Here we are! Kicking off a fabulous start to an incredible 14 days of big announcements, prizes, games and SO much more. Could you possibly be as excited as I am?!?!? We have been busy planning & preparing for the BIGGEST release in Papertrey history and I am so thrilled that it is finally underway!
Today I wanted to focus on some of the key people who have led us to the success we have seen in the first two years of our business. Our design team. Our amazingly talented, loyal, dedicated design team. I honestly believe that we have built THE best team in the business. Each of them contributes a unique style that allows them to leave their fingerprint on the presentation of our products. A lasting effect that carries over to you, the customer. I am always amazed to look at the projects they create each month as they discover NEW ways to use the very stamp sets I designed. Not only are all of these women talented beyond belief. They are also my friends & some of my biggest cheerleaders.
They don't just work hard, they dedicate themselves to our company with all their heart. They immerse themselves thoroughly in any assignment. They put so much thought into each and every thing they do, consistently producing innovative, creative uses for all of our products. I admire each of them for these traits and know that you do as well.
I've asked each of them to share a project on their individual blogs today, using their favorite Papertrey set of all time. Just click on each of their linked names below to stop by and visit and see what their top picks are. You'll most likely even gain some inspiration. Trust me, you will be glad you did! *wink*
2009 Papertrey Senior Design Team
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Lisa Johnson has been with us since the beginning in February of 2007. Her eclectic style can go from shabby chic to simple & clean with just a snap of her fingers. She recently got a new camera and I have been eagerly admiring her new photo work. Lisa is most well known for her publishing achievements. You can flip through the pages of almost any paper crating related publication and her name will appear on nearly a half-dozen projects. She is very in tune with all aspects of the industry and always has an interesting point of view to contribute to discussions. Thank you for being such a strong asset to the team, Lisa!
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If I had to choose one word to sum up Lauren Meader it would have to be work-horse! Her introduction this year of My Timeless Templates was one of her biggest milestones. I'll never forget when I pitched the idea to her, there were no less than 22 templates completed and sent to me within four weeks! She is continuously thinking outside the box and whipping out project after project as if it requires no effort at all! And the enthusiasm she exudes when she is excited about a particular product or stamp set is so contagious! Thank you for all your hard work, Lauren!
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One of things I love most about Heather Nichols is that she is so easy going and just has this "go with the flow" mentality. She accommodates our crazy schedule graciously and is just so genuinely kind. Her style is uniquely her, almost always using her beloved kraft and white ink combo. In fact, she was very enthusiastic when I asked for her involvement in developing the current Classic Kraft cardstock and new Fresh Snow ink pad that we carry! It has been amazing to watch Heather's following grow as she introduces stamp designs to our company as well. Heather is such an amazing asset to our team and we feel so thankful to have her on board with us. Thank you for always being so accommodating, Heather!
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Becky Oehlers is stepping up to the Senior Team this year, so you will now be seeing her presentations during the countdown each month! Her clean & modern style is recognizable when in a crowd and is one of her signature traits. She always manages to come up with dozens and dozens of ideas when we have brainstorming sessions in our design team forum. In fact, I think I remember someone saying once, "Slow down, Becky, and leave some ideas for the rest of us!" Her creativity truly knows no bounds and we are SO excited to see what the next year will hold for her. Thank you for your dedication, Becky!
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Michelle Wooderson, or Mish as most of us call her, is just the cream of the crop. Soon after we met, she quickly enveloped me into her circle of friends. Not only is she thoughtful, but also talented beyond belief. I love her point of view on assignments and how she is able to really reach out to customers and help them to see that they can REALLY do this! She is always putting together special little gifts for people, helping to promote handmade & heartfelt, which is one of the continuing beliefs behind Papertrey Ink as well. Thank you for sharing YOUR gifts with us, Michelle!
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2009 Papertrey Release Design Team
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Geny Cassady has been such a blessing to the team as well. I love that she always, ALWAYS exudes sunshine wherever she goes! She helps to keep our little DT Forum positive and a happy place to be! Geny is always VERY anxious to get her new Papertrey package each month, and unfortunately with her being all the way in California, it always seems to take the longest! I always wait with baited breath to hear her opinion of the new products, because her enthusiasm always helps to energize me and provide motivation to keep pressing on. Thank you for being such a shining star, Geny!
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Niki Estes is one of the most supportive & helpful team members. She endlessly addresses questions on our customer forum and helps people learn to navigate our galleries. She is so down-to-earth and friendly with all of our guests during release parties. She has truly become one of the faces for Papertrey, and we couldn't be more honored that she has chosen to work with us. Pair these traits with unbelievable stamping ability and you have one irreplaceable team player. Thank you for ALWAYS being there to lend a hand, Niki!
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Dawn McVey has come so far is such a short period of time, I am just so proud of all of her accomplishments. Not much more than a year ago she was asking my advice about getting published, and here she is today with a few covers under her belt and a string of other amazing experiences. As you can tell by her smile, she is always radiating happiness, which carries over into the bright cheerful color schemes she executes in her projects. Her simple style is admired by myself along with many of our customers. Thank you for sharing your smile and your talents with all of us, Dawn!
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Debbie Olson has passed a few of her duties over to Becky, as Debbie slows down the pace a bit on the Release Team. How does one even begin to list all of the amazing traits of one of the best concept artists in the industry? Debbie's attention to detail provides exquisite results each and every assignment. Her versatility in the different styles she likes to dabble in is second to none. Sometimes I almost believe that the stamps actually *speak* to her inner creativity, because she allows each and every image she selects to shine. On top of all this, she is one of the last *true* ladies, having impeccable manners & etiquette. Just such a delight to be with. Thank you for being such an irreplaceable member of the team, Debbie!
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Melissa Phillips has contributed a fresh and fun point of view with all of our products that is so different from the other team members. Her vintage collage stylings are her signature trait and each project she creates is like a little masterpiece that you would be tempted to permanently display as a piece of art. Her color schemes and product combinations never cease to provide an element of surprise along with a little of the unexpected. And how can I fail to mention what a sweetheart she is. After reading one of her heartfelt blog posts, you just want to reach through the monitor, give her a warm hug and sit down for hot cocoa and some of her homemade cookies! Thank you for sharing both your heart and your art with us, Melissa!
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Betsy Veldman is practically the definition of the *perfect* Papertrey contributor! One of our companies biggest focuses is homemade gifts with flair, and Betsy is the *queen* of just that! Each and every month that she has been with us I have been blown away by the concepts she comes up with, especially for gift assignments. Pin cushions? Pencil planter for teacher? Betsy + Papertrey just seems like a match made in heaven! Her color schemes are always so *fruity* and fun, you just want to eat them up! And Betsy herself is just such a soft spoken, peaceful soul. The kind of person that can calm any chaotic environment! Thank you so much for allowing us to tap into your amazing creativity, Betsy!
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So, today I wanted to not only thank all of these amazing women myself, but give all of YOU the opportunity to thank them for the inspiration they have given you over the past year. Let them know what you've learned from their tutorials, what project inspired you the most, how they have helped you to grow as a stamper. As an added bonus...
each of the designers are giving away their favorite Papertrey stamp set on their individual blogs!
Leave your words of thanks with each of them for eleven different chances to win!
DO NOT post here for a chance to win big, just visit each of THEIR blogs to enter!
The winners of all the individual blog contests today (and in the future) will be listed on our special Anniversary Prize Page after noon EST. You can always access this list through the NEW! Anniversary Quick Link list to the upper left sidebar here. A copy of the list will also be updated daily in our customer forum.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a big announcement pertaining to Hint #1 from earlier last week! I'll see you then!
