Getting to Know Holly McCaig
August 30, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
This week’s getting to know you blog post is all about Holly McCaig!!
Describe your family life: I’m a 30-something single creative type that lives in St. Louis Missouri with my two dogs, Jack & Daisy.
Describe your design style (traditional, modern, shabby, etc.): I’m obsessed with a shabby, weathered and vintage look when it comes to my studio style. But, I also really love clean, graphic and modern feels to designs in paper products.
Mac or PC? Mac – don’t ask how many Apple products I own. My latest love is my iPad.
Song that best describes you: Lately, the song that resonates with me is Brand New Day by Joshua Radin. It’s a tough time in business with the economy, so going through this song I think about what I’m facing. It helps and inspires.
If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? I’d have the best dinner ever with my closest friends and my family. Then, we’d sing karaoke!
Favorite product at Pink Ink Studios: I love Tisha’s Wallet Templates!
Favorite product of my own: I love my What’s Next Postcard because it is something I use with every session and my clients appreciate it!
You can find Holly at:
- Holly McCaig Seniors Facebook Fan Page
- Holly McCaig Facebook Fan Page
- Websites: hollymccaigdesigns.com and hollymccaig.com
Designer Process: An Inside Look
August 29, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
Ever wonder how the designers came up with a certain design or idea here at Pink Ink Studios? Well each month one of us is going to give you a behind the scenes look into our design process and explain how we created a certain product. Today I’m giving you an inside look into my process behind the Sweet Hanukkah Card I have in the store.
Earlier this year I came across a great tutorial in Photoshop User magazine to create a sugar cookie effect in Photoshop. I loved the tutorial and how realistic the cookies came out that I couldn’t wait to try it. Once I played around in Photoshop and had a go at the tutorial I wanted to make everything into a cookie! Who doesn’t like cookies, right?? Photoshop cookies are even better and less fatty too!
So when I decided to make a Hanukkah card (I usually only do Christmas cards but wanted to broaden my designs) I thought some sweet elements would be a nice different touch. I love dots and I thought it was a playful design element to compliments the blue color which is normally associated with Hanukkah. So there you have it – inside my head when I was designing this card.
What designs are you curious to know the origins of? Let us know and we can possibly feature them in the next upcoming months.
Getting to Know Tara Sroka
August 23, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
Get to know designer Tara Sroka this week!
Describe your family life: I live in NYC with my husband, John and we will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.
Describe your design style (traditional, modern, shabby, etc.): My designs are more modern, clean and simple. I’m a minimalist type of designer.
Mac or PC? Mac all the way!
Song that best describes you: Smoke & Mirrors by Lifehouse & Making Love At a Nothing At All by Air Supply
If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? Have a crazy party with family and friends, drink and DANCE a lot! =)
Favorite product at Pink Ink Studios: I’m really digging Holly’s Studio Thank You Tag which is very graphic. Love it!
Favorite product of mine is my Mod Baby Announcement Bundle. I love circles and dots – it’s so fun and playful!
You can find Tara at:
Getting to Know Amy Kant
August 16, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
Describe your family life: I live in a lower flat with my sister in Milwaukee, Wis. We are crazy, but I love it. I have a precious little dog named Beep and recently completed my first half marathon! I am training for #2 and have gleefully came down with the workout bug! I have my sights set on a full marathon next fall.
Describe your design style (traditional, modern, shabby, etc.): I’m a little eclectic, but definitely lean towards the shabby/vintage/grunge style.
Mac or PC? Mac
Song that best describes you: It’s my life by Bon Jovi
If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? I’d go for a long run/walk/bike ride along the Milwaukee lakefront and then have a big dinner with my family, followed by a board game marathon.
Favorite product at Pink Ink Studios: Any part of Holly’s Buttercup Collection. If I was looking to re-brand my business, I would definitely use this set!
Getting to Know Kimberly Drury
August 10, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
This week’s getting to know you blog post is all about Kimberly Drury a.k.a MadiLu Designs
Family Life: I design full-time and then some. I’ve been married to my husband practically forever and we have four children … two boys and two girls ranging from 3 to 12 so we’re busy with big kids and little kids. We just got our first puppy this year so that’s been an interesting experience. His name is Fender, like the guitar … because we’re all coming back rockstars in our next life. Things are usually kind of crazy around our house but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Design Style: If you’d walk into my house you’d find a mix of browns, creams, reds, golds and antiques and old furniture that once belonged to someone’s grandmother. If you look at my design portfolio, it tends to gravitate towards whimsical with a touch of shabby. I love polka dots, doodles and patterns. I’m up for whatever!
Mac or PC? Always a Mac 
Song that best describes you: Struggling with this one … I listen to such a variety of music. I could joke around and say “Crazy” or something to that effect, but if I had to pick a song to define where I’m at right now, I’d have to say “The Lovely Years” by Fisher. My life is about growing and discovering with my family.
If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? I’m kind of a sap so this makes me all teary just thinking about it! I’ve been blessed to know so many awesome people in my life. I’d take that day and share it with as many of those people as possible … preferably somewhere warm and sunny! Obviously I’d spend the bulk of my time making memories with my family. Sniff!!
Favorite Pink Ink Studios product: In love with Carrie’s A Touch of Whimsy Doodles
Favorite Pink Ink Studios of mine: Through the Years Birthday Card
I think it would be cool to have a collection of 5×7 frames with one of these from each year. You just bump up the opacity of the age and can change colors of the overall template if you’d like. It’s fun to see how your kids change each year and it sure beats the cheesy Grade K through 12 frame my parents had!!
You can find Kimberly at:
Getting to Know Carrie Bombria
August 3, 2010 by Tara Sroka
Filed under Designer Focus
We are adding a new feature to our blog for the next few months to give you an opportunity to get to know the designers here at Pink Ink Studios better and to learn more about us all.
This week’s featured designer is Carrie Bombria!
Family Life: I’m a stay at home mom to my beautiful daughter Lillian and wife to my college sweetheart Dan. We live in Southern Vermont along a beautiful river in the Green Mountains.
Design Style: More modern for sure! My eye tends to go towards sleek and simple designs which is the complete opposite of how my house is decorated (antique and vintage- but I do live in Vermont so having a modern house wouldn’t fit in very well!)
Mac or PC: Mac for the rest of my life! I was so confused the last time I got on my PC laptop!
Song that best describes you: You and Me by Dave Matthews Band- Each time I listen to it, it reminds me of the discussions I’ve had with my husband about how we’ll travel the world once our kid(s) leave the nest!
If you had one day left, what would you do? Gather all of my family together and laugh. I love to laugh so I’d rather spend my last day laughing than crying!!
Favorite Pink Ink Studios product of mine: Probably my Senior Marketing Pack because of the actual business that it’s brought me in my area!
You can find Carrie at:
- Twitter (my account is protected but just request and I’ll add ya!)
- Facebook Fanpage
- Website
Designer Focus::MadiLu Designs
May 22, 2009 by bianca
Filed under Designer Focus
What is your favorite product that you have in the store?
Currently it’s my Senior Starter Kit. It’s the season when the new seniors start rolling in and it’s fun to see all of the different styles.
How long have you been designing?
I’ve been designing for about 12 years. Some at the end of college and then ever since I graduated.
Where does the name ‘MadiLu Designs’ come from?
My daughters. I have a Madison and a Lucy and wanted to find something that sounded more “fun” than my regular corporate design business. I also have two boys, but JackSam didn’t really sound that great and I’m pretty sure SamuelJackson would have gotten me into trouble
Messy or clean workspace?
I wish, wish, wish I could say clean, but I usually have so much going that it’s difficult to see the top of my desk. Somehow, I know exactly where everything is.
Why do you love being a designer?
I love being a designer because I do different projects every day. It’s never boring and I enjoy when I get to come up with an idea that will help someone else’s business. It’s great when a piece comes together and even better to get something back from the printer.
Describe your style-
I tend to gravitate to simple, clean and eye-catching. However, I love working with swirls, scrolls and vintage … I also have an addiction to polka dots that I like to incorporate when it’s appropriate.
When you aren’t designing, what else are you usually doing?
Hanging out with my family. Looking forward to the spring and summer weather when we can be outside. Our goal is to plant a pizza garden this summer. We’ll see what happens! Also volunteer at the kids’ school and when possible, try to visit w/friends.
If you had an extra $100, what would you spend it on?
Shoes or a big, chunky ring in a dream world … diapers in reality.
Go here to check out all of Kim’s fabulous designs.
Designer Focus- Traci Murphy
March 23, 2009 by Carrie Bombria
Filed under Designer Focus
This month’s Designer Focus is on Traci Murphy! I asked Traci a few questions and here were her responses…..
What is your favorite product that you have in the store? Definitely my textures – do I have to pick just one? LOL
How long have you been designing? I began designing in late 2007
Messy or clean workspace? It’s only clean because I work on my laptop and my couch – but my actual desk is a total wreck, I have so many ideas, so many projects that I never get anything put away.
Why do you love being a designer/photographer? There are definitely days that designing isn’t my love, but I’m in a wave right now where creating something is such a wonderful creative release, totally relaxing and it almost seems to “clear” my head in a way. I’ve just started as a photographer this past year, so really I love absolutely everything about it that I’ve learned so far!
Describe your style? I always choke on this question – bright and grungy is best I can describe it, it really all depends on my mood.
What’s one place you’ve always wanted to travel? And if you were only allowed to bring one suitcase with you, what would you pack in it other than clothes? Australia! Goodness that accent just makes me swoon…I’d pack suntan lotion so that I could just hang on the beach, gaze upon the hot lifeguards and listen to them talk. You thought I was going to say camera, didn’t you?
Wednesday’s Focus on a Designer- Holly McCaig
December 17, 2008 by Carrie Bombria
Filed under Designer Focus
This weeks focus on a designer is on our very own Holly McCaig! I asked Holly a few questions and here were answers….
What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?
My business postcard – I’m working on new marketing pieces for 2009 and really just enjoy doing those the most!
What is your favorite older product in the store?
My eye sparkle action. The one thing I use all the time. LOVE what it does to help me enhance eyes.
How long have you been designing?
I think I’ve lost count! I went to school for design and print management so, probably officially since 1997 in some form or fashion.
Messy or clean workspace?
Messy is an understatement. Pit, hell hole, wreck. You name it!
Why do you love being a designer/photographer?
Because it allows me to do what I love and be creative as well as know that I can support myself all on my own now. I worked hard to get to this place in life. No one helped me. Something I feel accomplished for.
Describe your style?
In design, it’s definitely a shabby/worn feel. I love textures and depth. Colors are important to me too. They have to be just the right combination and I have to love it.
What’s the one place that you’ve always wanted to travel too to photograph that you haven’t yet?
Never underestimate what you can do. It’s hard to make it in this world and when you find what it is that you love, perfect it. Go for it. Live your life and your dreams!
You can check out all of Holly’s great products by going into her store here at Pink Ink Studios as well as her digital scrapbook designs by heading here!
Wednesday’s Focus on a Designer
November 19, 2008 by Carrie Bombria
Filed under Designer Focus
This weeks focus is on our very own Andie Smith. I asked Andie a few questions and here were her answers….
What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?
20×20 Photo Transfer Storyboard. I have plans for more with the same look.
What is your favorite older product in the store?
20×20 Island Storyboard. I am building more on this style too!
How long have you been designing?
I have lost count. 4-5 years?
Messy or clean workspace?
Messy!!! I clean my desk every other day but with in a couple minutes it is a disaster again. I think I have a paper moving fairy on my desk.
Why do you love being a designer/photographer?
A designer: being creative.
A photographer: showing the world how I see the world.
Describe your style?
clean and classic. I love Holly’s shabby chic style but i can’t create it.
What’s the one place that you’ve always wanted to travel too to photograph that you haven’t yet?
If you had asked me a couple months ago I would have said Route 66 but I have now…mmm…New England in the fall….Carrie do you want company next fall? lol!
-from Carrie- Come on up!!!! New England in the fall rocks!!!
If you could photograph one famous person (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
This is hard, i don’t shoot a lot of portraits, mmmm… maybe Neal McDonough because he has pretty eyes.
You can check out all of Andie’s cool products in the store here and her website here.
On a side note from me, I wanted to thank Andie. I took her photography 101 class when I was a designer at My Digital Muse and I never could have imagined that I’d be where I am today professionally. I still have a lot of growing and learning to do, but it’s with the help of her and Holly that I am where I am and I’ll forever be grateful to the both of them!
