lowri's project blog posts starting in October!