Jennifer Schaerer
It’s no secret that making handmade cards is a popular hobby for our growing community of paper crafters. And our 10th volume of Card Creations is a shining, creative example of not only the people who create such amazing cards, but also a celebration of ten years in the paper crafting industry for Paper Crafts magazine.
This is only the 4th issue of Card Creations for me since I joined the Paper Crafts team (my first was Volume 7 in 2009), so I can’t exactly go off on a stroll down memory lane and tell you stories about the good ol’ days when the first issue was published. But I can sure fill you in on some fun and interesting things I learned when I looked through all the previous issues and spoke to some fellow editors who worked on the earlier ones.
The first 9 covers of Card Creations
I was absolutely fascinated when I studied the cards in that first volume. Not much variety in the patterned paper, techniques were very limited, and fancy embellishments were non-existent. Lots of brads, eyelets, and torn paper edges though!
These cards were published in Card Creations Volume 1 in 2003
I also loved seeing so many names of creative people who are still very active in the paper crafting community ten years later. The cards above from Volume 1 were created by:
My, how things have changed, right? Not much that’s shabby chic about Margie’s card, Jennifer didn’t stamp A THING on her card, and Donna’s is completely free of mixed media and technique!
Some other interesting facts about each volume of Card Creations:
Volume 1 - Linda Beeson and Jennifer McGuire are the only two people to be published in both this one as well as Volume 10 (and Linda has been published in every single volume!)
Volume 2 – The first time Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Teri Anderson appeared in Card Creations!
Volume 3 – Linda Beeson and Nichole Heady were on the cover, and we got our first glimpse of Layle Koncar’s talent as a designer for Scenic Route (anyone remember that company? I miss them – one of my favorites!)
Volume 4 – Linda Beeson was on the cover again, and in good company with Wendy Anderson (who had the other TWO cards). It was also the first issue in which we saw Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Kim Kesti.
Volume 5 -We got our first peek at the shabby chic style via Melissa Phillips, Betsy Veldman, and Anabelle O’Malley. We also met Kim Hughes and Jessica Witty, who both eventually became Paper Crafts Go-to Gals.
Volume 6 – Becky Olsen, Carolyn King, Heidi Sonbul, and Julia Stainton were first published in Card Creations along with current Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Julie Campbell. We also saw an adorable card from Megan Hoeppner, who was the associate creative editor for Paper Crafts back then and is now creative editor for Creating Keepsakes.
Volume 7 – then newly-hired associate creative editor Susan Opel was published, along with editor P. Kelly Smith and managing editor Brandy Jesperson. We also saw Latisha Yoast, Kimberly Crawford, and Ashley Cannon Newell for the first time. And Kalyn Kepner, who was an editorial intern for Paper Crafts the year prior, had her first Card Creations project published.
Volume 8 – We were delighted to publish Maile Belles, Heidi Van Laar, Nina Brackett, Vanessa Menhorn, Kelly Marie Alvarez, and current Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Windy Robinson for the first time. Two other current Go-to Gals – Betsy Veldman and Julie Campbell – were on this cover.
Volume 9 – Windy Robinson was on this cover (along with Carolyn King and Kelley Eubanks), and we got a peek at the creativity of Chan Vuong, Lindsay Amrhein, Emily Branch, Cristina Kowalczyk, and Erin Lincoln for the first time in Card Creations.
And our tradition of publishing first-timers continued in Volume 10, as Susan Opel shared with you on Tuesday.
But not all the details can be found in the pages of our issues. I’m lucky enough to have the historical memory of a few people who have been here from “way back when,” so I just walk down the hall to visit them when I need to know more. First stop: Jennafer Martin, editor in chief of our sister publication Creating Keepsakes.
Jennafer Martin, now editor in chief of Creating Keepsakes, was the managing editor for Card Creations Volumes 1-5 when she was on the Paper Crafts team
Back when Card Creations Volume 1 was published, our magazine was not yet known as Paper Crafts (look at the cover in the above photo – little tiny Crafts logo in the upper right corner). Jennafer was part of our editorial team when we were still Crafts magazine (which was launched in 1978…yes, NINETEEN SEVENTY EIGHT!). Our publisher recognized the undeniable wave of interest in paper crafting and card making, so Crafts was retired after 26 years and our inaugural issue as Paper Crafts magazine was published in February 2004. And when Card Creations Volume 2 came out later that year, it proudly bore the brand new Paper Crafts logo – and has ever since.
Joannie McBride, an associate editor for Creating Keepsakes, has cards published not only in Volume 2, but also Volume 1, 3, 4 and 5!
After catching up with Jennafer and Joannie, I had to drop in on Stacy Croninger. She was editor in chief of Paper Crafts from late 2004 until the middle of 2008 when she hopped over to our events team and gave me the opportunity to land my dream job following in her footsteps. Her first Card Creations issue was Volume 3:
Stacy Croninger with Card Creations Volume 3
Stacy was invaluable when I first started, filling in the blanks on who did what to whom and when so I didn’t get myself into too much trouble. She’s become a great friend over the years as well, and it’s nice to have her as a marketing partner on the events side of our business.
It’s been a long and winding road to reach this 10 year milestone, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this long and winding blog post to share some of the journey with us. As I said in my editor’s note for Volume 10, this hobby just wouldn’t be the same without the support and engagement of the continuously growing and passionate group of paper crafters in our community. And Card Creations wouldn’t be here without you, so I’d like to say thanks by offering up some copies of Card Creations Volume 10. Let me know in the comments how long you’ve been creating cards with paper, and I’ll choose 10 random winners. Be sure to comment by 5pm MDT tomorrow, Friday May 11 for your chance to win.
Here’s to another 10 years –
P.S. Don’t forget to visit Cath over in the Moxie Fab World today – she’s showing off some trendy cards in Card Creations Volume 10 that feature doilies and lace!
Love the walk down “Card Creations” memory lane. I haven’t crafted in a few months, now I am excited to sit down and get back to work! Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Wow! Card Creations really has come a long way. I’d love to win the new issue. I covet my old issues and will never give them up! Ha, ha!
I have only been creating cards for about 3 yrs. I love playing with the papers and I enjoy reading the Card Creations magazine for inspiration. Thanks for sharing your magazine.
This is so cool to read about the history! Absolutely love it! I started scrapbooking 15 years ago when my oldest son was born and then about a year later starting making cards…so 14 years or so! Love it!!
Wow what a post! I so enjoyed seeing all the issues, seeing all the editors, seeing some of the first cards and the designers! Also loved reading all about Card Creations and it’s journey!!!!!!! :> Here’s to the future!
Oh my! 1978! It took me four more years to reach earth… I felt like watching stars walking by on the red carpet when I saw each of their names called out… Made my first card last year…
Loved seeing the old issues. Now I’m off to figure out how to make the elephant on the cover of issue 7-he is absolutely adorable!! I’ve only been crafting cards for about 4 years or so, but it is so much fun! Thanks for the opportunity to win the new issue!
I’ve been paper crafting for 16 years and it’s been fun to see how my style has change through the years. And my first publication with PC was with Card Creations Vol. 9.
what a FUN post! Once a cardmaker always a cardmaker
I’ve been creating cards for about 8 years or so and scrapbooking since way back when….
I have been making cards for years, starting with scrapbooking in 2000, and have a few of these issues as well. Would love to see Volume 10!!!
My good friend turned me into a “scrapper” about 3 years ago. After about 3 months of learning the “ins” and “outs” to scrapbooking I started to gear more towards cards and paper crafts. I haven’t stopped since!!
It would be scary to try to figure out how long I have been making cards, etc. It’s probably been off and on for 20+ years. man I am old.
I spied those two covers that I had a card on, what a totally fun experience. I just love those issues, so glad you have published them.
That was a nice stroll down memory lane. Thanks for sharing!
I think I started scrapbooking in 2004 (roughly?) and started making cards in 2006. Hard to believe it was that long ago!!!
It’s amazing to see the progression of this craft – you guys are a big part of that. Thanks!
I absolutely loved this post, Jennifer! What a great walk down memory lane. I didn’t missed the first few issues of Card Creations, so it was nice to be officially caught up!
Thanks for the walk down the memory lane. Love it. Can’t wait to get my copy of the magazine.
Loved the look back over the years. Thank you for all the fun little facts!
Great stuff! I have only been making cards for a couple years.
Can’t wait to get this mag! I’ve been crafting ever since I was a kid–but I started making cards/working on DTs in 2009. LOVE it! THANKS for the chance to win:) sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com
well, since i was a little girl actually thanks!
Thank you for the trip down memory lane! I’ve been making my own cards all my life!
I’ve only been making cards for a couple of years. My mom got me into it the way I got her into jewelry.
started making cards three years ago.
I’ve been creating cards probably about 5 years. I’ve been a scapbooker much longer but got into cards when I got my cricut expression.
Thanks for all of the interesting background info. I think I’ve been card making for about 6 years now. I also have issues 6,7,8, & 9 of your Card Creations magazines.
I have so many of these issues–haven’t gotten the new one yet, not sure if it’s quite in the budget this month. But, I’ve been making cards since 1997, and now it’s become a passion/addiction/personal therapy! I never purchase a card–only make them!
I’ve been crafting cars for over 12 years and I must have every issue of Card Creations. Hope I win the volume 10. Thanks for the chance.
I have been card crafting for less than a year, and I love learning from your magazine & special issues!
I love the history of Card Creations…just might be my favorite special ed of PC! So fun to look back—esp at the first ones. My how cardmaking has changed. Awesome post: ) I am so honored to be mentioned…made my day!
I’ve enjoyed making cards for 15+ years – and treasure the inspiration I’ve gained from your publications. Thank you!
I’ve been making handmade cards for just over 30 years! Those first cards were made out of construction paper and magazine cut-outs, but I’ve been using patterned paper, stamps, etc., for the last 20 years or so. I make about 150 cards per year and rarely fail to get excited about the creative process.
I’ve been paper crafting for about 3 years…and I hope to continue for the rest of my life! I just love it
I’ve been making cards off and on for close to 13 years, and have come a long way….
I’ve been creating cards, my fav form of papercrafting, for 3 years. Don’t often attempt publication but it’s a goal for the future!
What a fun post
I have been creating cards for about 7 years with the last 4 being much more dedicated years and one I have learned TONS in. May get brave and attempt publication one of these days. Thanks for the chance to win 
I love, love Card Creations and would love to win. Thank you for all the inspiration you have created for us over the years. I have been a subscriber of Paper Crafts for about ten years(maybe more) and get my juices going whenever it arrives in the mail. I have to immediately look at it -cover to cover. Last year my sister returned to me , cards that I had created in 1978 or so–on my own. I had sent them to my Dad as an invitation and St. Paddy’s Day greeting. I had forgotten about them. The open house invite I had used red construction paper and black for the roof –the shape of our house–and had the door folded open to say OPEN HOUSE inside. I so enjoy creating and love ALL the resources and supplies available now. So—almost 35 years later, I’m still going strong.
I have been making paper cards since I was a kid! (Haven’t we all)
But making this type of cards goes back about 7 years.
PS I miss Scenic Route also!
Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane! I have been card crafting for about 10 years now and hope to continue for another 100!
Thanks for the history of Card Creations! I have been making cards for nearly 50 years! As a girl I always made cards for my family and friends using construction paper and whatever else I could find.
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jennifer! Love today’s newsletter! I have been making cards for 9 years!! I can’t believe it’s been that long….but they do say, time flies when you’re having fun! And I have lots of fun making cards. It’s a totally addictive hobby!!
Have a GREAT day!!
Love seeing the previous magazines and noting how all of our styles change w/ the years. The magazines keep us trending. Mahalo.
I have only become a card maker in the last year and a half but have been a scrapbooker for about four. These magazines are invaluable in all that they share. I would love to win one.
I have a few of these issues, neat walk back…. I would have to say I have been creating for at least 8 years now with paper!
It’s always sweet to take a look back. I do that with my scrapbooks too and hope that I’ve progressed some over those years. I’ve only been cardmaking a few years and actually started with a Paper Crafts challenge. I really should make more than I do! It’s great seeing the changes in PC.
I started my ‘real’ papercrafting when my son was a baby 10 whole years ago…hard to believe! Great post…thanks!
I would say 5 – 6 years Ihave been card making paper crafting. Have enjoyed sending and making each card sent too. Thank you for a great 10 year Anniversary, and my you have many more to come!
Loved looking at all the old covers. I still have some of those magazines. I started making cards about 18-20 years ago as a hobby now I have a small card making business. My how paper products and the companies have grown.
I can’t believe it, but it’s been 18 years now–since I’ve been really into cardmaking and scrapbooking! Thanks for the chance to win this lovely anniversary edition!