2017 Karen Burniston Design Team Announcement
August 10, 2017
I'm pleased to introduce the 2017 Karen Burniston Design Team. These six ladies have been on my previous teams for years and I was thrilled that they were available to make the jump with me from licensed design to my own small company, KB Riley LLC. - KarenBurniston.com.
Because we are a small start-up, we are starting with a small team, and then will expand the team over time as our product offerings increase.
Starting in September we will hold monthly Designer Challenges. The team will post their challenge cards on the first Tuesday of every month and then the next day, on Wednesday, you'll find a compilation post on my blog (you're here!) plus my challenge card and video. Join us here on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 for our first challenge called "Signature Style" where each member will show off their own signature style for a project of any theme.
Let me tell you a little bit about these talented designers and what I most notice about their signature styles:
Shelly Hickox - Mississippi, USA
Blog: http://shellyhickox.blogspot.com
Shelly has a long resume in the crafting world, having designed for some of the biggest companies and designers in the biz. While many associate Shelly with her grungy/artsy/steampunk side (and it is amazing), she is equally skilled at making very soft/pretty/feminine cards. Her inking techniques for faux-finishes are legendary and I have been known to refer to her projects as "Shellypieces"
Karen Aicken - Alberta, Canada
Blog: http://paintedmountaincards.blogspot.ca
Karen is a card-making dynamo! She blogs every day and normally every card is specifically designed for someone in her family, or friends, or friends of her family, or family of her family - she keeps everyone supplied with beautiful handmade cards. She also donates cards to Seniors Secret Service, providing birthday cards for centenarians. Karen is known for her beautiful handwriting and for her clever repurposing of die shapes.
Summer Hills-Painter - South Carolina, USA
Blog: http://1craftypainter.blogspot.com
Summer is always up on the latest and greatest craft supplies and trends. Her classes and demos at The Stamping Place and other stores in the Carolinas are always packed with techniques and beautiful projects. She is a wizard at shaker cards, techniques and 3D projects. I would describe her style as equal parts cute and pretty, although she'll occasionally throw in a little steampunk just to keep everyone on their toes!
Kelly Booth - Arizona, USA
Blog: http://cruzinkellster.blogspot.com
Kelly Booth is the master of color. Her Copic skills are exquisite and she can bring any stamped image to life with her coloring skills. Kelly rarely uses patterned papers, preferring to make her own textures and patterns with stamps, inks, stencils, etc. Her signature color is teal, which turns up in amazing ways in her cards. A recent cancer survivor, (Go Kelly!) she's now back to crafting in her jaw-dropping colorful style.
Fran Sabad - Kentucky, USA
Blog: http://fransabad.com
Fran Sabad's style is exquisite. She knows exactly how to balance elements with the perfect blend of color, pattern and technique. As a longtime demonstrator, Fran does an amazing job of combining the pop-up dies with Stampin' Up! stamps and papers for a look that is uniquely Fran. I would describe her style as classy and elegant (like Fran herself!) but she can also rock the cute cards!
Frances Byrne - Queensland, Australia
Blog: http://stampowl.blogspot.com
There's a reason I describe Frances's cards as "downunderful" and it's not just because she lives in Australia and I love a good pun. Frances has the perfect stamps and paper for ANY THEME! You cannot stump Frances with any challenge - she will go digging through her craft room and come up with the most amazingly spot-on combinations. Frances has a fabulous eye for mixing patterned papers, stamps and dies in a style that is cheerful and colorful.
In other news, anyone going to Stampaway this weekend, come see me in the Riley & Company booth, where I will be demoing the dies and they will be available for purchase. Fran will be at the show as well, and then we're heading back to Kentucky where we will be teaching a class to Fran's regular students on Monday.
Happy Crafting!