Meet the Team: Gretchen McElveen and Mandie Pierce

Design team member Gretchen McElveen lives in Helena, Alabama with her husband Lee and their dog, Shada.  Gretchen started scrapbooking 8 years ago when she needed a place for the tons and tons of wedding photos she found herself surrounded with after she was married.  Since then she has become more involved in scrapbooking through her local store and online communities.  Gretchen works full time as a physical therapist and fills her nights with her love for paper and glue.  We are thrilled to have Gretchen as part of our team this year!

Describe yourself in 3 words … optimistic, loyal, corny.

My guilty pleasure is … True Blood & pretzel M&Ms.

You’ll never find me without … chapstick & a ponytail holder.

You might be surprised to know that I … still use the same alarm clock that I had in high school. It looks as old as the hills but it has the most perfectly annoying ring that still gets me up after all these years.

My least favorite chore is … vacuuming the stupid stairs.

I started scrapbooking in ... 2002-2003 after I got married.

My favorite thing about this hobby is ... playing with paper and being able to make stuff with my hands. Oh and preserving my memories of course!

If I were a Pebbles product I would be ... epoxy brads: subtle, versatile but oh so fun! ha!

Here's what Gretchen had to say about her first project ... "I love the versatility of the Fresh Goods line. Not only does it work for girly layouts, boyish pages, and family stuff, but it also works for a lovey dovey layout like this one! And one of the best things about Pebbles patterned papers: the cool little usable strip on the bottom where the bar code is located. It's genius! I used that strip from 2 different patterned papers on this layout!"

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Daily Special (751185)
Fresh Goods Signage  (751186)
Fresh Goods  Simple Joys (751188)
Fresh Goods  Freshly Picked (751193)
Fresh Goods  Mom & Pop (751194)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Phrases & Icons (732076)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Buttons (747152)
Fresh Goods Chips (744118)
New Addition Brown ABC Stickers (732064)

Other supplies used:
Brads (American Crafts)

Design team member Mandie Pierce currently lives in Vacaville, California with her husband Troy and their 3 children Claire, Noah, and Collin.  Mandie started "officially" scrapbooking in 1999 when her oldest was just a baby, but has always kept cards, photos, ticket stubs and other memorabilia in a album.  Mandie describes her style as "simple with some fun thrown in" and we couldn't agree more.  We are thrilled to have Mandie join us this year!  

Describe yourself in 3 words . . .  quirky, caring, funny.

My guilty pleasure is . . . trashy TV.

You'll never find me without . . .  coffee, sunglasses & lip gloss.

You might be surprised to know that I . . . have a TERRIBLE memory.

My least favorite chore is . . . anything bathroom related.

I started scrapbooking in . . . 1999

My favorite thing about this hobby is . . . playing with the product and that I have a fun way to keep memories.

If I were a Pebbles product I would be . . . Button Candy Dots.  I love those little things! 

Here's what Mandie had to say about her project ... "When I saw the Fresh Goods collection, it was instant LOVE!  I think I love every product in the line and couldn't wait to use them all!  For my layout, I wanted to use as many fun products without overwhelming the page - because I couldn't decide what I wanted to use first!  I love the little masking tape stickers and flags.  So cute!  I had fun layering all the details in little clusters."

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Flower Basket (751183)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Simple Joys (751188)
Fresh Goods Embossed Border Stickers (732077)
Fresh Goods Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Buttons (747152)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies (747154)
Fresh Goods Toothpick Flags (747153)
Fresh Goods Chips (744118)
Fresh Goods Spinach Button Candy Dots (744275)
Fresh Goods Vanilla Candy Dots (744276)
Fresh Goods Fabric Brads (744277)
Fresh Goods Clothes Pins (744278)
Floral Lane "Hello" Rub Ons (747115)
Navy Blue Candy Dots (44209)
Welcome Christmas Wooden Buttons (747147)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (America Crafts)
Patterned Paper (American Crafts)
Stamps (Hero Arts)
Twine (Divine Twine)
Staples (Tim Holtz)
Corner Rounder (Fiskars)