Today marks the official start to all of the amazing anniversary festivities we have planned here at Papertrey this month! It's hard to believe that four years have passed, but we couldn't have done it without the help of the amazing designers that showcase our products each month. They all put in long hours creating projects, innovating new techniques with our products, putting together tutorials to teach you new things and publishing blog posts that keep us all inspired.
Not only do they work hard; they also know how to have fun. The chats that go on behind the scenes are entertaining and bring laughter to all. It's like having all your sisters together in one spot. Like family.
Because of the bonds we build, it makes it that much more bittersweet to announce a few little changes with the team for this year. Our beloved Niki Estes has decided to step down from her position with us and focus her time and energy on her three gorgeous little ones.
The dedication that Niki has shown over the last few years has been such a blessing to all of us. Niki started her journey with us as a forum member who contributed frequently to our gallery. The talent she exuded paired with her genuine kindness has continued to be her greatest contribution to our team. We wish Niki all the best as she now has more time to dedicate to snuggles, bed time stories and all the other amazing things that children bring. You will surely be missed, Niki!
With Niki's departure, we have invited a new member to our team...the talented Danielle Flanders. I personally have been awestruck with Danielle's work for a few years now and it is such an honor to have her working with our products.
Her style is a wonderful mixture of clean lines & shabby chic-ness, amazing color combinations, unique pattern pairings and lots of layers & details that will leave you so inspired. I seriously cannot say enough about the talent that Danielle processes.
I hope you will join me in giving Danielle a BIG Papertrey welcome! Be sure to stop by her amazing blog (if you haven't already!) and poke around a bit to see the amazing works of art she has on "display". It's like having the opportunity to peek into an amazing portfolio! You won't regret it!!!!
Now that I have gone into detail about the changes being made in these parts, I think it's the perfect opportunity for me to express my gratitude and appreciation for the other members of my team, a few of which who've been here since the beginning. I have asked each of the gals to reminisce & go through all the amazing artwork they have created for us this year and share their very favorite Papertrey project with us today. Let's just say that there is a reason for all this reminiscing, which I'll let you in on towards the end of this post!
Betsy Veldman is undoubtedly one of the most innovative designers in the industry, and definitely not limited to just paper. I mean, who can forget the amazing blog post she did earlier this year where she actually redecorated her daughter's bedroom with Papertrey Ink dies, felt & fabric? Not only is Betsy talented, she's also so intuitive, knowing what I need from her even before I ask. She puts all of heart into every project she creates, and that certainly shines through with all of her creations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Betsy, for all you do and all the ways that you open my eyes to new ways to use the very products I designed.
CLICK HERE to see more about Betsy's favorite project from this year!
Dawn McVey is not only a dear friend of mine; I also get the opportunity to work with her as a member of the team. Her talent stretches across so many different spectrums...from designing the products we all get to work with to creating projects with her signature flair. I think one of the things I admire most about Dawn is how adventurous she is. She's never afraid to pair unique colors together or go BIG with embellishments... a fearless stamper! I loved THIS floral project she created earlier this year because it helped me to fall in love with purple again! It is an attribute that I continually try to work on in my own projects, something that I try to learn from her. So, thank you Dawn, for being fearless, for keeping us all on our toes so there is never a dull moment and thank you for always sharing your smile!
CLICK HERE to see more about Dawn's favorite project from this year!
Debbie Olson has been on our team since the very beginning. I will never forget how intimidated I felt the day I got the courage to email her to ask if she would possibly join our team. How amazing that she still graces us with her amazing skills to this day. Debbie has actually made the decision to scale back a bit on her work with us, selecting just her favorite four sets a month to work with for a new release and no longer participating in the group challenges. But we are honored that even with her busy schedule, she has somehow made time to stick around a bit longer and bring our stamp sets to life with those magical Copic markers of hers, like she did HERE. Thank you for all you have done, Debbie; all you continue to do and allowing us to remain as part of your career! It wouldn't be the same without you!
CLICK HERE to see more about Debbie's favorite project from this year!
Erin Lincoln has been with us for just a year, but she has fit in seamlessly with the rest of the girls and it seems as though she has been here since the beginning! One of Erin's greatest strengths is pulling pieces from multiple sets and pairing them together in really unique ways. THIS friend project that she created earlier this year demonstrates this knack so well! Erin has been instrumental in some exciting things coming for this year and she has really taken charge and put all of her effort forth. I trust her to hold the reins by herself with the piece of mind that she has the same standards that I do of quality for this company. I respect her immensely and I am so proud to have her a part of the team! Thank you for all you do, Erin!
CLICK HERE to see more about Erin's favorite project from this year!
Heather Nichols is not only someone I look up to as a designer but also as a role model for motherhood. I respect her greatly on so many levels and it is an honor to have the opportunity to work with her. One thing I love about Heather's stamping style is that she has her own style...and she always sticks to it, incorporating trends here and there, but always staying true. My absolute favorite project she created this year was THIS birthday card with the By the Numbers dies. I literally gasped when I saw it and I think it really embodies so much of what she is all about. You know I love ya, Heather, and words cannot express how grateful I am for you!
CLICK HERE to see more about Heather's favorite project from this year!
Jessica Witty is a bit of a newbie as well, but I have been her #1 fan for nearly as long as Papertrey has been around. I associate with her clean, mod style so much. You gotta love someone who can pull of one layer cards like THIS. And I can't forget to mention the humor she has brought to our group. Every time I stop by her blog for a visit, I end up giggling just a bit... out loud! Jessica is an amazing asset, both inside & out, and I have never regretted for a single second, asking her to join our team. She's like the long lost sister that we didn't know was missing. I look forward to many more month's of working with you and getting to know you, Jessica!
CLICK HERE to see more about Jessica's favorite project from this year!
Lisa Johnson has an amazing presence that comes through both online and when with her in person. She is strong, yet passionate, and those attributes come through in her projects as well. Talented with bold doses of color, yet she still maintains an amazing ability to create soft, subtle projects that seem to have a personality all their own, just like the one HERE. Lisa is like a chameleon that can change and adapt to any style of product that is laid before her. I have had the amazing opportunity to work with Lisa for all four years that we've been in business and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single one of them. Thank you for all the time & talent you have dedicated to us, Lisa!
CLICK HERE to see more about Lisa's favorite project from this year!
Maile Belles is one of the most kind-hearted gals you'll ever meet and not someone who's afraid of a little hard work either. One of the things that has amazed me so much about Maile is her innovative work with our dies. She combines different shapes and sizes to create some of the most amazing, unexpected things, just like she did HERE. I never walk away from her blog without being completely inspired to try something new. She is a wonderful person to get to know and is an absolute joy to work with. If I were to express to someone what the perfect employee would be, Maile is the person I would describe. I appreciate you more than you will ever know, Maile!
CLICK HERE to see more about Maile's favorite project from this year!
Melissa Phillips... dear, dear Melissa. Where to begin? Melissa is one of those rare people that can take ordinary things from the world around us, sprinkle them with stardust & glitter and turn them into magical little pieces of art that you just want to wear strung around your neck like pearls. I love each and every thing she creates, every blog post she writes, each photograph she shares, especially things like THIS. It's all as if it's a small piece of her that we get to savor in our own little worlds. And what better treat could one possibly have? Thank you for all the blessings you have given me over the years, Melissa. I am so honored to work with you and look forward to continuing to do so in the future!
CLICK HERE to see more about Melissa's favorite project from this year!
Michelle Wooderson is the kind of gal that you just want to have at every party, every get together. She is the light of the group, making us all laugh with her antics, especially her occasional unique Etsy findings (inside joke...trust me when I say, you don't want to know!) But with all her humor, there is a sentimental, imaginative, undoubtably creative core, like she showcases HERE. When we have the opportunity to brainstorm together, it goes on for hours. We are always on the same page, we have the same vision. It is always so uplifting to me to have someone to talk to that *thinks* about the same things I do, that's on the same page. Thank you for all your contributions, all the brainstorming sessions, the hard work and dedication you've shared over the years, Mish!
CLICK HERE to see more about Michelle's favorite project from this year!
Since everyone else shared their favorite project from the past year, I thought I would participate too!
My favorite project from 2010 would have to be THIS project from last February. I remember when I was creating it how well (and surprisingly quickly!) it came together. I uses our Dot Spot stamp set as well as Big & Bold Wishes and the Butterfly die.
I love how the entire card is fairly simple, featuring clean lines, but then there is the contrast of the off-kilter butterfly, the random stitching and rhinestones gracefully scattered around it. I love the balance of the black threesome..butterfly, sentiment & rhinestones. Everything just worked together harmoniously and it always feels so gratifying when things work out that way while creating.
Now that you have had the opportunity to see everyone's favorites, are you ready for a little contest that will have a VERY happy ending for one lucky customer?
We are giving away an all-inclusive Card Kit.. but not just ANY card kit.
This is the "ULTIMATE Card Kit".
We have combined the supply lists for all ELEVEN projects highlighted above to create the "ULTIMATE Card Kit". This kit contains over $700 in Papertrey product and will allow you the ability to make all of the projects shown! Almost like having a personal kit from each of your favorite designers!
With 22 stamp sets, 20 dies/die collections, felt, ribbon, buttons, cardstock and more, this is a BIG prize package that you will not want to miss out on!
Even though we will only be selecting one winner for the "ULTIMATE Card Kit", we wanted you ALL to be a winner today! We have put together a special pdf download containing all the designers favorite projects from this year in one handy reference. The download contains color photographs of each project as well as supply lists, instructions and tips. You can download the pdf for FREE below!
Click here......>Download Design Team Favorites<......
Now the details of what you can do to WIN! There are two ways to be entered into this contest where one randomly selected winner will be chosen. You can do one or the other for a chance to win, or do both to double your chances!
- Go through YOUR Papertrey projects from the last year and choose your very favorite of the bunch. (Please be sure that your project uses at least one Papertrey product to be qualified)
- Post (or re-post) your project on your blog, in your gallery or on any other photo-hosting site (such as photobucket or flickr).
- Add the direct link to your project on our Inlinkz list ......>HERE<......
- You have until 7am EST, Sunday, February 6th to add your link and qualify for the contest.
- And/or you can leave a comment here letting us know what your absolute favorite Papertrey product of 2010 was.
- You have until 7am EST, Sunday, February 6th to add your comment to this post and qualify for the contest. (Just click the small "comments" link in blue beside the date in the footer of this post)
- This contest will end at 7am EST, Sunday, February 6th.
- Only one comment per person and/or one link per person (for a total of up to two entries per person)
- One randomly selected winner will be announced no later than noon EST that day on our February 2011 Release Winners Page.
Thank you for stopping by today and good luck to everyone on the contest! And we hope to see you back on day two of this fabulous 4th anniversary celebration!
