Magazine Monday – Meet Julia Stainton

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday and day one of our exciting Color Inspiration for Card Makers Week!

So glad you could join us as we celebrate our latest and greatest special issue, Color Inspiration for Card Makers! Featuring 280 card ideas from 70 fresh and inspiring color combinations, we’ll spend the next five days talking about color and how it can take your paper crafting designs to the next level.

We’re also partnering with Trends Editor, Cath Edvalson and the Moxie Fab World for a whole week of promotion. Between the two sites, we’ll be spotlighting projects, hosting color challenges and giving away some spectacular prizes.

Click on the cover image to buy your copy today!

Today we’re spotlighting the talented Julia Stainton, who has 20 cards in Color Inspiration for Card Makers! Just how does one designer get 20 projects picked up in a single issue? She puts in a rather large order of Bazzill cardstock and gets to work. Let’s get to know Miss Julia a little bit better!

Julia Stainton

1. How big of a part does color play in your design process?

I believe that color plays a big part in any design process. Color has an immense power to make us feel happy or calm and influences how we see any design. If you take two patterned papers in the exact same pattern and scale and simply switch the color, you can achieve a totally different look. That being said, designing with color for me is more of a sub-conscious decision. I rarely choose a color combo to kick off my design. I’ll usually choose a patterned paper with a beautiful print and color combo and work from there.

2. What color combinations do you find the most inspiring?

I really gravitate to Pastels and Jewel Tones. I love colors that are slightly muted. I also love putting together unexpected combos such as adding a bold hit of red to a pastel combo.

Julia's Ticket for Love Card, p. 62

3. What was your biggest challenge in designing cards for Color Inspiration for Card Makers?

My biggest challenge in designing cards for this issue was totally changing the way I approach the designing process. For me color is not usually the element that drives the design. I had to put aside my patterned papers that often trigger the process, as for the most part, they didn’t work with the exact color combos specified. Once I created a few designs, it became much easier for me to design in this manner. I love challenges and this one pushed me outside my box. It was fun to create with color combos I might not have thought of otherwise and I was really pleased with how the color combos worked out in the designs. Whether you’re looking for new color combos to try or want to challenge yourself to design more with color, I think you’ll love this new issue.

Julia's Always a Friend Card, p. 13

4. True or false…you received color swatches from the Paper Crafts editors on a Friday and had to submit your finished cards by the next Monday.

Yes, that’s true! It was a bit of a whirlwind design spree but I loved every minute of it. It’s bizarre but I often design well under pressure and can get a lot done the day of a deadline.

5. How would you describe your style?

I’m not quite sure how to describe my style as I love trying new things and don’t really like to be put in a box. Sometimes my style is clean and graphic but often is shabby chic in style. Most of my creations are very feminine so perhaps you could describe my style that way.

Julia's Green Get Well Card, p. 49

6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

My husband and I have been married for 21 years and life has been a constant renovation for each one of them. We love old homes and while living this way can definitely test our patience, we love expressing ourselves in creating something beautiful out of something that has seen better days.

7. How do you keep yourself organized when it comes to submission deadlines?

I keep track of submission deadlines by printing off the details and hanging on a clipboard in my workspace. This keeps it on my mind so that I can create ahead or set aside product that fits the call as I’m spending time in my craft room. A calendar on my computer in Outlook keeps track of the dates and I try to set aside the entire day of the deadline to work on last minute submissions.

8. Name three Paper Crafts designers whose styles you like and tell me why they appeal to you.

I really hate to choose just three as so many designers’ styles appeal to me. I love looking through each Paper Crafts issue and seeing all the wonderful and unique approaches to cardmaking. Here are three of many:

• Kim Hughes is an amazing designer. The way she draws, creates shaped cards and constantly reinvents herself amazes me.
• Becky Olsenis a wonderful card maker and scrapbooker. I love how she always looks at product in a fresh and unique way.
• Michele Boyer has some serious coloring skills and the execution and attention to detail in each design is flawless.

9. Do you have any advice for someone who’s never been published or who wants to try submitting for the first time?

It’s always thrilling to see your work in print and if this is a goal you’ve set for yourself, keep at it. Be true to yourself and enjoy the process so that you have cards and projects that you love, even if they aren’t accepted. The reality is that no one gets everything they design published and that’s alright. It isn’t personal as it just may not be what the editors are looking for at that particular moment in time. The old adage is definitely true…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

10. Do you have a blog or online gallery? If so, please provide the URL. 

You can find me at Belle Papier. Please stop by for a visit!

Thanks, Julia! Bazzill Basics Paper, the official sponsor of Color Inspiration of Card Makers, has donated three packs of their 12×12 Premium Cardstock (100 sheets, 4 each of 25 colors). Leave a comment for Julia and I’ll pick three winners to take home this prize, plus a copy of Color Inspiration for Card Makers. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Happy Monday!
Kelly

P.S. You have until midnight (MST) TONIGHT to upload your submissions for our July/August 2011 issue. Click HERE for more information!

P.P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from my Countdown to Color Inspiration for Card Makers post!

1. Noreen (Jan. 7, 12:19 p.m.)
2. Edy (Jan. 8, 3:28 p.m.)
3. Cathy B. of IL (Jan. 7, 9:37 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!