First — I have good news for some of you regarding yesterday’s big giveaway:

Cathy Zielske’s winners (email czdesign@comcast.net and she’ll hook you up):

1. Fiona in Hong Kong

2. Amie in British Columbia, Canada

3. Heather in Anchorage, Alaska

4. Karen in Pembroke, New Hampshire

5. Colleen in Oslo, Norway

.

Ali Edwards’ winners (email giveaways@aliedwards.com and she’ll hook you up):

1. Wendy in Roseville, Minnesota

2. Sandra in The Netherlands (*congrats on your new Project Life kit!)

3. Maria in New Zealand

4. Tizra in Orem, Utah

5. Jenny in Kapolei, Hawaii

.

Kerri Bradford’s winners (email kerribradford@msn.com and she’ll hook you up):

1. Jacenda in Lafayette, Indiana

2. Vicky in Belgium

3. Beury in Elizabeth, West Virginia

4. Dina from Hammond, Louisiana

5. Adele du Plessis in South Africa

……….

Now — How about an update on upcoming products? I am pleased to announce that we chose TWO winners of the 2012 Project Life design contest! They were each chosen for their style (of course) and skill and we are so thrilled about what they’re going to add to the Project Life line-up. They have both hit the ground running and are working hard on the new 2012 designs as you read this.

A very special thank-you to each one of you who submitted designs. I am very grateful for the interest and submissions. It was so much fun to see such a variety of styles and ideas.

Without further adieu I present to you our two guest designers for Project Life 2012. They’ll tell you a little about themselves so you can get to know them.

……….

{ say hello to Lili Niclass }

I’m 32 years old, I’ve been married for 8 years now and we don’t have children yet. We live in Japan with our sweet and funny cat, Kiko-chan. We moved here from Switzerland 2 years ago because of my husband’s job. He is Swiss and I’m Brazilian, and we used to live in Switzerland before.

I got a college degree in communication back in Brazil, then another one in French when I moved to Switzerland. I always wanted a creative and artistic job but it took me some time to find exactly what I liked. I came across digital scrapbooking in 2006 and opened my first online shop in 2007 with the help of a wonderful designer, Nancie Rowe Janitz. Since then I’ve been in love with the scrapbooking world and never stopped designing. Today I also design paper products for Fancy Pants Designs. I have a new collection coming out next month.

I have a facebook page and a digital scrapbooking store where I mostly sell digital alphabets.

……….

{ say hello to Kim Gayton }

I live in Charleston, West Virginia. I was a 70s baby and am still an 80s girl. I have been married for almost 8 years (to my elementary school crush) and we have a beautiful 3 1/2 year old boy — who is my greatest joy, my miracle baby and my saving grace.

I’m a full-time creative director for a small advertising/political consulting agency. I’ve been in advertising and marketing for 15 years starting as a creative assistant to the advertising team at a local department store chain. Some of my design work has garnered local and national design awards for both advertising and political work. I’ve been creating, crafting, painting and drawing all my life. I strive everyday to share that creative spark with my son, who has a natural talent for drawing already. Often overheard in our house, “Mommy, let’s art today.”

I’ve been a Project Life fan(atic) since January. My mother was our family’s historian, so to speak, and a hardcore paper scrapper. I loved looking at her work and shopping for supplies with her. I attempted paper scrapping when my son was born — with the best intentions. BUT it became so overwhelming, I’d just file everything away. Now that my mom is gone, I’ve started to take on that storyteller role for our family. It’s one way I can honor her memory in a way she would love.

……….

Now that you know who the 2012 Project Life guest designers are, I’m sure you’d like to know more!

DESIGNS. I know you’re curious. Well … the sneak peeks are coming. But not quite yet. It’s still a little early for that as we’re in the beginning stages of designing the 2 new Project Life looks. I am working closely with the graphic designers to ensure that we will have two more beautiful choices to offer.

OPTIONS. In case you missed the announcement, we are reprinting more of Amber and Turquoise Editions, so this means FOUR options of Project Life. Sweet. Those are being made now and I’ll give you an update on when we are expecting those … as soon as I know.

TIMING. Fall 2011. We’re still aiming to have the new Project Life products available by November and we’re working hard and fast to make that happen.

OTHER PRODUCTS. We were hopeful to have some of our other products come out late Summer and as it turns out, we are spending extra time on quality control and being very picky about details that will, in the end, result in better products for you.

So the bummer is that those of you who were anticipating new items by August/September are going to have to hang on a little longer. The good news is that these products are going to ROCK. At this point, it is possible that everything is released together, at the same time, this Fall. New Project Life stuff, all the new Photo Pocket Page designs, all the school/childhood stuff … everything.

As always, I will continue to give you updates and sneak peeks as often and as early as I can. You can trust that we are working our tails off to make things happen in the best possible way for you. Thank you for wanting to know more. Thank you for chomping at the bit to see what’s coming down the pipeline. Thank you wanting to use our products to help you organize your pictures, memorabilia, and memories.

And please welcome me in congratulating Lili and Kim!