P. Kelly Smith
Welcome to Magazine Monday and day one of Cards & Gifts Week! As mentioned last Friday, we’ve once again teamed up with Cath and her Moxie Fab World blog to celebrate our latest special issue 225 Cards & Gifts!
On sale April 28th, this magazine features heartfelt gifts for family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and anyone else you’d like to acknowledge in your life. The six chapters include card sets, gift cards, gift wraps, food wraps, home décor, and miscellaneous gifts. Each day this week we’ll spotlight one of these fun chapters and give away some fantastic prizes.
Today we’ll be spotlighting the “Best Cards Come in Batches” chapter and the uber talented Maren Benedict, who has NINE glorious projects in this issue. It’s hard to believe Maren is relatively new to our publications. She first popped up in our March/April 2009 issue and most recently in Stamp It! Cards, where she had 13 cards! Not too bad for a newbie! So sit back, relax and enjoy getting to know Maren Benedict! She’s actually going to reveal what intimidates her!
Maren Benedict
1. What is your most difficult paper crafting challenge?
Scrapbooking. I would love to do it more, but I’m intimidated by the space and time it takes for me to complete a page. Plus, it is never ending and I feel so behind already (sort of like laundry)! Luckily, I have discovered mini albums! They are the perfect way for me to document my children’s lives as I slowly get more comfortable with scrapping.
2. What is your favorite paper crafting supply?
I am a proud paper girl! Bold, subtle, flower prints, stripes, polka dots, grid… I love it all! Manufacturers continue to feed my love by coming out with amazing new lines. Fabulous paper makes me happy.
3. Name three Paper Crafts designers whose styles you like and tell me why they appeal to you.
Alisa Bangerter – I have always loved Alisa’s designs. Her projects are the perfect balance of elegance and creativity.
Debbie Olson – Debbie never ceases to amaze me with her artistic style. She has a way of making each card look like a masterpiece.
Jessica Witty – Jessica is another favorite designer of mine. She is so hip and fun. Her creations put a smile on my face.
4. You’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of different publications. How do you keep yourself organized?
In order to keep track of deadlines for calls and sending submissions off, I use an online calendar. I love how it e-mails me a schedule every morning to keep me on top of things! I also have two photo boxes: one for cards to submit and another one for cards that have been accepted. These serve as a visual reminder of what I need to get done for the day.
5. Do you have any advice for someone who’s never been published or who wants to try submitting for the first time?
Go for it! Don’t have too high of expectations, but do put yourself out there. You never know what the editors are looking for and your creation could be the perfect fit for a call! Also, be sure to submit cards that are uniquely yours. Don’t feel like you have to make cards that don’t fit your style. Create and submit creations that make you happy!
6. What is your favorite thing to paper craft and why?
I love making birthday cards for friends and family members. Each one is uniquely theirs, with colors and images that they would enjoy. It lets them know how special they are to me.
7. What design teams are you on?
I am fortunate to be a member of some amazing design teams: Unity Stamp Company, Cosmo Cricket, Lizzie Anne Designs and Jacksonbelle Embellishments.
8. How would you describe your style?
I continually try to push myself to try new things so I am not sure I have a definite style, although I consider myself fairly clean and simple. I like to play around with colors and have a hard time not finishing cards off with a bow!
9. What do you like about working with Paper Crafts magazine?
I adore working with the Paper Crafts’ editors. They are so supportive and helpful. You can tell that they love their jobs. This enthusiasm for the paper crafting industry spills out in each publication!
10. Do you have a blog or online gallery? If so, please provide the URL.
Thanks, Maren! And here’s one of the nine projects Maren has published in 225 Cards & Gifts:
Maren Benedict's Hello Trees Card Set
So hopefully you’ve enjoyed getting to know Maren Benedict! Unity Stamp Company was nice enough to donate three Tiny Trinity stamp sets – the set Maren used to create the card set above. Please leave a comment below and I’ll pick three random winners to receive a stamp set and a copy of 225 Cards & Gifts. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Tuesday, April 21.
And make sure you head over to Moxie Fab World! Cath is spotlighting some gifty items from Maya Road and yes, giving a few of them away! And get ready for Jennifer’s post tomorrow on new ways to package gift cards!
Kelly
P.S. It’s time to announce the six winners from last week’s Freebie Friday – Cards & Gifts post! Here they are in no particular order:
1. Deerrun (April 18, 9:44 a.m.)
2. Esther (April 17, 4:54 p.m.)
3. Elaine R (April 17, 9:29 a.m.)
4. Cassi, San Diego (April 17, 1:09 p.m.)
5. Kadebug (April 18, 3:34 p.m.)
6. Terriavidreader (April 19, 8:14 p.m.)
Congrats, winners! Each of you will receive one of the K&Company collections shown last week! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments about the best gift(s) they’ve ever received. Who knew there were so many sentimental husbands out there?!
Thanks for the inspiration. I love it!
The book looks fabulous. I love learning more about the designers. Pick ME!
I recently started submitting myself, and the process — the waiting — the not hearing — is a little bit painful!
SO happy to read about Maren’s success story! LOVIN’ that Unity set — fingers crossed!
LOVIN’ Maren’s stuff AND love tree and leaves stamps – TFS and thanx for the blog candy opp!
Congrats on being featured, Maren – cute cards here, and thanks for the link to your site!
wow great interview! thanks!
the trees are so cute!
Maren great cards! and I wouldreally like to use those stamps! thank you for sharing!
Great interview, Very interesting.
Thanks for the chance to win.
loved the inspiration of Maren. beautiful cards. would loved to win those stamps from unity. so cute!
Ooooh! I would so love a copy of this magazine! Marin’s examples are so cute, and would love to see more. Thanks for the chance to win.
lovely cards! I would love to win those stamps! Thanks!
Beautiful cards, Maren — beautiful namel, too
I love the color combo with the scalloped edges!
The cards are gorgeous! I love them, and I love Unity stamps! I wish I win!
Thanks for the chance!
Maren’s work is gorgeous and I have just now gotten into Unity Stamps… I’d love to win these!
Love the stamps and Maren’s work!
Those tree stamps are so cute and the cards are beautiful!
Thank you for the intro to Maren…I really enjoyed getting to know her. I like her clean and simple style. And thank you for a chance to win that Unity stamp set…so many possibilities!
It was fun getting to know Mehren better! I always admire her work. She’s an amazing stamper and has such a fun style! What a darling card set! I would be fun to have the opportunity to play with those stamps!
So nice to get to know Maren better. She is soooo talented. I share her love of PAPER & her card set is awesome. This is going to be a great week at PC.
What cute cards!
I have been following Maren’s blog, Zany not Crazy for about a year. Her work is inspiring AND she remains humble and supportive of other’s just “Going for it!” It is great to see that she is expanding her influence with Paper Crafters. Love the colors, stamps and bows! Keep it up Maren!
Those little trees are darling! I’m decorating my living room in trees and birds. I love them!
Thank you for the chance to win!
-Lindsay
Maren is so talented, enjoyed the article and love Unity Stamps!
Super cute cards! I love the trees!
I recently googled Maren as I kept seeing her creations in Papercrafts magazine and loved her style and was hoping she had a blog. I was so happy to find out that she did and I added her to my ever growing favs list! It’s so good to get to know her a little better
)
Very interesting reading about these awesome crafters. Thanks!
Those cards and stamps are ADORABLE!
Wow!! Congratulations Maren! The interview was wonderful and those cards are deeeelish!!
I have been following Marin for a while now. She does some amazing work! And I’ve been dying to get my hands on Tiny Trinity. How sweet would that be – a fav set from a fav artist!
wow this set is really cute! thanks for the chance to win!
Adi
I absolutely love Unity Stamps, and I don’t have that awesome set yet! I would really like to have your new magazine too! I just started subbing to Paper Crafts, great magazine!
Love those tree stamps! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
WOW! Great profile on Maren! I am fortunate enough to design with her and can attest to her talent and sweetness! And a big thanks to Unity for these adorable little trees!!
I am really enjoying reading your blog! Those stamps are so cute, too! Thanks for doing this for us!
ahiltzy@yahoo(dot)com
Yay Maren! Your cards rock!!
You are “Beautiful Creator EXTRORDINAIRE” – and if I didn’t spell that last word right – you know what I meant!
Love ya, TONS! Great work! LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY!
Maren is awesome. She keeps putting out such beautiful creations!!
Love those tree stamps! Your cards are adorable.
I also understand about the scapbooking. I love that instant gratification so that’s why I’m in love with card marking. I like that size canvas to work on instead of the big one.
Janet
OMG>.. look at all the goodies in this blog… how on Earth have I been missin’ all this goodness.
– dalis
It was nice to know more about her! I’ll ck out her blog, thanks!
She’s got talent!
Great interview with Maren – I love her clean crisp style. Thanks for the chance to win!
Ohh…. I love those stamps! Thanks for a chance to win!
Love seeing Maren’s great work on the Unity Hip Hop Thursday’s and thru out the week. Congrats!!!
I love Maren’s work and that is one of my favorite Unity sets. Near the top of my wish list. Congrats on your successes, Maren!
That is such a cute stamp set from Unity. Thanks for the chance to win. Maren, love what you have done with the set — so simple yet lovely!
I ama big fan of Maren’s! She always has great projects! Glad to see her featured!
Love the cards!! Great stamps!
Cute cards! I’d love to win the book!
Thanks!
Wonderful cards Maren. What a talent she is. Thanks for the chance to win.