Cristina Kowalczyk
Was it really a year ago that I won Gallery Idol? All those mornings of getting up with the sun to see if I had advanced to the next round. All those late nights spent agonizing over whether or not to use a gemstone and where exactly to stamp the sentiment. The eight million photos I took (okay, it wasn’t eight million, but it felt like it) just to end up with one shot that looked good enough to submit. The fervor and camaraderie of the behind-the-scenes messages among the top 20 designers. The stress and the relief. The agony and the ecstasy!
I’ve had opportunities in the last year that I’m pretty sure wouldn’t have come my way if it hadn’t been for Gallery Idol, including being invited to join challenge blogs and design teams that allow me to work alongside some of my own card-making idols. But from the very beginning, the best perk has always been the people I’ve had the chance to meet—people who aren’t only blog friends to me now, but real honest-to-goodness friends.
The new Gallery Idol will be crowned later today and I, for one, am so excited to pass along my title to any one of the amazingly talented top 5. Whoever walks away with it, I wish her nothing but the best and hope she finally gets some sleep without dreaming about household items and interactive cards. A huge congratulations to all the designers this year! And may the wild ride they hopped aboard only continue, like it did for me.
Last but not least, since it’s Paper Crafts Stamp It! Cards week, I’d like to share with you a card of mine that was published in the issue!
Cool Blue Thanks Card by Cristina Kowalczyk on p. 143 of Stamp It! Cards 9
So a big *thanks* for all the support, and I wish the best for the next Gallery Idol! The winner will be announced here on the blog today at 10 am MDT, so make sure to come back to see who it is!
Cristina Kowalczyk, Paper Crafts Gallery Idol 2011 Winner
i can’t wait to see our new card maker idol——-
good luck ladies, good luck!
( i did not know all the perks that come with the title—maybe one day —-one day—-i get to be good enough to be able to participate) double wink! ;P
Love your post, Cristina! I’m excited to see who wins too!!
What a lovely post, Cristina!
Said like a true Gallery Idol. Your reign was a glorious one, my friend.
Love seeing what you make… the next Gallery Idol has big shoes to fill.
Cristina, I am so very glad you won last year. I would like to add to your post above that your Gallery Idol win enabled so many stampers to find your blog and and truly be inspired by your creations. There are many stampers out there that you inspire with each of your posts — many more than you can imagine.
You are ALWAYS my GI winner! This post is so wonderfully written (of course, it’s from THE Cristina)!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and gorgeous published card!
Thank you for all your inspiration Christina. (What a well written and lovely post!)
Lovely post today Christiana! You were amazing as GI! And such lovely words for us top 5! All of us are deserving and talented and I can’t wait to see which one of us are the GI!
Very well stated, Cristina! You are definitely an Idol…to all your followers. The Gallery Idol was amazing again this year ~ so many fabulous creations. The winner totally deserves a BIG hoopla!
Your crown was so well-deserved! Definitely an Idol!
such lovely and true words Cristina! Congratulations on your year as Gallery Idol, you certainly served it well. I love your style!
Oh my goodness . . . this is just the sweetest send off and passing of the crown that I’ve ever read. Cristina, you have an amazing way with words. Amazing writer and a brilliant designer – and adorable to boot!! XOXO
Christina, you are definitely my IDOL! Love your creative and talented style of card making, can’t wait for your next venture in this ‘crafty-world’
Cristina you will always be an idol in my eyes! Thanks for all of your amazing inspiration!
You are such a talented cardmaker. I love your designs.
Love your card.