P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday! I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s weekend. Around here, L-O-V-E was definitely in the air.   

I woke up Friday morning to the happy news that our managing editor Brandy Jesperson had delivered her beautiful baby boy. I guess little Cooper Kaleb couldn’t wait for his scheduled Feb. 17 C-section. Both mom and baby are doing great and proud Grandma Tammy (Brandy’s mom) has already updated her blog four times since Cooper’s arrival. (Someone’s not excited at all!) Brandy is still in the hospital, but as soon as she gets home, I’m sure we’ll get more details. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at Brandy’s handsome little man…   

Welcome to the world, Cooper!

While Cooper was enjoying his first few days of life, I was enjoying my rain-soaked cousin’s wedding. It turns out when The Weather Channel says there’s a “60 percent chance of rain and snow”, you can take that to the bank!   

I posted a picture on Friday of the beautiful wedding dress my 75-year-old grandma made for Tanner’s bride. (It’s even more gorgeous in person!) Since many of you commented that you’d like to see the front of the dress, I hope you’ll indulge me with a few more pictures, courtesy of my talented sister. And since we just celebrated Umbrella Day last week, I knew you would enjoy this picture of the happy couple Singin’ in the Rain:   

Not even a little rain could dampen the mood...

Here's a better view of the front of the dress.

And another view. Aren't they a cute couple?

Tanner and Darlene’s colors were black and gold. Tanner and his brothers wore black and gold bow ties with their tuxes and Darlene’s bridesmaids wore black dresses with gold sashes. Like all of you mentioned last week, more and more brides are pairing an accent color with black or black/white. As this wedding proved, you can’t go wrong with this classic color combination. Best of luck to all of you planning your own 2010 weddings. If any of you are looking for that special, one-of-a-kind wedding dress, I do happen to know a gal!  

Happy Monday!
Kelly   

It’s time to announce the winner of my Happily Ever After post!   

Jennifer H. (Feb. 12, 12:15 p.m.)   

Congrats, Jennifer! You’ve won Imaginisce’s brand new To Love & Cherish collection. I’ll be contacting you shortly for your mailing address. Thanks to all who left comments!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Freebie Friday! I’m currently enjoying a couple days off as my family is in town to celebrate the wedding of my cousin Tanner and his beautiful bride Darlene. Now if the weather would just cooperate with us! 

We’re religiously watching The Weather Channel hoping that the reported “60% chance of rain and snow” will miraculously change to “clear and sunny skies”. While I’ll most likely be adding an umbrella and a thick coat to my weekend wardrobe, I’m relieved to know that come rain or shine, two young people will soon begin their happily ever after. 

Isn't Darlene's wedding dress just gorgeous? My 75-year-old grandma created this beauty from a picture in a magazine. No pattern!

And even though Darlene is not a paper crafter, I’m already thinking about her wedding album and what paper and embellishments I would use to capture this very special day in her life. Luckily, fate stepped in and made that choice very easy: Imaginisce’s new To Love & Cherish collection! 

This week we got to preview Imaginisce’s new lines and this one immediately spoke to me (I’m a sucker for black and white!). Not only is it perfect for wedding, but it can also be used in so many other applications and occasions: 

How cute is this altered composition book? And if you look closely, they used their i-top to create a magnetic closure in the center of the flower. Genius!

Wouldn't a set of these notepads make the perfect gift? The flower embellishment was also created with the i-top.

I can tell you right now that I’ll be stealing these ideas for an upcoming card group project. So fun and easy! 

In honor of my cousin’s wedding, I’m giving away a WHOLE set of the To Love & Cherish collection! Leave a comment telling me your favorite wedding color combination and ONE person will win this fabulous prize package. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Sunday, Feb. 14. 

P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Betsy’s Happy Umbrella Day post! 

1. Angie Tieman (Feb. 10, 6:11 p.m.)
2. Pam Spradlin (Feb. 10, 7:45 a.m.)
3. bonnierose (Feb. 10, 7:22 a.m.) 

Congrats, winners! You’ve each won an assortment of goodies from Prima’s new Umbrella collection. I’ll be contacting you next week to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!

Nicki Kezerian

My time here at Paper Crafts is drawing to a close, and I’m sad to say that this is my last blog post.

I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to learn from the editors…they have taught me so much! I’ve learned not only about the card making business and this creative field, but also how to effectively and efficiently run a successful magazine. Here is my summary of the wonderful (and way too short-lived!) time I have spent here:

• I’ve been so fortunate in that each member of the Paper Crafts team has been so helpful in teaching me the inner works of a magazine. They’ve all been willing to let me follow them around and ask questions specific to their job, and have also been willing to answer my constant questions! 
• The ins and outs of the magazine world are so exciting! The fun meetings, the card selection process, and even returning the accepted cards have been an adventure!
• This office simply exudes creativity, and has motivated me even more to fulfill my dream of working for a magazine!
• The contributions people make to this magazine never ceases to amaze me. Every day I saw a new card or craft that was absolutely stunning!
• I have become a huge fan of card making! I’m determined to keep up on the newest trends and embrace this new hobby!

Not one to break traditions, here's my official intern picture with the team!

Speaking of embracing my new favorite hobby, I want to thank you, our supportive readers, for the wonderful ideas you left on my last blog! I asked for any advice or ideas for using paper crafts in my wedding, and the response was overwhelming! I read so many great ideas and I will be using many of them. As promised, we have selected two winners!

1. cards4ever (Sept. 25, 9:42 p.m.)
2. Mel (Sept. 24, 11:13 a.m.)

Congrats, winners! Kelly will be contacting you shortly to discuss your prizes and get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left so many great ideas!

Your Paper Crafts Intern,
Nicki

P.S. It’s time to announce the five winners from Kelly’s November/December I-Spy post. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Lynda aka arlsmom (Oct. 9, 12:16 p.m.)
2. Amy Everson (Oct. 11, 4:01 p.m.)
3. Linda L. (Oct. 9, 12:35 p.m.)
4. Daniela (Oct. 9, 1:10 p.m.)
5. Barbara (Oct. 10, 9:18 p.m.)

P.P.S. Happy Columbus Day! Since Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, we’re hosting a two-day sail-a-bration! Visit our three online stores either today or tomorrow and save 30% off your entire order! Just enter the promo code COLU-1492-1DAY during checkout. This promo code will work in all three of the following stores:

• Scrap & Paper Corner
• Quilter’s Village
• Sewing District

Nicki Kezerian

It’s official! I thought I would let our loyal readers know that I finally got engaged last Tuesday after dating my now-fiancé (wow that feels weird to say!), Todd, for three years. We went to look at the stars (with a telescope borrowed from his neighbor) at our favorite place in our favorite canyon, and after a while of him acting nervous and fidgety, he got on one knee and asked me. I couldn’t have asked for anything better—it was personal, thoughtful, and just our style. 

Almost immediately, I started thinking about the long “to-do” list that I need to finish before my winter wedding—I decided on black, white and gold for my colors, and I was even able to book my dream reception hall last weekend! But more than anything, I want everything possible to be as personal and thoughtful as Todd’s proposal.

And here's my new favorite piece of jewelry!

Of course, when I came to the Paper Crafts office the next day, I started getting excited about all the personal touches I could add to my big day with my own paper crafts. And this is where the loyal readers and contributors come in. After discussing it with the amazingly creative editor, Kelly, we decided that it would be fun (and also helpful for me!) to see what wedding ideas you paper crafters have. Any paper craft related to a wedding would be fun—from invitations and thank-you cards to favors and reception décor! And since no idea is a bad idea, I’ll randomly pick two people to win a wedding-themed clear stamp set. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Friday, Sept. 25.

Thanks for all of the contributions you make to Paper Crafts. I’m excited to see whatever ideas and advice are given to me—I need all that I can get!

Your Paper Crafts intern,
Nicki

P.S. Today just happens to be Brandy’s birthday! I’m sure we’ll be posting pictures of her new birthday sign very soon! Happy birthday to one cute momma-to-be!