Go For It! Crate Paper can you hear me?

So I did something crazy.

but not really out of the ordinary for me.

I've done something like this before...

and it actually ended in the most fulfilling and exciting term of my career thus far...

I hit send on my submission for the Crate Paper design team yesterday. I spent several days working on special projects to submit. Took the best photographs that overcast Cleveland in winter can provide. Updated what I could in my galleries. Wrote an honest email about how I don't know if I'm good enough, or even what they are looking for... but that I would basically give my right arm be so incredibly honored to be considered.

The last time I took a leap like this was for American Crafts.

You can read about that total and utter shock of making it here... I submitted for three consecutive years before making it. (I know, just a drop in the bucket for some.. but still, it took persistence.) Even now I can't really believe I held a position on a design team for such a powerhouse scrapbooking company. (and one that I am totally obsessed with) The validation in my abilities will forever be with me as I pursue new opportunities.... it fuels me on.

If you've followed this blog at all you know what a complete (and proud!) scrapbook nerd I am. You know that I completely freaked every time an American Crafts box hit my door.. took pride in every single assignment. You also know that I am a Crate Paper die hard... in fact you're probably rolling your eyes right now because you've heard my gushing before... I big fat puffy HEART CRATE PAPER!

Just check out this post (about how I'd give my first born to be on the DT. where is that kid?)
and this one where you can see what I mean when I say, "scrapbook nerd," on full display.
this one where I have no shame in sharing the heart palpitations that Maggie Holmes caused by pinning one of my layouts made with the Boys Rule line...
that time I spent all of my money on Crate Paper supplies. (I basically have to take a loan out every time a Maggie Holmes or Valentine line is released by them.)
or this one... another geek out over new lines.
or this one.. about how I hoard Crate goodies for special projects.
or that time I went to CHA and drooled all over the CP products in person (sorry about that, btw. I couldn't help myself.)
nerding out again.

.... or if you need more proof that I am a Crate Paper fanatic just look at my galleries.. or come visit my studio and see how 1/3 of my supplies are CRATE! Dude, did I mention I love this brand? I've been following the Design Team since there became a design team and I always told myself.. if they ever have an open call I am all. over. that. So I did it. I put my work out there and I tried.

I don't know what the outcome will be (although I suspect that I don't have much of a chance.. I mean, have you SEEN the talent over there? or the amount of followers some of them have?! I'm pretty much a nobody!).. but that didn't keep me from trying. I will always be the girl who just goes for it. What do I have to lose? I feel like sometimes you just have to put it out there and see what happens... it could lead to the most rewarding and gratifying offer ever.. or it could just lead to some really pretty pages and, in my case, some fun Valentine decorations...

I want to start out 2016 with a "go for it" mentality. If you really want something, there's no other way to get it, right?!

SO. anyway... here are a couple of sneaks I have of the projects I submitted... I'll share the full ones soon.. cross all of your fingers and toes and make a wish on baby New Year for me!