Erin Halla (retired)

Username: Erin Halla
Location: La Canada, CA

Growing up, I never considered myself to be "artistic". I wasn't blessed like my mom to have great drawing skills (those genes got passed on to my sister!). In fact, it was my mom who did my projects in elementary school and junior high! I started to dabble in scrapbooking after I graduated from high school, and I remember very clearly going into Aaron Brothers Art Store to find scrapbook supplies- and came out with a Canson spiral bound scrapbook and photo corners. I used my measly drawing skills with gel pens on the black background paper to preserve my memories. After that summer, I went to college and forgot about scrapbooking for a while.

I discovered "scrapbooking", or at least the way that I do it today, in 2003, when I came back to the United States from a six month trip to Australia and India. I had 30 rolls of pictures that I wanted to document. I initially started in my "old" way of scrapbooking with gel pens and photo corners, but it got boring very fast. I searched for "scrapbooking" online and found Scrapjazz! I was so fascinated by all the pages in the gallery and it opened up a whole new world to me. I went out and bought magazines, learned how to use eyelets, fibers, and all the latest and greatest trends. I was completely addicted.

Some things have changed since then- I don't use eyelets and fibers quite as often in my pages, but I still love to SHOP, SHOP, SHOP for supplies and my significant other still calls me an addict. I'm a sucker for nice packaging and a marketing person's dream. I love making cards and pages for other people letting them know that if I, of all people, could find a way to be artistic, anyone can!

Being a scrapbooker is only one of my roles in life- I'm a pediatric occupational therapist by day, working with children who have Autism and developmental delays. In the evenings I love hanging out with my wonderful fiancé who supports me 100% in my scrapbook addictions and enjoy hanging out with my friends. I'm an introvert, a worrywart and I tend to stress over things that I have no control over, which is why I have my fiancé to balance me out.

I'm so excited to be a part of the Blue Crew! I remember first browsing the Scrapjazz gallery and being in awe of the layouts that the team put out! I've learned so much from the people at Scrapjazz and have been inspired with so many layouts over the past 3 years, and I'm privileged to be working with such an awesome team of women here!