Oscars for the Design Team

With the Oscars coming up this weekend and our first design team term ending, I thought it appropriate to give out some awards to the talented ladies that began with August 2010. I cannot thank this team enough for helping launch our blog, getting us through HSN, and securing 27 publication features this Spring & Summer. We will miss those that are leaving. "And the award goes to…"

• "Most creative with difficult assignments" goes to Amber Zimmerman! With assignments like "Kids Thankgiving day table" and "boy scouts day", Amber managed to pull off some amazing projects. I also think her kids are so cute, which is maybe why I keep giving her "kid" related projects.

• "Most usable project" goes to Amy Kingsford. The banner she designed for Christmas must have cost a fortune and taken her weeks. It was professionally sewn and executed, stamped perfectly, and the most usable project I have seen on our design team.

• "Most professional to work with" goes to Anthonette Chavez! There's not a thing missing when Anthonette submits a project, the work comes packaged perfectly and wrapped like I ordered it from Papyrus. And quality of her work is beyond professional. Her work was some of the most featured on HSN.

• "Party Planner Extraordinare" goes to Carey Larson. Carey's forte is flawlessly planning a party and crafting each detail. From the cupcake markers, to the photo album, to the treat bags, there is no part of an event Carey can't make happen.

• "Most published designer" goes to Carly Robertson. Not only have I shown her work on the blog more than any other designers, but she's single handedly responsible for 40% of all the publications we will be appearing in this Spring/Summer.

• "Most talked-about project at CHA" goes to Christina Padilla. Christina's "Bonjour" banner was featured on one of eight boards at the CHA show in LA a few weeks ago. It was the most talked about project in our booth!

• "Mentor of the Term" goes to Erika Taylor. Erika wrote us a 3-page email at the beginning of the term with all sorts of tips, ideas, and ways to expand the blog. She's the one who told me what a blog hop was, and then gave me all her contacts to organize one of my own. Couldn't have done it without her – the blog, the hop, or much anything else!

• "Person who transformed PSA Rosettas" goes to Jennifer Holmes . When our owners Kendel and Lori created Rosettas , creating patterns on paper was not their primary intention. But Jennifer Holmes saw Rosettas potential and created my favorite project of all time (BOLD STATEMENT!) with the Rosetta note card set for HSN.
  

• "Most labor intensive crafter" goes to Jen Witmer. All designers put their heart and soul into their work, but Jen Witmer also puts in days, weeks, and even months into her projects. The children's book she created for her son Elliott was a true testament to this, and why it earns her this award.

• "Most diverse-styles of crafts" goes to Julia Aston. Usually, a designer is either CAS, Shabby Chic, retro, and sticks to that style. Not Julia. Julia can whip out Country Western like it's nothing and then pull out bridal – in a completely different and unique way. Impressive stuff. She's also been a mentor in helping me improve the photography on this site

• "Best series card maker" goes to Mara Campbell. Mara's forte is starting with a theme and carrying it through to multiple projects, so you have a suite of work that works together. Just check out her bridal designs, her note card sets, or her thank-you card sets to see why. She has the ability to create a cohesive set like no other designer on the team!

• "Craftiest" goes to Marie Ramirez. This talented lady doesn't just do cards or layouts – she does true crafts. Just revisit her Halloween treat cones and you'll know exactly what I am talking about. Her contribution to the team is valuable since it adds a fresh dimension.

• "Most well-rounded" goes to Stephanie Jones. We have some designers that are crafty, some designers that are card makers. Stephanie is all of these things. Just see her lady bug card featured on the new monogram video (out soon!), or her Valentine's Day treat favors and you'll see what I mean.

• "Boldest designer" goes to Susan D'Anna. Create a spooky but cute Halloween tree? A funky and fun Thanksgiving tree centerpiece? A "BUSY" door sign for Valentine's Day? Stamp in edible ink on cookies? All Susan's work. She doesn't stay within the traditional and expected realm of the craft world yet she's proved she could if she wanted to. See her published bridal set in Paper Creations this summer!

Our other designers Tami Mayberry, Jeanne Streiff, Melyssa Connolly and Kim Moreno just joined us and get the Newbie award! Their term started March '11 and they will be with us for the next 6 months. For our April '11 to August '11 design team line-up, stay tuned until next week!

Thank-you to all of the ladies for our inaugural design team term. We truly appreciate your contributions!