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!
Beautiful cards – I love the simplicity with touches of bling.
Lovely cards! The AC set looks great!
I’ve been a fan of Rae’s for awhile now – Love her!
Wow how exciting to have 23 cards in the issue. Well done and what a wonderful prize.
Congrats on being Gallery winner and on the 23 cards being published-awesome job! Great set of cards!
Wow 23 cards you go girl! Love all the ones shared today! Thanks for the chance to win!
This was so much fun to read and Rae’s cards are gorgeous! Thanks for the tips and sharing your creations!
Great cards, thanks for a chance to win a great prize…
I can’t imagine being that talented. Rae is awesome and deserves all the kudos!
It’s so fun to meet Rae!!! How cool is it to have 23 cards published in one mag? Love it (and her)!
Wow, there are already SO many entries. You all are wildly popular.
Thanks for the chance (no matter how small it is) to win a great prize. Can’t wait to buy this new mag, too!
Wow, I did not realize that Rae had so many cards published in your newest magazine. It is amazing that someone can be so talented.
Congrats Rae! I love the bling; especially that birthday card with the pink & black.
Would love this collection!
Wow, she worked along time on 23 cards! I sure would like a copy of that magazine.
Impressive to say the least. Keep up the good work!
Big congrats on being Gallery winner. Wow, 23 cards being published. This is just amazing. Well deserved.
Wow! that must be a record! I’ve been checking your blog regularing for card inspiration, no wonder you have 23 cards published in one issue. Cute collection! Thanks for the giveaway!
wow… your cards are amazing and a huge congrats on all the pubs
Wow, those cards are all so lovely. I enjoyed seeing each and every one of Rae’s creations in CC8! As I thumbed through the edition, I remember spotting her name quite a lot! Congratulations Rae!!!
Blessings,
Christine
Really elegant cards.
i love ur blog!!.. soo many giveaways!.. nd the ideas are awesome!!.. thanks soo much for another chance to win!
so much talent~unfair!!! love rae’s cards!
Gorgeous cards! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Well done! What a dream to have 23 cards published. Ah, one day….
Congrats to Rae on her well deserved success. Her cards are always beautiful!
I am fortunate enough to be a friend and often recipient of her beautiful, unique cards. Love ‘em!
I absolutely LOVE these cards!! They are just simple elegance – just perfect. Congratulations on having 23 cards featured in this edition. I hope to one day have one of my cards published.
That is so exciting Rae….23 cards!! You deserve it my friend!
Lea
Love ALL the cards. One card published would be a honor…but 23….you’re the queen.
Card Creations is always my favorite issue of the year.
Wow! It was nice getting to know you a little better. I can’t wait to see the new issue as I’m sure there will be tons and tons of inspirational pages! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
OH MY GOSH! I love those cards so much, I find myself working with the same color combos and alot of BLING all the time! thanks for sharing, cant wait to get my hands on the mag! nice to meet you Rae, cant wait to see more of your work!
Congratulations Rae! Love your cards – they chose the correct winner!
Great cards! Love them. Congrats on getting 23 cards in the issue!!
LOVE American Crafts!
Love these cards! Vintage but not overdone. Great cards, Rae
Sharon L
As I was pouring over my copy I kept seeing Rae’s name over & over (& over!) again- how amazing to have soooo many cards in one issue!! Congrats!
And thanks for the chance to win some yummy AC!
I definitely need to get a copy of this magazine. Congrats to Rae on 23 cards in one awesome issue. She has such great style!
23 cards in one issue! Is that a record? Thanks for the chance.
Congrats on be GI of 09′. I hope I might be 10′ GI.
I absolutely LOVE Rae’s cards! I even have her Picasa gallery saved to my favorites for inspiration! Beautiful, beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing your amazing cards with us Rae! You truly are an inspiration!
Brittany
Love your cards Rae! thanks for sharing!
Rae is a talented lady who inspires me in everyway.
I must say that I do love American Crafts paper, which I hardly get a chance to buy where I live.
Congratulations Rae, that’s amazing to have 23 cards published in the one issue! WOW!
Congrats Rae and nice to meet you. Love your color choices and the bling.
It’s great for Rae to be showcased this way. I’ve been following her blog for only a short time, but I always enjoy her creations.
Wow!! 23 cards in one issue?!? What an inspiration!! Congrats!!
I’ve got my copy of Card Creations and can’t stop looking through it!
Congratulations to Rae for the *amazing* amount of cards published in this issue!
Congrats on both accounts.