Please Welcome Two New Design Team Experts!!

We're so thrilled to introduce two new Design Team Experts! Please join me in welcoming these amazing designers to our team.

Nancy Damiano


Nancy is a beautiful layout designer. She works well with 12" X 12" pages and uses everyday moments in her designs (plus she's a great photographer). We asked her a few questions to help us get to know her a little bit better:


What is your favorite Echo Park Paper collection?
Past: "Little Boy." Present: "This and That Charming." Future: "Note to Self." I have too many favorites to pick just one!


Where do you reside?
New Jersey, USA.


Where do you do most of your creating?
In my little aqua scraproom.


Tell us a little about your family:
I'm married and have one little pip named Nico who's six.


What's one scrapbooking tool you can't live without?
The Tiny Attacher (a mini stapler).


What's one tip you can share with our readers regarding scrapbooking?
Tell your story and find your style whatever that may be--shabby, artsy, clean. Once you've found one that truly fits, you can incorporate bits and pieces of any trend into it. And don't forget your story--whether it's paragraphs long, short little notes, or completely through art, it's all okay!


Are you a card maker, scrapbooker, altered artist or a combination of all three?
Mostly a scrapbooker, although, I can make cards; and I have a few altered pieces under my belt.


Do you have additional hobbies besides scrapbooking?
Photography, and I love to read.


Here's a sample of Nancy's amazing work:

And now to introduce our FIRST EVER International Design Team Expert!

Lowri McNabb


Lowri served as one of our "Fresh Face Designers" last year, and we are pleased to have her serving as one of Design Team Experts. We asked her the same questions in an effort to learn more about her and her amazing work!


What is your favorite Echo Park Paper collection?
I loved "Apothecary Emporium"--once I started creating with it, I couldn't stop! "Season's Greetings" was my absolute favorite Christmas collection last year too.


Where do you reside?
Marlborough, New Zealand


Where do you do most of your creating?
I do all my creating in my own little craft room. I used to have a table in the corner of the kitchen, but about a year ago I persuaded my husband to move out of his study into a room we never used much; and I just love having my own space. At the moment, I can see approximately two square inches of floor space--keeping my room tidy has never been a strength of mine!


Tell us a little about your family:
I live on a vineyard in Marlborough with my husband and three young children. I am originally from South Wales in the UK and I also lived in Toronto for nine years on the way to settling in New Zealand. The country life is wonderful, but I can't deny I miss the city life once in a while.


What's one scrapbooking tool you can't live without?
A very sharp craft knife. I got through a lot of blades! Two other things that always live on my desk are an adhesive eraser for ensuring a clean edge on my projects and a piece of very fine grit sandpaper, perfect for smoothing the edges of cut paper.


What's one tip you can share with our readers regarding scrapbooking?
Look to others for inspiration but always create what works for you! For some people scrapbooking is all about preserving memories, but for some it is about documenting everyday life. But for me it's about having fun doing something I really enjoy, and everyone loves to receive a handmade gift. If you are a beginner, I would say try and take a couple of classes. I have always learned heaps, and it's a great way to meet people who share your interest.


Are you a card maker, scrapbooker, altered artist or a combination of all three?
I guess I would call myself a papercrafter. I make a lot of altered items and mini albums, but I also love to make custom stationary, party decorations and the occasional card set.


Do you have additional hobbies besides scrapbooking?
I have dabbled in sewing and a couple other crafts but nothing has ever grabbed my interest like scrapbooking. I am also a bit of a foodie. I love to cook and eat and as a result of that, I try to keep fit too! If I had more time, I would start to play competitive squash again, which I really miss.


Anything else you'd like us to know about yourself?
I started really enjoying this hobby when I realized that if you e-mail pictures to people they look then maybe file away the e-mail. But if you print a couple out, glue them into a simple mini album, chances are they will keep it as a treasured item. It's a great way to connect with family near and far!


Here is a sample of Lowri's amazing altered art. We're looking forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve:

Leave a note of encouragement and welcome to these new fantastic designers! We want them to feel welcome and right and home.