We are so excited to announce our new Ella friends. Thank you so much to all those who entered, the talent blew us away. It was hard to choose so we expanded the group from nine to twelve. Welcome them to Ella.

Brenda

My name is Brenda Johnston. I live in suburbia with one husband, three kids, two frogs and one rabbit. My husband makes me laugh everyday and my kids give me something to look forward to when I wake up in the morning. As a homeschooling mom, my days are filled with building pyramids out of sugar cubes, collecting creepy crawlies to study and playing BINGO—lots of BINGO . . . do you know how many educational varieties of BINGO are out there?

Aside from scrapbooking, I love to read, cook, and volunteer at our church. Scrapbooking is my biggest outlet, it’s how I relax at the end of a day. I view scrapbooking as a productive hobby—-my kids LOVE looking at their scrapbooks and we, as parents, know that when they are our age, they will remember what we were like as a family—-the good stuff and the challenging stuff.

Find me here:  Carrot top x 3

Diana

My name is Diana Chen, aka the Lonely Scrapbooker. I called my blog that two years ago because here in Jamaica (I thought at the time) I was the only scrapbooker on the island. Yes, I’m Jamaican, born and bred, though did college & grad school in the USA—yes, I went to grad school and I’m a scrapbooker! I’m an intellectual scrapbooker. (That’s supposed to be funny, by the way.)

For some people, the idea of living in Jamaica sounds like paradise. For those who watch the international news, they might think it’s, well, hell. It’s actually somewhere in between that. But back to scrapbooking. I’ve had some success converting friends and friends of friends to scrapbooking, so I’m not lonely anymore. I’d even like to think I’ve started a little trend here in Jamaica, which makes me very, very happy.

Because scrapbooking makes me happy, and I’m happy that others are discovering that too. So lots of happiness around here, and it’s all from scrapbooking. And from other things too… like, perhaps, my three children, and my sweet husband who is super supportive of my scrapbooking addiction and never complains that I have too much stuff.

Find me here: WickySticket

Donna

My name is Donna Jannuzzi.  I live in Southern California with my husband and two boys, Gabe and Nathan.  I am a stay-at-home mom and even on the tough days I feel blessed to live this life and to have this vocation.  Life with my three guys is busy, happy and a little bit crazy.  They make me laugh everyday. 

Of course I love scrapbooking.  And sketches.  I was ecstatic when I was given the opportunity to write an eBook for Ella and I'm ecstatic to be an Ella Friend this year! 

Besides scrapbooking I love photography, reading and cooking.  My family is very supportive of all of my hobbies and luckily for me I have a husband who doesn't mind being subjected to my cooking experiments (he also doesn't mind doing the dishes).  If I could have my way, and it was nutritionally sound, I'd have ice cream, chocolate and coffee everyday.  Alas, I cannot have my way, so most days I skip the ice cream and the chocolate.  Just please, don't take away my coffee!

Francine

My name is Francine Clouden and I love, nay, I live scrapbooking. Once I started scrapbooking it quickly became my favourite way to tell stories about my life, past and present. I had always failed at keeping a journal, but scrapbooking stuck. I like to think of it as my visual journal. Now that I have a son, I am carrying on the story telling tradition for him and for me. My heart belongs to paper scrapping, but the techno geek in me can't resist playing with digital and hybrid too!

I also love many other forms of crafting like sewing and general paper crafting. I spend way too much time looking at design, decor and crafting blogs, and adding more project ideas than I could possibly complete in my lifetime, to my bookmarks and Tumblr micro blog.

I live in France with my husband Lucas - world's best cook, our toddler Kieran, and two fur balls. I'm originally from Grenada though, a tiny (and sunny!) island in the Caribbean Sea.

Find me here:
Blogging: Callaloo Soup , It Takes All Kinds, Craft Gossip
Twitter
Facebook
Tumblr

Jenni

My name is Jenni Hufford and I am from Indianapolis, IN.   I am married to my wonderful husband Todd and we have two children, Jonah James (4) and Jordan Nicole (2).  I feel so fortunate to be able to stay at home with them during the day. 

Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Larson. I grew up in Maine and have lived in Minnesota since I attended college at St. Olaf, met my husband at the Mall of America, and settled down to teach English to high school students. I  am the blessed, tired mother of two boys and a slightly neurotic but affectionate cat.

I started making cards in 1999, but I became enamored with scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my firstborn in 2002 and attended a basic scrapbooking class at my local scrapbook store. I always try to bring some sort of structure and whimsy to my pages, and if I'm smiling when I finish it, it's a great page.

Find Me Here: Midwest Scrapgarden

Twitter: Buffyfanlarson

Facebook: Jennifer Larson

Keshet

My name is Keshet (pronounced KESH-et, if you’re wondering!) Starr, and I’m a twenty-five year old gal living in the grand city of Elizabeth, New Jersey.  I share my lovely two-bedroom apartment with my (very patient and scrapbook-supportive) hubby, Steve.  We’re both lawyers, but contrary to public opinion, we don’t have dramatic, analytical arguments quoting legal sourcesJ. 

I grew up in Hawaii and Ohio ( I like diversity), and try to visit them whenever I can—although Hawaii is a bit harder to get to.  When I was sixteen years old, I discovered scrapbooking through a fluke (stay tuned for that story another time!) and was immediately hooked. 

I’m completely head over heels with every aspect of scrapbooking, whether it’s the cutting and pasting, the shopping (who are we kidding), and the talking about it.  I design for Who’s that Girl and Sketchy Thursdays, and when I’m not scrapbooking, I enjoy reading, baking, eating what I bake, and occasionally (this is between you and me) watching The Real Housewives.

Find me here: Over the Rainbow

Lee

My name is … Lee Currie. I live a full life with my four kids and husband in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. I am a dedicated uni-tasker, insatiably curious and generally opinionated; I have a big laugh, a love of neatly folded laundry, an aversion to talking on the phone and I’m in constant search of good light. Even with much evidence to the contrary, I believe the world is filled with possibility and promise and I am enjoying every minute of this journey.

My most fulfilling adventure, so far, is keeping up with my energetic kids and entrepreneurial husband. Since leaving the stale corporate world eons ago, I have filled my time with hours spent in hockey rinks, enjoying recitals, on gridirons and pitches, on school grounds, in auditoriums and on lakesides as parent, cheerleader and volunteer. My family is always going at a break-neck pace: four directions at once.

My job is to slow things down and add perspective and record as much of it as I can. When not parenting my joy is found messing up the studio, on the computer writing and blogging and in the kitchen enjoying a cup of hot coffee and ever-changing lake view.

Find me here:
Blog: thelinarstudio
Twitter
Flickr

Mary Jo

My name is Mary Jo Johnston and I am beyond excited to be joining the Ella Team! I discovered scrapbooking a little over 10 years ago and quickly turned to designing cards and mini albums; my favorite projects to create. I love that this hobby allows us to record those every day moments of our life.

I am fortunate to have my work published in CARDS, Scrapbook Trends, Paper Crafts Magazine, Creating Keepsakes and a variety of Idea Books. I have the pleasure of designing digital and hybrid projects for Peppermint Creative and Two Peas in a Bucket, as a member of their creative teams, and recently served on the 2010 American Crafts Design Team.

I live in Indiana with my husband, Derek, and when I’m not chasing our four year old twins (rarely!) you can find me searching for fun, edible foods to create for them ( I love to cook and especially foods you can play with!), baseball games or spending time with family and friends.

For a peek into my days and crafty projects, visit here
 

May

My name is May Flaum, and I like to have a good time. Whether playing with my two daughters, spending time with my husband, cleaning house, teaching a class, or enjoying a book in peaceful solitude I’m all about focusing on the positive. Perhaps that’s why I’ve adopted an anything goes approach to scrapbooking, my goals being simply to capture memories and stories, and have a good time while doing it.

You can find me teaching at Big Picture Classes as well as the occasional local store class, designing for Scarlet Lime, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, The Girls’ Paperie, and Tim Holtz as well as writing for ScrapbookUpdate.com.

My favorite things include vintage inspired goods, lilac (color and flower), dessert, buttons, ribbons, and reading a good (happy ending) book. I’m a girl who likes to keep busy and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I rarely sit still. I’m too busy looking for my next inspiration or seeking out something to bring a bit of happy to my day.

Find me here:

My Blog

Scrapbook Update

Big Picture Scrapbooking

Twitter

Monika

My name is Monika Wright and I have more craft projects in my head than I have time to create. But, gosh, I sure do try. And, yes, my husband sometimes grumbles about the time spent in my craft room, but I can’t help myself!

Find me here: i love it all with monika wright

my etsy shop,  i love it all

facebook

Valerie

Hi! My name is Valerie Mangan and I’ve been making scrapbook pages, mini albums and cards since 2003. I’m mom to Christopher and Marilyn and wife to Dan. We live happily in New Jersey, a few miles from the ocean and just about 40 minutes south of New York City.

By day I work as an interior designer – a job that continually inspires and influences my paper crafts. I’m also a baker, I love photography, art, design and yard sales. I tend to work in a simple linear style but also love to mix pattern, layer material & sew on my projects.

My scrapbooking philosophy is simple: the paper and ‘stuff’ is for me, the photos and words are for my family. I try to keep that in mind when I’m working to make sure the stories get told. I‘ve been a fan of Ella since day one. I’m thrilled to be here & have the opportunity to spread the word about Ella and this hobby And if I inspire a paper crafter or two along the way, that will be fantastic!

Find me here:
Paper and Cookies
Gallery
Twitter

Such a talented group!! We are so looking forward to getting to know them better and sharing their talents with everyone.