INSTRUCTOR PROFILE

ABOUT CAROLYN

Carolyn describes her crafting style as vintage-modern, where the treasures from yesteryear combine with a streamlined esthetic. She actively seeks to live a creative life and enjoys experimenting and creating in many different mediums including scrapbooking, mixed media, jewelry design, and newborn photography. For the past 10 years, she has been the Senior Creative Director at Melissa Frances. It has been a dream job and between designing product and teaching scrapbooking workshops, both at home and abroad, she’s one busy girl! In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 17 years in their Vancouver home.

CONNECT WITH CAROLYN

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Grace carried me here, and by grace I will carry on."

—UNKNOWN

CAROLYN ANSWERS THE FIVE W's

Who are you?

I am a vintage lovin’ gal who is lucky enough to be married to her best friend, and who loves to cuddle her geriatric Bichon Frise dog. I own way too many shoes, have trouble passing a Goodwill store without stopping, and for years I have been putting off home renovations to indulge my passion for travel. I am a child of God whose life has not unfurled the way I thought it would, yet even through the challenging times, I am learning that by concentrating on the abundant blessings in my life, I can find peace and contentment.

What do you believe with all of your heart?

That I am a child of God, family comes first, and art has the power to heal and connect.

When did you know that this was your path?

In 1998 when I first found paper crafting I felt like I found “my people”. Pretty quickly thereafter I pursued professional opportunities in the industry.

Where is your favorite place on earth?

I’m going to cheat and give a few: Vancouver, BC—my hometown which is glorious and is full of people I love, Tenuta Bichi Borghesi in Scorgiano, Italy—there is a reason why it is the location for the creative lifestyle retreats I host in Italy. It is peaceful, calm, and stunningly beautiful. Finally, anywhere on a cruise ship when the sun is hot and I’m laying on a lounge chair—ahhhh….bliss!

Why do you love your life?

Because to not love it would show a lack of awareness of the many blessings I have.

How do you do everything you do?

Ha ha, I don’t. Not really. I have great support from my husband and family, but there are always things that fall through the cracks. I just do the best I can.