I'll never forget the first time I met Margie. It was years ago at the Making Memories office where us editors had been invited to see the latest release. When Margie walked into the room, it was almost like she was surrounded by light. I know that sounds a bit on the cheesy side, but it's really true. Margie has a way of engaging everyone around her. She looks you in the eye while reaching out to give you a big ol' hug, she calls everyone "Sweets," and she carries a special vibe that pours over everyone who is around her at the time.
Not only that, but she's an amazing product designer. As I mentioned in this week's Moxie Monday, there's a soft glam, a girly touch, and a vintage hip overtone to her work that simply cannot be missed. So, sit back, enjoy, and read a little about what makes Margie tick!
Margie started scrapbooking shortly after she became a mom 23 years ago. In 2000 she started working at her LSS and then went on to work for Deluxe Designs where she co-authored a book and designed her first paper line. It was called "Margie's House" and was based on her home and each of her four children.In 2002, Margie worked as a contributing artist for Bazzill Basics Paper's first two book releases and after a family move from Arizona to Utah she began work at Making Memories as a product designer and was later promoted to style director.
Margie has developed a keen eye for design, but her first love is teaching. She has taught in countries all over the world, bringing humor and fun to her classes and making friends wherever she goes.
This past CHA Winter, Margie launched two new lines for The Girls' Paperie with Advantus--Paper Girl and On Holiday which are packed full of coordinating papers and unique embellishments.
Hey Margie! Thanks for joining us today. Inquiring minds want to know: Is trend-watching important to your creativity? Why or why not? If so, how does trend-watching manifest itself in your work?
Trend watching is my job! I am always looking for new trends and incorporating them into my designs. As a product designer my hope is to take the trends in other markets and bring them into scrapbooking.
Where do you find trends?
I find trends everywhere! I shop, I read magazines, and I look on online on blogs and inspiring websites.
One of my favorite blogs for trends is Creature Comforts. Another is This is Glamorous:
I look at a lot of wedding blogs, too. I don’t know if it’s because I have two daughters old enough to “start” to think about getting married, but I find them so inspiring. A wedding blog that provides a ton of inspiration is Once Wed:
I love all kinds of magazines, too, but not one that I live for...I love mixing it up!
Name a designer (or two) in the scrapbooking industry that inspires you. What do you like about his/her work?
Tim Holtz always inspires me. He is brilliant at what he creates and always generates excitement around what he is involved in. I love to watch him create, he can take something so simple and create a masterpiece.
Tim & Margie
Rhonna Farrer is another designer who inspires me. Her creativity in her work and in her home is felt in everything she does. I love the nature of her creativity and that she is so willing to share her ideas and inspiration through her blog!
Spring Chalkboard Wall by Rhonna Farrer
Rhonna FarrerWithout giving anything away that you are working on, what trend(s) are you currently watching?
As a designer we work so far ahead. Right now I just finished up designing Halloween and am almost finished with Christmas/holiday...shhhh...I love both holidays so it has been very fun to design both! You can count on them being very vintage in feel...So excited!
Where do you think trends get started and what propels them once they do?
Wow! This is the Golden Question. If I knew, would I tell? *Laugh!* Honestly as a scrapbook product designer I follow fashion, what the trend colors are, and what we are wearing. I also follow the trends in home decor as well pretty closely. It all seems to join together.
What advice can you give to paper crafters who are interested in incorporating more trends into their projects?
My advice is find what you love, what you are drawn to, and embrace it. My style will always be pretty much the same. I like adding a few trends here and there but it is my belief that when you are true to your style you are the happiest with your work.
In your opinion, what paper crafting techniques are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?
I think a big trend right now in paper crafting is home die-cutting systems. They are affordable, easy to use, and so many options and cool techniques can be created. To me they are appealing to so many crafters because you can do it at home, and become the designer of what you want to create. It’s easy!
What is your favorite medium in which to work and why does it appeal to you? Has that changed over time? Why or why not?
I am a died in the wool paper girl. I love playing with and creating with and collecting beautiful paper! I have done lots of different types of creating, sewing, jewelry making, etc., butI always come back to paper.
What is your favorite part about your job as a product designer and why? What is your least favorite part about your job and why?
The best thing about my job is...there are so many things! I love creating product that I know as a scrapbooker I would love to use that is easy and beautiful. I love that I have gotten to travel all over the world teaching and getting to meet so many amazing women who share the same passion for the hobby that I do. I love that I work from home! Somedays I stay in my jammies working all day! LOVE that, love that I can be at home with my family and still have a space I call my “work.”
The least favorite part? Really? I know I am blessed do do what I love in an industry I love...I can’t really think of one thing...Ok one thing, I don’t get to scrapbook as often as I would like...If I could I would do it all the time! Really! I love it that much!
Thank you so much for sharing your trendy insight, Margie! You, my friend, are a peach!
Moxie Fabbers, leave Margie a comment by midnight MDT on Sunday, April 18 saying what you found to be most inspiring in today's interview and I'll draw one random winner to receive the On Holiday collection. Moxie fab!
Grateful for Margie,
~Cath
PS There's still time to grab a chance to win Margie's The Paper Girl collection! Click HERE and leave a comment by Sunday, April 18 at midnight MDT and it could be yours as well!
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146 comments:
This woman is fabulous. One of her posts about a old classmate really touched me. Margie is defined as an Artist and it shows in what is she is passionate about! I love reading about her new challenges and her fresh ideas!
ROCK ON MArgie!
Hmm, Wedding Magazines, I will have to try those out for inspiration. Thanks for the tip Margie.
Hugs
Tanya
I LOVE MARGIE!!!! xoxox
Most inspiring? The pics of Margie, Tim and Rhonna! Three amazing, creative people :)
Wow to pick just ONE thing that inspires me about her interview....geeez all of it really but i'd never heard of the OnceWed site. She's right, 100% inspiring! I'm not anywhere near getting married again but it's so fun to look and incorporate that into my scrapbooks. THANK YOU MARGIE!!!
First off, I just love Margie and her effervescence. She just spills love all over whatever she touches.
And her talent rocks my socks off.
I love what she said about how her style, while incorporating trends, hasn't really changed over the years. That struck a chord with me as I tend to "be me" in my crafting as opposed to changing all the time (minimalist, shabby chic, graphic - oh, my) to suit what is "in". I love that you can usually pick Margie's work out of a crowd and hope to say the same for mine someday.
The woman is a ray of sunshine. Thanks so much for a great interview full of inspiration.
Hi Margie! Love the hint about wedding blogs- I will start looking! Always inspiring! thank you...
Wonderful interview, wonderful designer! I love the part about staying true to my own style! Thanks, Margie....and Cath!!
Eeeek! How awesome! I love all the inspirational pictures!
I think it is so wonderful that you look for inspiration all around you. So many people walk thru their day and never notice the inspiration.
What an inspiring interview. I'll think outside cards blogs from now on when looking for inspiration.
Thanks Margie.
OH everything is so inspiring I love it all. Its always amazing to see through an artist eyes and get your own ideas :)
I attended one of Margie's classes when she came to South Africa and I found her to be very inspiring. She so obviously loves what she does that you can't help but fall ubder the spell too!
Hi Cath -
First, I love Margie, her products are out of this world. What did I find in today's interview that inspired me? The fact that although Margie may add a few trends to her line and work, she is always true to herself. She knows what makes her happy, and that happiness and love of her family show through in the things she designs and creates!
Elaine Allen
WOW--MARGIE is AMAZING! Look at her style and she is just so much fun! Wish I could meet her in person! Thanks for the inspiration and all that you do, Margie:)
Hi Margie!! I am still new to card making and trying to find my own style but in the mean time I turn to sketches and advice from people that are super talented!! Thanks for all the knowledge!!
I found it interesting that Margie gets inspiration from wedding blogs. I don't know why I never thought to look there for inspiration...maybe that's why she's good at what she does. Love all the collections. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love Margie's designs & it was really interesting to read about her inspirations. She is so enthusiastic & passionate about her job and that is what I liked best about this post as I'm starting Product Design at university in September & am even more excited about my course now :)
I like that she reminded us to "laugh" when we have problems!! Thanks for the nice interview!
I loved to see who Margie was inspired by and could feel her passion in her answers. What an artist!
Great info on the trend watching areas. Love wedding themes.
I loved the interview...but my favorite part was the pancake towers in the wedding photos...there were some great ideas and great inspiration photos in the interview and Margie is just fun!
I love Margie's refreshingly positive viewpoints on everything!
Wow! GREAT getting to know more about Margie & what makes her tick! LOVE her style and am so grateful that she shared the links to places from which she derives inspiration!! Thanks Margie!!
This was a great interview with Margie. She sounds so down to earth and very modest..wish I could meet her! Imagine... she takes inspiration from Tim H. and Rhonna Farrer. Margie does wonderful work in her own right! She says she takes inspiration from magazines but doesn't name one in particular. I like to take inspiration from Martha Stewart magazine..such lovely photos of things to collect such as glassware, vintage aprons, etc, colours, and flowers.
Sharon
I loved her advise on incorporating trends into your craft. . . only picking the things I love!
Loved hearing her sources for trend watching!
Margie is a true inspiration. Wish I had one iota of her creativity!
Love her take on the trends. She is so talented!!!
I find it so inspiring that Margie can work hard on designing and keeping up with the trends, yet still create beautiful products--AND enjoy actually using them! I also love the advice to find your own style and stick with it. Thanks! :)
I am intrigued by her comment of following wedding sites for trends. I will have to keep my eyes open. thanks for the insight! :)
I love Margie - she's just a girl!
I loved being able to meet one of the designers of the beautiful products we all love to use and I loved hearing about what inspires her.
Thanks for sharing so many of your inspirational links! Loved the interview!
As an artist, I love hearing about what inspires other artists. Thanks for this interview!
Margie is adorable!!! And I think it's so perfect that she looks at wedding blogs for inspiration.... duh, why didn't I think of that.
Well Margie...I SO love you and your style is right up my alley!!!!
LOVE Margie's designs; what a great prize that would be.
It was so fun learning more about Margie! She's terrific!
Great interview Margie. I can't wait to see your Halloween & Christmas lines!
I love the colors in the top bouquet....very pretty!
Thanks Margie for telling me to be true to my design style...and only adding a trend here and there. Too often we can get caught up in the next best thing and lose sight of what we love.
Thanks for the sites that inspires Margie. I hope to get inspired by them too!
I liked reading about what inspires her--fashion and home decorating. I loved the beautiful pale pinks in the pictures that were shared.
I love that you love paper so much. I do, too. There is so much I can do with it, and the colors and textures are amazing...
The spring chalkboard wall does it for me. That style is just so inspiring. Love it!
Wow. I loved the interview and Margie's advice about going with what you are drawn to. Thanks.
Interesting that wedding mags and blogs are a great source of trendy inspiration. Who among us doesn't love a wedding?!!
I always like stories about people who follow their passion. Margie inspired me most when she said to be true to your style. I sometimes feel I am "behind the times' by not following new trends.
Tim's work is a constant inspiration to me! I just love his style.
I liked her statement that if you are true to your style you are the happiest with your work.
It was great reading the interview. I like that she uses wedding magazines for inspiration, I would have never thought of that. Thanks for sharing.
I loved the link to Rhonna farrer, it gave me lots of inspiration!
I love the idea about perusing wedding magazines and blogs for inspiration.
I really found it interesting to read about how far in advance Margie creates for the holidays!
Love the sources of inspiration Margie gave. Never thought of wedding blogs!!
Margie is such a talented and inspiring woman all her own! All the sites she mentioned are very inspiring, especially the wedding sites! The OnceWed site is awesome! Thanks Margie!! :)
What is not to love about Margie - I was quite excited to see her creations and hear about her history in the business.
What a great interview. I love meeting designers and getting to know about them. When she said:
"My advice is find what you love, what you are drawn to, and embrace it, " it made me feel so good. That is exactly what I try to do
I love what Margie said about places to watch for trends and the importance of following what people are wearing and what decor items are in the catalogs and magazines. Great interview! Thanks. Anne, yourmainestamper
Great interview and great lady!
Love how she is so humble and real. Amazing. And her "heroes" that inspire are definitely an inspiration to all of us! Thanks for the chance to get to know her better!
Great interview with Margie! It was so cool to hear from her who inspires her and where she looks for new trends! Especially the wedding magazines! Such a talented artist! Thanks, Cath!
I love that she says find your own style and be true to it! Good advice.
Love the links to Blogs and inspirational sites. Margie has such fabulous "style" ~ really like her advice to 'be true to your style'~ it is a matter of comfort, isn't it :o?
I can't imagine designing for Halloween and Christmas when I am in such a mood for spring. Of course, that is why Margie is who she is. The ability to not only follow trends but to be able to create trends of the future is absolutely aswesome!
OmGosh I enjoyed this segment! When she said one of her favorites is Tim Holtz, I cheered her on! I just bought almost his entire 2010 release. He ROCKS! Margie ROCKS TOO! Cath you rock too! Today is a rockin' day!
I love her ideas on where to find inspiration, too. The links to blogs and the pictures are great ideas. I wish her continuing success!
I loved reading this article. I agree...we must do what we love...stay true to our own style. Fantastic work Margie!!
Margie I have to tell you I LOVE your stuff. So beautiful and you are so inspiring!!!
I loved seeing all the inspiring pictures, Maggie!
wow! just hearing a bit about what it's like to be a product designer was inspiring and fun!
I love to just tune into what is presently going on in our society for trends. I feel that since the bad economy we are going back to more basic things. For example, when I started seeing cupcakes, baking cookbooks and aprons in the media, I knew that we needed to create things that represented our lives in the past when things were more simple.
It was great getting to know you a bit, Margie. I love the wedding site you mentioned.
Love Margie and her designs, love her blog. Great interview, I love that she watches scrapping, home decor and wedding blogs for inspiration. Thanks for the inspiration.
I'm inspired that she looks at wedding blogs.. I too recently started doing this because my daughter is getting married in June. They have so many amazing ideas and colors. Fun!
Hey, that was cool to see who Margie hands out with!!!
What an interesting and inspiring woman! I loved reading your interview with her ... lots of enthusiasm and joy comes through. She sounds exactly like someone I would love to know!
I was inspired by her sources of inspiration and can't wait to visit all of them.
Thanks so much for a chance to win this fab "On Holiday" collection!
Fab interview with Margie! I'm will be check out "Creature Comforts" and "This is Glamorous" right after this. Humm...I never thought to look at wedding magazines and website for inspiration, I'll to try this. Thanks for the chance to win!
"Find what you love..." this is so true! Great article!
it was great to find out she always comes back to paper. i seem to be addicted to paper. i enjoy other things too, but keep using paper on everything
Margie said "...look at what you love, what you are drawn to, and embrace it...", this is the most inspiring for me. I've been trying to try new things, new style, but it is not working. So what she said really hits home.
I love Marcie's unabashed enthusiasm for what she does. I also find her quote "it is my belief that when you are true to your style you are the happiest with your work." very reassuring. There are so many different styles, techniques, etc. out there, some of which speak to me, some of which don't. It's nice to know you can appreciate them all without having to do them all.
Great interview! I love how Margie recommended that we find what we love and embrace it!!!! Fantastic advice!
I love that Margie is inspired by everything around her!
Also, I love that it's about people, not just stuff, for Margie!
I think it's inspiring that Margie does what she luvs to do! So many people in this industry truly luv what they do and it shows!
Wow! I am totally inspired to persue my design dreams after hearing how you are able to keep your family incorporated into your career.
loving all the inspirational pictures! That chalkboard is so cool!
Margie is one amazing woman!! She is soo inspiring and thanks for all the tips! I would love to have her job! :)
Can't get enough paper either. Sometimes I buy it just so I can look at it, dreaming of all the possibilities. Love Margie's line.
DeniseB
The comment about staying true to yourself while incorporating trends was very nice to hear! Thanks for the intro to Margie!
Eeek! Never thought of looking to Wedding mags for inspiration! Can't wait to shock the hubby and come home with a bunch now! :)
Oh I love her stuff! Shes amazing! :) Thank you for interviewing her and how cute is that picture of her in the chair!!!
I absolutely love the Creature Comfort blog that Margie mentions...and the Once Wed site too: gorgeous!!
The most inspiring thing about Margie's interview has to be that she makes it a point to get inspiration from anything and everything around her! What a wonderful reminder to us all that we need only look with a different lens and appreciate all the beauty we are surrounded by!
Hi! My name is Margie, too!Thank you for sharing your inspirations! I LOVE those shoes!!!
Margie and Cath, What a delightful and enlightening interview. I loved the inspiration leads, home decor is a leader, and president of Pantone (I cannot remember her name off the top of my head) would support that. I studied home decor color for awhile in my search for a new reason to play with color after Quilting for 2 decades, and played with paper also. Appreciated the questions and the answers and the willingness to share. We will all find our own paths.
Warmly,
Joan
I found the tip about staying true to your style and finding ways to incorporate the trends, rather than change your style, the most inspiring. She sounds like a fascinating person, thanks for introducing her to us!
I love what I see!! Thanks for featuring here!
I certainly enjoyed this interview. I was interested in Margie's sources for trend setting and inspiration.
i love reading about what inspires the designers. It reminds me that there is inspiration all around everywhere.
thanks.
I loved how she has been able to create a career from her passion. that is so inspiring!
Just love this interview but I really appreciate her blog picks - I have added them to my Reader. thanks for the chance to win.
Chris Aiton
Love Margie take on things, great and wonderfully creativity just flows through her. I really enjoy going to her blog and seeing what she has been up to. Thanks Margie
Wow Margie...what an inspiring story from how she got started to where she is now! I love that two of her inspiring people are two of my favorite!!! And I love her style and where she goes to find the newest trends and how she incorporates it all into what she does! Amazing!
I am so happy to see Margie featured today! She IS moxie fabulous to the core! I love how you described her as having a vibe, because that's exactly how I imagine her! I also love the people who inspire her . . . Tim and Rhonna . . . they are two of my favorites too! EXCELLENT post today!! ♥
Waooo!!! Margie is fabulous. Love all the tips. The pics are great.
Love margie... love her talent.. loved finding out what inspires her... so motivating and inspiring.. there is inspiration everywhere, that's what I always say! hugs
I love the Shabby Chic feel of all your collections! Keep em' coming!
Margie's 'just embrace what you love'! What a fun gal!
Thanks for this insightful interview with an AMAZING person. So happy to learn a little more about the person behind the inspiration.
working from home in your pajamas? what's not to like about that?! and her tip to be true to your style is inspiring
I cannot wait to see that vintage Halloween line. Two of my fav things combined in one ! Ah-heaven! I love Margie's style!
Love that Margie can fins inspiration everywhere. And she's not alone on that. I am known to take pics of everything that inspired me. Great interview, Margie!
Thanks for mentioning some new inspiring links! Can't wait to check them out.
So nice to 'get to know you'!
It was so wonderful to read about Margie's insights into creativity and trend tracking. She sounds like a woman who stays true to her own creativity while leaving the doors open to new ideas as she follows the trends. Thanks for the lovely interview!
i like that she said to look at trends and make them your own. Sometimes the trendy stuff doesn't suit me but sometimes I can tweak it and make it work.
It's always inspiring to know that designers can be just as down to earth as you and me. Sounds like Margie is that kind of person.
I love all pictures soo fun1
I like what she said about being you in your creating--do what you love.
I will have to check out the blogs that she mentioned for trend spotting. It's always good to be reminded that you can find inspiration from everything around you. Thanks for the interview!
So enjoyed reading about Margie. I liked reading about how she finds trends. Thanks for sharing!
Fab-u-lous! Love hearing from ppl in the industry!!! Thanks so much for bringing Margie to my attention!!
I always bookmark any sites that inspire brilliant people to look at when I have time - the ones Margie visits are beautiful!
Wow, everything was so inspiring!! I'm off to check outsome wedding blogs right now :)
I love who inspires Margie and feel so blessed to have taken classes with all three. I am thankful Margie is working on new designs....I love her work!!!!
Margie is a great source of inspiration to me! I love her blog and will start looking for wedding blogs for more inspiration.
Kisses
Lisa
Find what you love and embrace it that says it all for me!
Ah, she works in her jammies! I craft in my jammies every chance I get!
What a great interview! I love her two new collections and it was nice to read about the talented woman behind them. I liked her inspiration pictures!!
I loved hearing about where she found inspiration, particularly that she mentioned some blogs I can look at too!
i've been scrapbooking and papercrafting for 3 years now and i'm only now starting to feel comfortable with my style (which isn't any prescribed style anyway), so i love her advice "My advice is find what you love, what you are drawn to, and embrace it." It is so important to just stay true!
Very inspiring interview. It would be so fun to take a class fram Margie someday. Thanks for sharing.
Great interview! Thanks for taking the time. I'm loving that chalkboard wall. Very, very inspirational!
Cath, thanks for sharing your chat with Margie. Love her paper line! Everything she says is INSPIRING! ;) Gina Nichols
Owh, can't wait for the Christmas collection!!
I am so glad I got to meet you today on this blog!!! I can certainly understand why you are so loved!!! Your so inspiring!!! Thanks for all the things to look for for inspiration! Cheers!
I love that she said to stay true to your own style. It is true that you will always like your work if you love the style you use. Also I am inspired to watch the fashion and home dec trends to get new ideas! Thanks!!!
I was most impressed (and inspired) by Margie's comment that you should find your style and embrace it without worrying about the latest trend. For someone in the business to make a comment like that is so refreshing.
Great interview. Was very interesting.
I love the idea of looking at wedding blogs and magazines for inspiration!
Andrea McCulley
prayalways421@yahoo.com
Wow, so much inspirational information- I guess I liked hearing of the places she draws from the blogs and websites.
Your since of style is beautiful.
I like the fact that she tells us to be true to our own sense of style and i agree with that so much, even tho i like to stretch and learn as i did this weekend with Shimelle Laine.. Thanks for sharing with us..
I love Margie's line. So pretty.
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