Tuesday 1 January 2013

Much {Blog} Excitement Ahead

Hi everyone

Well we have been scheming for the last few months, but to be honest, this is an idea I have been mulling over for about 2 years. But it required the right person to co-ordinate, and finally last year the right person popped up to co-ordinate it for me, so we are all action stations! but first let me explain to you what I see happening here this year.

The whole Design Team blog thing can easily become a chore, for the organisers, the contributors and so on, it's so much more work than you would ever expect to keep everyone on task, and my schedule isn't consistent enough for me to be able to do that as efficiently as i would like, so I came up with a solution that works for me, and most importantly gives you, the blog follower, more variety of content and therefore in theory it should keep it fresh with a far wider variety of content from a number of fabulous people.

So we have enlisted a bunch of people to be short-term Guest Contributors for a semester only. Some of them may be well known bloggers (but not necessarily from your neck of the woods), and others you may not know at all. It really doesn't matter to me how long they have been blogging or doing what they do or how many followers they have etc. That is not what this is about.

What matters to me is they are passionate about what they do and how they do it. They are uniquely creative and perhaps i have noticed they show a real strength with a particular PaperArtsy product line. They are sure of their own style and, most importantly they are all very willing to share the utter nitty gritty of how they create with you! Sounds good to me!

I am so excited to see what is going on in their heads as they work, how they recover if it doesn't go quite to plan, and if they actually have a master plan, how do they get there? Some of them are nervous and feel a bit out of their depth because they are quite new to crafting or stamping even, others are like the energizer bunny bouncing of the walls in anticipation, but each of them I am so absolutely grateful to for agreeing to share with you their spin on using PaperArtsy Products. It's so nice for me to see how other people like to use our stuff, and to be able to feature those ideas on this blog is awesome!

I don't want a bunch of mini-me's out there, I know what I like, and how I like to do it, but that might not be your thing. You need to find your *thing*. I guess that is why I tend to teach techniques, because it's a starting point from which you can easily twist to find your own personal preference.  My passion for the readers of this blog is for you each to find your own unique style, colour preferences, mediums, products etc. and to express using them in a way that you enjoy. 

We all can always grow, move on and learn something new, whether we are beginners, intermediates or experienced, the learning curve never ends, there is always something new around the corner. Being willing to learn, try things out, have a go, that is what helps you to find yourself, how you like to create, and the things that push your buttons. What others think isn't important, it's what you enjoy doing that is.  So my wish for you, is that this blog, and these people will be a small part in your creative path this year, and that you will find and adapt ideas into new and interesting ways to express yourself.

Every Sunday night we will let you know who is up the following week. But for now, can I say how happy I am that Gillian Simson has offered to be the Chief coordinator behind the scenes. Thank you sooooo much (from all of us) in advance!

So, look out this coming Sunday to see who will be first up for 2013!
Amazing piece by Paula Tidman
And while Mark was mooching about setting up our PaperArtsy Pinterest page he stumbled on this Fabulous piece by Paula Tidman featured here on the That's Crafty blog. Go check it out, I love the colours. She has used Lynne Perrella Stamps, they look gorgeous!

Happy stamping times ahead of us all!

Leandra

28 comments:

Helen said...

What a great idea - I was reading the blog earlier and saw her linked up and wondered why.... Good luck Gillian! Can't wait for this new development at PA Towers.

Dawn said...

Whoop whoop, I like your thinking Leandra, can't wait to see how all the arty goodness pans out.
Happy new year to you all x

Michelle Webb said...

Awesome Leandra, it is a fabulous idea. Michelle x Oh and Happy New Year. xx

Anonymous said...

Brilliant idea, looking forward to seeing lots of new PA gorgeousness.

Carol said...

Sounds abrilliant idea!!! Wait with bated breath tro see what gorgeous creations wait!!! Good luck with this and a Happy and successful New Year to you all
Carol x

Gabrielle said...

How exciting! Gillian will be an amazing person to lead your team! Huge congrats in what sounds like a very exciting venture xxx

Gillian .... said...

There's going to be a lot of amazing art on this here blog, thanks for the awesome opportunity to help with this new venture. Here's to 2013! xx

Netrix said...

Big big congrats! Fabby idea, well done Gillian, looking forward to seeing lots of brilliant creations.
Great start to 2013
X

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

Love the idea Leandra!

Minxy said...

What exciting news, I also noticed Gillian's name appear and now I know why.. Way to go Gillian, you rock girlfriend xx

Lelainia N. Lloyd said...

What a great idea Leadra! It's a fabulous way to keep things fresh and exciting for your readers & customers.

As one of your original design team, it makes me so happy that Paper Artsy is still going strong all these years later and continuing to grow and develop. So proud of you guys! I will always be a loyal fan and if I didn't say it before, THANK YOU for the opportunity you gave me way back when. It meant the world to me!

xo Happy new year!

Karin said...

What a fabulous idea. Now I know why Gillian's blog link was up with yours. Congratulations Gillan, it will be great to see some fresh ideas but I hope we'll still be seeing plenty of your creativity Leandra.
Happy New Year to you all. xx

Trish said...

How very exciting! Thank you!

Rebecca said...

Sounds exciting
Happy craftin
Rebecca

PaperArtsy said...

Hello lovely. I never feel like we have 'lost' you as we talk on twitter all the time. Still have much of your samples on art boards. You got me hooked on cobalt blue and red. In fact our paints beach hit and London bus are directly inspired by you! So thank YOU!! Mwah xx

ellen vargo designs said...

Sounds fabulous! Big congratulations to Gillian! I know she'll be amazing! Can't wait to see! Best of luck from across the pond... ~ Ellen x

Astrid Maclean said...

What a fab idea, can't wait to see what is coming up! Congrats Gillian I know you will be a fab coordinator!!

Alison said...

Brilliant news Leandra! Just wondering if you could add email subscription to your blog, then I won't miss a post :o) xxx

Belinda Basson said...

I love this idea. Life had a wonderful way of working out.

Jo said...

How exciting, I wonder what beauties we'll see! And now ~I've got to get to grips with Pinterest as well! jo xx

Alison said...

Thanks for adding the email sub! Much appreciated! Happy new year! xxx

Inkypinkycraft said...

Congratulations to Gillian..cannot wait to see what happens next!! I am sureit will fab!!! Trace x.

yoursartfully said...

At last, it's all systems go!!! Really looking forward to seeing all the fresh new ideas from those very talented folks waiting in the wings.

Lin x

betjunroe said...

I can't wait to see the beautiful creations your guest designers make! I am new to your blog and am simply amazed by the wonderful creations. The videos are awesome! I have one question--where can I purchase the treasure gold (in different colors) wax that you used in your fresco video? I can only find golds and silver in our US stores. Would love to add this item to my craft collection. Thanks for the inspiration. Bette

Kezzy said...

Wow can't wait for this. I am a mega huge follower of your products and have so many of your stamps then any other company lol. Do you think you would ever have a monthly challenge? or like Crafty Individuals they do a bi-monthly. Just wondering lol with all the new changes. Happy New Year to you all. Kerry x

Ann B said...

Sounds a brilliant idea Leandra and very exciting. Will be back Sunday for the first one. Love Paula's work, such a talented artist.
Ann B

Paper Paradise said...

What a great idea and exciting addition to your blog! It is always great to be inspired by different people in different ways. Really looking forward to Sunday and the first 'instalment' x

Ephemera said...

Was just having a nosy on your website and blog and have just seen my pencil case. Thanks so much for showing it. I love the LP stamps they are awesome XX