If you told me a few years back that I would get to meet one of my favorite scrap artists (even if it was only via the cyberspace), I would probably laugh it off and say that's just wishful thinking. From the moment I started buying and collecting practically all the scrapbook magazines I could find, I became an instant fan of Leah Fung's works. I have always enjoyed looking at her pages for they are a reflection of how much she values her family. Each layout is filled with journaling that touches the heart or simply puts a smile on your face. Looking at her projects makes us gain a deeper appreciation for the simpler things in life that we normally take for granted.

I am truly thankful and honored that Leah took time out from her busy schedule to accommodate our request for an interview. Her answers were well thought of, each one revealing her genuine warmth and open personality.

About Leah Fung…

So far, Leah is the only one in the family who scraps. She's tried to get her mom and her sister to try their hand at scrapbooking but no such luck.

Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, Leah used to be a scientist. She holds a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and graduated Cum Laude! Talk about a well-rounded person. This is someone who uses BOTH sides of the brain.

After getting married, Leah worked 12 years as a Medicinal Chemist doing Drug Discovery research in Pharmaceutical companies. She researched new treatments for breast cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes. A few years after she had her second son, Leah left research to stay at home with her children.

Leah currently resides in Southern California with her husband and her two boys, Alex and Drew.

At present, Leah is a Contributing Editor for Better Homes and Gardens, Scrapbooks etc. She's also a Designer for Chatterbox and for Scrapbook Lifestyle, which is a daily internet TV show in partnership with Better Homes and Gardens. She is also a 2005 Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame winner and a 2005 Paperkuts Power Team winner. Despite all her achievements, Leah remains humble and never fails to express how thankful she is for having these opportunities.

In the following sections, Leah talks all about scrapbooking; from her early scrapping stages to her personal style, from her favorite tools and techniques to her future plans, plus a personal message to all Filipino scrappers.

Scrapbooking beginnings…
I started scrapbooking about 8 years ago soon after my first son was born. I didn't even own a camera at the time. I had a disposable camera which someone gave to me. But once I bought a real camera, the pictures started to pile up. A neighbor of ours was a Creative Memories consultant and she convinced me to try scrapbooking. I never really considered myself artistic so I was hesitant at first, but then I fell in love with this hobby.

Early scrapping style…
My style was very simple. I only knew of Creative Memories for the first few years, so I only used card stock and little stickers for the most part. One day while walking around a craft store, I saw some scrapbook idea books for the first time and that opened a whole new world to me – I started trying different embellishments and experimenting with new techniques.

Early Tools/Materials used…
The first few scrapbook tools and supplies I ever owned were: a small paper trimmer, scissors, pencil, adhesive, and card stock. My stash of tools and supplies is much much larger today, but these 5 things are still my essential tools and supplies.

First published layout/project…
That's an interesting question because I used to be a research scientist – a medicinal chemist for many years - and I had no aspirations to be published. Scrapbooking was a creative outlet for me, a hobby. And never in a million years would I have imagined me one day being a contributing editor for a magazine or a designer for a scrapbook company. Even just the fact that I enjoy being creative and have some creativity, still surprises me today.

Then in one email I think she asked me if I scrapbook too and she suggested I submit some of my pages to the magazine. So I tried it just for fun. I'm glad I did. (Anj: Click on this link to see Leah's first published work)

Current scrapping style…
I've had a hard time defining my style. Some of my pages are simple compositions with few embellishments, whereas others have lots of texture, sewing, notions, and embellishments. So I'm just me. I can't classify my style into a category, like “graphic” or “collage”, but there are certain things that I love to do and I do it often, like using: compositions with straight, clean lines; computer-generated titles and journaling; metal embellishments, and sewing to accent layouts.

Scrapbooking process…
Whenever I create a page, it almost always begins with me sitting at my computer looking at my photos. If needed, I'll use Adobe Photoshop to optimize the pictures – adjusting the light, contrast, and color as needed. And I rarely print out a photo before I have a general idea of what I want the page composition to be. So once I have edited my photos and typed up my journaling, I'll take everything into a scrapbook program called Scrapbook Factory Deluxe – a very user-friendly, simple program, which is great for arranging elements on your computer screen. Once I decide on a page design, then I print out the photos. This saves time on resizing and reprinting photos. I later print out the title and journaling after I've selected my papers.

Choosing colors and papers for my page is probably my favorite part of the scrapbook process because I love color and I'm not afraid to mix many different patterns. When it comes to picking colors for my page, I try to give myself as many color choices as I can. I start by looking closely at all the colors in my pictures – both the predominant colors as well as all the non-dominant colors – again giving myself as many color choices as possible. Once I choose a color from the picture, I use that color to select other, coordinating colors and papers for my page.

Source of inspiration…
Who inspires me to scrap? My children are my inspiration for scrapbooking – it's all I'll ever need. But there are also many things that inspire me. I can, for example, always find great page compositions in magazine ads and even in my children's comic books. Company logos which you see on television or on packages at the grocery store are great inspiration for fonts and titles. I'm always inspired by color schemes, patterns, and shapes found in fashion and home décor catalogs. Even things we see on a day to day basis at home can give us ideas for our scrapbook pages – try a color scheme that you see on your children's toys or a pattern found on your favorite blanket or dish towel. Inspiration is everywhere.

Essential scrapping tools and favorite manufacturers…
Here are my must-have tools and supplies: (1) Large and small paper trimmers by Tonic, (2) Clear plastic ruler and pencil, (3) Fine tip scissors by Fiskars, (4) Undu adhesive remover, (5) Duck permanent adhesive. My favorite manufacturer for patterned paper is Chatterbox. My favorite manufacturer for embellishments is Making Memories.

Favorite technique…
Can you guess? Sewing. :)

Trying something new…
I like experimenting with new techniques and trying different styles. Over the years, I've tried many of both, but I always come back to doing simple things for my pages and just doing what I love to do. The most important thing about scrapbooking are the photos and journaling – that's what's most important to me. Everything else I do – the techniques, the papers, the embellishments – all that is just for fun.

Future plans…
I don't have any plans right now to do my own scrapbook idea book, but look to new books put out by Scrapbooks etc., Chatterbox and also by Making Memories – there's a good chance you'll see me there. :)

Personal predictions…
I'm not one for jumping on trends, but because of my job, I try to be aware of emerging trends. So I drop by color report/forecast/trend websites (like fashiontrendsetter.com) to see what might be coming in the future. Not always, but often, the colors, patterns, and finishes (for example, matte, shiny, sparkly, etc.) found in scrapbook papers and embellishments reflect the trends seen in fashion and home décor of recent months. However, there are so many different scrapbook companies now – each with their own designers, each having their own style – I think color, patterns, and finishes found in scrapbook products will be diverse, which is good. As far as making a prediction… it's hard to predict what will be the next scrapbook trend. Besides, it's more fun to be a trendsetter. Just do what you love!

Being Filipino…
I think Filipinos are very family oriented – not just the immediate family, but the extended family is very close. It's not uncommon for 3 generations to live in the same home. Filipino children are taught to love, to respect (respect is a big thing in the Filipino culture, right?), and to appreciate family. These things are very important to Filipinos and that is the way I was raised. And since I put my heart into the pages I create for my family, I think those strong family values are reflected in the pages I make for them. While my page designs and techniques helped get me published by the magazines, I think my journaling with emphasis on family values made my work stand out initially.