Helen Karanfilovski was the winner of our 2007 Miss September competition and made such a splash as a guest designer that we soon asked her to join the team on a permanent basis. Her work is vibrant, fresh and fun and often features her two sons Max and Oscar. She has been scrapbooking since mid 2005 and has had her work featured in Scrapbooking Memories and Scrapbook Creations magazines.

How long have you been scrapbooking?
Since mid 2005 when I found a scrapbooking magazine in the newsagency. I thought, WOW! What is this wonderful world I have just stepped into? I was in awe of what these scrapbooking ladies were creating. I haven’t stopped scrapping since.

What does your family think of your scrapbooking?
My eldest son Max loves it when I bring out the camera. he is quite the poser. He also loves seeing what I create with the photos and on occasion he will scrap with me. Oscar is too young so when I bring out the camera he runs in the opposite direction. My hubby is very supportive and recently helped me turn my dream scrapping area into a reality.

What’s your favourite colour combination?
When starting a layout and it comes to picking colour combinations, I always look at what the photo subject is wearing and the background colours. I then choose what colours I am going to use from that. Blue and green is a firm favourite I always come back to. But lately I have also been trying out orange and brown.

What three products do you tend to reach for when creating?
Cardstock is the first thing I pick after I have my photos. the colour of the cardstock is the most important thing to get right for me. Actually, I probably spend the most time picking the right colour cardstock than anything else. I have an obsession cardstock at the moment. I particularly love the Chatterbox Bazzill. The other two products I love to use are Love, Elsie fabric paper and American crafts foam alphas.

Would you describe yourself as a slow or fast scrapper?
Once I get into the groove, I can scrap a layout in less than an hour. If I lose that groove (if I have to go cook) you can forget it. It takes me a while to get back into it. I lose the momentum. Once in awhile I may take a few hours to do a layout. But very rarely.

Tell us a bit about your family life?
I have two beautiful boys - Max who is seven and Oscar who is two. I am married to my wonderful hubby, Srecko. And little old me. I have been a library officer for over ten years now. Besides scrapbooking, I love books. I don’t get time to read them, but I still love them!! My two sisters and my sister in law are my best friends.

How do you feel about being a part of the @Home team?
WOW, I still can’t believe it!! I was ecstatic when I won Miss September and I didn’t think anything could beat that. But when Kim asked me to join the lovely and so talented support girls, I was absolutely thrilled. Kim has made such a warm home here and to be a part of that, I am just so happy and excited!!