Member Spotlight | Chantal Philippe

This April, become better acquainted with Chantal Philipe (username ChantalPhilippe). Chantal fell in love with scrapping in a digital format in 2008, but she's becoming more acquainted with the paper approach (as it turns out, she loves the paper version of memory-keeping too). Since becoming a member of Studio Calico in 2012, she's found a way to mesh her two scrap-loves to make beautiful layouts with layered details and stark white backgrounds with vivid pops of color to center her spreads. We hope you enjoy getting to know Chantal a little better as much as we do!

I'm a lover of all things crafty and colorful; I only wish I could buy and hoard it all. I enjoy finding inspiration in the most subtle things and I can't get enough of the Studio Calico gallery and Pinterest. I currently reside in our nation’s capital, Ottawa (Canada) with my better half, my brother and my 6 year old daughter Meagan. Describing yourself always seems like an enormous feat to me, but I came upon something on Pinterest the other day and thought it appropriate: Selcouth (from Middle English, meaning: strange, unusual, rare; marvelous, wondrous). It describes me almost perfectly, although I believe the "marvelous" part is mostly subjective…or at least that's what my partner would very happily chirp (laughs). I started scrapping digitally back in 2008 after my daughter Meagan was born. Although I am still playing around with those digital goodies, I’ve somewhat transitioned to paper and I am in love…perhaps even more so. Paper scrapbooking is immensely rewarding, especially when I'm able to successfully complete something after a bout of "creative juice exhaustion."

All time favorite past kit or collection: Sugar Rush Project Life® kit. I remember seeing the sneaks and I instantly thought of my daughter and of an old Mexx dress I had bought her when she was just a wee little thing. The colors were very similar. Bright, summery with a hint of sugary treat-ness. I just cannot get over those wood veneers and the cute little bows! Yet something else I would happily hoard.

What do you do when your kit comes? THE best part is knowing your kit is finally here. It's opened right away and if I'm in the car. I will use my keys to pry the box open before I get home. I go through every single it ooh-ing and ah-ing over and over again. I tend to leave my stuff alone for a few days after that or until I've prepared all my printables and finished all other on-the-go projects. My daughter's bedroom so happens to double as my craft room; space is limited.

What's your go-to technique? Splatter! I always make sure to add some splatter on my project whether it be with my Mister Huey in Inky Black or Heidi Swapp's Color Shine Mist in Gold. I just open the bottle up and shake the mist nozzle over my page until it looks just right. I've yet to use a paint or tooth brush for this technique, but a trial is imminent.

Share your top 5 products

1. Crate Paper Open Book by Maggie Holmes "Pages" 12x12 Cardstock. I am completely and utterly in love with the check/plaid pattern.
2. We R Memory Keepers 4x4 Albums. My go-to album; it's perfect and the pages are easily filled.
3. Cactus Stamp Set by Life.Love.Paper
4. Mister Huey's Color Mist in Inky Black
5. Cirque Project Life® kit Transparency Squares. I still haven't touched these but I am itching to. A little hesitant though since I love them so much.

Where do you go when your mojo in low? Pinterest is at the top of my list. Such a complete sensory overload of creativeness and color. It's easy to follow the same pattern for your layouts. That moment you go through your gallery only to notice everything pretty much looks the same. You don't need to necessarily be in a slump to search for some news ideas and inspiration.

The Studio Calico gallery is also wonderful. We all have our favorites…someone who just seems to get it right EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. and makes it look effortless. I try to challenge myself as much as I can with new technique or a style I'm not necessarily comfortable with. I have to admit, my first attempts are always a little off but it's important to stick to it no matter what. I love going through my old digital gallery at The Lilypad. That's how it all started for me and it's amazing to witness my own personal creative evolution all over again.

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