Cath Edvalson
This past Monday marked my five-year anniversary with Paper Crafts magazine. And while there’s been a whole lotta changes at the magazine over the years, I can’t believe how fast time flies when you’re having so much fun!
As I was reflecting on this milestone, I was surprised to realize that none of the team members from five years ago remains today, except moi. Stacy Croninger was the editor-in-chief and Jennafer Martin was the special issues managing editor. Stacy now works for the Events Team, helping to put on Creating Keepsakes Conventions all over the country, and Jennafer is now the editor-in-chief for Creating Keepsakes magazine. Stace, Vee, Marissa, Junko, and Brenda have all moved on in their careers, but not without imparting their own brand of stellar contributions along the way.
When I first arrived, the team was working on the December 2005/January 2006 issue, and though I survived a rigorous interviewing process, I knew absolutely nothing about magazine production whatsoever. Needless to say, I was able to pull from the skill set I had acquired as a middle school English teacher for ten years; and the 3 years that I ran my own handmade card business, Cards by Cath, proved to be invaluable. I am happy to report that eventually, somewhere along the way, I was able to figure a few things out:
- Like how to deal with the fact that magazines live and die by the deadline.
- Like how to impart a visual connection to the reader.
- Like how to be a team player.
- Like how to distinguish between magazine-time and real-time, and to think in both simultaneously. (This is not as easy as it may seem.)
- Like how to communicate to designers and manufacturers effectively.
- Like how to write an inspiring call for submissions.
- Like how to cover an entire CHA show floor in 3 days or less without absolutely withering.
Like how to write six or seven blog posts in each and every week. 
In the course of the past five years I have contributed to the production of 36 magazine issues and 39 specials for a total of 75 magazines! I’ve also helped put together four books including 40 Techniques for Making Cards, Scrapbook to Cards, Paper Crafts Gourmet, and A Card a Day. Phew! That’s a whole lotta lotta!
The first special issue in which I played a major role? Card Creations: Start to Finish, Volume 1 and it was a challenge, let me tell you!
The most difficult issue to put together? Paper Crafts 101 because of all the content that had to be arranged.
The issue I had the most fun working on? You Go, Girl! because it was all about encouraging the women in our lives.
The issues I’m the proudest of? Our Stamp It! series because of the growth it’s seen over the years.
We’ve done a “color” issue, and an “eco” issue, and the July/August 2010 issue is all about you.
In 2008, the Moxie Fabs column came along and later that year, the Moxie Fab World. I am just now finishing up my twelfth Moxie Fabs column and I have written precisely 452 blog posts in the eighteen months since the Moxie Fab World was born.
And while we’ve been owned by three different companies and I’ve seen a lot of friends come and go, my favorite part of the job remains unchanged: connecting with people like you. From my current team members—Jennifer, Brandy, Kelly, Susan, Matt, Holly, and Ahtanya—to our former Paper Crafts Pros—Nichole, Wendy, Alisa, and Sue—to our current Paper Crafts Go-to Gals—Betsy, Jessica, Kim H., Kim K., Maren, and Teri—to the great designers to the inspiring manufacturers to all of you, this job is as fun as it is because of all the people that I’ve met along the way.
So here’s to five years of fun at Paper Crafts magazine! To help me celebrate, leave a comment by midnight (MDT) on Friday, June 4 telling me how long you’ve been along for the ride—as in, when did you first crack open a Paper Crafts publication—and what that’s meant to your life. I’ll select one random winner to receive the four Stamp It! Cards issues seen above as my thanks for coming to the party!
So grateful for Paper Crafts,
Cath
P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Jennifer’s June 1st is a Busy Day for a Celebration post!
1. Megan A. (June 1, 7:24 a.m.)
2. Lillian Child (June 2, 10:27 a.m.)
3. Jen Shears (June 1, 11:02 a.m.)
Congrats, winners! You’ve won some fun goodies from Tattered Angels! Kelly will be contacting you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
Congrats Kath on 5 years! I do remember when you started, I’ve been a subscriber for lots of years, Stacey was the editor when I started, I’m thinking it’s been at least 6-7 years–I’ve been quite impressed, have learned lots over the years. It has greatly influenced the cards I make. Paper crafts is STILL my fav papercrafting magazine!
Congrats on your 5 years! I’ve been with you guys for over a year!
Congratulations on making it 5 years!
my first intro to paper crafts was about 5 years ago too! I remember thinking how fun this hobby can be – all the beautiful inspiration!
Sandra
Congratulations! I have been following Papercrafts (blog) for about a year now, and I just started a subscription a few months ago. Love all the inspiration!
Wow five years, congrats. I love all the daily inspirations you provide over on the moxi fab blog and in the paper craft magazine. You do a great job filling our crafty bellies with inspiring pictures, awesome new products, and introducing us to other lovely crafters. Keep up the good work, it’s appreciated
I’ve been here since the start….it’s my favorite magazine and I love every issue.
Claudia F.
scfranson@chibardun.net
Hi!
That is fab~ I think my neighbor handed me one of her old copies and said this is full of inspiration and ideas. I had never heard of it but she had just moved in next to me and been receiving it since you started, and I have been inspired ever since. Thank you for the hard work.
wow, i really do think you have the best job evah!!! LOL to be surrounded by all that fabulous creativity has to be such a high. i just got introduced to papercrafts i think it was thru facebook or another friends blog. now it’s a musthave and my friends sends me an issue whenever it comes out! it’s something i look forward to!
Wow, five years! Congrats! I honestly can not remember how long I have been reading yor publications, I have been buying them on the newstand for a while. I have been a subscriber since last year and look forward to each and every issue and make sure I get all the latest special issues too! Keep those Moxie Fab ideas coming!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007@gmail.com
CONGRATS on 5 years:) And here is to many many more:)
I opened my first magazine two years ago–drooled and fell in love with every card….I’ve been in awe ever since. I enjoy all these paper crafting mags! Thanks so much for all you do:) Again, CONGRATS:)
The first issue of Paper Crafts I purchased is dated Feb. 2005. While I can’t say I’ve purchased every issue since, I can say I have every issue I’ve purchased and have been a subscriber for a couple or three years. I look forward to the arrival of each and every issue and keep them because sometimes I like to go back to the previous years edition for ideas on a certain theme or to find articles about a certain technique or product.
Congrats on the 5 year anniversary! I started card making 2 years ago and that’s when I started reading Paper Craft magazine. Started to follow moxie fab world blog this year though. Keep up the good world and love all the inspiration provided!
I don’t know when I bought my first PC magazine but I’m sure I still have it because I NEVER throw my fave magazines away. I have several boxes and I’m going through each magazine carefully before I repurpose them to one of my sisters or my mom. But the PC magazines are staying IN MY HOUSE!!! My sis thinks I should throw all of them away. She was going to take them all to the dumpster. I told her that that would be a huge mistake because I woul go through withdrawals and have to buy even more!!!
Blessings,
Christine
i’m not sure, but i think i found my first PC at an LSS (when they still existed here) about 3 years ago. it was one of the special issues. i keep all of them for looking through when waiting in medical offices and such. it is always fun to look at them again for inspiration. i like PC because it is so unique. it covers lots of styles and gives lots of info. was really a help as i was starting to make cards.
I’ve been loving your magazine for about 6 months. I found myself reading the latest for the 3rd time today while my kids played in the pool. Happy anniversary!
Wow! That is a lot of work, and a lot of FUN! It’s been about two years since I bought my first PC magazine, and now I count down the days ’til the next one comes!
I have your Joy of Card Making: a second helping. I recently discovered you on line and will follow you a little more closely. Don’t usually buy the magazine cause I would rather spend the money on supplies and get ideas online.
Congratulations! I’ve bought the magazines on the newsstand for about three years now. I took a card class form Kim Kesti at a CKC in Mesa a few years ago and loved the ideas. I think your go-to gals are all great!
Congrats on 5 years! I actually didnt crack open my first magazine until about two weeks ago…and boy was I impressed. I have been following your blog for a little less than a year. I enjoyed being taken along for the ride when you shared all your pics of CHA with us. Your blogs are always fun, insightful, and full of all the best ideas! Thanks for making our days a little brighter!
Congrats on your five years!! I have been following the blogs for about a year but I have been checking out the Paper Crafting Mag for several years. I saw my first one at CKC Nashville.
I had a subscription for 2 years starting about 5 years ago. I skipped a year and have now been back for 2 more years. And I’ve been reading this blog for about 6 months. Keep up the good work!
Happy 5th Anniversary!
I have been with Paper Crafts from the initial issue and loved every magazine, sample, special edition, blog and contest along the way!
~Shari
Congrats Cath on 5 years of fun! I’m a relative newbie at card making, making my first cards in 2009 for Easter. One of the first items I purchased was last year’s Stamp It magazine because I desperately needed some education/direction/inspiration. What a fantastic find!! That magazine really kick started my creativity.
Oh wow, Happy Five Years!
And…it was approximately 5 to 6 yrs ago that I first saw a Paper Crafts.
Lovin’ this world of paper!
Congratulations on 5 years Cath!! I have been following your blogs for about the past year or so and absolutely love all the inspiration!! My first paper crafts mag (which i still have) was from 2004!! I have been subscribed to PC for about the past 3 years and love every single mag and still have them all! I had been searching for a great card making mag for ages and when I stumbled across PC a few years ago I was in heaven! Thanks PC for all the amazing inspiration and an amazing magazine! We have nothing like it over here in Oz so i’m glad I found it
The first time that I ever opened up a Paper Craft magazine was in 2007. Congratulations on 5 years!!!
I’ve been on board since the early days, I think it was Spring of 2004 when I started subscribing. I still have all the early issues …
Congratulations on 5 years, the production of 36 magazine issues and 39 specials for a total of 75 magazines, and 452 blog posts in eighteen months! I have been on board since 2007! Thanks for the chance to win!
Congrats on 5 FABULOUS years. Cath! Wowza, you sure have accomplished a lot with the magazines and your wonderful blog. I’ve been a faithful and totally inspired admirer for three years now. Thanks for sharing all of your creativity and talent with us :O)
Congratulations! I loved the Go Girls mag too! Actually, I love them all, and each time I look at them, find new ideas!
Congratulations Cath..I found Paper Crafts Mag only a few months back but am so glad i did..Thankyou so much for your hard work.
Wow, five years! That’s awesome.
I first opened a PC magazine in 2006, so I’ve been there all five years with ya! I found out about PC through CK, and can I say I’m hooked! I love all the card inspiration. I really enjoy the themes, too.
Congrats Cath on celebrating your 5th year anniversary doing what you love! I first discovered Paper Crafts in college back in 2004. I found the magazine at a store, and devoured every issue I bought. Finally, after three years, I decided to get a subscription. I love Paper Crafts, and through all the change, loss in my life and growth, Paper Crafts has been there. I have all the old issues, and can look back at it with nostalgia remembering when I first read it. In fact, I remember the first special issue I ever bought was a Joy of Cardmaking issue, and I would read it everyday that I rode the light rail, as I commuted to school!
Now married, teaching art to kids, I find I am rejuvenated reading the magazine, being inspired and creating for publication calls! Thank you Paper Crafts!
Actually, I’m all new to cardmaking and the magazine- I have a whole two issues (although I’m desperately hunting for more- the two I have are truly great). I’ve been a scrapbooker for 5 years, but just decided cardmaking would be a nice change- largely decided by the quality of your magazine- I aspire to making cards as beautiful as these!
I’m embarassed to say that the Go To Sketches issues was the first issue that I actually laid hands on! I have been following the blog for longer
Congratulations on 5 years! I’ve picked up a few copies of your magazine in the past. I started as a volunteer cardmaker at a seniors home about a year ago and since then am always looking for ideas on cards to make. The ladies particularly love to stamp, so these issues would be wonderful inspiration for me! Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
Congratulations, Cath!!! I got my very first PC issue about a year ago. I couldn’t stop looking through it!! I treasure every single issue and love to flip through them for inspiration. You made me start to submit – I read about that for the first time on Moxie Fab World!
Congratulations Cath! My first issue of Paper Crafts Magazine was Apr/May 2004, which I still have & use today.
I bought my first issue in 2006 and have been a faithful follower ever since!
Congratulations on 5 years! My first experience with PaperCrafts was almost exactly 2 years ago when I bought a StampIt Cards to read on a road trip!
Congratulations Cath! You and all the other Paper Crafts staffers have kept me inspired and motivated. You work so hard to give us all joy and creative inspiration. Thank you so much.
A heart-felt thank you for all the well-wishes, friends. I have so enjoyed reading all your comments, especially when you talk about how long Paper Crafts magazine has been a source of inspiration for you. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, you’re just now coming on board, or you joined us somewhere in between, thanks for being such an important part of the Paper Crafts family!
I’ve been riding the Paper Crafts train for about 3 years now. I love the practicality and variety in this magazine!
Probably 3-4 years. So you have been around since the beginning for me!
AWWWW, Cath! congratulations on this big milestone – so happy for you! i have been a subscriber to Paper Crafts for about two years now, and your Moxie Fab column has been one of my faves since its inception. and when i discovered there was a BLOG for it, i was overjoyed!
you are an amazing part of the team there, and your posts are warm, friendly, vibrant and enthusiastic – they definitely reflect how you feel about your job, and i think that’s so important. they’re very lucky to have you, as are we!
happy celebrating! xo
I have been buying PC magazine for a little over a year. I just love all the inspiration in it. Keep up the good work.
Congrats on 5 years! I’ve known about PC magazine for a long time…just never came across one in a store to purchase…so I went online instead
Been buying them for a little over a year now.
Charmaine
I’m a newbie, only been introduced to this magazine 1.5 years ago!
Congrats on your milestone! I started my card making odyssey about 18 months ago. I picked up my first PC last year – It was the Holiday Cards issue. Now I am looking forward to having my own card published in this year Holiday cards issue. I love all of the PC magazines – I find inspiration in all of them.
It’s always fun to see how far you’ve come and how things change in 5 years….been a subscriber for about 3 years now and one of your blog fans for almost a year and loving every minute of it!!!