Today is officially THE day. The day I turn 30. Feels a bit surreal really. I mean, I've been in my twenties foooor-evvverrrrrr..... right? It will be somewhat strange to tell someone my age when they ask. I'll have to actually say it. Out loud and everything. You know... that I'm actually 30 (said in my best incoherent whisper!). It will definitely take some getting used to!
Each day for the next five days I will be showing you a card that I created for six of the people on my list. Today's card uses images from Floral Frenzy and sentiment from the new set Autumn Abundance.
Orange Zest In Bloom paper flanks the spine of the kraft cardstock base. The edge of which was trimmed with my favorite pinking shears, with a bit of stitching added for good measure. The new Autumn Abundance patterned paper pad was tapped into for the polka dot paper.
The daisies were stamped with Orange Zest ink, the stems in Ripe Avocado and the sentiment in True Black. Lemon Tart Vintage Buttons were added to the flower centers, tied with a bit of Rustic Jute Button Twine. The leaves were hand-cut from Ripe Avoado cardstock and stamped with the smallest dots from Polka Dot Basics II. I also scored them a bit in the center to give them a bit more dimension. I scrap of Ripe Avocado Stitched Ribbon was added to the side of the focal point to form a little tab.
Now onto the fun stuff.
I thought it would be fun to share a few photos from my past with each post this week too. Today I found it appropriate to present my FIRST birthday since today marks exactly 29 years later.
My mother is holding me in her lap at the wooden table that still sits in front of the living room windows at our summer cottage on the island. Looks like it was perhaps an angel food cake. Amazing to think about what a *clean slate* I was back then. So much laid out ahead of me, little did I know what amazing opportunities would arise.
When I was looking for the above photo, I ran across a bit of a theme that I found quite revealing. I'm a *ponderer* by nature. I love to just sit, look at my surroundings, absorb the moment, the sights, the sounds. Take it all in and ponder. It seems as though I might have begun those habits as a child...
...pondering (and wandering) under a tree
...pondering on the hillside
...pondering in the lake
...pondering by the sea as an adult.
Now all this pondering leads me to the first batch of six influential people in my life that are receiving the cards I created today (in no particular order)...
#1: Ann Plum (affectionately known as Grandma)
How do you begin to thank someone who has influenced your life from the day you were born?
(Grandma holding me shortly after my birth, with my mother in the background)
Let me introduce you to my grandmother. To most people she is Ann, but of course I call her Grandma. To say she is one of the thirty most influential people in my life is almost a bit of an understatement. To start with, I love her, all the way to the deepest depths of my soul. She always knows the right thing to say and is one of the best people to look towards for advice. She's firm when she needs to be, putting me in my place when I was going through the *oh so tumulus* teen years. She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders throughout the building of my career. She's irreplaceable and truly one of the most important people in my life.
(opening birthday presents under Grandma's watchful eye)
She always lived out of state, so we spent the majority of our time with her at their summer cottage on an island in Maine, that I refer to so lovingly. I have her (and my grandfather) to thank for this amazing setting that has become part of my history and will continue to live on in the future. The memories drenched in the walls of that place are just about one of the warmest, comforting thoughts I have to revert back to whenever I am feeling homesick. With almost all of those memories involving Grandma, her hospitality, her love.
(my mother with her arm around me, along with my Grandma holding my sister, Jenn)
I remember her always being so patient when showing me new things. I'll never forget the night she taught me how to wash dishes. Standing at the sink together, elbow deep in warm sudsy water. Her calm & even-toned voice, telling me the steps to take, what to do (and not to do). She's passed on recipes to me. She's taught me by example in the ways of generosity, graciousness, hospitality, being economical and so much more. Thank you, Grandma, for influencing me in more ways then you will probably ever know.
(that's me, in the red coat!)
#2: Janie Clark-McGown
I worked with Janie in a small pizza & sandwich shop in my hometown of Norridgewock, Maine. I began working there when I was 15, and even though Janie was a lot older than me, she took me under her wing and became a mentor that I will never forget.
I regret that I don't have a single photo of her or that portion of my life. We worked side by side many afternoons and evenings, with her as an artist, I greatly respected her and all she had to say. In high school I was full of dreams. Of doing something important. Something big. One day I remember presenting her with a complete business plan for *our art gallery* that the two of us could open up in the city. I outlined all of the activities and events that could take place, the classes we could teach, the layout of the gallery and what we would exhibit there. I think I even named the establishment and sketched out a logo for it! She was such a good sport about it! Rather than put a damper on my enthusiasm and my impractical plans that she would never truly be able to participate in, she showed so much enthusiasm. She fanned the flame that burned deep inside me, an ambition to somehow be in business with my creativity.
(an excerpt from a page in the catalog I developed for my small business)
Years later, shortly after I was married at the age of 21, I began a small business where I created custom notecards & stationery. I propositioned Janie to allow me to use some of her watercolors and pencil sketches as artwork for a product line. She jumped at the chance and supported me in any way she could.
I don't think I have ever told her how influential these moments have been in my life and my drive to get into the business world. I am just thrilled at the idea of her knowing how much she has meant to me even after all these years.
#3: Valerie Pingree
One woman single-handedly gets all credit for giving my start in this industry, and that person is Valerie Pingree. My first published cards were accepted by her, during the infancy of Paper Crafts magazine.
(Valerie's introductory ed. note in the very first issue of Paper Crafts magazine)
Valerie saw something in me, that I'm not sure I saw myself at the time. She is so positive, so encouraging, such a ray of sunshine. Whenever you are around her, you cannot help but smile and push yourself to do your very best for her. She gave me my first "tough assignment & deadline." I had my doubts as to whether or not I could complete what was needed in the time allotted, but I pressed on because I wanted to be a success for Valerie. I wanted to become somebody she could rely on.
She traveled to Nashville for convention at one point and asked to meet for lunch. I excitedly obliged. Before lunch, Valerie took me on a tour of several booths and manufacturers. It was my first exposure to *the industry* and it was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be in it, to experience it first hand, to succeed in it.
Valerie and I went on to work with each other for a few more months at Paper Crafts. We always seemed to collaborate really well on different projects. So, Valerie... thank you, for everything you've done, even if you don't remember these specific circumstances. You helped me take that first step into this industry, and I haven't looked back since.
#4: Alicia Paulson
As many of you already know, blogging is an integral part of our business and the way we promote our new releases and products. My first glimpse of the power of blogging and building a business came from Alicia Paulson. She has built an amazing following through her blog (Posie Gets Cozy), which is a wonderful cross-reference tool for her business, Posie Rosy Little Things.
The first time I stumbled across her blog, it was like an epiphany. How incredible to be able to immerse yourself, as a reader, into Alicia's world and see everything with her point of view along with amazing photography and story telling capabilities. Knowing the process of how a product came to be or where the concept came from, made me (the customer) feel like I was part of something. It was then that I knew that these strengths that I admired so much, should be somehow intertwined with the Papertrey business concept and it's promotional work.
After reading Alica's blog so dedicatedly for so long, I felt such a sense of gratitude that needed to be communicated in writing. I know from experience that positive compliments like that go a long way. I'm so glad to finally be able to give back Alicia a small token of my thankfulness.
#5: Ellen Hutson
Some people enter your life as one thing, and end up turning out to be so much more than you could have anticipated. To the point that you don't know what you would have done without them. Ellen Hutson has been just that type of person in my life.
We met at the very beginning of Papertrey, when I inquired as to whether or not she would be interested in being a member of our design team. Not only did she end up working alongside us for many months, providing us with amazing artwork to tempt you with, she became a very dear friend and mentor. We have had numerous *long talks* about personal experiences, business tips and more. She always remains a strong pillar of encouragement when I am feeling discouraged or frustrated. She is such a blessing in my life. I am looking forward to mailing this card out, so she can know exactly how much I appreciate her, respect her and most of all, look up to her. Thank you, Ellen! Words can never truly express my gratitude!
#6: Cathie Black
My mother gave me a special book as a Christmas gift a few years ago. It was entitled "Basic Black", an appealing mix of autobiographical details about Cathie's life and words of wisdom for women building their prominence in the business world.
Cathie Black helped to build the Hearst Magazine empire and is considered one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. When I was reading her book, I felt such a connection, almost as if she was talking to me. She tackled SO many of the issues I had experienced myself during the first few months that Papertrey was in business. She unknowingly has served as a mentor for me as I struggle to balance family & work. Cathie is such an amazing role model to me, and even though I am sure my little card will most likely will get lost in the shuffle of her busy life & career, I feel so good knowing that I have thanked her, I have recognized the influence she has had on my life and hopefully she will now know that too.
If you're still with me, thank you for stopping by today and sharing this little birthday journey with me. I'm looking forward to communicating my future meanderings over the next few days.
