
Susan R. Opel
Card Creations, Volume 8 is chock-full of inspiration. But the cool thing is that you don’t even have to OPEN the issue to be inspired. There are three great projects right on the cover to get you started!
Today, we’re going to get a little behind-the-scenes look at the cards on the cover from the designers themselves!
Cover Girls Julie Campbell, Alicia Thelin and Betsy Veldman will reveal their reactions to making the cover, the inspiration for their amazing cards, as well as a few paper crafting tips and tricks!
Take it away, ladies!

- Julie Campbell
Julie says, “One of the themes for Card Creations 8 was friendship. My best friend and I are country girls through and through, and I tried capturing that personality in my design. I wanted this card to feel as comfy as a pair of worn-in jeans or cowboy boots but still very feminine. I love creating homemade embellishments, and I made the flower on my card out of a strip of denim fabric. Here’s a video tutorial in case you would like to make one of your own flower embellishments!

Julie's Hey Girl Friend Card can be found on p. 63.
If you would have told me a few years ago that I would be published, I probably would have laughed in your face! I just want to encourage anyone out there who has ever had the desire to submit their work to go for it! It’s like any other goal that you might set for yourself. You’ve just got to give it your best, dust yourself off and if you don’t succeed at first, then try it again. I love the fact that Paper Crafts only accepts blind submissions. Everyone has an equal opportunity to be published, and that someone just might be you!”
What was your reaction when you found out your card would be on the cover?
Oh wow! I was so ecstatic! One of my goals for this year was to be on the cover of a magazine, and I’m not sure I actually believed it could happen. Just knowing that I can share my art with so many people is completely exciting, yet humbling at the same time.

Alicia Thelin
Alicia says, “As I was creating my card, the image of the stylized girl holding the gift in such a teasing manner made me feel like a kid waiting for a birthday present. Knowing that this image is part of a ‘holiday’ collection didn’t deter me in the least. I’m all about finding the untapped potential in all paper crafting product. Want to know something funny? This card was a last minute creation. I’d been working on submissions for the entire day, and this was an afterthought. Literally. It just goes to show you that you NEVER know what the editors will want. This card took me minutes to make, and ta-da…COVER!”

Alicia's For You Stripes Card can be found on p. 15.
What was your reaction when you found out your card would be on the cover?
Shall I quote my e-conversation with Susan? Here it is in a nutshell:
Susan: “Alicia, congratulations! Your card has been chosen to be on the cover of Card Creations, Volume 8!”
Alicia: “Shut the front door!!! Seriously?!”
Susan: “Is this your first cover?”
Alicia: “No, I just get so excited each time!”
Followed by: A perma-grin and a call to my sister. Best kind of day e-vah.

Betsy Veldman
Betsy says, “I love vintage paper goods…old magazines, books, sheet music and of course, postcards. The patterned paper I used on this card reminded me of the writing on the back of an old postcard. So, I pulled out a stamp that resembled a postage cancellation stamp, a postage stamp die and a fun (and fitting!) sentiment stamp.”

Betsy's It's Been Too Long Card can be found on p. 84.
What was your reaction when you found out your card would be on the cover?
Wooohoooo! My usual card making style is kind of shabby, layered and detailed…a style that doesn’t typically fit in with the clean and graphic types of projects that are chosen for the cover, so I was pretty excited.
Betsy continues, “Card Creations is my absolute very favorite issue to work on! I love the freedom of just creating all sorts of cards for whatever occasions my heart desires, and this one is a goodie! I’ve been pouring over it since I got my copy, and I’m so inspired by all of the projects!”
Since Card Creations, Volume 8 is so inspiring, we thought we’d get three of you on the road to creativity. Three winners will each win – Jillibean Soup’s Lentil Soup collection (used on Julie’s card) Cosmo Cricket’s Jolly by Golly collection(used on Alicia’s card) and Papertrey Ink’s Big & Bold Wishes stamp set (used on Betsy’s card) and a copy of Card Creations, Volume 8!
Tell us which types of cards you struggle the most to make. Once you get your hands on this issue, we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to overcome that card making challenge of yours! Leave your comment by midnight (MDT) on Wednesday, May 26, and you might just win!

Three lucky winners will take home this cover girl prize package!
Susan
P.S. Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Kim Hughes was so inspired by the CC8 cover, she created three new cards! Click HERE to see her interpretation of Julie, Alicia and Betsy’s designs!