Kim Hughes
To me, back to school time means making new friends, reconnecting with old ones and starting a fresh new year. Anything is possible. I admit that I feel a bit like a school girl as I begin my journey as a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal.
I turn to my Paper Crafts magazines for inspiration whenever I hit a creative wall. Every issue is filled with immeasurable ideas, but let’s not limit ourselves to the beautiful projects within the magazine. I’d love for you to take a closer look.
Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4
I can say in all honesty that Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4 blew me away. Pure creativity at every turn. How much time do you spend looking at the cover? At first glance, I notice the incredible nutcracker that Jennifer Beason created…seriously, WOW! The time and love that went into that masterpiece is obvious. Secondly, I notice the overall color scheme. It speaks to me. It’s fresh and inviting. I then notice the cuteness of Alli Miles card and how clever Claire Brennan’s tree is, and I am instantly inspired. Lastly, I read what the cover has to say. It offers everything that I want in a magazine and more.
How exactly do I use a cover to motivate my creativity? My favorite place to start is the color scheme. Hot pink, soft pink, some natural browns and beautiful shades of green…yummm.
My Mind’s Eye has a fantastic new collection called Abbey Road. The colors worked perfectly for my project. Even though this is a holiday publication, there’s no reason why I can’t create a card that is perfect for a friend, sister, co-worker, etc. for any occasion. I kept the bold green on the top, like the cover and added a graphic brown stripe in pen to help the colors pop! I pulled the orangy color from the tree’s star and the brown from the nutcracker’s face as well.
Here's my Hi There Card.
Another way to spark creativity is to take ideas from each of the featured projects. I decided to pull elements from each one to create my own unique card.
I pulled the stripes from the nutcracker, the clever ribbon triangles and scalloped edge from the tree and I stamped on a white panel and paper pieced the tree circles. I also tied a brown polka dot ribbon around the card. The nutcracker has a whimsical feel to it. I felt the same way about the curly tree, so that’s why I chose that image. I kept a similar color scheme for this card, but next time, I might choose a blue and green color scheme and create a baby card. The possibilities are truly endless.
And here's my Tweet Tweet Card.
I am thrilled that you joined me today for week one of my “Back to School” blog series. I will be back next week with another way to utilize your Paper Crafts magazines to their utmost potential.
Kim Hughes,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
P.S. I’d love to hear ways you’ve been inspired by a Paper Crafts cover. Leave a comment and I’ll pick three winners to receive a copy of Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
P.P.S. Paper Crafts just launched a new gallery challenge today! If you’re a fan on the clean & graphic look, click HERE to learn more about this fun challenge! And make sure to check back here tomorrow when Cath spotlights clean & graphic cards!
I love looking at all the different cards to get ideas for layouts or color combos. So much inspiration in every magazine!!
I love the colors on the nutcracker! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I love the use of nontraditional colors and plan on using them to make this year’s Christmas card. The nutcracker is divine and he makes me smile b/c my little girl collects them. Every year when we attend the local Nutcracker in December she buys a little one to add to her collection. It would be wonderful if I could make her one like the one on the cover.
I am so excited about your post, Kim! I just love the colors on this Holiday issue. Pink mixed into the typical Christmas colors is incredible!
I love the colors and i just adore 3D projects too! I love that tree on the cover. Good selection of items.
Thanks!
I’m often inspired NOT so much by the card on the magazine cover, but by the color combinations used. Then there is THAT ONE card that you just have to case as it’s posted. ‘Cause it’s TOO cute.
I love the unusual choices of colors for Christmas themed projects. They totally are helping me think outside of the box this year! And I think that magazine would help even more
)
The cover of the halloween issue inspired me; we only ever get about 30 trick or treaters, so this year, instead of the usual fistful of candy, I’ve decided to make individual treat bags for them. So simple, so cute, and an extra surprise when they get to open them up and see what kind of goodies we’ve stuffed inside! (For the curious: a tub of Play-Doh, a container of Bubble Tape, two packs of Pop Rocks, and two Chupa Chups.
Color combos, the latest and greatest products, interesting layouts, clever 3-D items… Your projects are just brilliant, as always!
Like you, I see more than the “printed page”. I love what you created from your “view” of the cover! I did the same with a cake mix box..the colors and layout struck me like lightning and I made a card for a friend. She didn’t get any cake but I told it was good!!!
Firstly, I love that tree and nutcracker!!! I *totally* love Christmas, so I’ll have to look out for that issue!!! I find that it’s the sketch of a card or the colour scheme of the issue that will inspire me. =)
Paper Crafts inspire me to be more creative. They teach me new techniques and always help me when my creative juices get clogged.
inspiration from the cover would be the color combo, but its what i’ll find inside that is the real inspiration!
thanks for the chance!
I’m often overwhelmed by color and can’t decide what to use. Seeing color combinations that others have chosen and that really work on a Paper Crafts
magazine inspire me in my own projects.
well I was inspired by the footwear card. I don’t celebrate halloween but found inspiration by the green bow with the laced ribbon which looks like a dragonfly. I will create a card or embellishment for a layout with a dragonfly with a bow for wings and a body made with laced ribbon to form the tail too. thanks for sharing with us.
The colors inspired me and then the nutcracker! Gorgeous projects!
Kim, I LOVE your stamps! You have such a terrific style that is clean and whimsical, and perfect for paper piecing! I have made paper pieced cards with your Heart Warmers and Christmas Critters sets like the one on your cover. Thanks for the chance to win!!
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