Queen Kate's Royalty

Kate or "Queen Kat", as she is affectionately called in the paper crafting world, is a strong woman that expresses life's challenges through scrapbooking.  Her style is bold, fresh and inviting.  She generously shares her positive energy in the blogosphere and inspires many through her Royal creations.  As you read her interview, you'll understand just why she lives up to her Royal moniker...

Name: Kate Blue

Blog: Queen Kat

1. Tell us a little about yourself.  
I go by so many names depending on how well person knows me but most of my crafty friends call me Queen Kat or Kate. I transplanted myself to the state of Maryland about 26 years ago while I was in the military.  In a former life, I was an accountant and now I'm a MSAHM of 2 (girl and a boy)  who do keep me busy.  My son has hearing loss and other medical issues that have changed our lives and having a  kid with "different abilities" means that our journey is unlike any other family that we know.  I just try to take each day at a time and always keep in the back of my mind that "everything  has the potential to be scrapped!" In addiction to the scrapbook obsession, I love all things teal, butterflies, Disneyworld,  am a serious notebook junkie (any shape, any size) and I have this weird fascination with "CROWNS" and the Evil Queen from Disney!


2. When and how did you start cardmaking and scrapbooking?  
I started the actual art of scrapbooking about 5.5 years ago.  My husband and I had very stressful lives due to the traumatic premature birth of my son.  His long-term hospitalization (almost a year) took a HUGE toll on me and my sister (gotta love her for this) introduced me to scrapbooking, hoping it would help me find some peace and balance.   Even though I was never ever artsy, I loved her creations, loved how I saw women of all walks of life coming together so positively that I decided to try it.  I collected supplies for about 6 months (lol) then eventually took a class at my LSS and then the addiction really took off from there!


3. What inspires you to create?  
Leaving a legacy for my children to see me as more than a mom....I am a wife, sister, daughter, mom, friend and still ME.  I feel like I didn't really know my mother as "HERSELF"-there's things she never shared with her children and I felt like we would've had a better relationship IF she had shared some of herself with us.  I so  want to change that for MY family and how they see me and I want my family to know they were important and valued .  I am inspired by travel and food magazines, blogs of all kinds, and don't get me started on my Pinterest fascination!


4. What are your “go to” tools for cardmaking and scrapbooking?  Why? 
My "Go To" tools ?  My Tim Holtz Tonic (red) scissors because I am a hand/fussy cutting junkie! and my Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  If I could, I'd add a butterfly somewhere on each page I create!


5. Who are your favorite paper crafters at this time? Why? 
My favorite crafters change with the seasons...I'm really attracted to kraft paper & embellishment layers so right  now, my favorite paper crafters are:  Mandy Kay Starner, Maggie Holmes, Felicitas Klink, Tara Anderson, Corrie Jones, Krissy Clark McKee and Michelle Hernandez.  I really can't make cards so Rochelle Washington and Robin Shakoor are the card making divas that delight my eyes!!


6. Describe your style? 
I love all things that go with black cardstock or kraft paper...I think my style is kinda contemporary & layered junky.... I do know that I do not like whimsy, no circles and I CANNOT do crooked pictures!


7. Are you on any design teams at this time?  Have you been published in any magazines or online journals?
Right now, I'm on the Twisted Sketches team-I had to cut back from being on 4 teams in 2011 due to family obligations.   I have been published in Making Memories magazine,  Memory Makers 601 Great scrapbook Ideas (book) and also The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages (book)...online journals?  Scrapbooking.com

Kate, these are stunners in every way- you've left us in awe! I love the combination of patterns and colours, and the way you put them all together into a coherent whole, even though they're seemingly busy. And just love the way you look at life- with utmost optimism!! Thank you darling for being here this Friday as we've truly enjoyed :) Thanks to all for paying a visit, happy Friday!!!