Kicking off another year of our Featured Artist series, this month we’ve been celebrating the work of Nikki Basque. A selection of her layouts inspired our new collection of sketches and templates, but Nikki’s creative interests run wide. Creating in many sizes and formats, including planners, she loves all things of the sweet and floral variety. We’re excited for you to meet Nikki and take a peek inside her hobby in this episode.
Links Mentioned
- Nikki on Instragram: @primandplanning
- Nikki’s YouTube channel
- Cocoa Daisy
- Heba Alsibai’s Classic Spiral Notebook
- Becky Higgins Project Life
- Ali Edwards One Little Word
- Ali Edwards December Daily
- Ali Edwards Week In The Life
- Citrus Twist Life Crafted Albums
- BFF Sticker Club
- SYW117: Playtime with the BFF Sticker Club
- Illustrated Faith
- Minc machine (*)
- Cricut machine (*)
- Traci Reed: https://www.tracireed.com/
- Rosie’s Studio: https://www.rosiestudio.com/
- Scrapbook.com (*)
*Affiliate links help to support the work we do, at no additional cost to you.
[00:00:00] Nikki Basque: Since I am a newer scrapbooker, I don't remember the small details from my eight year old's life when she was younger. And now that I'm paying attention to the stories, I'm just writing down the tidbits of their life. And those are the important details to the photos that are on the phone.
[00:00:19] Jennifer Wilson: Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way, the show that explores the breadth of ways to be a memory keeper today. I'm your host, Jennifer Wilson, owner of Simple Scrapper and author of The New Rules of Scrapbooking. This is episode 291. In this episode, I'm interviewing Nikki Basque for the My Way series. My Way is all about celebrating the unique ways memory keepers get things done.
[00:00:46] We're excited to have Nikki as the January featured artist at Simple Scrapper.
[00:00:50] Hey Nikki, welcome to Scrapbook Your Way.
[00:00:53] Nikki Basque: Hi.
[00:00:54] Jennifer Wilson: I am looking forward to getting to know you better today. Can you start by sharing a little bit about yourself?
[00:01:00] Nikki Basque: Sure, I am Nikki from Ontario, Canada. I live, um, just a couple, um, hours north of Toronto. And, um, I live with my husband of 10 years. We actually just celebrated in December, our anniversary, we went to Denmark with the kids. So that was an amazing experience.
[00:01:21] Jennifer Wilson: So fun. Congratulations.
[00:01:23] Nikki Basque: Thank you. It was, um, one of those, you know, you either save money or you live in the moment. It was one of the live in moments.
[00:01:30] Jennifer Wilson: Yes.
[00:01:32] Nikki Basque: And we brought the kids and it was fine. It was totally fine. So we have three. Ophelia is eight, Adeline is six, and Elijah is two. I am a stay at home mom first, and I'm also a graphic designer. So I own an Etsy shop where I sell printable party decor.
[00:01:54] Jennifer Wilson: Oh, fun, fun. How long have you been doing that?
[00:01:58] Nikki Basque: Since 2015.
[00:02:01] Yeah, a long time, so it was a year before, um, oh, I guess I started when I was pregnant. And then it just became a part of, uh, a part of me while I was staying at home. Because that wasn't always, you know, what I, I didn't, I had a harder time. So I love that I had a creative outlet too. And I was still finding myself and what I enjoyed doing while I was staying at home with the kids.
[00:02:29] Jennifer Wilson: Oh, certainly. Yeah. I mean, it's, it's certainly an adjustment and just, uh, changing responsibilities and obligations in your life. It's, it's always an evolution for sure. And, and trying to kind of keep in touch with yourself all within that can be a challenge for sure. Yeah.
[00:02:48] Nikki Basque: Yes.
[00:02:50] Jennifer Wilson: So Nikki, do you have a favorite recent layout or project. Uh, and tell us what it is about. Why is it your favorite? Why is it special to you?
[00:03:00] Nikki Basque: Yeah. So I recently created a layout with, um, Cocoa Daisy's December collection. I am a big fan of theirs. And so I've been getting their products for a long time and, this, this was a 12 by 12 layout that I made. And I used this year's as well as last year's products. And, um, I just kept adding elements. And it just became, um, one of those layouts where you go back into the room to look at, or you reopen the album to look at. Cause it's just a lot of layers, and I used a lot of, um, glitter dots and vellum die cuts and chipboard. And there was just a lot of pieces on it that really brought it all together.
[00:03:48] Um, it was about the end of the year. And just some highlights and some setbacks. So it was personal too. And you just felt like that was one project that I really enjoy right now.
[00:04:01] Jennifer Wilson: I love it. I love Cocoa Daisy products as well. They, they just, they make me so happy. It's very different from the way I, like I, my regular scrapbooking, but I use them in my planners and I do sometimes use them for scrapbooking as well. Cause I just, I don't know, it just really gives me so much excitement throughout the year and particularly because the designs change so much.
[00:04:25] Uh, your point about using this year's and last year's, or I guess 2024 and 2023's. I should probably start organizing these by like month. Because they do kind of repeat themes and connect things based on a particular month. Um, That's one thing that I've struggled to do is to, uh, keep everything organized. So I am going back and using the pieces that are unused.
[00:04:48] Nikki Basque: Yeah. I love that about them too. Because they're so themed and they really make you live in this season, I suppose.
[00:04:56] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.
[00:04:56] Nikki Basque: And they do connect to the previous years so you can bring them back out. So you have a second chance To not keep them in your stash.
[00:05:07] Jennifer Wilson: I need some sort of like a mini file box maybe. Maybe there's something that's like for half size. We'll see. I will have to do some Amazon digging later.
[00:05:15] Nikki Basque: Yeah.
[00:05:15] Jennifer Wilson: Nikki, is there something new that you're excited to do, use or try? Now this can be inside of scrapbooking or even in your everyday life.
[00:05:24] Nikki Basque: I do. So I have one for inside and one for outside of scrapbooking. So inside scrapbooking, I purchased Heba Alsibai's classic spiral notebook this year. And I have been a longtime fan of hers. And I it's the one that's not um, measured to pocket cards, um, and so you can do stamping in it or cut down papers, um, add your journaling.
[00:05:54] I'm really excited to use that for 2025. I got the one with the cover that says 2025. And I, you know, calculated it so I could get two layouts per week. And they can be in the moment stories. Um, Because when I am doing layouts or traveler's notebook layouts, generally, I go back in time. I don't do them in order and I don't do them, usually I do not do them with recent photos. But I like to go back in and jump back in time but with the Heba's Classic Spiral, I'm going to keep up to date and use it only for this year. So I'm super excited to start that project.
[00:06:39] And then outside, my daughters are both in cheerleading. And they are going to be trying out for a Hawaii, um, competition. So tryouts are coming up, and I'm excited to cheer them on, and crossing my fingers that one of them gets in so that we get to go!
[00:06:58] Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes. That sounds so fun. That's exciting. Um, Yeah. it's, it's such a joy to, uh, experience the world through our children's eyes and, uh, travel with them as they're, you know, embarking on new adventures. So it's very cool.
[00:07:15] Nikki Basque: It's very, it's, it's very interesting. I didn't grow up like that. And so I'm excited to be a part of their little world now.
[00:07:24] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, I didn't, I mean, I, I was a huge nerd. I did math competitions. I did not do anything that was like, uh, my daughter is a volleyball player. And she's all, she's always going to tournaments. And so like, this is a very new world for me.
[00:07:38] Nikki Basque: Yeah. It's big. It's exciting for them now. I love it.
[00:07:42] Jennifer Wilson: I do have a follow up question about your scrappy spiral notebook. Um, Have you done Project Life or other types of like intentional everyday documentation in the past? Is this the first time? Is it, or is this like just a new format for it for you?
[00:08:00] Nikki Basque: Yeah, no, I do do Project Life also. You know, I just like to do so much. I overwhelm myself, but it's fine. I really wanted to try Heba's spiral notebook for, I guess, specific stories and more in depth stories. But I do also do Project Life in, uh, a 6x12.
[00:08:23] Jennifer Wilson: Okay. Okay. Uh, and who's still making six by 12 albums?
[00:08:29] Nikki Basque: Okay, so that's a funny story that I wanted to also mention. So, Studio Calico is doing a 6x12. But when they, you know, um, announced that they were going to stop creating scrapbooking items, uh, they have one 6x12 album and it's like a craft, um, color. And so I purchased seven more while they were having a sale. Because I really wanted to end out this decade. Um, I, I don't know. I, cause my plan is, I, I'm, I'm only done two years of Project Life so far. So I was going to go back and possibly do previous years, at least when my children were first born. Anyways, that's a whole story. So I, I bought a bunch so that in case they ever stop making them, I have some extras.
[00:09:25] Jennifer Wilson: Okay. Okay. That's totally fair. You are not the only one I am sure who has done that in their, you know, preferred size, color, texture of a particular album. Because it's something we seem to not be able to keep around, um, as much as we'd like.
[00:09:41] Nikki Basque: Yeah, and like, as I want to put them out in the living room once we get shelves and I want them, you know, to have a cohesive look, so, they're.
[00:09:51] Jennifer Wilson: I get that.
[00:09:52] Nikki Basque: Yeah, they need to be set, all the same.
[00:09:55] Jennifer Wilson: Well, and there's something about those smaller sizes, really anything under 12 by 12 just seems a little bit more manageable to be able to put on a regular shelf. Uh, and for others to be able to pick up and leaf through without it being like a weightlifting experience.
[00:10:12] Nikki Basque: Exactly, exactly. The 6 by 12 is a cool size. We can, I can work with it.
[00:10:19] Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes. Uh, so this is a My Way episode because you are our featured artist for January, 2025. Uh, we have kind of a new arrangement of questions this year, some more familiar than others and some, uh, brand new. Uh, and let's just jump in with what would you say to a non scrapbooker about why you love this hobby?
[00:10:40] Nikki Basque: Okay, so I would say that for me, it's a few things. Um, it's about telling a deeper story about the pieces in my life about my kids lives. As I watch family members get older, and my kids get older, those stories just seem to become more and more important. So I just want a non scrapbooker to know that that's one of my reasons, is to just capture those little stories.
[00:11:12] And then, it's also to get the photos off of my phone. That's just a hundred percent. There's nobody's going through my phone even my husband. He's like I don't even ever see these photos that you take prior to putting them on a scrapbook layout. So that's another reason. And then I get to be creative.
[00:11:30] I love papers and stamps and stickers and a reason to use them in, in a way that supports telling a story about my kids or my life is, you know, the best of both worlds. So.
[00:11:45] Jennifer Wilson: Yes, I love that. You know, I think a lot of us were those who loved stickers and stamps and all the things as kids, but we didn't necessarily have that kind of purpose behind it. And so this like, really gives us that purpose that we were always looking for.
[00:12:00] Nikki Basque: Exactly. I think that exact thing. I had no idea why I was collecting them. All those years there was no reason and now there's a purpose. It's fantastic.
[00:12:11] Jennifer Wilson: Yes. So tell us about when you got started scrapbooking and kind of what precipitated, um, joining this hobby?
[00:12:20] Nikki Basque: Yeah, so I think I, I feel like I'm very much a newcomer to this wonderful world of scrapbooking. Although it's, there's always been signs, like I said, you know, I've always loved stickers and stamps and collecting papers. My husband, you know, over the years is like, why do you have shelving full of patterned paper and I never knew before what to do with it.
[00:12:43] So now I know. But um, yeah, I, I really only intentionally began creating layouts in the end of 2022. So really new and yeah. And so, you know, I did go to school for graphic design and interior design. So I know that there's always been this creative aspect. But I didn't know what to do with it. And so I came across Ali Edwards I'm pretty sure because December Daily was the first project that I began with. And then it was the rabbit hole from there. So yeah, so I'm just catching up to all the other creative people in this world.
[00:13:27] Jennifer Wilson: That's so fun. I love how you've been able to use and, and really lean on like existing talents, um, to, to flourish so quickly. I mean, your, your work does not look like you're a new scrapbooker or a newer scrapbooker. Um, and so yeah, obviously that's one of the reasons that, that we, we picked you as a featured artist. Because, you know, you do, you do some really amazing things.
[00:13:51] Nikki Basque: Thank you so much. That's so amazing to hear.
[00:13:53] Jennifer Wilson: So we've already talked a little bit about your 6x12, your spiral notebook, but give us a rundown of the sizes and formats you're typically creating in and why they work for you.
[00:14:06] Nikki Basque: I love 12 by 12s and traveler's notebooks for my traveler notebook, uh, size pages for my layouts. I, um, I do work in a six by eight as well, for December Daily and when I create with Story Kits from Ali Edwards. But my go tos are 12x12s. And I just feel like, I don't know, I, I don't, maybe it's like the square that I'm attracted to. Because TNs are roughly a square as well. So I just feel like those are the ones that I gravitate towards when I want to be creative and just put all the items and the die cuts and stories onto one page.
[00:14:50] That is kind of always where I end up. And I didn't realize that that's what I liked at the beginning. I was definitely trying to I've had bought an album six by eight album specifically for each one of my kids. And that was how I was gonna create their stories. And I was not creating in that size. So 12 by 12 is my go to for sure.
[00:15:15] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, sometimes it takes that experimentation to realize this, this doesn't feel right. It's too constrained. I like a bigger canvas, or I like even just the orientation of that square.
[00:15:28] Um, I'm curious with your Traveler's Notebooks, are you creating in a bound insert or are you creating just Traveler's Notebooks size pages that go in like a Citrus Twist album?
[00:15:39] Nikki Basque: Yep. That's a great question, too. So originally I was getting a lot of TN booklets from Cocoa Daisy. So their monthly one that would, you know, correspond with a theme. And that became very, um, Like, it made me feel guilty if I didn't complete all the pages, or at least half. Um, but I also did not like cutting them up.
[00:16:03] So, you know, you learn as you go along. So I am using a Citrus Twist album. And I'm just using papers so that when, so like a 12x12 layout when I'm inspired by paper or a photo, I just cut the papers to size and use them in that, in that format.
[00:16:25] Jennifer Wilson: Nice, nice. Yes, yes, like I can tell you're very, like, this ability to adapt and shift based on what you're observing about your behaviors and what works well. Like, that's such a powerful skill that we can all continue to work on.
[00:16:42] Nikki Basque: Yes.
[00:16:43] Jennifer Wilson: So are there any particular kind of projects or activities that you're focused on this year that we haven't already talked about? Like going back to previous years or doing something like Week in the Life? Are there things that you know are kind of on your, on your desk?
[00:16:58] Nikki Basque: Yeah. Um, so this year I was, um, inspired to do daily journaling. And I feel like it's a very big project to add on. But I really wanna try it. So I did buy a B6 daily journal that, um, I'm just gonna be bringing in elements that are around me at the time, as I'm creating other items. Yesterday's, for instance,
[00:17:28] um, I had just written down some, one Little Word community had posted something and I had written that down in, on that day and printed out their little graphic icon. So I kind of wanted to just like pull pieces, that are around my desk into the daily journal. So that is one of the projects. Um, and then like we chatted the spiral notebook and the 12 by 12 layouts um, and I also, I am, love stickering. So I am using the BFF Sticker Club. I don't know if you know anything about it.
[00:18:04] Jennifer Wilson: We've had them on the on the show. We'll link to that episode.
[00:18:08] Nikki Basque: Yeah, so I'm doing that as well.
[00:18:10] Jennifer Wilson: So, um, I'm curious when, in terms of your daily journaling versus the spiral notebook, how are you deciding what goes in which one?
[00:18:21] Nikki Basque: So for the spiral notebook, I was, it's going to be more photo based. So this is a photo and then this is, um, additional information to go with that. And then, you know, and then design around it. Where daily journaling, I'm not going to add photos in as much.
[00:18:40] Jennifer Wilson: Okay. Sounds great. Yeah, no, I. I think a lot of us like to have, you know, uh, a spread of different things that we can sink our teeth into and things that are, that are daily or recurring that help us stay connected. And then of course, those like bigger projects, like even a layout can be a project in itself. Um, so yeah, variety, um, I think is something that a lot of us love for sure.
[00:19:07] Nikki Basque: I agree. And then as I look forward to, um, to the rest of the year, I did do Week in the Life last year. And looking back at it, I love it. It was a lot of work, though, and I do feel that there's projects that some people work better on than others. And I am finding that I don't, like the contained projects that have to be done by a certain time feel very hard for me.
[00:19:37] I do finish them eventually. But they're not my favorite ones. Where I can just jump into a layout and get it done and it's completed. Where I, Week in the Life or December Daily, they, they weigh on me a little bit more. Um, so I'm unsure of those at the moment. Yeah.
[00:19:55] Jennifer Wilson: Have you ever tried doing Week in the Life as a single layout or a two page spread layout?
[00:20:02] Nikki Basque: I have not.
[00:20:03] Jennifer Wilson: So. One to think about.
[00:20:05] Nikki Basque: Yes. That would be much better for me.
[00:20:10] Jennifer Wilson: Because I am, I am similar in that I have a hard time finishing those types of projects. Um, it just becomes, I don't know, kind of overwhelming. It's just a lot of different decisions and they're so, it's fun and beautiful. And, um, so as you said, some folks like they go whole hog and they, they get it done, but it also is a lot, um, in order to get it done.
[00:20:35] Nikki Basque: It is. It's a lot. It's, yeah. That's all I can say about it too. It's a lot.
[00:20:41] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, yeah. And that's, that, and that's okay. We all are going to have find things that work well for us and things that maybe we'll adapt and try in our new ways and maybe we'll try again someday. So it's, yeah, we all, that's one of the beauties of having so many options.
[00:20:56] Nikki Basque: Exactly.
[00:20:57] Jennifer Wilson: So for someone who hasn't looked at your Instagram, isn't familiar with you, how would you describe style in three words?
[00:21:05] Nikki Basque: Yes, um, this is a tough one for me because I feel like I could look at somebody. Um, Instagram and pinpoint it perfectly for them, but, um, thinking about myself, I had a much harder time. I feel like, and, and I, and I don't want to say something that's wrong and, and then people are like, no, that's absolutely not true, but this is what I'm going with.
[00:21:31] I feel like I create feminine layouts, that are balanced with a lot of die cuts. Are the three words.
[00:21:39] Jennifer Wilson: Okay, yeah, like, just to add my take on it, I would also add, like, there's a certain, like, cheerfulness to it. Um, I definitely got, like, the feminine florals, for sure. Um, but everything feels very, happy. And I think maybe a part of that is just like the feminine floral, like lead you that direction. So.
[00:22:01] Nikki Basque: Very cool. That is a great, that's a great conversation to have with like with a lot of scrapbookers to kind of ask each other what they see of everyone else, you know?
[00:22:14] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, cause it's definitely, it's, it's, it's, it's hard to think about it on your own, about your own work when you're not necessarily, you're not using those style points to create, um, unless you're a being given a challenge probably to create in ways that you don't normally.
[00:22:31] Nikki Basque: Yeah, exactly.
[00:22:32] Jennifer Wilson: So to kind of dig in the weeds more, what are some of the products, tools, or techniques you're using most often? You already mentioned die cuts. So are we talking like, um, you know, so we're talking about layered pieces of thicker paper. Do you like the florals, the words? Do you like characters? What kinds of die cuts are you using?
[00:22:54] Nikki Basque: Yeah, I love the floral die cuts, um, the most I think. And I also realize that I'm very much, um, I guess specific. Like I can't, use a, or I have a harder time using, let's say, a peacock die cut if the story's not about peacocks. So I find, I find that people who can do that are just creative in a whole nother way, but I can't do it.
[00:23:25] Um, so that's kind of been cool to try to like push that boundary. But I feel like I use a lot of white cardstock as a base. Or, lighter pastel papers that are more the B side. I think I go with more of a base page instead of creating layers with the paper. The paper usually is the base and the beginning of the design. And then I layer on top of that. I use a lot of glitter dots. Just cause I think I have so many. But I feel like they just add that, like, extra little twinkle, which is maybe part of the feminine part of it all too. And, um, yeah, so I think that that's where it goes.
[00:24:14] Jennifer Wilson: So which brand creates the best glitter dots? Cause I have a lot of enamel dots in, you know, in glitter and non glitter, but I would say I have mostly non glitter. So who are you buying your glitter ones from?
[00:24:26] Nikki Basque: I'm buying them from Cocoa Daisy for sure.
[00:24:28] Jennifer Wilson: Okay. they Okay.
[00:24:30] Nikki Basque: They just stick the best and they. Uh, are the right height. Um, I do find that others are a little bit more dimensional and I don't love that.
[00:24:42] Jennifer Wilson: No, perfect. Yeah. It's like, it's good to have like your thing that you, that you do.
[00:24:48] Nikki Basque: Yeah.
[00:24:48] Jennifer Wilson: Um, Is there a trend that you're loving right now? I feel like sometimes it's hard, like, we're not an industry like fashion where people are telling us what the trends are in the same way, but is there something that you're seeing others doing that you have started doing yourself or you want to start doing?
[00:25:06] Nikki Basque: Yeah, so I agree, it's not very trend driven, but you know what I have been seeing a lot of is bows in our industry. And I am all for that because I have always loved bows. And I would, you know, wear them in my hair, on my clothes, at home. And I just feel like they are trending right now in so many areas, in fashion, in party decor, and in um, crafting too.
[00:25:38] So I actually just ordered a bunch of goodies from Illustrated Faith. They had like stickers and stamps and washi with bows. So yeah, that's the one. Yeah.
[00:25:48] Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes. I don't think I've noticed that. I, you know, I kind of did. I was looking at, um, more of like a stationary planner shop the other day. And I noticed they had a whole collection of washi tapes and different things with bows. So.
[00:26:04] Nikki Basque: Don't tell me. I don't want to know who it is. I'm just kidding. There's so, I have so many now.
[00:26:13] Jennifer Wilson: So is there something inside of crafting and scrapbooking more specifically, whether it's a supply, a technique, a size or a format that you've decided is not for you?
[00:26:23] Nikki Basque: Yeah, I, I have not gotten into mixed media. And it's funny because I hear your guests say that.
[00:26:32] Jennifer Wilson: Mm hmm.
[00:26:33] Nikki Basque: Most of the time, like, and true, I don't, I wonder if it's just, not a perfectionist thing, but like, um, it just feels messy. And when you create layouts, you can keep it clean and organized. And anyways, not that I'm opposed to it and I envy and I watch the people on YouTube and I love I love what they can come up with with mixed media and art journaling and junk journals. So cool. And I am NOT opposed to learning it's just not something that I'm doing right now.
[00:27:08] Jennifer Wilson: It definitely requires like, um, uh, relaxation of your rigidity.
[00:27:15] Uh, like like just letting go and trusting that it will work out. I don't know. It's, it's definitely a different thing. Um, I remember when I was trying to create some mixed media backgrounds for layouts, I was so frustrated that, there seemed to be like, no cardstock thick enough to not warp. If you're going to put some amount of water on it.
[00:27:39] Um, and I was like pressing things and ironing them and I'm like, okay, there's gotta be a different way to, to merge these things if I want to. Um, because this isn't doing it because I don't like that my layout's not flat anymore.
[00:27:53] Nikki Basque: Right? I know. But everyone else makes it seem so, like, seamless. It's magic.
[00:28:00] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, it is. It is. There is a certain degree of like, you have to know the, the recipe to, to make it work. And, you know, it takes practice too. So, Yeah, I totally get that. And as you said, you're the hundredth person to have said that as well. It's, It's, project Life and mixed media. Those are the two things that, um, people have kind of a, a more contentious relationship.
[00:28:26] Nikki Basque: Yeah, so interesting.
[00:28:27] Jennifer Wilson: So let's think about you creating as, as a mom who stays at home, you have kids. Um, it sounds like some are, some are in school and some aren't. Um, where and when are you typically scrapbooking and has this changed over time?
[00:28:45] Nikki Basque: I scrapbook in our craft room slash office. So I work, my computer is here too, so that's where I do my work. Um, and we're very fortunate to have a big room, painted pink. Because it's generally my two older daughters and I are in here creating and crafting. You know, when we moved in here, my husband could have taken this room and used it as his office, but he gets the kitchen counter and we get this room.
[00:29:15] And we're very, yeah, I sit in here sometimes. I'm like, yes, thank you. This is where all my books are and all our supplies. And, um, my kids have their own craft table. So that bit that can be messier. And, um, and generally, you know, I'm doing it during nap time, honestly. And, um, after the kids go to bed at night, too, if I'm not too tired.
[00:29:39] So it's not, it's not easy right now. And I, I do try to remind myself, you know, of the listeners even on your podcast here, like, it's a different season for me. I can't be, I can't expect myself or put too much pressure on myself to keep up. Um, because it's just a different season right now, I don't have as much time. And, So, that is when I do it.
[00:30:06] Jennifer Wilson: Do you think that influenced your choice of more like smaller, more specific types of, you know, little projects that you want to have your hands in this year?
[00:30:18] Nikki Basque: Yes, definitely. It's ones that I can do within a smaller time frame, for sure. I also want to add that my husband and I made an agreement that Friday nights, I, you know, get to myself. And that is when I come in here and, um, work on Project Life. Because. It is a bigger project and it's more time consuming. There is a specific time that I get to do it.
[00:30:47] Jennifer Wilson: Nice. Nice. I love that. Yeah. Sometimes it's, you know, it takes that like family communication to figure out how do we create some space for ourselves? Like, and I mean that space word, like in all the different senses.
[00:30:59] Nikki Basque: Mm hmm. I agree.
[00:31:01] Jennifer Wilson: Is there, I can tell that you're kind of an organized person, uh, just from seeing your photos. Um, but is there an organization strategy for photos, supplies, or tools that has really worked well for you?
[00:31:14] Nikki Basque: Yeah, I am an organized person and I love organizing. I feel like it's my second love and I love watching YouTube videos about craft room organization. It's a second hobby, I think. So, I have learned over the years that I like creating or keeping my collections and kits together. I have separated them all out with, you know, stickers in one compartment and
[00:31:44] you know, die cuts here. Anyways, that's not how I work. And so I've learned that over the years to not do that until it's absolutely, you know, not usable anymore. That's when I'll, um, separate out the, uh, products that match the kits or collections. But that is how I like to organize them. And then I also wanted to note that I use my Notes app in my phone. Just to keep a point form list of stories that I want to remember. So even though I have photos in my phone, that's how I sometimes create layouts. I'll find a photo and create from that. The stories I have on my phone are just a little snippet or a deeper detail that goes along with the photo.
[00:32:34] And so when it, you know, when something happens, or the kids say something, or I feel some way, and I think I might want to write about it, or create a layout specifically about it, I'll just write a note about it.
[00:32:46] Jennifer Wilson: Nice. Yes. I think, uh, Apple notes and all the various notes tools we can have on our phone, Google Keep, um, all of those, I think have been come very an instrumental part of not just how we live life, but they're amazing tools for scrapbookers. If you, you know, if you can develop a routine and using it and making sure, you know, where that information is.
[00:33:07] Nikki Basque: Yeah, exactly. Because I feel like as paper people, we want to create, um, specific notebooks, or that's how I felt anyway. So I was like, this is going to be my notebook where I write all the stories down, but it's just not realistic anymore. Like, you just, you really always have your phone with you and you just type it in instead of having to go and find the book. This just makes it, it's just the way it is, I feel.
[00:33:33] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah. And I think particularly with something like a story idea where there's a decent chance that unless you document it, you're going to forget it. Um, I've certainly in the past, like emailed myself things that I wanted to write down in a paper planner, but I'm like, this doesn't make sense. If I'm doing this a lot. Clearly, I am having these ideas away from home when I just have my phone. And so we need to have a nice balance between our digital and analog tools because of that.
[00:34:01] Nikki Basque: Yeah, I agree, because it's always a, it's always a thing on my mind too, obviously, I want to use my phone less. Especially with, you know, my kids watching. And they're, you're already on your phone for so many other, um, daily activities now. So, you know, I try to see if other ways would work, but that's just the best way to keep the stories organized, so, it is what it is. Yeah.
[00:34:27] Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Now, one thing that's popped into my mind, this is kind of a tangent, do you use an electronic die cut machine or a manual die cut machine, a Minc machine, a, you know, punches, stamps? Like, are you using kind of the tools of scrapbooking?
[00:34:41] Are you primarily, you know, using, scissors, trimmers, adhesive.
[00:34:47] Nikki Basque: Yeah, that is a good question. I do have a Cricut. I, uh, received it last May, so I am not, uh, well versed in it. Um, but I have used it, and it is convenient. Um, I, I want to add that I am, um, on a few teams. So I'm on Traci Reed's design team, as well as Rosie's Studio Creative Club. And with both of them, they offer digital kits and printable kits. And so when that became a part of my process, I, the, the Cricut came into play much more. Um, Yeah, and, because originally I was just buying, you know, off scrapbook. com and collections from Cocoa Daisy, and so I would just use what I was given. And so now that I have to print it, and um, I, I like it so that it does all the manual labor. It is tedious though, so it's not my first go to. But to create, you know, titles or, um, use, to create alphas, I will send them through the Cricut and it is much easier. I have die cuts, or rather, sorry, I have, um, metal, oh my gosh, what are they called?
[00:36:13] Jennifer Wilson: Metal dies.
[00:36:14] Nikki Basque: Yes, metal dies, thank you. And I don't have a die cutting machine. It's just, I don't have enough to, I won't use it yet. I haven't gotten into that realm yet.
[00:36:28] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah. I like, I, I was not intentionally collecting them, but then they just started to become part of things I was getting. And I'm like, okay, I'm going to have to buy a machine because I don't have anything to use. Like a friend would come over like, you know, once a year and I'd like cut some things and I'm like, okay, this is silly. I should, I should buy one. And I do, I think I use it way more than I use the electronic one, but I'm also not doing a lot of like hybrid print and cut either. So, um, it is fun. It's not necessarily practical, but it is fun.
[00:37:02] Nikki Basque: Exactly. Like there, I just, there is a bow, a bow, a metal die that I really want to get. So one day I will get the machine and that bow die.
[00:37:14] Jennifer Wilson: Awesome. Awesome. Yes. I support you.
[00:37:17] Nikki Basque: Thanks.
[00:37:20] Jennifer Wilson: So starting to wrap up here, Nikki, where would you like your scrapbooking to be in 10 years when you've used up all of those kraft six by 12 albums?
[00:37:28] Nikki Basque: They'll probably still be half empty. Um, I, I honestly, I would just like to continue what I'm doing. I feel like this is exactly what I want to keep doing. I like, there's just always going to be stories and, um, tidbits of my kids lives that I want to document. I'm going to be 50. That seems crazy by that time. So, I just feel like, they're still going to be in their teenage years, and I'm just gonna continue doing what I'm doing now.
[00:38:07] Jennifer Wilson: Yes, yes, yes. I mean, there's so much, uh, yeah, gratitude and being able to do that
[00:38:15] so that we would all be lucky to be able to do that.
[00:38:18] Nikki Basque: Right? Yeah.
[00:38:20] Jennifer Wilson: What has being a scrapbooker taught you?
[00:38:22] Nikki Basque: To catch the memories. Big and small stories. You know, as I mentioned earlier, you, I, I'm watching my parents get older and my kids older. And it's just, um, taught me to watch a little closer and to document. Because since I am a newer scrapbooker, you know, I don't remember the small details from my eight year old's life when she was younger. And now that I'm paying attention to the stories, I'm just writing down the tidbits of their life. And those are the important details to the photos that are on the phone. And it's, yeah, that's just, it's just that. It's how I feel about that.
[00:39:08] Jennifer Wilson: Well, and I think that's that's one of the important, you know, whys of why we keep doing this hobby is because life keeps going and we want to stay connected to um, we want to keep the past in the present if that makes sense, so.
[00:39:25] Nikki Basque: Yeah, so much so. It's pretty interesting. And it just you know, popped up into my life. Not, you know, a lot of people say, you know, when they got married or when they had their first kid. Didn't happen for a while for me. I didn't, I don't think I knew, I didn't know. Oh, I was missing, but now I'm like, yes!
[00:39:46] Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.
[00:39:47] Nikki Basque: Document everything!
[00:39:49] Jennifer Wilson: You were hooked for sure.
[00:39:51] Nikki Basque: Yeah.
[00:39:52] Jennifer Wilson: Nikki, can you share where our listeners can find you online? Anything you might have planned for later this year?
[00:39:59] Nikki Basque: Yeah, you can find me on, uh, at primandplanning on Instagram or YouTube. I, On YouTube, I do some unboxings and process videos and flip throughs. So that's just kind of when I, when I want to. And it's kind of a fun additional way to share. Um, but yeah, this year I'm just going to continue, uh, doing what we just talked about and live life and, um, and that's it.
[00:40:28] Jennifer Wilson: Well, I can't wait to see what you create.
[00:40:30] Nikki Basque: Thank you.
[00:40:32] Jennifer Wilson: Thanks so much for spending time with me.
[00:40:34] Nikki Basque: Thanks for having me. This has been a very exciting thing for me.
[00:40:38] Jennifer Wilson: And to all of our listeners, please remember that you have permission to scrapbook your way.
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