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 too am amazed by the projects on the cover! Truth be told maybe a little overwhelmed by the nutcracker!!! I think the colors- and how cute that paper pieced tree card is- are inspiring! As is your tweet card! Makes me want to go paper piece something!!
I am inspired by the use of different colors for the holiday – thanks for the chance.
Amazing projects, as usual!
I think it is the color combinations that really grab my attention. Can’t wait to get my own copy.
I think it is the color combinations that really grab my attention. Can’t wait to get my own copy.
I think it is the color combinations that really grab my attention. Can’t wait to get my own copy.
After seeing the cover of this issue I’ll definitely be stalking the stores to check out this magazine (If I don’t win one!). I’d love to try and make the tree. The nutcracker is amazing and you did a fabulous job with those cards. Thank you!
I love the super cute projects you shared. Thanks.
Colours combinations and details. But the nutcracker is too amazing for me to pull off!
Love the refreshing color combo!
I have been inspired by a lot of the paper craft covers. It is the first peek into what is inside. The Holiday covers are my favorite. They have inspired me to creating card designs. I have done some great cards over the past few years.
The pink and green on the Christmas tree have inspired me – I don’t use pink and green very often but I’m thinking about some altered projects.
Wow, love Kim’s inspirational cards just from the cover, so clever girl!!! It’s the colours and patterns that speak and inspire me from magazine! Thanks HuGs Kim
I would have to say that the colors and the projects are inspiring to me. I can’t wait to see the inside for all the amazing inspiring MOJO. Thanks for a chance.
Fabulous ideas; now I’ll be looking at covers much more closely.
I think the colors do it for me – red and green traditional Christmas colors – the covers of the magazines always make me think – hey I can do something different!
Thanks for the fun and inspiration!
Sandra
fabulous inspiration…thanks Kim!!!
I loved the cover–especially the color combinations. Don’t usually see those colors for the holidays but it puts you in the holiday mood immediately.
The cover has actually inspired me to try different colors for my Holiday cards I always stay in the reds & greens but never brave enough to throw in another color as a matter of fact I feel a pink Christmas tree coming on
Thank you for the inspiration!
I’m always intriguied by the combination of colors and it opens my eyes to more possibilities that I wouldn’t have looked at otherwise!
I am always on the look out for great ideas, themes, color combinations and techniques I haven’t tried before. So while browsing the magazine stand the cover has to really catch my eye because if it doesn’t then I won’t even look at what’s inside.
Last year’s Holiday Cards issue really caught my eye with that cute reindeer on the cover and I just knew that it would be full of all kinds of goodies…..I think I have half of the magazine tagged with projects that I have tried and some I have still to go…..
thanks for all the inspiration!
There is usually a wow project that I have to re-create or the color scheme just inspires me to play with some new combos. The covers are always great! That is for sure.
The covers have taken me to new creations of color combinations as well as different types of art. Thanks for all the inspirations!
This cover has inspired me to use pink in this year’s holiday cards I make!
Look at cute Kim! Great new head shot. Darling cards! I have HCM, so you don’t need to put me in the blog candy. Just leaving some love for sweet Kim.
The magazine cover is just so inviting–of course you want to pick up the magazine and dive right in. I really enjoyed the card, but it could easily be massed produced. I like the non traditional colors of the cover as well.
color combo for sure! and I look to see what is in as far as simple, busy, elegant – and fonts…I love fonts and love to look at what PC uses as well as what is on the cover creations!
I love covers that have 3-d or decor items. They really inspire me to move off the card and into other areas!
I love the Wedded Bliss gift bag on that was featured on the cover of the March/April 2009 magazine. The combination of the greens and blues, plus the crocheted flower accents are simply lovely! =)
The color combinations on the covers definitely inspire me. The latest Paper Crafts magazine inspired me to start on my Halloween cards!
I love the calmer choice of colors for the Christmas theme. And I love your take on using the inspiration and going with it on your own. Makes me look even deeper and creatively and all the ideas your magazine holds.
I just recently started papercrafting so I am always inspired by the great covers! They are always so gorgeous. I look for ideas and layouts and color schemes to help me in my new joy of papercrafting.
I think it’s the color combos on the cover that are the most inspiring to me.
Paper Craft mag covers are like the wrapper on your favorite candy bar – you can be assured that when you open it, there will be something very sweet inside.
The covers are great for color combinations and even sketches! They way the elements are placed makes for a great sketch.
I always look at the projects on the cover and read all the wording but I never would have thought to use that for a card color combinations. Thanks Kim!
I too love the ribbon folds on the tree.
I also love to see stamped images cut out of pattern paper…the card!
I’m usually inspired by papercrafts simply because it makes me actually do projects instead of just think about them. Love your cards.
I’m so inspired every time I look at Paper Crafts magazine….my favorite parts are the little gifty gifts that you can make to surprise someone’s day.
These two cards are fabulous, Kim! I’ve never seen ribbon done this way (the triangles), and I WILL give this style a try on a future card.
And Yes – the Feb ’08 cover inspired me to create a card that has a stitched outline, and beads sewn into the work LOVE:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40437577@N00/3279253271/in/set-72157600595805924/
Greetings from a digital card-making gal in Florida!
Hi Kim! Great first article!! Clearly you’re going to be one of the “popular” girls in your new “school.” Hahaha I always look back at my old Papercrafts Magazines to look at how others use designer paper, and most often for layout ideas. Fun ribbon treatments are another thing I look at. Hugs!
I second that WOW on the nutcracker!!
Along with the very attractive simple tree card, I was also inspired to get a head start on my handmade gift list and projects by the different headlines on the cover….I give a lot of small, handmade gifts to the dozen teachers assistants that I work with and papercrafts (and you) always make it a snap with the projects that scream, “You can do this!”
Thanks!
Kim Marie
Colour is always the first thing that grabs me and I love green and pink for Christmas cards!
Such a cute Nutcracker!
Actually, the cover inspired me to start thinking about Christmas projects in general. It seems that summer went by so quickly this year. I needed that extra kick to get moving!
Happy Day!!!! I love those colors on the cover.. I have an Apron to prove it!!! And, in college I wore a bright pink sweatshirt with lime green pants as one of my fave go to outfits… I know, a trend setter way before my time (it was well over 15 years ago)!!
These colors are definitely HOT…. love today’s shares, and of course Kim!!!
So how am I inspired by those colors??? I need to get a bright pink sweatshirt and lime green pants again:)
Everything in this magazine is perfect to copy!!! Especially the covers. I also like to try a cover design in a different way… like if it’s a card to try the look as a layout or home decor project.
the cover makes me want to bust out my Christmas decorations!
Seems like the covers always make me want to go and create! I love the nutcracker this time around. So cool!