Graphic 45 Celebrates Five Years!
Graphic 45 Celebrates Five Years this Valentine's week. Let's celebrate!
Hello G45ers!
It's a very special Monday here at Graphic 45, we are celebrating our FIFTH Birthday! It feels like just yesterday we started Graphic 45, yet how much we've grown. Our G45ers make every single day worthwhile - from sharing your crafts, to encouraging us, to sharing your collection ideas, and showing us new and amazing ways to use G45! We do not know where we'd be without all of you. So, we want to thank YOU on our fifth birthday! Here are the ways:
1. We will have one of our biggest blog contest giveaways yet pictured below! Just comment on our blog or Facebook and you will be entered to win this $90 prize pack!
That is quite the giveaway! Enter to win today! Winner will be announced Friday, February 15 right here on the blog!
2. We are hosting a giveaway EVERY DAY on our Facebook page! At 5 PM EST we will post the prize and the winner will be announced the next morning on Facebook! So fun!
3. We are hosting a Pin-It to Win-It Contest every day as well on our Pinterest page! We will load up the Pinterest contest at 10 AM EST every single day. So make sure to go repin and comment on those to win!
See, it's going to be a great week of celebration!
Graphic 45 History: After 25 years in the fashion industry, Diane Schultz found herself looking for a new career, to avoid relocating her family. She decided to return to school. Graduating with a Graphic Design degree at 45 was one of her crowing achievements. It took years, but she found her true calling, the Papercrafting Industry. That is when she started a freelance design company named Graphic 45 (the '45' honoring her graduation from Graphic Design school!). At first, the operation was based out of Diane Schultz' home in Utah starting with just Diane and Aimee Filimoehala, Diane's daughter, a brave new company of two. Graphic 45 made their debut at Winter CHA in 2008. It was a memorable beginning, debuting the Baby 2 Bride and Times Nouveau paper collections. The following summer at Summer CHA in 2008, the Graphic 45 Booth won Best in Show with the Botanicabella and Playtimes Past release and thus began a great journey! Soon after, Charee Filimoehala, daughter of Diane and sister to Aimee joined the team, and so the family business grew. The company now has 13 employees (soon to be 15!) employees in Utah, Portland, OR and Atlanta, GA. Every day is a wonderful adventure! We cannot wait for the next five years!
Get to know the Graphic 45 Story with this interview by Diane Schultz:
Diane Schultz Graphic 45 Interview
Now, enjoy walking down memory lane with us - we'll take you through some of the highlights of the G45 five-year amazing journey!
First of all, where would we be without the genius of our Graphic 45 owners and family! Beautiful and genius women! From left to right: Diane Schultz, Owner and Lead Designer of Graphic 45; Charee Filimoehala, Director of Customer Service and Online Marketing; Aimee Filimoehala, Director of Operations
The original Graphic 45 logo!
A fun peek at our FIRST CHA Booth from 2008 CHA Winter. This was our Baby 2 Bride collection release!
This is from Graphic 45's second CHA - Summer CHA in Chicago, 2008. We won CHA Best in Show and it was an incredible experience!
Diane Schultz working her creative magic for one of our most popular CHA releases, Steampunk Debutante.
Charee Filimoehala rocking Make 'N Takes at our very first Archiver's ScrapFest!
Aimee Filimoehala strikes a pose at A Proper Gentleman Graphic 45 Class in 2009!
Diane Schultz setting up the booth at a Print Block's event in Brisbane, Australia in 2010. One of the great joys of Graphic 45 is the amazing places we have gotten to visit!
Here is the team all dolled up at an event in South Africa! Oh, the [beautiful and exciting] places you'll go!
Recently, we added the newest member of the Graphic 45 Family, Richard Filimoehala Clair!
And who could forget our favorite proper gentleman, Henry, the brilliant G45 mascot!
The Portland Graphic 45 Team celebrating at their Christmas party this past holiday! Left to right: Dustin Sims, Office Manager; Aimee Filimoehala, Director of Operations; Charee Filimoehala, Director of Customer Service and Online Marketing; Kelly Woessner, Customer Service Agent and G45 Blog Writer
Look how the team has grown in five years! This was our most recent Winter CHA 2013! From left to right: Jeff Filimoehala: brother of Aimee and Charee, and Special Event Assistant; Joanna Hardy, Social Media Marketer; Aimee Filimoehala, Director of Operations; Diane Schultz, Owner and Lead Designer of Graphic 45; Meggan Howell, our newest employee and Customer Service Agent; Stan Pool, CFO of Graphic 45; Dustin Sims, Graphic 45 Office Manager! What a team!
Thanks for travelling with us through some Graphic 45 highlights! To see more, visit our Graphic 45 Highlights Pinterest Board found here:
http://pinterest.com/chareeg45papers/graphic-45-highlights/
For the celebration, DT member Kristin Wilson made us a stunning banner in honor of the festivities! Thank you, Kristin, for making our celebration so beautiful!
A Ladies Diary Banner Supply List
Graphic 45: A Ladies Diary, Old Curiosity Shoppe, Curtain Call Collection Papers,
A Ladies Diary Collection Chipboard Tags 2, A Ladies Diary Collection Cardstock
Stickers, Regular Tag Album, Metal Brads, Metal Clothespin, Metal Door Pull,
Metal Tag, Metal Key Hole, Metal Key, Alpha Stickers, Antique Typewriter Wood
Stamp Set, Chipboard Buttons, Cardstock Flowers, Mini Envelopes, Large Button
Stampin Up!: Cardstock, Twine, Ribbon
Susan Lenart Kazmer: Industrial Chic Charms
Verve: Stamps
Prima: Say It In Crystals
Next, we have a beautiful tag to share by Arlene Cuevas! Perfect for this Graphic 45 Celebration! Enjoy her video about her project below:
Arlene's YouTube Video Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0RZgQ4SJNU&feature=youtu.be
Love how Arlene also decorated the back of her large tag - gorgeous!
Congrats!!! Happy 5th Birthday! lol
Posted by: Cynthia | February 11, 2013 at 05:04 AM
Whoo hoo! Congrats on 5 years!! What amazing talent, inspiration and designs. Love all your products!!
Posted by: Nicolle Kramer | February 11, 2013 at 05:06 AM
I'm in love with Graphic 45 products. A combo of steampunk, romance and vinatge. <3
Posted by: Ada Lovelace | February 11, 2013 at 05:10 AM
Congratulations! All the collections are stunning. Love love love Graphic 45 (and nice to know the evolution of the business.)
Posted by: Kim S (nerdgrl) | February 11, 2013 at 05:10 AM
Happy 5th Birthday! May God continue to bless your business with inspiration, creativity, and joy!
Posted by: Michelle Grabowski | February 11, 2013 at 05:13 AM
Congratulation 5 years WOW! Here is to many, many, more.
Posted by: Sue B. | February 11, 2013 at 05:13 AM
Luv U G45, can't live without you! Whoo hoo 5 years of pure bliss.
Posted by: Gerrie Johnnic | February 11, 2013 at 05:14 AM
Happy Happy Birthday - Let's Celebrate!!
Posted by: Deb Fagnant | February 11, 2013 at 05:15 AM
Five years already. It just seems like yesterday that I walked into a store and saw your first collection. I made a wedding book for my niece out of it. Wonderful inspiration today from learning how the company developed to the tags. Thanks for going back to school and entering the paper design area of scrapbooking Diane. You have given us wonderful papers to make memories for our family.
Posted by: Pam Spradlin | February 11, 2013 at 05:17 AM
Well done G45 team on your success over the past 5 years. You have picked a niche and filled it well. Such a following! Your passion for your products and each other shines through. Here's to another 5 (and more) years!
Posted by: Sam Simpson (Aust) | February 11, 2013 at 05:18 AM
Congratulations and Happy 5th Birthday!!! Looove Graphic 45 products so please guys make sure you continue for many more years to come. Best wishes to you all. ox Marg
Posted by: Margaret Mifsud | February 11, 2013 at 05:19 AM
WOW! Happy Birthday to the best paper crafting company ever!! I love you!
Posted by: Solveig M | February 11, 2013 at 05:19 AM
Congrats on being brave enough to sign those notes to attend school. I could not sign a 45,000 note at the age of 50 though. Still wish I could have gone to graphic art school though :( I love your stuff and your gumption, good going!
Posted by: Rebecca Buchanan | February 11, 2013 at 05:20 AM
Congrats!!! LOVE G45! Best wishes! And thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Jean A Marmo | February 11, 2013 at 05:21 AM
Gorgeous banner! Well.. do I ever see a Graphics 45 project or line or don't like? :) Happy Birthday! Partay!
Posted by: Sassy | February 11, 2013 at 05:21 AM
Congratulations on 5 years ... you have so amazing, gorgeous and stunning paperlines, staples, tutorials... love all your projects! Thank you so much !
Posted by: Ritva S. | February 11, 2013 at 05:22 AM
Congratulations - I'm new to paper crafting so aonly came across G45 last year - you have such a huge following and a great design of papers I presumed you've been around for years your work is stunning heres to the next 5 years and beyond
Posted by: Marcia | February 11, 2013 at 05:24 AM
Congrats on 5 years!! G45 is my favorite line of paper. It would be amazing to win this prize package. Kepp up the wonderful work you do!!
Posted by: Brenda Stiltner | February 11, 2013 at 05:24 AM
Congratulations, Happy, Happy Birthday..love your steampunk hat :-)
Posted by: Colleen Weinert | February 11, 2013 at 05:25 AM
Wow! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAPHIC45, It's great that you have your birthday on this week in February because I do too!!! MY BIRTHDAY is on Wednesday 13th and on top of that my Grandson will be 3 on the same day.
This would be the perfect birthday present for me, but I would like to wish everyone good luck in the draw.
Posted by: Jan Buckley | February 11, 2013 at 05:26 AM
I am one of your biggest fans. I can't believe it has only been 5 years. Seems like I've loved you forever. My first collection was Communique. I collect them all now. Thank you so much for all the hard work your team does for us, for all the great projects, the very beautiful blog and ning site, Pinterest, to the very friendly people who answer the phone, the shipping department, and of course the papers. I wish you so much success, and that you keep making paper forever.
Posted by: Amy Kluchesky | February 11, 2013 at 05:32 AM
Happy Birthday G45, five years ago you gave birth to something amazing and I wish you many many more birthdays. Best wishes and congratulations to you all xx
Posted by: Jenny Veale | February 11, 2013 at 05:32 AM
Congratulations on five years! G45 really is the best papers around. I'm hopelessly addicted and do not want to be cured!
Posted by: Dana Cavanaugh | February 11, 2013 at 05:33 AM
Happy Birthday!!! Xoxoxo
Posted by: Alisha Martin | February 11, 2013 at 05:35 AM
Happy Birthday to You!!! Thanks for all the inspiration and wonderful products.
Posted by: Karen | February 11, 2013 at 05:35 AM
happy birthday G45!
Posted by: nitzan | February 11, 2013 at 05:35 AM
Congratulations and best wishes for many more years of paper goodness!
Posted by: Mary Jane W | February 11, 2013 at 05:36 AM
Happy Birthday G45. Wishing you many more to come!
Posted by: Karen Buchanan | February 11, 2013 at 05:38 AM
congrats!
thank you for all these beautiful things you create.
happy birthday! :)
oh, and thank you of course for the chance to win some of it!
Posted by: alex | February 11, 2013 at 05:38 AM
Happy Birthday G45! I simply adore your products! Best in the industry! Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia | February 11, 2013 at 05:38 AM
Happy Birthday G45. Your products are the best on the market. I can't wait to get my hands on each new product!
Posted by: Julie Goodman | February 11, 2013 at 05:41 AM
Love your products. Congratulations on the growth of G45 and best of luck for your future.
Posted by: Judith Blanchard | February 11, 2013 at 05:44 AM
Happy birthday!!!loveG45
Posted by: sigal P | February 11, 2013 at 05:45 AM
Happybirthday G-45, may you have many more birthdays. Your the best company ever.
Posted by: Deborah WIsmer | February 11, 2013 at 05:46 AM
A big fat happy congrats!!!
Oh 5 years hope there are manny more to come cause you have such stunning creations! I love Your collections!!!!!
Happy happy joy joy!!!!
Thank you so much to give us a chance too win such beautifl gifts!
We should be the one to give you gifts!!!!
And a big kisssssss too alll!!!!
Sammiej
Posted by: Sammiej | February 11, 2013 at 05:46 AM
Congratulations Graphic 45 on 5 years in your Unique graphic awesome look!
Posted by: Judy Estrada | February 11, 2013 at 05:47 AM
Five years and you are a true leader in the industry. Thank you for all the beautiful supplies you create!
Posted by: Mary Sarkis | February 11, 2013 at 05:48 AM
Happy Birthday!!!! I wish more years of great products and inspiration!
From Spain a big big fan of yours papers!
Posted by: Maria M Demae | February 11, 2013 at 05:49 AM
Happy 5th birthday!!!
Posted by: Sandy | February 11, 2013 at 05:49 AM
Wow! Five years already! Congratulations and Happy Birthday! Your papers are so beautiful that I can hardly bear to cut into them. I've hoarded several of the collections until the perfect idea/project comes to mind. Keep up the beautiful work -- you have a customer for life!
Posted by: Myra Skidmore | February 11, 2013 at 05:51 AM