Over the next couple days here at Crate Paper, we're going to formally introduce you to our newest design team members for the Fall 2010 Design Team Term. Alongside the images of each one of the new CP Girls is a sample of their creations and a bio & mini questionnaire. We welcome you to get to know them personally as they'll be with us the next six months and will be regular contributors to the Crate Paper blog! The CP Girls will serve to inspire you and demonstrate fabulous ways to use our Fall 2010 collections via tutorials and project samples, which we'll be adding to the blog each and every week. We're also expanding the number of updates we provide here - starting August, we'll be uploading new content five days a week! Much of the content will be tutorials directly from our CP Girls! How cool is this?! We're super excited about it and can't wait to see what the team comes up with in the following months. We just know they'll amaze us and do wonderful things with our upcoming releases...speaking of which, next week, we're planning a huge sneak peek premier of our three freshest, latest collections! We've already given you a peek at one of the collections, but there are two collections you've yet to see, including a dazzling, colorful Winter collection that we're sure will help brighten up them Winter blues. We welcome you to come check them out! The big premier begins July 14th here on our blog!
About Michelle:
Hi There! My name is Michelle Lanning and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Crate Paper Design Team!! I live in sunny Southern California with my daughter, Alyson, and our two mischievous cats. We keep busy and are always on the go, but when it's time for window down, I scrap. Simple as it may be, scrapping is my way of relaxing and being creative at the same time! What could be better? Oh, I know - capturing those ever important family memories.
When I'm not running around with my princess, you can catch me teaching First Graders. It's truly a fulfilling job and no two days are ever the same :) I especially enjoy my Summer breaks when I can stay up real late and scrap without having to worry about getting up early in the morning. He,he. I can't wait to get started using all the wonderful products that Crate Paper offers!!
What Started you Scrapbooking?
I started scrapbooking like most people, after the birth of my daughter. I couldn't put pages together fast enough. I wanted to document each and everything! Well, nothings changed! I still document like crazy and I'm concerned that she'll need an entire room just to house all the albums I have for her.
What are your greatest inspirations?
Definitely my daughter. There's nothing I love more than scrapbooking the things we do together, the things she accomplishes, and just our daily lives.
As far as what inspires me when creating a page, I would say many things, like home decorating blogs, scrapper's blogs, clothing, magazine ads, the list goes on. I think I'm more fine tuned to finding inspiration for pages in everyday life. I love that!
What five words best describe your scrapbook style?
Colorful, girly, detailed, fun and layered.
About Jenny:
My name is Jenny Chesnick. Chez to most "online" forums, blogs, etc. I've been scrapbooking since 2006. I started scrapbooking when I met my biological father. Putting my family pieces together and getting engaged that year motivated me to want to keep memories of that time. Since then it has taken on a life of it's own it seems, lol. I scrap mostly trips, my friend's children, landscapes and things I take photos of. I like quirky titles and humor in most of my projects. I gather inspiration in everyday life and you will find that in a lot of my projects as well. I'm always down for a good sketch and an inspiring challenge blog! I'm a big alterable fan! I love making banners, home decor, door hangings and the like. I would define my style as quirky, controlled messy, bright, fun and inventive. I own a photography business on the side that I just started and look forward on that growing. I also post my own photos on redsbubble.com and contribute to their groups and challenges. I work for Kraft Foods in my day life. I currently reside in Baltimore, MD but my hometown is Palm Springs, CA. I've been married for five years. Our family includes one step daughter who is 18 (lord help me) and two furry kids who can be found in a lot of fun layouts. We love to travel, we camp with our in-laws a lot during the Summer and enjoy spending time on our "stoop" with neighbors and friends.
About Larissa:
My name is Larissa Albernaz. I've been scrapbooking for almost five years and I'm totally addicted which means I see artistic possibilities over everything around me. Everyday, I enjoy perceiving the colors in my surroundings and I pay close attention to my inner emotions, even it it's to throw them out only on a layout.
Over the years, scrapbooking has provided me a great assortment of artistic possibilities. It allows me to express myself "in style" via mixing papers, embellishments, colors, memories and messages. So, scrapbooking to me is not only a way to preserve my memories, but it's the way I do "Art".
In making "Art", I pursue things that have meaning to me, which inspires me to create projects that are different, interesting, cute, creative, colorful and fun! My style is eclectic & crafty! I also love all things shabby and vintage and anything that has great dimension.
What started you scrapbooking?
Well, I had my colorful agendas in my teenage years; full of stickers and attachments. I also used to make detailed notebooks and magazine clippings, book passages, pictures and drawings. After that, when I got married, as my husband is a photographer, I started setting up albums of our trips, putting together a little bit of everything we collected such as tickets, stickers, post cards and so on. When my daughter was born, I decided it was also time to tell the story behind those pictures. I created my first scrapbooking album during my pregnancy, but it was simple and without techniques. It was only when she turned two years old that I saw an ad about a scrapbooking class near where I live. I got eager to learn more and nowadays I'm completely addicted!
What are your greatest inspirations?
I'm used to getting inspired by absolutely everything! I pay close attention to movies, magazines, products, people, my thoughts, my daily life, art and to my inner emotions, and my daughter's little childish world.
What five words best describe your scrapbook style?
Eclectic, crafty, whimsical, fun, dimensional.
About Kelly:
I've been in love with art from a young age. My mom was a photography hobbyist and she was always taking photos. We used to set up makeshift darkrooms in the small bathroom in our house and I used to love watching the photos develop. I love art history and it was almost my major in college, until I decided to go with Sociology. Scrapbooking combines my love for photography and art and I can't imagine my life without this wonderful hobby! I've been fortunate enough to be published in BHG Scrapbooks Etc., Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers, Scrapbook Trends and CARDS magazines. I was a Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame winner in 2008 and a member of the CK Dream Team in 2009. I live in Florida with my husband, Tom and our 2 boys, Jackson (almost 6) and Brady (3). I'm a stay-at-home Mom and a I have a part-time photography business. I also work a few days a month at my local scrapbook store.
What started you scrapbooking?
I started scrapbooking at the age of 17 after returning from a 3 week trip in Europe with LOTS of photos.
What are your greatest inspirations?
I'm inspired by so many things. My favorite places for inspiration are home decor sites/blogs, the mall and print ads.
What five words best describe your scrapbook style?
Clean, Classic, Colorful, Photocentric, Bright.
About Melissa:
Melissa was born and raised in American Fork, UT. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she and her husband moved to Southern Nevada where they currently live with their 6-year old daughter.
After the birth of her daughter, Melissa wanted to make handmade Thank-You notes to send out and became hooked immediately on card making. It all spiraled from there and has become a wonderful and rewarding part of Melissa's life.
"I love creating things for other people, and I enjoy the process of working with my hands to turn ordinary paper into something heartfelt. My loves are card making and altering anything that sparks my interest. I enjoy every minute of it and I love to share my creations with those I love."
Her work can be seen in publications such as Paper Crafts magazine, Scrapbook & Cards Today, CARDS magazine, Scrapbook Trends, Simply Handmade, Creating Keepsakes, and Scrapbooks Etc.
What Started you Scrapbooking?
It all began with the desire to hand make "Thank-You" card to send out after my little girl arrived. One simply trip to the scrapbook store started the ball rolling. I'm so happy to have discovered this wonderful world of paper crafts.
What are your greatest inspirations?
I'm inspired by home decorating magazines mainly. It's amazing how color, placement, theme, and texture used in home decor can create a feeling that I want to recreate with paper.
What five words best describe your style?
Shabby, soft, vintage, timeless, and reflective.
We'll have five more CP girls to share with you on Friday! Join us then! For now, we're going to leave you with Wednesday giveaway winner!
I enjoyed ALL of them and they ALL did a FABULOUS job! So very creative & inspiring. I would have to say that Kaori Watanabe is my most favorite, if I have to choose just one. I loved how she used copic - air with Crate's Collection ♥ it!!
YOU are ALL very talented!!
Send us your info Tanya (info@cratepaper.com) - you've won all three of our most current collections (Brook, Pink Plum & Paper Doll)!! Yahh! We appreciate how much you enjoy Kaori's creations as we're huge fans of her work as well! Thanks for partaking in the giveaway everyone! We love reading your comments, so keep'em coming!
Fun to read more about you all - and lovely work on the projects!
Posted by: Zarah | July 08, 2010 at 05:27 AM
I loved reading about everyone! ...and I especially loved seeing the projects! So much inspiration!
Posted by: LollyChops | July 08, 2010 at 06:01 AM
So much fun to read a bit more about everyone! Gorgeous projects! I can see why they are your faves!!
Posted by: lucy edson | July 08, 2010 at 07:06 AM
So fun to learn more about each of you!I love your projects and can't wait see more from you!
Posted by: Amy H | July 08, 2010 at 08:15 AM
I loved reading about each of you. Your projects are all gorgeous! It's so fun to learn a little bit about everyone!
Congrats to Tonya!
Posted by: Lori Gentile | July 08, 2010 at 08:28 AM
Wow - What a lovely and talented team. Can't wait to meet the rest.
Posted by: LeeAnne | July 08, 2010 at 08:52 AM
So nice to learn more about this fab team!
Posted by: Larissa Albernaz | July 08, 2010 at 09:07 AM
All that was missing was my cup of coffee. :) It's nice to meet you gals!
Posted by: Sarah Martina | July 08, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Awesome. Can't wait to see what these ladies come up with next!
Posted by: Gen | July 08, 2010 at 01:44 PM
hooray girls!!!! love seeing your faces and projects :)
Posted by: chez | July 08, 2010 at 06:51 PM
talented ladies. Great work.
Posted by: Rosario | July 09, 2010 at 09:50 AM