Angie Lucas, founder, president, and CEO

Prior to founding Ella Publishing Co., Angie spent 5 years as the managing editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine, where she did extensive writing and ghost-writing, along with planning and carefully editing every issue and special issue. A graduate of Utah State University's professional writing program, Angie has actually been using her degree in her career as a professional writer and editor for the past 14 years. She's been a scrapbooker for even longer than that (but she's not about to show you her earliest pages). Angie takes a simple approach to her memory keeping, having cast aside any arbitrary rules about how, when, and what to scrapbook years ago. Angie lives in Utah with her husband, baby daughter, 17-year-old stepson, and spoiled dog. She enjoys writing, reading, crafting, running (on and off), playing the piano, singing, and volunteering at her church. She has co-authored two eBooks for Ella Publishing Co., Quick & Creative Quizzes and Journaling That Matters and edited everything else. Follow her on Facebook (Angie Hill Lucas) and Twitter (@angielucas), or visit her blog at angielucas.com.

Wendy Smedley, deputy editor, blog manager, and creative goddess

Ella's biggest cheerleader from day one, Wendy Smedley officially joined the team just a few months after the official site launch. Prior to joining Ella Publishing Co. as a partner, Wendy spent 7 years working as the creative editor at Simple Scrapbooks magazine. She's the author of three books, Start Scrapbooking: Your essential guide to recording memories (Memory Makers, 2010), The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker, with Aby Garvey (Simple Scrapbooks, 2006), and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Scrapbooking (Alpha Books, 2002). She also co-authored an Ella eBook, Quick & Creative Quizzes, with Angie Lucas. Wendy also works for Big Picture Classes in a marketing capacity as well as teaching occasional workshops. Wendy lives in Utah with her husband and five sons (including one set of twins). She enjoys reading, crafting, antiquing, and trend-spotting. Follow her on Facebook (Wendy Mansell Smedley) and Twitter (@wendysmedley), or visit her blog, Endless Possibilities.

Angie and Wendy rely on a whole crew of talented folks to help keep this ship afloat, including:
Travis Lucas, Web Genius
Cathy Zielske, Design Diva (visit her blog)
Rachel Gainer, Copy Editor Extraordinaire
Tami Morrison, Advertising Superstar (visit her blog)
Elizabeth Dillow, Take Twelve Tour Guide, Ella Friends Ringleander, Tech Support and More!

Ella Friends

EllaFriends are a select group of passionate scrapbookers who serve as an advisory committee for Ella Publishing Co. They design scrapbook pages and write articles, post reviews of our eBooks, help spread the word about upcoming products and events, and serve as liaisons between Ella Publishing Co. and the vast world of scrapbookers. And they're pretty darn fabulous.
 

Elizabeth, Ella Friends Ringleader

My name is Elizabeth Dillow. I live in Cheyenne, WY with my husband Matt and our three daughters, Madeline, Grace, and Bridget—but write that in pencil because we’re never in one place for long thanks to our somewhat transient Air Force family life. I’ve been making things my entire life and enjoy the creative process just as much as the finished result. Photography, writing, graphic design, and art all combine to make scrapbooking the most magical of hobbies for me!

In addition to scrapbooking and photography, I volunteer both on our Air Force base and in the community of Cheyenne, do some freelance writing and design, cart little girls to gymnastics and back and there again, read, sew, blog, and run. This does not leave as much time as one might think for completing laundry in a timely manner. I’m an avid sports, music, and Project Runway fan, and feel extremely fortunate to have found an equally like-minded husband. Our life is hectic but good.
 

Find me here:
{ A Swoop and a Dart } (my blog)
Big Picture Classes
Pinterest
Instagram: edillow (non-Instagram users click here)
 

Missy

My name is Melissa Gener, but everyone calls me Missy. I live in Poland, Ohio (60 miles southeast of Cleveland) with my husband and our young daughter and son. We also have four cats. I am a doctor by day and a Mommy, wife, and scrapbooker by night. I am passionate about all aspects of my professional and personal life. I am a person that loves to be busy, a relaxing day at the spa would be really stressful for me, and I go through life at about 100 miles an hour. I rarely let anything slow me down.

I started scrapbooking in 1994, (insert sticker sneeze here) when I was only 12 years old. I have had the opportunity to watch this industry grow from it's infancy in home parties to the thriving enterprise it is today. Beside scrapbooking, I am an avid reader, cook (desserts only) and cake decorator. I am also addicted to Diet Coke and reality TV programs on cable. My current favorites are Gold Rush, Project Runway, and Top Shot. I'm a thrilled to have the chance to share my passion for scrapbooking with all of you as an Ella Friend.
 

Find me here:
Paper Princess (my blog)
Facebook
Twitter

Bobbi-Jo

My name is Bobbi-Jo Grunewald and I love all things scrapbooking, photography, and Photoshop. I realized early on that my memory just wouldn’t do when it came to keeping track of the little things, so I turned to photos and scrapbooking to record my story. Now I am happily married to my very best friend and I have four gorgeous daughters that make scrapbooking even more fun!

I have been a professional photographer for 6 years and I love helping other families capture special moments together. It is very fulfilling! I love blog hopping and finding the many forms of inspiration that is being shared by so many online. I love to share what I find with my blog readers, along with many free printables and tutorials, on my blog “It Works For Bobbi." I live in Saskatchewan Canada with my husband, Lyndon, and four girls. We keep warm by staying active and laughing...a lot!

Find Me Here:
It Works for Bobbi (my blog)
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

 

Ashley

My name is Ashley Harris and I love paper crafting. Whether it be card making (my niche) or scrapbooking I just love it. I began loving this thing we call paper crafting when I started scrapbooking back in 2006. It began as a way to document my family's memories and then it became a passion. I love taking paper and turning it into something to be shared and enjoyed. I love all aspects of this hobby from the creative process to working with other inspiring women to the lasting friendships I have made.

 
Find me here:
Scrapper's Block (my blog)
Facebook
Twitter

Katrina

My name is Katrina Kennedy and I am passionate about documenting the everyday moments of my life. I've taken at least one photo a day since February 2008, missing only one day. I suspect that photo was misplaced somewhere! My school teacher, science geek husband Shea and my 6 year old, Lego loving son Ian are my favorite subjects, but I've been known to photograph anything in good light. We live in the heart of Sacramento, California, in a 100 year old house with 4 crazy chickens occupying our backyard garden. I grow and photograph most of our food and pretend I'm on Little House on the Prairie almost daily.
 

I've had the privilege of teaching hundreds of people how to use their cameras to create better everyday photos. It is one of my greatest joys! In 2011 I launched the website CaptureYour365 to provide support, inspiration, and ideas for everyday photographers.
 

Find me here:
CaptureYour365
Twitter
Facebook
 

Audrey

My name is Audrey Neal. I’m a wife + mama. I’m a teacher + a grant coordinator. I’m a picture taker + story recorder, a digital designer + scrapbook author. I’m a book devourer, a music lover, a wannabe globe-trotter, a thrift-store shopper. Things I don’t get to do often enough: Camp. Go to concerts. Spend time with my sister. I’m happy. I’m geeky. I’m incredibly blessed.
 

A closer look at the details: Wife to Chris for almost 12 years. We work on the same college campus, so we can eat lunch together every day. Mama to two girls: Cassidy (15) and Cameron (10). For them, I’ve learned more about soccer, track + cross-country, quick recall trivia, advanced mathematics, and reptiles + rodents than I ever imagined I’d need to know. Former English teacher + current Education Adjunct Professor. Actively involved in college readiness + transition work for high school students. Immersed in the scrapbooking industry for six years: Writing articles + a book. Designing papers + stamps + templates + kits. Creating layouts in multiple formats: paper, hybrid, digital.
 

Some of my favorite things: Hot chocolate with whipped cream. Midcentury modern furniture. YA literature. Vintage cameras + globes. Converse sneakers.



Find me here:
Audacious Designs (my blog)
Twitter
Design House Digital
Goodreads

Christa

My name is Christa Paustenbaugh. For now I live in the Washington, DC suburbs in Northern Virginia, but in June will be moving halfway around the world to Okinawa, Japan. This will be move #7 for us in our 14 years of marriage, but the first international move. I’m married to my college sweetheart, turned Marine Corps officer, and we have 2 girls, Maya (9) and Ella (7) who couldn’t be more different from one another. When I’m not watching Barbie renditions of Wicked, I work part time as a school social worker, which I love.

Find me here:
thepaustenbaughs.typepad.com
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram: christalp

Robyn

My name is Robyn Schaub, and I live in Dallas, Texas, with two sweet and clever little girls, a patient and understanding husband and two lucky dogs that I can't help but spoil rotten.

Telling stories has always come naturally to me, but scrapbooking lets me channel my "inner Kindergartner" by adding pretty paper and glue to the mix. I don't consider myself an artist – more of a visual reporter who always has a camera in-hand and a stash of cardstock waiting back home. My philosophy is to "keep it real and keep it fun" because my pages reflect who I am.

Other things I love: online shopping, party planning, good food, red wine, strong coffee, movies that make me cry and vacations involving a beach.


Find me here:
Dreaming In Scraps (my blog)
Facebook
Pinterest

Melissa

My name is Melissa Shanhun. I live in Perth, Western Australia, with my husband and daughter (we also have baby number two on the way!) I've always loved art and spent many a day in the summer holidays working on my calligraphy, watercolours or pencil drawings during my teen years.
 

I’ve been using my computer to create beautiful things for about 15 years now. I've spent 10 years working in graphic design using a variety of software systems including Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. I’ve also taught a University unit on presentation systems and graphic design for the past few years.
 

I now work as a digital scrapbooking educator and owner of Digital Scrapbooking HQ where I answer your digital scrapbooking questions with video tutorials, one-on-one classes and free online workshops.
 

Scrapbooking allows me to be a writer, artist and archivist all at once and I savour the ability to capture our family's story.


Find Me Here:
Melissa's Blog
Digital Scrapbooking HQ
Twitter
Facebook
 

Shemaine

My name is Shemaine Smith and I live in sunny Southern California with my husband Mat and my two children Scott (14) and Lily (4). I am a stay-at-home mom and part time paper crafting instructor at Michaels Craft Store. I really love teaching scrapbooking and paper crafting to other women because I see how it builds their self esteem and enables them discover the creativity that’s inside themselves.
 

I’ve been scrapbooking since my son was born and enjoy documenting our lives so that my children can relive our special memories when they look through our family scrapbooks. In addition to scrapbooking I love crime dramas (Criminal Minds is my favorite), going to the movies with my son and a good long walk first thing in the morning.
 

Find me here:
www.shemainesmith.blogspot.com
Twitter
Facebook

Grace

My name is Grace Elaine Tolman, and I'm a stay at home mom of a 8 year old boy and a 6 year old girl. Therefore my life is usually filled with learning, new discovery, bribery and sometimes "time outs." I have a loving and very supportive husband of 9 years. When the kids have gone to bed at night, my time is spent crafting while catching up on my favorite shows and movies. I also enjoy reading, window shopping and perusing blogs for inspirations.

Find me here:
Tolman Chronicles (my blog)
Pinterest

Kelly

My name is Kelly VanDerMolen and I live in southwestern Ontario, Canada with my husband, Bruce, and my son, Ben. Though I have had a few careers in my life, teaching and publishing among them, I now consider myself truly blessed to be able to be a stay at home wife and mom.

Find me here:
kellyvandermolen.blogspot.com

Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Wilson and I'm passionate about finding solutions for simple, stress-free memory keeping. I came into scrapbooking as a digital scrapbooker but then began to explore how paper projects could help me stay creative. This year, I'm getting back to basics with photobooks and meaningful layouts. While I do love simple, I am not much of a minimalist — I love mixing clean lines with vintage patterns, feminine touches and lots of journaling.
 

I live in Illinois with an adorable and patient husband, two active stepsons and a brand new baby girl who has become my muse. She is pure joy and reminds me everyday why I am a scrapbooker. I am fortunate to be a work-at-home mom who has the privilege of writing and teaching on two of my favorite topics: scrapbooking and water (but not together). I'm a bit of a geek — you will rarely find me without my iPhone or disconnected from the Internet.


Find me here:
Simple Scrapper
Twitter