Member Spotlight | Nirupama Hecker

Hi! My name is Nirupama Hecker (nirupama01) and I am a memory keeper, blogger, and mother living in Austin, Texas with my husband, three children and our most recent addition to the house, my baby brother (of 28 years). I am still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up but I do love this mommy gig so very much. Having my little baby blow raspberries all over my face is just about the best feeling in the world there ever was. I could never figure out if I was left or right brained. Maybe I'm just a little of both? I love all things nerdy and science-y, as well as all things magic and beauty.

I fell into scrapbooking a few months after my first child was born and it was just perfect for me. First, it helped me deal with all those new mommy emotions that time was going by way too fast. I had found my pause button. Scrapbooking was my therapy, my outlet, my memories keeper, and my artistic expression. I still don't remember how I found Studio Calico, but I stalked the site for so long before I picked up the courage to subscribe. Does that make sense? I wanted to be worthy of all that I saw here and I was nervous. Since then, I have loved seeing this community bloom and grow. It has helped me grow along with it. Starting Project Life, taking classes, participating in challenges and sharing my work. Everyone here is so friendly and open, and incredibly talented.

A huge thank you to Studio Calico for choosing me for this honor. I am so grateful.

SC Member since : I started subscribing in 2011. My first official kit as a subscriber was Lawn Party, and I'll never forget it. It came out right after my daughter was born and still makes me feel very sentimental.

All time favorite past kit or collection : There are so many great kits it is really hard to choose, so I have a couple. Neverland stands out, with its summery colors and feel, the awesome stencil just begging to be watercolored and outlined and one of my all time favorite stamps. Sugar Rush, which came out right after my son was born last February was also a very special kit for me. I loved the crown motifs and all the beautiful hearts and yummy chipboard, it was a beautiful Valentine's palette that was still versatile enough for lots of other projects.

What do you do when your kit comes? I usually stalk the UPS guy all day (or longer!) so I know the second it gets dropped on my door step. I grab some crayons and give my kids the large piece of packing paper inside it to distract them while I tear through all the goodies. I like to open each little package, like so many little presents and sort through them. I try to have pictures printed out ahead of time so I can get started on the real making as soon as nap time or bedtime hits, whichever comes first.

What's your go-to technique? Using translucent elements on a project. I love how it adds something eclectic and unexpected, while inviting you to look closer. I love to have a see through pocket on my project life spreads too.

Share your top 5 products :

1. Stamps - I should probably call myself a collector given the number of drawers and boxes I have filled with them. I go through my stash pretty regularly because I like to put them to good use. I love the different effects I can get with ink, watercolor, or embossing.
2. Paint - So versatile and such a great way to add your own mark to a page. I love that it can be used for great brush stroke titles, to fill in stamped images or just for a great background. It adds so much depth to any project.
3. Wood Veneers - I have always loved the various hearts, stars and cameras in wood, great for adding a little something to a PL pocket or scrapboook page. I especially love all the filigreed, thin cut wood veneer pieces that have been coming in kits lately. They add great texture and are so unique!
4. Mini Albums - I love working on little handbooks and mini books, like those 4x4 instagram albums in the shop. They are so yummy and cute. I love how fun they are to fill up with different size pages and whimsical little papers here and there.
5. Patterned Paper - This is my go-to product. It makes its way onto every layout and project. If I love a pattern enough, I will wait until I have at least two before cutting into it. The ones with a little texture are my favorite.

where do you go when your mojo is low?

Studio Calico has such a high quality of designers and members, I never fail to find a little inspiration after browsing the gallery. The classes have been great for me too in that regard. Learning new techniques helps me get lots of fresh and interesting ideas to try out on my projects. I don't think I ever would have thought of or known how to turn an old book into an album, but it is one of my favorite projects ever. Looking back at my old pages is also a great way for me to get inspired. I have a good base to start with, giving me a little extra time for creative finishing touches.

Thank you for letting us spotlight you, Nirupama! We loved getting to know more about you! If you'd like to see more of Nirupama's work, be sure to follow her here at SC and on her Instagram!