Magazine Monday – Meet Rae Barthel (Again!)

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday and day one of Card Creations 8 Week!

So glad you could join us as we celebrate our latest and greatest special issue, Card Creations, Volume 8! With 273 designs for everyone on your list, this magazine has the inspiration you’re looking for…and then some! 

Like I mentioned on Friday, we’re kickin’ off the party here and then Cath will wrap up the week on her Moxie Fab World blog. Both sites will be spotlighting some amazing cards from CC8, as well as giving away some great prize packages.

Between now and May 26, you can get free standard shipping on CC8! Just enter coupon code "CC8FS" at checkout. Click on the magazine image to reserve your copy today!

Today we’ll be spotlighting our reigning Gallery Idol winner, Rae Barthel, who has a whopping 23 cards in CC8! Though we featured Rae HERE, we definitely felt she earned another day in the spotlight – especially with her unique Gallery Idol perspective. (Just as a side note, today is the last day we’re accepting submissions for Gallery Idol 2010. Get your thank you cards in by midnight (MDT) and you could be one of our Top 20 finalists!)

So without further ado, let’s get to know Miss Rae Barthel (a little bit more)!

Rae Barthel

1. How does it feel to have 23 cards published in our top best seller, Card Creations, Volume 8?

Twenty-three? Really? Wow. I just kept making cards for this call; I couldn’t stop myself! One of the very first card making publications I purchased was a copy of Card Creations. It was full of such amazing inspiration and really helped me jump-start my card making passion, and now I am thrilled to be able to share my own cards with others!

2. Do you have a favorite card of the 23 published in this issue? What was your inspiration for it?

A favorite…hmmmm…well, I think I’m going to go with my “40 & Fabulous Card” for several reasons. First of all, black, white and pink is still one of my favorite color combinations to work with. Secondly, I’m a HUGE fan of polka dots and bling. And lastly, well, I will be turning the big ‘4-0′ this December, and many of my friends are approaching this age as well. I think I need to make a bunch of these cards to have on hand!

Rae's 40 & Fabulous Card (p. 30) can be adapted for any age!

3. What is your favorite product to work with? You’re definitely a fan of bling, right?

You know I love me some *bling*! I find rhinestones to be the perfect accent on so many different types of cards. But my favorite product by far is patterned paper. I love it, I hoard it, I let it guide me in my card making. I simply couldn’t work without it!

In Rae's Hi Society Card (p. 81), she once again rocks the polka dots and the bling!

And in Rae's Thanks So Much Card (p. 122), the lone bling is subtle, but very effective.

4. What amazes you about the paper crafting community?

I credit Paper Crafts itself with introducing me to the fabulous paper crafting community! Three years ago I found the Paper Crafts web site and message board and was beyond thrilled to have found a group of women who shared my passion for card making! I was soooo hesitant to post my first cards in the gallery, but my fellow paper crafters were very encouraging and really helped me overcome my stage fright. I LOVE being a part of this community and am extremely grateful for “my friends who live in my computer” (borrowing a quote from one of those friends, Carolyn King). I truly feel a connection with all of you and wish that we could all meet in real life. Look me up on Facebook, I’d love to be your friend!

5. As the reigning Gallery Idol winner, do you have any advice for this year’s Top 20 finalists?

Two words: HAVE FUN!!! Two more words: DON’T STRESS! 

I had so much fun thinking outside of the box with the challenges put forth each week, and I absolutely LOVED seeing what my fellow contestants came up with as well. I cannot wait to see what you talented ladies create! So my advice to you: think outside of the box, challenge yourself to really “go for it” in each round and enjoy those fabulous prizes, too!

Thank you, Paper Crafts, for your generosity and the honor of the 2009 Gallery Idol title. I have enjoyed every moment of my reign and am ready to pass on the crown. Good luck to you all. I’m rooting for each and every one of you!

Thanks, Rae! Our friends at American Crafts were nice enough to donate three sets of their Letterbox collection – the same collection Rae used on her Thanks So Much Card above. Please leave a comment below and I’ll pick three random winners to receive this fun prize package, plus a copy of Cards Creations, Volume 8. All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Tuesday, May 25.

Three winners will take home this fun prize package from American Crafts!

Make sure you join us tomorrow for Susan’s post on our three cover girls!

Happy Monday!
Kelly

P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from last week’s Cards Creations 8 Week post!

1. Jaquelyn (May 21, 7:00 a.m.)
2. Vera Yates (May 21, 8:12 p.m.)
3. Michel E. (May 21, 10:48 a.m.)

Congrats, winners! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly to discuss your prizes and get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!