Welcome to the first day of February Anniversary Release festivities! Everyone at Papertrey Ink has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring you TEN days of fun contests & challenges, prizes, inspiration and SO much more!
Let's kick things off with an introduction to our main Papertrey Ink Design Team. I have asked each of today's team members to share one of their favorite 2015 Papertrey projects with you, a project that highlights one of their favorite color schemes. But first, let me "brag on" my girls for a bit!
When I look at all of these faces, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have the opportunity to work with such incredible, strong, kind-hearted, talented, dedicated women. While some have only been here a few months and others from the very beginning, all of them work together seamlessly. Picking up where one leaves off, encouraging each other both professionally and personally, and really coming together as a family.
I think of each of these ladies as more than an employee. They have been part of my journey and been there through all the highs and lows. There is something so magical about watching them take new products each month and turning them into masterpieces. Many times they think of things or share a point of view that I had never even considered, and that shows true creativity. Sometimes I need to remember that it's a rare thing to bring so many women together in this way, and have them meld so well. Yet they offer so many different looks and styles with their artwork. I don't think you will find that much versatility anywhere else in the industry!
So, let me take a moment to tell all of these ladies thank you. You all have invested so much into Papertrey Ink, and there really aren't adequate words to let you know how appreciative I am for this. You treat this company as if it were your own and I don't think any owner could ever ask for more than that. You have really helped to build something, and I hope you can see how you have left your imprint on not only the Papertrey customer base but the industry as a whole.
I think it is easy to forget sometimes as a blogger just how many people you touch with your words, your images. I want to make sure you know that I notice all the thousands of little things you do every month to make the Papertrey Ink release week something not to miss! Without all of you, I wouldn't be able to do what I do and I am so grateful that our lives have crossed paths. It seems fitting to end this with a favorite quote that describes all of you on this team perfectly...
Each of the designers has selected their favorite card from 2015 that uses a go-to color scheme. They are sharing them below along with a few select Papertrey memories. Be sure to click through to each of their blogs to see a second new card they have created using their original favorite card as inspiration!
Amy says, "I joined the Papertrey team exactly one year ago with the 8th anniversary release, and what an adventure the past year has been! I still pinch myself to make sure it’s not all a dream! Some highlights for me from the past year include ink smooshing, falling in love with watercolor all over again, the Petite Places line, my first felt stitching project, using a paper planner again, and learning how to film and edit videos. And who could forget lip-syncing to Madonna’s Vogue? So much silliness went into that 5-minute video! Nichole really needs to put together an outtakes and bloopers video! Speaking of bloopers, I survived a few of those this year. Always double-check your sentiments, because “birthday to my fabulous friend” without the “happy” just makes you feel completely ridiculous! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Papertrey family. Nichole is so gracious and encouraging, the girls on the team are all superstars who inspire me every single day, and the enthusiasm of the Papertrey customers is the best. Looking forward to another fabulous year!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Amy Sheffer using her favorite color scheme.
Ashley says, "My all time favorite moment was preparing for Stamp-a-faire. The Vogue video gave me lots of anxiety and I ended up recording it while at a family outing with friends at Gravelly Point (a place to go watch the planes take off/land at Reagan National Airport near DC). My friends were watching, recording me on their phones and laughing while I pantomimed the words. Lauren and other kids were also running circles around me. The best part of it all was watching every one else on the team participate. I laughed so hard at all the great contributions and learned a lot about how to let go and just have fun with it...no matter how silly you make look. I've been on the Papertrey Ink Release Design Team since 2011 and can vividly remember the day I received a message from Nichole. I'm living a dream come true and am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with some of the greatest designers in the industry. Papertrey is an amazing place to call "home!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Ashley Cannon Newell using her favorite color scheme.
Betsy says, "This is always my favorite time of year here at Papertrey…all of the exciting new product reveals, new monthly series, and ten big days of inspiration. I always come away from the festivities feeling creatively invigorated! I’ve been a part of this craziness since October 2008, and it’s still as exciting as ever -- getting those monthly emails detailing all of the new products coming our way. It never gets old! 2015 was a memorable year in Papertrey land with the release of the Moments Inked line, lots of new stitching dies, big kits and mini kits, and the Petite Places collection, just to name a few. But the highlight of the year just might have been when the DT made their music video debut! The behind the scenes chatter was quite entertaining. It was so far out of all of our comfort zones, but with the help of our fellow design team members, we made it through! And I hope you got a good laugh at our expense. :-) Here’s to another great year of Papertrey fun!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Betsy Veldman using her favorite color scheme.
Danielle says, "This past year has been quite the year for me, personally. As many of you know, I have gone through a divorce after 16 years of marriage. It was the toughest time of my life, to be honest, but creating has always been my saving grace….my happiness…and I didn’t want to let something that makes me so happy go. The ladies here behind the scenes have been so understanding and supportive during this tough time and over the past five years that I've been on the team! I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, Papertrey Ink is not just a company I design for, it’s like family to me."
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Danielle Flanders using her favorite color scheme.
Dawn says, "I can’t believe we’re celebrating our 9th anniversary and I’ve been with Papertrey for 8 of those celebrations! I joined the design team in July of 2008 and released my first stamp set (Damask Designs) in February, 2009, as part of the anniversary festivities that year! I’ve so enjoyed working with Papertrey and have been so grateful to be able to do what I love every day, as my job. What a blessing! And what a thrill to see products I’ve designed, come to life and be used to create things that make people happy! I love that! I’ve also been so blessed, over the years, by the friendships I’ve made with the other girls on the team. They’re all so kind, supportive and encouraging. Each designer always seems to do everything she can to help each other. Sometimes that might just come in the form of answering questions about how she achieved a certain look or what particular product she used or what settings she used on her camera, but I love that ultimately, these ladies are friends and they’re happy to share and help each other. They’re dears, each one! And of course, I can’t forget to mention our fearless leader, Nichole, who inspires us and shows us just what it means to run a business with kindness and grace. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and I’m excited about the year ahead!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Dawn McVey using her favorite color scheme.
Erin says, "I really want to say the best memory of the last year was the Vogue video we did for Stamp-A-Faire! But I'm feeling like everybody else is going to pick that one. So after searching through the memory banks a little further. I think it is safe to say that I stitched up more than my fair share of felt Christmas ornaments over the last six months.
Heather says, "I am so happy and honored to be able to say that I have been with Papertrey Ink since the beginning - nine years ago! I don't know what I did to deserve to be a part of this great team and work for this great company. The team is like family to me and if you think it looks like we are having a great time and all get along, you are absolutely right! There's always a little something going on behind the scenes. During last May's release, I had a lot going on in my life and when it came down to doing my release projects, I was completely out of my regular adhesive. All of my projects for that release are held together with Scor-tape and glue dots. I confessed this to the rest of the team and that started a long thread of design team confessions - we had a good time laughing about all the silly things we have done so projects get showcased on time to share with all of you. And who could forget the infamous "Vogue" video for Stamp-a-faire this past year??? We all agonized to each other about filming our parts for weeks! And that video? It is one for the record books (at least Papertrey Ink's record books) for sure! Happy 9th anniversary, Papertrey Ink, you are sure something special to me. Here's to many more years to come!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Heather Nichols using her favorite color scheme.
Kay says, "Wow! I’m on the Papertrey Ink Design team! You have no idea how many times I’ve had to say that out loud in the last few months to try to grasp the reality of it. It’s literally a dream come true! I have somehow managed to land a spot on my dream team, and I could not be more ecstatic! Nichole and the whole team have been so warm, welcoming and helpful. I feel right at home after only five months on the team. When I first started getting invitations to design teams, I would say to my family “I have to save room for Papertrey Ink!” I was being funny, because I had no idea it would ever happen. So it got to be a common thing any time I mentioned a new team or a guest spot, my kids and husband would say “Now you better save room for Papertrey Ink!” To my utter shock and amazement it did indeed happen, and here I am. I am beyond thrilled to be listed as one of the Papertrey Ink design team members for 2016 along with such such an incredible group of talent!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Kay Miller using her favorite color scheme.
Laurie says, "This year has been such a fun year! February also marks my 2 year anniversary with Papertrey Ink and what a blessing it has been! I have so many great memories over the past 2 years, but what stands out this year is Stamp-a-Faire. Thinking back on how I "attempted" to dance to the Vogue music video, still makes me laugh. I remembered freezing up in front of the camera and I couldn't get myself to move! I want to wish a very Happy 9th Anniversary to Papertrey Ink and everyone behind the scenes!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Laurie Willison using her favorite color scheme.
Lexi says, "Wow! Nine years ago when I bought Nichole’s very first Papertrey Ink set, I never imagined that I’d be celebrating from the other side. But here I am, back for my fifth year as a stamp designer, my second year hosting Make it Monday videos, and now, my first year as a Moments Inked design team member. I’m so honored to be a part of this team! I especially love creating and counting down with all of you. Twice this year I had to take my projects on the road, which was a bit daunting. The first time was spring break at the beach and I knew I could work in some stamping time, so I brought a shoebox of supplies. It was really fun to challenge myself to create with limited resources - flashback to when we had to cut everything out by hand!! But the sand and surf made a great backdrop for my posting pics, so I can’t complain. Hmmm, I may even have to plan a repeat trip. Cheers to another fun year!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Lexi Daly using her favorite color scheme.
Lizzie says, "During the summer of 2011, Nichole, Julie, and Jane took a chance and offered a largely unknown stamper and illustrator a place on their product design team. I jumped at that chance and officially joined the team in February of 2012. Then this year, I was thrilled when those same lovely ladies extended an opportunity to join the Release Team as well. I remember getting that email from Nichole and immediately thinking "Be cool...be cool...be cool..." while being anything but cool. I may have danced. I may have squealed. I definitely called my husband. I am so grateful every day to Nichole, Julie, and Jane for allowing me to continue working with them and all of the other wonderful people associated with this fantastic company. I can't wait to see what the coming year will bring."
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Lizzie Jones using her favorite color scheme.
Maile says, "Nothing could have been more fun then seeing the final Stamp-A-Faire event intro video come together! I was nervous about performing my part, but I had nothing to worry about because it was so much fun to make. The design team performances were hilarious! A video and experience I will never forget!!!"
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Maile Belles using her favorite color scheme.
Melissa says, "I have been with Papertrey Ink since 2008 and have absolutely loved my time here. Each release is just as exciting as the last and I always anticipate getting to see what each new month will bring. Behind the scenes we are just a regular bunch of crazy, stamp-lovers and craft-hoarders like yourself! This past year we’ve had a thread or two in the DT forum going where we each throw out our latest mishap with a release. For me, reading what other design team members encounter along the way to get that perfect card is so refreshing :). We’ve talked about running out of cardstock, dropping ink pads on a finished card that hasn’t yet been photographed, running out of dimensional adhesive and learning what was “actually” used instead, and one of my most embarrassing moments this past year….leaving the “of” out of a “Thinking of You” card and not noticing it until one of my blog readers kindly pointed it out to me. See….just a bunch of normal girls who enjoy a good laugh at themselves :).”
CLICK HERE to see another card created by Melissa Phillips using her favorite color scheme.
EDITED TO ADD: Since so many of the ladies mentioned the Stamp-a-faire "Vogue" video, I thought I would add it to this post for those of you that might have missed it the first time around!
CLICK HERE to Download Feb16 DT Favorites Inspiration Cards
Each of the DT members have shared their favorite color schemes above! Now's your chance to make a project using this inspiration as well as an opportunity to leave some love for the best team in the business!
1. Create a new project that uses one of the Color Recipe Cards from the options above.
2. Your project must use at least one Papertrey product.
3. Upload a photo of your project to your blog, online gallery or any other photo-hosting site (such as photobucket or flickr).
4. Add the direct link to your project on our InLinkz list below.
5. ONLY ONE PROJECT PER PERSON PLEASE.
6. And/or you can leave a comment here to be eligible to win. Leave a "thank you" for the amazing design team members and all of the inspiration they have provided you this past year! Only one comment per person please. (Just click the small "comments" link beside the date in the footer of this post. If you are reading this as an email subscription, be sure to click through to the actual blog to leave an eligible comment)
7. You have until 7am EST, Monday, February 15th to add your project link or comment and qualify for the contest.
8. The lucky winner will be announced on our February Release Winner page no later than 5pm EST, February 15th.
One lucky winner will receive their Papertrey wish list for FREE (up to a $300 value)! Be sure to create a special wish list within your account on our website labeled "2016 PTI Wishlist". If you are randomly selected as a winner, you will be sent the first $300 worth of items on that list!!! We encourage customers to include more than $300 worth of items on their anniversary wish list because if a particular item is out of stock on the morning of February 15th when the winner is selected, we will replace it with the next item on the list. Best of luck with the contest!
