Member Spotlight-Zenita Smith

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family. I live in Southeast Missouri in a little town called Dexter, with my husband of almost 26 years and our four sons. My oldest son Chris (23) just got married to a wonderful girl Kirsten, son #2 is Jackie (21) who is an Operation Specialist E4 with the US Navy onboard the USS Bainbridge, he was just made Petty Officer. Son #3 is William (8) who just started 3rd grade and loves video games. Son #4 is Kyle who is 7 and my special little boy. Kyle has Autism and we learn something new everyday with him. Over the past 11 years Greg and I have been foster parents to over 60 children some long term some short term, our last child just went home a few weeks ago after being here 2 1/2 years. Greg is a riverboat captain so he is gone for 6 months a year and I'm here alone with the boys. This gives me plenty of time to scrapbook and take photos, two of my favorite hobbies.
2. How and when did you start scrap booking? I had been buying supply's for many years but seven years ago this August two little boys came into our lives as foster children and I started scrapbooks for them. When we decided to adopt them I really worked harder on those two scrapbooks and I carried them to every court appearance that we had to make. For two years I carried those books with me and now I teach foster/adopt classes and use them in class to show how Life Books could be made.
3. How would you describe your scrap booking style? My style of scrapping is fairly simple. I'm trying to add more texture, layers, etc. but it is hard for me. I think if I had girls it would be easier for me to do more frilly paages but right now it's pretty simple.
4. How often do you journal? Is it important to you? I really like journaling and I think it is very important to tell the story, but if you look at my scrapbooks you will see a lot of blanks that need to be filled in. I used to do alot of my scrapping at crops and didn't like to hand write my journaling. Now I do more handwriting so my children will remember what it looks like.
5. Do you have a dedicated scrap space ( room )? Yes, as soon as my oldest son moved out on his own, I took over his room. Actually before he was out the door he helped me bring scrapping supplies in the room.
At the moment it is pretty messy. I have been making a lot of cards for a show this fall and haven't put things up the way I really should. I do have things labeled and organized, which I really like, so I can find things fairly fast.

6. What are your "go to " tools or supplies when you scrap? I use my cricut and cartridges on almost all of my layout's and cards. Also my Bazzill Splat Mat is always out on my desk. My xyron machines are also a must, I have 3,  the 150, 250 and 510 that I use with almost every layout.
7. Where do you start when you get ready to create- sketches, supplies, photos...? I start with my photos and then find the cardstock and papers that I need to use with the photo. Lately though I have been looking at more sketches, especially the ones that are on the AC Bailey Forum each month.

8. Are you a scrapper or an artist? Wow, not sure how to answer that one. I owned a Craft Store and did Craft Shows for 9 years. During that time I tole painted many items, but I got so burned out stocking the store and doing the shows that I don't paint anything now. So I guess I would say I'm more of a scrapper and every once in awhile I'll do something more artsy.
by: C. Mercer