Guest Designer Spotlight: Ronda Palazzari

I am pleased to introduce our April Guest Designer, Ronda Palazzari!

We are so thrilled to have Ronda here with us this month. She is a fabulous designer and teacher. I adore her artsy style and her ability to layer pieces in her work. Her layouts always inspires me to try new techniques! Ronda is the author of a fabulous book, Art of Layers (which we are giving away in this post!). She also currently designs for Maya Road, My Minds Eye, and Antiquated Collection. I know you will love her work, make sure to stop by Ronda’s gallery to see her full projects. Thank you so much for joining us this month, Ronda.

name: Ronda Palazzari
location: the burbs of Denver, Colorado
blog: HelpMeRonda
twitter: Ronda Palazzari
Favorite Elle’s Studio products: Day to Day cutouts, Day to Day tidbits, Happy Moments Stamp

Why did you start scrapbooking and how did you get started?

I feel like I have always been scrapbooking, especially since I was on the newspaper staff at my high school. After high school I bought a scrapbook, the old fashion kind with the craft thin papers in it. I cut out my articles from the high school paper and glued them in there. I would add photos of friends and things like movie tickets, etc. But when my daughter was born, I really got into it so around 1993. I found creative memories and did that for awhile. I was always pushing the traditional ways and wanted to find my voice. Blessedly I found my path and throughly enjoy it.

What are three products you can’t live without?

Spray inks or paint, stamps, tags, stencils and gesso. You did say 5 right?

Where do you scrapbook?

I have a beautiful studio in my home that has a view of the mountains. It is painted in a light aqua color and very reflective of me. It’s filled with open shelving and inspiration boards. It’s my retreat!

What do you listen to/watch while scrapbooking?

I almost always have music playing in the background I have different playlists based on my needs like Get Moving, Easy Going, the currents, etc. My favorite current songs are Flowers in Your Hair by the Lumineers, Hello my Heart by the Oh Hello’s, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, Such Great Heights by the Postal Service, and Anna Sun by Walk the Moon.

What is your favorite color combination?

Right now, aqua, yellow, and light grey.

What/Who inspires you?

I think life inspires me. I love roaming around this world and seeing the all the beauty in it. I am inspired by the colors of nature, a window display, an act of kindness, a postcard, fashion, or a loving family member. I just want to keep my eyes open and see it all.

Do you record every moment or just special ones?

Simple every day life. I actually don’t do too many events or holidays, rather day to day and emotions. The way I see it is I want to convey my emotions, thoughts, and feelings on the events and everyday moments for when I am long gone, they will linger on. I can pick up old photographs of my granny and her friends and I want to know the thoughts behind the day. What was so special about the items in the photos. What do the people in the photograph mean to her. So that’s why I scrap the way I do.

Do you have a scrapbooking goal?

My goals are industry based. I would lot to do more License Design work, especially a stamp line.

What are three facts about you that others might not know?

I am an introvert and when I was younger I was painfully shy. I have a two tattoos: a trinity symbol in heart and butterfly in remembrance of my sister. My first job was at Kmart. I worked the blue light and I was the Icee bear for them because I fit the small costume.

We are giving away Ronda’s favorite Elle’s Studio Products, to one winner