As February 2014 comes to a close and we wrap up our 7th Anniversary festivities, it is amazing to look back over the last few weeks and read all of the heartfelt messages and stories you have shared with us and how Papertrey Ink has touched your lives. It was definitely an amazing party and we are so glad that each of you found your own way to participate! Please be sure to check out the short slideshow I have put together below, showcasing some of the things all of you shared!
Isn't that a great way to end the anniversary festivities on a high note? Admittedly, I tear up a bit each time I watch it! Sending a big virtual hug to each and every one of you!
I also have a few additional announcements to share with you!
First, there are all kinds of amazing newsletter additions that Lizzie Jones has been making to our big monthly publication! Many of your favorites are returning, but we have an exciting batch of updates that we can't wait to share!
>>>MORE MONTHLY MOMENTS PROJECTS
For starters, we've heard loud and clear that you are excited about Heather's pocket style scrapbooking line! Each month, the Monthly Moments Team will inspire you further with their take on Heather's most recent products and share brand new projects here!
>>>STAMP DESIGNER SHOWCASE
The Revisited section of the newsletter has always been a fan favorite. We've decided that more of a good thing is fabulous, so we're bringing you the Stamp Designer Showcase! Each month, stamp designers have the option to revisit one of their favorite sets, bringing you a fresh perspective on stamps that you may already have in your collection. This is something that will be contributed to based on each designers schedules, so some months may feature more sets than others!
>>>SIGNATURE SKETCHES + PIN LIBRARY
We've also noticed how much you love card sketches, so we're adding a section called Signature Sketches to the monthly line up. In each newsletter Lizzie will be sharing a handful of sketches based on the Design Team's projects from past releases. Follow along each month and you'll have a whole library at your finger tips in no time at all. We're even starting a Sketch Library pin board to help keep you organized! How's that for handy?
>>>INSPIRATION ARCHIVE INLINKZ LIST
To go along with these newsletter additions, we're excited to introduce the Inspiration Archive. Every month a new post, complete with InLinkz list, will be added to my blog for you to link up your Color Play, Signature Sketch, Revisited, Stamp Designer Showcase, and On Trend creations. You can link up your projects to share and hop around to see your fellow stampers' work, too!
As another announcement, Cristina Kowalczyk will be stepping down from our design team as of today. Some of you may already know that in addition to her responsibilities with us, she is also a successful author with a new book hitting the stands soon. She is leaving our team to pursue her dream of being an author full-time and to work harder than ever on the promotional aspects of her latest novel, The Book of Unknown Americans. In the year that Cristina has been with us, she has showcased Papertrey products with her signature clean & classic style. She has never ceased to amaze me with how incredibly innovative the creative side of her brain is. Not only is she one of *the* best designers in the industry, she is also one of the sweetest gals I have had the pleasure to work with. I just know she will succeed beyond her wildest dreams in the literary world and I can hardly wait to see where this journey takes her! (Note to self: I need to be sure to get her autograph so I can say I knew her when!)
With her departure we are welcoming a new face to the team, Laurie Willison. Her blog, Soapbox Creations, is full of amazing projects with a wonderful simple style that I know you will all fall in love with, if you haven't already been a longtime follower! Her layers, colors, use of dies and overall layouts are always creative and inspiring. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her blog (and style) grow and evolve over the years and it was so thrilling to have her agree to join the team. I hope you will join me in giving her a very warm welcome to the Papertrey family!
Oh, I was so not happy to read that Cristina is leaving as I love her creations so much but I am supporting her greatly in her endeavor to write! Congrats Cristina! And to think Laurie will be on the team now is beyond exciting. I’ve followed Laurie for a long time now and there is no one like her!! Congrats Laurie!! Can’t wait to see your work here on Papertreyink!
Sad to see Cristina leave but Laurie is a wonderful artist – one of my favorites. Congrats to both gals.
Farewell, Cristina! I have LOVED your work for quite a few years, and your work with PTI in particular has been amazing! Good luck with your writing.
Welcome, Laurie, what a perfect match! I can’t wait to see what you create with the PTI team! I’m so thrilled for you! Yay! 🙂
While I’m sorry to see Christina leaving…
love her simple style…
can I just say you are so incredibly lucky to have Laurie?
She is amazing and I’ve followed her since I found her years ago…
I know this is a perfect fit! 🙂
And thank you for more sketches!! YAY!!
So sorry to see Christina leave….love her style!
Love Laurie’s style too and so happy you added her to the DT….congrats Laurie!
Loved the video!
The video is so beautiful!!! I love that song too!
I am so very sorry to see Cristina go – her projects were always some of my favorite, but at the same time I am just so thrilled beyond belief over the news about Laurie – I don’t think there’s more kind-hearted and talented paper crafter around! I simply adore her and am just so wicked excited for her!
Very sad to see Christina leave she has such a great style loved her work. Welcome Laurie she has also a great style and she will fit perfect in the team can’t wait to see her projects.
I haved loved Christina’s contributions to the PTI experience each month and thanks for the announcement of her next venture. I will check that out.
Welcome Laurie to the team. She has been a favourite of mine for years!! I look forward to seeing her official PTI designs!
Thanks for the additional announcements too. Fun.
very sad to see Cristina leave. Totally love her style. I am a big fan of Laurie’s. Welcome Laurie!!!
What an amazing month February was. You ladies did more than overwhelm me day after day. Now all the things coming up in March look so inspiring as well. My style is not exactly clean and simple but I have thoroughly been impressed by Cristina’s style and have even tried to emulate it a bit. Seems I’m a little late on knowing Laurie so I look forward to what she will bring to PTI. thanks
Congratulations to Christina…I love your style, you always inspire me…good luck on your new adventure and knock em’ dead! To Laurie…been a stalker of yours for years…you are so very talented…welcome to the most amazing team…PTI is the holy grail!! Have fun!
Sad to see Christina leave but I am an avid reader so have already checked her out as an author. Can’t wait to read her books. Added Laurie to my Feedly roll and can’t wait to see what she inspires us with. Thanks!
Sad to see Cristina leaving the team; yet, so excited to welcome Laurie! I love her style and she will showcase the PTI product fabulously, I have no doubt. I can’t wait to see her work her magic!! Super exciting for both ladies.
Oh I teared up a bit too watching the video and reading the comments. It also made my heart glad to recognize so many of the names and faces!
Congratulations to Cristina on her new endeavor and an even bigger hooray to Laurie!! I love her style and her cards are wowzers! I remember meeting her at CHA Chicago and she was as sweet as could be. Can’t wait to see what she has in store for us!
Farewell, Cristina! I have LOVED your work… and your work with PTI has been amazing! Good luck with your writing.
Welcome, Laurie, great addition to the team!! I can’t wait to see what you create with the PTI team!
I’m very happy for you! Yay! 🙂
I am so excited by all the fun additions. I am not so excited to see Christina go 🙁 I do however think it is awesome that she is following her dream and I wish her every success. Laurie is going to be a great addition to the team. I have admired her work for some time too. I can’t wait to see her work her magic.
OH no, I am so sorry to see Cristina go – amazing designer, but wish her ALL the luck in the world, as she follows her dream!
Exciting new features on the horizon – can’t wait 😀
Welcome to Laurie – I am familiar with her fabulous work – YAY!!
I’ve wondered how Cristina could possibly have time to write much less have the creativity for it after so much has been poured into her fabulous card-making. She is certainly a wealth of talent. Sad for me to see her go, happy as can be to see her move on to her writing career. I can hardly wait to read her books!
Laurie will be an AMAZING addition to the PTI design team. I have loved her beautiful and innovative designs for a long time. Congrats all around!
I will really miss Cristina’s creations – she is a fantastic designer! I have followed Laurie for quite some time – I’ve always admired her clean and simple style, which I love. A WARM welcome to Laurie!!
Welcome Laurie! I can’t wait to see your creations. Sorry to see Cristina go but she is going on to another chapter in her life! Good Luck!
The video was fantastic, I loved it!
So fun to see my daughter’s & my photos in the slide show! Thanks so much for including us!!
I’m so sad to see Cristina leave the DT — her cards were always so inspiring!
I’m very excited to see my friend, Laurie, join the DT! Fabulous choice!
Looking forward to seeing the other changes as well — I just love PTI!
Loved seeing Cristina’s inspiring works, and wish her the very best in her endeavors, but happy to welcome Laurie! New to her blog, but love everything I’ve seen!
Kudos Nichole, I too teared up seeing each face I’ve come to love over the past years with PTI. All are more than friends to me! Talented, sweet ladies I adore!
Congratulations Laurie for being selected for the Design Team! I’ve been a long time fan and can’t wait to see more of your creations with PTI. Way to go!!
what a fun video Nichole! You made my year putting me on the “cover!” I’ve had many cards published, but never got a cover so this makes up for all those times! So sad to see Cristina go, but am so excited about her new book…AND so excited about Laurie…been a big fan of hers for so long!
I have not been able to leave a comment on here. I sent a direct email but still have no solution. When I hit post, the verification screen flashes and leaves before I can enter anything. When I retype, the verification screen is missing a post button. Any suggestions?
I will follow Laurie and her brilliant CAS designs wherever she goes! You are lucky to have her!
SUPER VIDEO NICHOLE!!! 🙂 AND the changes sound WONDERFUL!!! YES, we will miss you, Cristina & your GORGEOUS WORK!!! ALL THE BEST TO YOU in your writing!!!! ( I know EXACTLY what you’re feeling Nichole! I too have an “Author Friend!”) LOL AND WELCOME TO LAURIE!!!! (I would have had the SAME REACTION!!! ONLY I would have PROBABLY BROKEN SOMETHING! LOL) CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MORE OF YOUR WONDERFUL CREATIONS AND hear some more of YOUR FUNNY STORIES!!!!!:)
Good luck to Cristina, your cards were always beautiful and inspiring!!! Welcome to Laurie, love your creations and excited to see more 🙂
Bobby, So sorry to hear you have been having trouble. Sometimes during blog contests there can be high traffic at certain times of day which can bog down the verification system. High traffic times seem to be first thing in the morning when a post goes live and around noon when people are on their lunch break. If you try some alternate times of day, you may be able to avoid the traffic and have things work a bit more smoothly for you.
I’m SO excited to see Laurie on PTI’s team! LOVE HER!
While I’m sad to see Cristina leave, I’m thrilled that Laurie will be joining the PTI team! Great choice and I can’t wait to see her projects!
Cool slideshow! I’m happy to see Christina pursuing her dreams and a big welcome to the new team member, Laurie. I love the idea of a monthly inklist to participate and share projects with the newsletter and design team! Pretty please could we have a pdf of the sketches for easy printing? Thanks so much for everything!
Nichole what a GRAND video!!! Your the best!!
Sad to see Cristina leave, love her work!
Welcome Laurie!
Sorry to see Christine leave. Loved her cards. Best wishes to her in regard to her future.
Welcome Laurie. Look forward to what she brings to the team
The video shows that your customers have really become family. I agree with the Comment that PTI inspiration has caused my stamping and design to reach a new level. The upgrade of your newsletter is wonderful. You are in a tough business, but your dedication shows. And Cristina, I suspect you have just sold a whole lot of books. How much creativity can one person have? Kudos to each and every one of you.
Best wishes, Christina, on your nest exploit. So proud of you. I will miss your creative touch.
Farewell to Christina, I’ll certainly miss her fantastic take on all of PTI new products. I wish her all the best in her new venture.
On the flip side, I’m very excited to hear about Laurie joining the team. I LOVE her creations!
Can’t wait for all the new announcements to get under way.
I’m sad that Cristina is leaving the nest, but happy for her at the same time. What a dream to be able to write full time.
That video was a ton of fun. It had me grinning from ear to ear! I’m a huge Dave-head, and I looove that song, so that made it even better.
The video is really nice. Sorry to see Christina leave but happy to see Laurie join. It’s all good!
I LOVE this fabulous video you put together ~ It’s wonderful to put the fact to the name of so many Bloggy friends from around the world.
Very exciting news of upcoming features, I’m looking forward to each and every one, especially the sketches~YAY!
Huge congrats to Christina on her new venture…I have been a fan of her creative cards for years and I will be a fan of her writing too 🙂
Happy for Laurie, she is another perfect fit to the PTI design team.
Good luck to Christina, she has been awesome! And a big welcome to Laurie! The new newsletter sounds very exciting!
Thank you for putting together that lovely video! It was exciting to see myself included! Congratulations to Cristina on the new publication! She will be missed. And congratulations to Laurie for coming on board! What a lucky break for the Team!! Hugs, Darnell
Sorry to see Cristina go . Love the new additions cant wait to see more.