Get to Know Today’s Top Teen Talent in Scrapbooking

Meet Abbie Nichols, 14-year-old scrapbooker extraordinaire and winner of the Creating Keepsakes 2011 Teen Talent Contest.

Abbie’s mad scrapping skillz, as evidenced in the layout below, won her the top spot in CK’s search for up-and-coming scrapbookers.

We pulled Abbie aside for a little one-on-one to get the inside scoop on her crafty life, and we asked her to create another layout to show our readers. Stay tuned till the end, when we tell you about a SUPER giveaway for National Scrapbooking Day (find out more about our countdown to National Scrapbooking Day—the festivities begin this Monday, April 30).

CK: How long have you been scrapbooking? How did you get started?

Abbie: Well, I have always been into everything crafty, collecting everything from our family closet and storing it in my room for later use. I was first introduced to the hobby by my aunt Heidi Sonboul when she would clean out her closets and give me boxes of stamps, stickers, paper, etc., to feed my addiction. I would go completely insane with the stuff, stuck in my room for hours.

CK: Do you find that you create more layouts, or cards, or mini albums, or other projects? What’s your fave?

Abbie: I am more into doing layouts than anything, but I love doing it all. Just the feeling of having scissors and adhesive in hand makes me happy.

CK: Now let’s play fill in the blank. I’ll start a sentence and you finish it.

I spend most of my time… in my room decorating, scrapbooking, doing homework, reading, watching movies, and riding my bike to the beach for a fun day in the sun!

I’d describe my family as… the best people on earth. I love each one of them and it makes me so happy to spend time with them.

When I get home from school, the first thing I do is… head straight to the computer for my daily blog checks and Pinterest scroll.

If I were stuck on a desert island with the scrapping basics (adhesive, cardstock, pens, photos, scissors, trimmer) and could only choose three extras, I’d choose… definitely my Cricut Expression, baker’s twine, and my handy dandy wood carver so I could make a well-decorated, pretty boat and sail home!

CK: You seem to have a good eye for what’s in style. Where do you get your fashion sense? What inspires you?

Abbie: I rely on Pinterest for lots of ideas, and I look through my stash of magazines whenever possible, helping me get into the mood. I love lots of happy, fun, springtime colors with that vintage touch.

CK: Did you have any favorites from your Teen Talent prize? What are they?

Abbie: Oh my goodness. When I opened that box, it was like early Christmas! I have to say that baker’s twine is delicious though. I have used it in one way or another on every single thing I have made since I got it.

CK: Now that you’re a Teen Talent winner, have you been approached by anyone to join their design teams or anything? Do you have any plans to get more involved in the scrapbooking industry in the future?

Abbie: I am currently on the GCD Studios design team as their teen sponsor. It is so fun working with them! I went to the CHA Winter show for the past two years (my mom even let me skip school to go), and it is amazing! I am definitely planning on doing more in the future.

CK: Anything else you’d like to add?

Congratulations to our winner! To claim your prize, watch for an email in your inbox.

Joyce Jackson: Every July I take my Scrapbooking group to Shipshewana & Stay in Middlebury IN. We stay at (That Pretty Place bed & Breakfast)We rent the whole Cabin now called Serenity Suites. It is a wonderful place & each of us enjoy it so much. It is about 100 miles from us.one other embellishment on my page.