Susan R. Opel
Welcome to Card Ideas Week!
You might be wondering where all of these great sketches came from, right? Well, way back in January of this year when you were nestled into your winter routine, a group of talented paper crafters were given the challenge to submit sketches for this fun issue.
These ladies got to work sketching, and then we had the enormous task of narrowing it down from 500 sketches to the 72 that appear in the issue. You’ll find the name of each sketch artist under her sketch in the magazine.
One designer went to town sketching, and we’re thankful she did. Julia Stainton’s inspiring sketches make up 6.5% of the sketches in this issue!
Julia Stainton
I just had to get into her head to see where all this creativity came from!
1. How many sketches did you submit for Card Ideas for Paper Crafters, and how many of your sketches were chosen to appear in the issue?
Once I started creating sketches for this issue, I just couldn’t stop. The exciting thing about creativity is that once it starts rolling, it just breeds more ideas. I actually ended up submitting 51 sketches before I finally made myself stop and focus on something else. Eleven of my sketches made it into Card Ideas for Paper Crafters, and I’m so excited to see what everyone did with them.
2. Do you sketch on a regular basis or was this a new thing for you?
Actually I don’t sketch on a regular basis. I do love doing sketch challenges, but most often when I start to create I just let go and see what happens. Creating sketches is something I have done a few times in the past, but for the most part this was a fairly new creative exercise for me. It was really exciting to explore and have fun with it, and I’ve been excited to use some of those sketches as jumping off points for new projects.
3. How do you approach sketching?
I love creating sketches in a digital format. Drawing a card template and playing with the shapes digitally was a fun way to explore the design before committing to a final sketch. Since I couldn’t get this challenge out of my head, I also sketched ideas with a pencil on scraps as they came to me while around the house and out and about.
4. Which of your sketches in this issue was your absolute favorite?
The bull’s eye sketch on page 24 is probably my favorite. I love using circles in a design to add movement and a unique approach. It was so exciting to see the unique interpretations the designers came up with for this sketch.
5. What sketch by another designer inspired you the most?
I loved so many of the sketches I had to go through the issue a few times to narrow it down to one. Anabelle O’Malley’s curved pocket card design from page 110 is so beautiful and unique that I really loved creating with it.
6. What is your favorite part of this issue?
This issue just amazes me. I loved working on the sketches and submitting projects, but I think my favorite part of this issue was being blown away by all the creativity and unique spins on the sketches. I don’t think I found a page that didn’t wow me! This issue will be one that I keep by my paper crafting desk and turn to time and time again. Kudos to all the designers and to Paper Crafts magazine for putting together this fabulous issue!
7. Our readers may not know that you design product for Lily Bee Design. Your Head Over Heels collection which debuted at CHA Summer is absolutely wonderful! Is designing product anything like sketching?
Thanks so much! I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to design Head Over Heels. The answer is yes and no. I think that in all elements of design there are some commonalities. Balance, design elements, shape and the ability to envision the end use would be things that designing sketches and product have in common. As for differences, sketches can be quick and drawn with a pencil whereas product design takes a very different direction and continually challenges my digital skills. It is definitely a labor of love.
Julia created a brand new card using one of her sketches (found on page 82) and the Head Over Heels collection from Lily Bee Design.
Julia’s been so kind as to work some magic with her friends at Lily Bee Design, so today we’re offering the Head Over Heels collection to three winners (as well as a copy of Card Ideas for Paper Crafters). Leave a comment here telling us what you found most intriguing about this interview with Julia. All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, August 26.
I think Julia rocks!
Susan
P.S. Cath is announcing her final sketch challenge on Moxie Fab World!
P.P.S. It’s time to announce the winner of Jennifer’s Sketches are Timeless and Versatile post!
Angie B. (Aug. 23, 9:05 a.m.)
Congrats, Angie! Kelly will be contacting you shortly to discuss your prizes and get your mailing address. Thanks to all who left comments!
I didn’t know she was a designer! How awesome!
What intrigued me was that she designs digitally and on paper and puts it all together. Also that she is a designer for Lily Bee designs. Thanks for the oppotunity to win a fab prize…..
I thought it was cool that she is also a designer. I can’t believe she submitted 51 sketches! I have such a hard time coming up with my own, that’s why I love the sketch issues.
Julia’s cards are always so pretty! Thanks for contributing so many sketches to this amazing issue!
I’m amazed she could come up with 51 original sketches to submit! what a talented gal!
It is so nice to learn about your designers. It makes the magazine more personal. Julia amazes me, all those designs! And then when she carries them out they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing her bio and the chance to win.
I had no idea she designed product as well. So cool! I loved everything Lilybee came out with this CHA and Head Over Heels was hands down my fav!!!
So wonderful to hear about her design process. And I didn’t know she was a product designer. Thanks for the chance!
I love Julia’s work! She’s amazing! I love hearing about the design process!
I’ve been following Julia’s blog for a couple of months now, and she does some really amazing things. I enjoy her creativity so much. From her blog, I knew she had submitted some sketches, but did not realize it was 51. Congrats on the 11 that got published.
I enjoyed seeing Julia’s take on her own sketch. Seeing sample cards reminds me I don’t have to follow a sketch exactly.
Wow, love the paper line she designed – beautiful! and her card is gorgeous!
That she submitted 51 sketches! I have a hard time coming up with one!
Wow..These sketches are amazing. I need to run out and get myself a copy of this issue.
WOW! I love Julia’s work and I would be totally thrilled to win the collection she designed! thank yo so much for a chance.
I find it amazing that Julia actually submitted 51 sketches. I think she went on a “sketching rampage”. Ha!!
I’ve followed Julia’s blog for a year or so. I love her style and her sketches are wonderful!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I’ve been an admirer of Julia’s work for years now – she is amazing and the fact that she designs sketches too – WOW!!
It was interesting to get her own take on her work! She is fabulous!
Thank you for the wonderful sketches! What I find most intriguing is that this isn’t a regular task that she does, but something she just really got into! Sounds like creativity must just ooze from her!
I’m in awe that she submitted over 50 sketches! WOW!!!
Copngrats to Julia and all of her sketches making it in the issue! I thought it was interesting that Julia mentioned that once she started working on sketches, it became almost “addictive” and she just couldn’t stop! I get like that sometimes on my projects–I just keep getting new and different ideas and being creative begats more creativity! Way to go Julia!
I like the idea of designing sketches using digital templates/elements. I can’t draw, but this I could actually do!
Wow, you sure worked hard, submitting 51 sketches! What an inspiration!
Love how she was able to use another designers sketch, and put her own spin on it. The tulle and twine are so cute together.
I think 51 sketches was the most interesting, and I can see how once one got started it could be easy to get on a roll and not want to stop!
Julia’s cards always catch my eye! Congrats, Julia, on so many sketches in the new publication. And, I will be checking out those Lily Bee designs, too!
I am amazed that Julia doesn’t sketch on a regular basis. By the looks of her work, I would think she does it all the time!
I didn’t realise Julia is a designer as well as an amazing paper crafter! Can’t wait to see what gorgeous things she comes up with next for Lily Bee!
I think the fact that Julia submitted 51 sketches is amazing! Wow! That’s a lot of great ideas to have all at the same time! I need to grab a copy of Card Ideas so I can see some of her awesome sketches.
I’ve see Julia’s name everywhere, and I did not know that she creates for Lily Bee – love that company, their papers are gorgeous and now I know why!
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I love working with sketches — it gives me that jumping off point where I then get to play with paper, ribbons and flowers and oh so much more!!
WOW! LOVE knowing where all those fab sketches come from! I LOVE sketches…great, GREAT jumping off point! But I also love to see how many people interpret the sketch…it will always amaze me how different projects from the same sketch will look! And I’m sure Susan is cringing at my grammar and punctuation…but I just returned from exercise class and I’m whooped! Grammar is not on my mind right now Susan, SORRY!
Being somewhat digitally impaired, I am amazed that Julia can design sketches in a digital format.
Happy to see that Julia is designing at Lily Bee – that’s awesome! Thanks for the chance to win.
I found it interesting that she doesn’t sketch on a regular basis.
Those are awesome sketches! I’m going to have to make some cards this weekend.
I thought it was interesting what she had to say about designing product and sketches and envisioning the end use.
what I found most intriguing is that she does not sketch on a regular basis and then submitted so many sketches. It’s a great example of ‘anything is possible when you love what you do and put your mind to it.’ Love that!
Wow, beautiful card! And 51 sketches, good job!!! I love lily bee design, what a beautiful new collection! Thank you for sharing.
Katie B.
I like sketch 51. Also love Lilly Bee Design. Thank you for a chanc eto wiwn.
What would we do without awesome designers? I have a hard enough time imagining how to put a sketch to work for me. Wish I had her creativity skills. Thanks for sharing news about her and the opportunity to win.
Wow! very nice Julia! i love love love Lily Bee!
I’ve been following Julia’s blog for a long time and love the say she puts things together and they just work. Her “picket fence” paper was gorgeous, and this looks wonderful, too! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
What a great interview!! I adore Julia’s work, and Head Over Heels was one of my favorite releases this Summer! What I found most intriguing about this interview was her ability to design 51 fresh sketches but be able to design on a daily basis without referencing them, amazing!!!
B-