Hi, I'm Torrey. Welcome to Left Field, where creativity runs amok and imagination is ALWAYS more important than knowledge. Shoes are not allowed but ties are optional. This is a repository of snippets from my life out here in Left Field. One never knows what shiny bits of creativity will be found here... cards, scrapbook layouts, photography, poetry, recipes, ponderings, rantings and musings. It could be anything! Life in Left Field is always changing, always real, always ...interesting.

My Artsy Resume

I'm Torrey, just Torrey. I've been a part-time freelance artist, designer, and writer consistently for over 20 years.  Several years ago, I could no longer resist the urgings of my creative siren. So, I hung up my stethoscope, and put my career as an R.N. on ice in pursuit of my art. (yep, I am a former nurse practitioner who turned artsy-fartsy, go figure.)
When I sat down and thought about it, I realized I began scrapbooking last century. Heck it's more than that...I started last millenium! That blows my mind. No wonder it seems like I've been doing this forever! I feel scrapbooking is the perfect medium through which I can weave my art, writing, and photography into one beautiful tapestry. I also love to play with card making, photography, poetry, watercolor (and most recently) digital art. I have, to put it succinctly, been published a LOT (hundreds and hundreds of times) in magazines, books, other print media, and on numerous television shows. I have written the text for numerous books and several magazine and internet articles. In 2007, I co-authored a book with my best friend (and partner in crafting crime), Jodi Amidei.
A long time ago, the editors at Memory Makers Magazine and Books dubbed me the "MacGyver" of scrapbooking.  I don't know if this was because I will use just about anything, and try absolutely everything on a scrapbook page (there's nothing I won't try or haven't done at least once—I’m fearless). Or maybe, they called me that because I have an affinity for duct tape, bailing wire and gum wrappers! I've also been described as being out in "left-field" when it comes to my art… I guess one could say I'm "fearless and eclectically dimensional". That sounds so much more appealing than "random, chaotic and lumpy"! Following is a listing of some of what I've done. I can't remember it all, but at least you get the idea. Yeah, I'm prolific.
MM = Memory Makers Books
CK = Creating Keepsakes Books
  • Show It Off! (MM 2008 – 3 projects and layouts)
  • Day of the Dead Crafts (Cantata Books - 1 project)
  • Flip, Spin & Play (MM 2008 – 2 layouts)
  • Out Of Bounds (MM 2007 – 26 layouts, cover)
  • The Joy of Scrapbooking (Cantata Books - 2 layouts)
  • Focal Point (MM 2006 – 4 layouts)
  • Quick and Easy Scrapbook Styles (MM 2006 - 3 layouts)
  • Ask The Masters (MM 2006 – 4 layouts)
  • Outstanding Albums (MM 2006 – 2 projects and layouts)
  • The Amazing Page (MM 2006 – 2 layouts)
  • Scrapbook Fundamentals (MM 2006 – 10 layouts)
  • More Than a Page (MM 2006 – 32 projects and layouts)
  • Scrapbook Sketches (MM 2005 – 2 layouts)
  • Creative Layout Variations (MM 2005 – 4 layouts)
  • Your Scrapbook Your Story (MM 2005 – 3 layouts)
  • All Men Scrapbook Pages (MM 2005 – 2 layouts, cover)
  • All Kids Scrapbook Pages (MM 2005 – 1 layout, cover)
  • Scrapbooking Family Memories (MM 2005 – 3 layouts)
  • 501 Great Scrapbook Page Ideas (MM 2005 – 3 layouts
  • Creative Stamping for Scrapbookers (MM 2005 – 4 layouts)
  • Tags Reinvented (MM 2004 – 5 layouts)
  • Mastering Scrapbook Page Design (MM 2004 – 2 layouts)
  • Family Trees for Scrapbookers (MM 2004 – 2 layouts, back cover)
  • Getting the Most From Your Scrapbook Tools (MM 2004 – 8 layouts, back cover)
  • The Pocket Book (Pinecone Press 2004 – 15 layouts)
  • Scrapbook Pages Starring Your Baby (MM 2004 – 2 layouts)
  • Creating Vacation Scrapbook Pages (MM 2004 – 1 layout)
  • Scrapbooking Your Adult Years (MM 2004 – 5 layouts)
  • Scrapbooking Your Wedding (MM 2004 – 2 layouts)
  • All Boy Scrapbook Pages (MM 2004 – 3 layouts)
  • Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers (MM 2004 – 10 layouts)
  • Scrapbook Embellishments (MM 2003 – 24 layouts)
  • Outstanding Scrapbook Pages (MM 2003 – 2 layouts)
  • Color Your Scrapbook Punch Art (MM 2003 – 8 layouts)
  • Sizzling Seasonal Scrapbook Pages (MM 2003 – 2 layouts)
  • Quick & Easy Scrapbook Pages (MM 2003 – 7 layouts, front & back covers)
  • Scrapbook Borders, Corners & Titles (MM 2003 – 4 layouts)
  • Scrapbook Lettering (MM 2002 – 4 layouts)
  • Creative Paper Techniques (MM 2002 – 4 layouts)
  • Heritage Memories (CK 2001 – 4 layouts)
  • Hall of Fame 2001 (CK 2001 – 1 layout)
  • Hall of Fame 2000 (CK 2000 - 1 layout)
  • Hall of Fame 1999 (CK 1999 - 1 layout)

Memory Makers Magazine:
  • August 2006 (cover)
  • June 2006 (8 layouts, cover)
  • Scrapbooking & Stamping Special Issue 2005 (1 layout)
  • Scrapbookers Survival Guide Special Issue2004 (3 layouts)
  • October 2004 (2 layouts)
  • Scrapbooking Top 50 Special Issue 2004 (5 layouts)
  • August 2004 (3 layouts)
  • Heritage Special Issue 2004 (2 layouts)
  • Birthday Special Issue 2004 (1 layout)
  • November/December 2003 (3 layouts)
  • September/October 2003 (3 layouts)
  • 3-D Embellishments Special Issue 2003 (2 layouts)
  • March/April 2003 (2 layouts)
  • Scrapbooking Top 50 2003 (4 layouts)
  • January/February 2003 (2 layouts)
  • November/December 2002 (1 layout)
  • Fast & Easy Special Issue 2002 (3 layouts, cover)
  • Papercrafts and More Special Issue 2002 (3 layouts)
Other Publications:
  • Zen Doodle Workshop Magazine - Winter 2015 (1 project)
  • Boomer Buzz Magazine - May/June 2013 (11 photos)
  • Rubber Stamp Madness --Winter 2012 (Featured artist/article with 5 projects)
  • Rubber Stamp Madness -- Summer 2012 (1 layout)
  • CNA Magazine Scrapbook Insider 2006 (1 layout, cover)
  • Spellbinders Paper Crafts Catalog 2005 (3 layouts)
  • Scrapbook Stores Across America 2002 (2 layouts)

My art has been featured on the following:
  • DIY Scrapbooking
  • The Carol Duvall Show
  • QVC
  • HSN
  • Retirement Living
  • Scrapbook Memories
  • Scrapbook Expo Videos online
Here are some of the books I've written!

  • Show It Off!! (MM 2008)
  • Flip, Spin & Play (MM 2007)
  • Out of Bounds (MM 2007 - co-authored with Jodi Amidei)
  • Outstanding Albums (MM 2006)
  • Scrapbook Fundamentals (MM 2006)
  • More Than a Page (MM 2006)
  • Creative Layout Variations (MM 2005)
  • Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers (MM 2004)
  • Getting the Most From Your Scrapbook Tools (MM 2003)
  • Scrapbook Embellishments (MM 2003)
  • Quick & Easy Scrapbook Pages (MM 2003)

Boomer Buzz Magazine
  • "Be Prepared!" (Summer 2015 - pp 21-22)
  • "Confessions of a Middle-Aged Gamer Chick" (May 2014 - pp 33-36)
  • "For the Love of Bluebonnets" (May/June 2013 - pp 54-57)
  • "Purple Prose" (March 2013 - pg 52)
Memory Makers Magazine
  • Teaching a Friend to Scrapbook (July 2005)
  • “12 Versatile Techniques” (Scrapbooking & Stamping Special Issue 2005)
  • “Putting Pad to Paper” (October 2004)
  • “The ABCs of Alphabet Stamps” (August 2004)
  • “7 Savvy Color Combos” (Birthday Special Issue 2004)
  • “Do You Utee?” (Scrapbooking Top 50 2004)
  • “The Gilded Page” (November/December 2003)

  • “Color Theory 101: Color Wheel Basics and Beyond” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Mastering Vellum: Taming the Beast” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Biography Pages: Getting the Story” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Layout Design: You CAN Do It” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Introduction to Scrapbooking: Basics You Should Know” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Scrapbook Safety 101” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • “Sticky Situations: All About Adhesives” (Memory Makers Forum)
  • "Heated Topic: All About Heat Embossing" (Memory Makers Forum)
  • "Heavy Metal: Using Metal In Your Art" (Memory Makers Forum)
  • "Eye on Eyelets: What They Are and How To Use Them" (Memory Makers Forum)
  • "Album Cover: Ins and Outs of Choosing an Album" (Memory Makers Forum)
  • Simon Says Stamps - Guest Designer - June 2016
  • Crafter's Companion (International Inspiration Team) - 2015-2016
  • House Mouse and Friends - DT Member 2015-Present
  • Top Dog Dies - Guest Designer Sept. 2015
  • House Mouse and Friends - Guest Designer 2015
  • ItsCheaperThanTherapy.com - sample designer, demo diva 2013, 2014
  • Kenny K - Member of Krafty Krew 2012, 2013
  • Bombshell Stamps - Bombshell Girl and Digital Diva 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Third Coast Rubber Stamps - Guest Designer December 2012
  • Corrosive Challenges - Guest Designer September 2012
  • Craft Your Passion Challenges - Guest Designer July 2012
  • Copic Marker Scrapbooking - Guest Designer April 2012
  • Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges 2011
  • Bombshell Stamps - Guest Designer 2011, Pin-up Girl December 2011
  • Spellbinders Paper Arts – Design Team 2004-2005
  • Memory Makers Magazine - Memory Makers Master 2003
  • Artist design team member for the following Memory Makers books:
    • Flip, Spin, and Play
    • Show It Off!
    • Quick and Easy Scrapbook Styles
    • Ask The Masters
    • Focal Point
    • More Than a Page
    • Color Your Scrapbook Punch Art
    • Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers
    • Tags Reinvented
    • Organizing Your Scrapbook Supplies 
  • Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
    Zen Doodle Workshop Magazine (Winter 2015)
    Honorable Mention - Sunflower Girl card
  • Artist Invitational ATC Competition
    AMACO (American Art Clay Company)
    Grand Prize - Most Original ATC 2006
  • Family Tree Contest
    Memory Makers Magazine
    2nd place - 2004
  • Memory Makers Master
    Memory Makers Magazine
    Winner - Master 2003 (named one of the top 10 scrapbookers world-wide)
  • Hall of Fame
    Creating Keepsakes Magazine
    Runner-up 1999, 2000, 2001
  • Spirit Award
    Camp Memory Makers, Dearborn, MI
    1st place - Scrappin' Scout Masters
  • Best Costume Design
    Camp Memory Makers, Dearborn, MI
    Runner Up - Scrappin' Scout Masters
  • Writer: I am a published author and freelance writer. I write instructional articles on many crafting topics as well as short, creative prose and poetry.
  • Instructor: I teach all aspects of paper crafting, including: scrapbooking, card making, stamping, altered art, decorative art, jewelry making. I also love to teach layout design and color theory. I teach at private, local, and national levels (one-on-one, in local stores and clubs, on cruises, at conventions and trade shows).  I have about 15 years teaching experience in virtually all techniques/aspects/skill levels of scrapbooking and many other paper crafts. 
  • Expert Demonstrator: I can demo any product, tool, technique out there when it comes to paper crafting. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for excellent products and fun techniques with the paper-crafting community. I excel at showing people how to get the most out of their tools, and have fun doing it!
  • Member of Editorial Advisory Committee - Memory Makers Magazine (2003-2007)
  • Spellbinders Paper Crafts – Research & Development Department 2005
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