Happy Valentine's Day, Dear Readers! We hope your hearts feels sunny and light today, and that you get a chance to share the love with someone special. If there's not a romantic love in your life, that's no reason to think you're missing out on the fun. Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, the mail carrier or clerks at the store all will feel better if you just wish them a happy day.

The photo above is what the February cover looked like before we added the masthead and cover lines. Thanks to our art director Christy Miller and our trusty stylist Nora Martini, we had a gorgeous palette upon which to build the cover. We thought you might like to hear from Cindy Tobey who is the artist behind the layout as well as the woman in the picture on the layout. Here's a little Q&A we did with Cindy:

Q: How does it feel to have your artwork and your face on the cover of MM?
A: It feels amazing to have my artwork on the cover of MM! It is such an honor. My face…well, let’s just say I’m still blushing.
 
Q: Was it difficult to do a layout about yourself? Or do you find yourself showing up on your pages frequently?
A: Surprisingly, it wasn’t difficult. While the majority of my layouts are about other people, I do have a handful that I’ve created about myself, and I’m sure I’ll create more. I think it is important to also show glimpses of myself in my albums. I think my children (and someday their children) will appreciate it.
 
Q: Are the layouts you produce for possible publication different than the ones you create for your private scrapbooks?
A: Once in a while I might create a layout that I don’t submit for publication, but not very often. The layouts that I create for publication go right into my private scrapbooks.
 
Q: How long have you been scrapbooking?
A: I think it has been 11 years…but before that I’ve always been the keeper of the family photo albums, even growing up.
 
Q: How are your layouts different now than they were when you first began scrapbooking?
A: I’d say that they’ve changed just as the trends have. I guess my layouts have a lot more depth and texture now. I love thick embellishments and most of my pages are pretty dimensional.
 
Q: What other pursuits inspire your art?
A: Painting, drawing, quilting…even knitting.
 
Q: What kind of camera do you use?
A: Canon Rebel XTi. I actually just purchased it at the end of 2007. I’m still figuring out how to use it, but I love it! I just got back from my son’s Valentine’s party at school where I took some sweet photos!
 
Q: What are your must-have supplies for a layout?
A: Cardstock, patterned paper, chipboard, paint, ink pad, brads and alpha stickers. But I also love my sewing machine, felt and clear die-cuts…oh and how could I forget, flowers! Yeah, that’s a lot. I’m sure I wouldn’t put all of this on one layout, but it is so hard to narrow it down. I really try to use whatever is appropriate for the layout.  
 
Q: What would you like to say to readers that I haven’t asked you about?
A: My favorite techniques are sewing (especially machine stitching) and painting. I use paint to alter chipboard shapes, alphas, etc. Paint is an inexpensive way to bring new life to old embellishments or to alter your embellishment to better match your layout.
 
Peace and love,
  Patty