We are happy to bring you this week’s Featured Company: Graphic 45. We are so excited to be featuring them regularly on Paper Crafter’s Library. And this week we have a Mother Goose collection prize package give-away.
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For those of you unfamiliar with Graphic 45 , we’d like to take a minute to re-introduce them to you.

Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company­— owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters.

Diane Schultz—Designer and CEO (aka mother)

“I’m passionate about being creative and eager to make it possible for others to find their creative voice. My background includes stints as a designer for, McCalls, Simplicity, Vogue/ Butterick, Mattel Toy Company and a host of other jobs that each, in some way, led me to what I do now. At 45 I went back to school and got my degree in graphic design— I named the company to celebrate that achievement.”

Aimee Filimoehala —Director of Operations

“I wear a lot of hats and love it that way. Business, marketing, operations, etc. have made me a pro at multitasking (aka juggling‑figuratively and literally). When we launched Graphic 45 just three years ago we had no idea what was in store, working together as a family has been an amazing journey that we all feel so grateful to be apart of.”

Charee Filimoehala —Director of Customer Service and Design Team Coordinator

“I joined the team a little over three years ago and haven’t looked back…what a life-changing experience this has been. I love working with and around creative people and products (not to mention I like my co-workers quite a bit). I spend my days working with our friendly stores and talented design team…the occasional trip to a workshop or tradeshow pretty nice too.”

Together we create vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920’s and 30’s – with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that’s both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album or home decor project.

Graphic 45 Designer Rhea Freitag

Our Graphic 45 Guest Designer for this week is Rhea Freitag who is part of the 2013 Graphic 45 Design Team. You can see Rhea’s fabulous project below, but first, here is a little more about Rhea:

1106Rhea FreitagbiopicI have always been identified as a creative person, but within the last three years my inner artist has really emerged.  Assemblage work, jewelry construction, art journaling and book making are all genres of mixed media art that I employ.   I strive to make art that tells a story, has a soul and engages the viewer through interaction, movement, memory and story.

Another aspect of the creation process that I adore is the adventure of searching for unique art supplies at estate sales, flea markets and antique shops.  Taking classes, blogging and gathering with my artsy pals are additional facets of the art world that bring me great pleasure and inspiration.   For me, my art expression also provides a welcome escape from my challenging career as a regional Director for Family Preservation Services serving several counties in Michigan.

I am so very pleased to be able to work with Graphic 45.  It really is a dream come true.

Graphic 45 Designer Project

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Assemblage is probably my most favorite way to work when it comes to creating art.  I love how I am able to take found objects that I have on hand to create a piece that is all my own. 

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The Typography paper line from Graphic 45 was the perfect vehicle to show off a few old bits and bobs that I have been hanging on to for ages. 

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Often I find it hard to use my treasured objects, like my typewriter bits for example.  When this happens I just have to push on through and glue it on.  Typically I am pleased with the outcome and I forget all about the agony of using my favorite stuff!

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I start out by planning out my piece.  When I am doing this, my intent is to make sure that my colors and patterns are well balanced, making for a good composition.  For example, you would not want to have the same back ground paper on boxes that are touching each other.

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Another one of my favorite ways to add dimension is with the use of gilders paste.  I used a copper color and added this to all the edges of the tray. 

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When creating an assemblage also look at the piece from different angles.  This will help you to identify spots that need just another element, again with the intent of creating a solid composition. 

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Try to follow the “odd rule” too.  Place embellishments and objects in odd numbers to create interest in your assemblage. Don’t you just love the rich color palate and uplifting spirit of this fabulous paper?  I sure do!

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Thank you so much for stopping by to see my feature today.  The entire experience of being on a well-known design team still humbles me every day!

 

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Supplies:

Typography Letterbox Tray
Typography 8×8 paper
Typography 12×12 Paper
Typography Chipboard
Typography Stickers
Ornate Metal Label Holder
Ornate Metal Key Holes
Ornate Metal Keys
Ornate Brads
May Arts Ribbon
Petaloo Flowers
Copper Gilders Paste
E6000
Scor-tape
Found Objects (old typewriter parts, vintage jacks, pen nibs)
Bottle Cap Numbers Set


We hope you have enjoyed this fun creation from Rhea. I would also like to extend a warm thank you to Rhea for sharing her fabulous project with us! Please take a minute to stop by Rhea’s Blog and of course the Graphic 45 blog to check out all their amazing creations! And don’t forget to leave a comment below to enter to win the Graphic 45 collection listed above.

45 replies on “Featured Company: Graphic 45”

  6. Fabulous paper and project. I can totally relate to having a hard time using treasured objects. G45 hits a home run again. Thank you for sharing your creativity.

  7. Rhea, your project is beautiful. G45 papers and their designers are the best! Thanks for sharing.

  8. Rhea your project is AMAZING! Love all of your creations andI love Graphic 45 their collections are Beautiful and the DT is FABULOUSLY TALENTED! Mother Goose is one of the collections I have not bought yet and I would so love to win it .. thank you Papercrafters Library for the opportunity.

  9. Graphic 45 papers are outstanding vehicles for creativity! Thanks so much for sharing the amazing creations! They are so inspiring!

  10. That Typography Collection is so perfect for this project. Love what Rhea did with this the colors are so pretty and I’m lovin’ all the little element details… I’m gettin’ ideas here !

  13. Beautiful work. Another project for my To-do list. I just have a big problem; I love the papers so much that I take forever before I can bring myself to cut them.LOL

  16. G45 papers always make me think outside the box (excuse the pun). The colors are always so vibrant and the images so imaginative and graphic. All the little tucked in surprises really make this special.

  17. I always love the Graphic 45 papers and design team projects so very much. The vintage designs and gorgeous colors always inspire me!

  21. Love G45. I’d love to win this prize so I could try to make a shadowbox like this one. Beautiful piece.

  22. Such a wonderful piece. Love projects with lots to look at! @@
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com

  24. I have all of graphic 45 paper collections, just love them. I make cards with these papers for birthdays, father and mothers day, Halloween and of course Christmas.

  25. Thanks for offering this fantastic giveaway and featuring another talented designer. It’s always great to have the chance to win some quality creative supplies!

  28. I am still blown away by this three persona family female team! Such an inspiration as Graphic 45 is so HUGE all over the world!! Thank you for sharing them again!

  29. I am totally the same way–keeping favorite things to try and save them for the perfect project. You’ve really inspired me to just take the plunge and use and enjoy those special pieces!

  31. Being a retired secretary I love the use of typewriter parts and will be checking my stash to see how I can put some computer disc, etc. to good use. I will be using the Graphic 45 papers because they have such beautifully coordinating pages. Thansk for the inspiration.

  32. Wow, Graphic 45 is my very favorite company right now. Thanks for the introduction to this mother/daughters family operation. Such talent.

    And Rhea, I love what you have done with the Typography Letterbox Tray using G45 products.

  34. I love that Rhea acknowledges that she loves using her collected bits and bobs, but then finds it difficult to commit them to the glue! I remind myself that they are much happier being seen than rattling around in a drawer or box. It’s great to see how the G45 papers bring them all together.

  35. I absolutely love your art work and you have inspired me to make one for myself. Where did you get your tray? I can’t wait to start one of these.
    Helen

  36. What a cool introduction!!! I luv the outfits……… project gives us a lot of good ideas….. Every new project… I can’t wait to get the new papers ..Thanks for all the Inspiration!!

  39. Such a beautiful creation using the stunning Graphic 45 Papers! Love the rich rustic background highlighted with bright colored flowers and vintage looking objects! I do not have a craft store for supplies near me and would love to win Graphic 45 Papers and embellishments . Thank you for this opportunity!

  40. This is a great company and fantastic, creative women. Sure wish I could be that inventive……

  41. Love G45, the papers are so gorgeous and the projects made with them are unique and just simply beautiful!

  42. Thanks so much for the introduction and a chance to win things we are unable to get except on-line ordering. I live in such a remote area that we have only limited craft stores. Would like to use some of these products!!!

  43. That’s a lovely design! Rhea, I totally identify with you using one of your treasures. I feel the same way. Thank you Graphic 45 for the giveaway.

  44. Awesome project you shared with us. Would love to win the give away and attempt a similar project.
    Thanks for your inspiration.

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