P. Kelly Smith
Welcome to Magazine Monday! Thanks for joining us as we officially countdown to our fourth annual World Card Making Day on Saturday, Oct. 3. I already feel the love and support for this holiday. Last Friday I left the comment prompt: “Why do you think card-making has such an universal appeal?” Here’s a few of my favorite comments:
“I can’t imagine there is anyone in this wide world of ours that doesn’t enjoy receiving a handmade card that let’s them know that they matter to someone.” ~Mary Lou
“It’s something that everybody can do no matter their age, income or skill level. It comes from the heart and is always appreciated. Cards are like little kisses. They’re little packages of happiness.” ~Sheila
“I think card-making has such a universal appeal because deep down all of us have times when we’ve needed a little pick-me-up from a friend and I think all of us hope, that at some time, we can be that for someone else when they need it – cards are a simple but effective way to say you’re thinking of someone – no matter what the occasion.” ~Cathy
And since we’re all about sharing the love of card-making, we’re once again partnering with creative editor Cath Edvalson and her Moxie Fab World blog. Today on her worldwide tour of card-making, she’s featuring some beautiful cards from Europe. Make sure you find a comfy seat on the”Moxie Fab Express” because each day this week she’ll be taking you to new countries and introducing you to cards and designers you’ve never seen before! Who knew stamping your passport could be so easy!
Today I have the opportunity to spotlight the UK-based magazine PaperCraft inspirations. I got the chance to pick the brain of one of their willing staff members, a Miss Jennifer Phin. Even though our magazines are literally worlds apart, I was surprised by her answers to my questionnaire. Card-making really is an universal hobby that bridges all cultures, languages and people. So without further ado (what a nice British word!), let’s go inside the pages of England’s PaperCraft inspirations!
Here's PaperCraft inspirations' November 2009 cover.
1. What is PaperCraft inspirations magazine?
PaperCraft inspirations is the UK’s best selling card magazine! As well as lots of card projects for our readers to try, we share paper crafting tips, tricks, inspirations and the latest craft products.
2. What types of projects does your publication predominantly feature? Cards? Scrapbook Layouts/Mini Albums? Gift Wrap? Home décor?
We focus mainly on cards of all kinds – paper pieced, 3D, pop-up, stamped and more! But we also regularly feature gift boxes, tags and wrapping, as well as scrapbooking ideas.
3. What occasions do your readers like to paper craft the most?
Birthdays and Christmas are the major occasions for card makers, but we know that our readers also make cards to say “Congratulations”, “Good luck”, “Thanks”, and “Get well”. In our recent survey, we discovered that on average our readers make a whopping 226 cards every year!
Here's a cute example of a card that appears in PaperCraft inspirations.
4. What techniques are your readers most interested in?
Our readers love to learn new techniques; we have a Master Class every issue to introduce them to more specialized areas of paper crafting. They also enjoy using our free templates to make layered and paper pieced cards, and are mad about stamping, stickers and decoupage, too!
5. What differences in style do you notice between UK readers and American readers? How are they similar?
We think UK and American crafters have very similar tastes and passions – in fact, we’ve heard from some readers here who have crafty pen pals in the U.S.! They swap cards and ATCs and really enjoy sharing tips.
6. Would you say card making has risen in popularity in the United Kingdom?
Card making has always been popular; the difference now is that crafters have access to more exciting new products thanks to the Internet and specialist stores like HobbyCraft. Crafting groups and clubs have definitely become more popular, which has played a big part in making the craft community more visible.
7. Why do you think paper crafting has such universal appeal?
Handmade cards are such a personal way to send special messages – we know that our creations will be cherished for years to come. Every creation is unique, low-budget and given with love – what could be better?
8. How will your publication be celebrating World Card Making Day on Saturday, Oct. 3?
We trumpeted the good news of World Card Making Day in our October issue, so we hope our readers will be joining in by making cards with friends and family, visiting the official web site and generally crafting their socks off!
9. Why is it important to have a holiday that commemorates paper crafting?
Everyday life is so busy with work, kids and chores that it’s important to take time to celebrate the skill and talent of card makers, and to dedicate a little time to our favorite hobby. Giving over a whole day to crafting might feel quite decadent to many card makers, but – hey! – we deserve it.
I couldn’t agree more, Jennifer! Thanks so much for sharing your magazine with us and answering some of our burning questions. We wish everyone in England a very merry World Card Making Day!
Are you ready for today’s giveaway? I was blown away when Jennifer revealed that PaperCraft inspirations readers make 226 cards each year! I love to hear how many you make a year (rough estimate, please). Leave a comment and I’ll randomly pick two people to win Dream Street Papers’ Wonderland and Angel Heart collections, PaperTrey Ink’s Polka Dot Basics stamp set and a copy of Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Two lucky winners will each take home this prize package!
Happy Monday!
Kelly
P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from my Freebie Friday – Countdown to World Card Making Day post! Here they are in no particular order:
1. Tina B. (Sept. 25, 10:17 a.m.)
2. Jaquelyn (Sept. 26, 1:26 p.m.)
3. Amber (Sept. 25, 6:11 a.m.)
Congrats, winners! I’ll be contacting you shortly to discuss your prizes and get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
I’m going to guestimate I make about 100 cards each year — half of those at Christmas time. I used to make twice that many, but that was before 4 kids!
Wow! I can’t believe how many cards some of you make! I think I make about.. 25? All depends on whether my little guy wants to get involve as well. haha
I usually make 150-200 Christmas cards. That’s my biggest challenge each year! Aside from that, I probably make 10-20 cards each year. I have great plans to make dozens of cards, but the time seems to slip away from me and it’s all I can do to get the “important” cards done. I have it when I have to go out and buy a card, but sometimes it’s necesssary. Oh well! There is hope yet!
Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it before, but I probably make close to 300 a year! Sheesh!
I’ve just started doing so probably only about 12-24 a year right now. But I’d like to do more.
I am not a big card maker but I am trying to make more than before. I would say I make about 10 – 20 per year right now.
I’m making about 60 cards per year.
I send them to my grand parents, to my parents, to my sisters, to their daughters, to my own children and to my friends.
If I had to guess, I make about 100 cards a year. Maybe even more!
I’ve just started making cards within the last few months. I’m averaging 3-4 a month (11 (relatively simple ones) made so far!)
I typically scrapbook, but I have gotten on a “card” kick lately. I made almost a dozen last week when I was home sick! :O)
I have been making cards for all of my family members for almost 2 years that about 65 a year, I could use some fresh new ideas.
I have no idea! I would probably guess that the number is under 100 but over 50. This year I’ve done a lot more and I am loving it!
I can’t EVEN count how many cards I make to use, give away, or charities.
I’d love to get my hands on the magazine though.
~Shari R.
I don’t count the number of cards I make but if I were to give an honest estimate I would say it ‘s between 50-100 cards. It’s such a wonderful crafting hobby.
Hmmm, hard to say, but I think on average anywhere from 50-75. This year I’m making more that get donated to Operation Write home (formerly CFH) so who knows how many I’ll make this year!
Yikes! I definitely don’t make that many cards. Not quite even half.
I estimate somewhere between 75-100.
Never thought about the number – but I make cards for a little shop near where I live, plus have made cards with tin boxes for a couple of fundraisers and as gifts as well as my own to send out each year for special occasions! Just love this art!
Before starting my blog, I probably only made 30 a year. Now that I have a blog, I’m making cards even for no reason, just to craft! I’m estimating about 120 this year, not counting my Christmas card, which is usually 150.
I would say somewhere close to 150. Love this idea for a comment!!
I make between 100 and 150 cards every year. Some are for friends and family, but many are auctioned to benefit local charities. It’s easy to see how one might make 300+ cards every year … ready-made product and sketches are easily available, so putting together a set of cards in minutes is very doable. It will continue to be a fun passtime for many years, and for new generations, i’m sure.
I acutally lost my PTI Polka Dots set at a crop ( my fav set!)
So I would LOVE to win this prize! I do DT work and make cards for our entire families for every holiday I can think of, so i probably do around 500 a year. Wow- that’s a lot! 
Counting with Christmas I make about 85-90 cards. Give or take a little.
This year I probably made 40 cards, that includes holidays, contests, and submissions for magazines.
I don’t know how many I make a year, but I do know that I don’t send out as many as I make.
I make about 100 – 125 a year. I love making cards but also lots of other scrapbooking and crafting items. Another great give-away too! Can’t wait for Saturday!!!!!!
Wow–they way surpass my cardmaking. I probably average around 50 cards a year and I thought I was doing good.
i’ve never really counted but i can prob approximate about 125 cards a year?
Thanks for this posting. I am planning to start card making this year. You might as well want to know the range and quality of paper crafting materials I found at Christina’s Crafts. Worth Checking!
Hmm, seems I’ve got a lot of catching up to do with some of these ladies! I make approximately 10-15 cards a year….plus tons of other paper crafted goodies!
I would estimate I make at least 150 cards a year. I make at least 110 cards at Christmas/ Hanukkah alone. Thanks for asking. This is a great topic!
well, I’ve only gotten into card crafting this year… but I’m going to a craft fair where I’ll be selling, and I’ll be making 500+ for that over the next two months!
i think i probably do around 100
I started last year, but since i began, I’ve made over 750!!!!! That’s a lot of cards!
I probably make about 150 cards per year….would love to do more, but I spend more time and money buying supplies because I love paper, patterned paper, suede paper, cardstock, glimmer paper, any kind of paper. Where do you get Papercraft Inspirations?
I probably make around 80 cards a year including Christmas. I’d make more if I had more time. But 80 is enough. Thanks Cynthia
I would say I normally make around 50, half of which are Christmas cards. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had the time to make to many & my stash is really suffering for it. I plan on making some time on Saturday to get a least a couple made though. Maybe this winter I can get my stash built back up.
Well…… probably 200+ and an additional 70 or so at Christmas time. Yikes!
My stash is growing (as is my crafting and blurfing obsession). LOVE Papertrey and especially the polka dots. Thanks!
I never really thought about this, and now I realize I’ve made alot more cards than I figured! I make about 50 at Christmas and probably another 25 throughout the year.
I probably make 200 cards a year.
What fun goodies and this blog is a great inspiration. I make at least 150 cards a year or more. I started keeping track this year just for fun to see how many cards I actually make in a year!!!
I make about 800 a year. Mostly Christmas and Mother’s Day. I give a lot of cards away to the nurses at the doctors office, teachers, workeres at my daughters school, Tips when we go out, gifts church members charity etc. I love to make them. My 7yr old is now making her own cards.
WOW, what a great question! I started counting all of the “regular event” cards throughout the year and that was roughly 150, then there are the “unexpected card/gift-giving events” that number another 100 or so. Yikes, that’s not counting Christmas, which would add another 100 more. But, I have to say, I really enjoy this obsession (errr, hobby
Just guessing, but maybe around 100, but it seems to be growing every year!
I make at least 60 cards.
I’d say I make between 50-100 depending on my mood
and celebrations on a given year.
I just started making cards, but I’d estimate that I’ve made about 200 cards this year (125 of those were for Operation Write Home (formerly Cards for Heroes)) Love these tiny pieces of art!
I have been making cards for a few years and since I do charity work with making card I have made well over 500. I love making cards.
I have just started making cards and since I made the invitations for my sisters wedding this summer I have made about four hundred plus the regular like happy birthday and thank you’s
I probably make 300 cards
About 200