Courtney Smith

Have you checked out our January/February 2012 issue? It’s chock full of creative ideas including features like; Cure for the Winter Blues, Interactive Valentines, Quick and Easy Valentines and Party Store Finds!

And have you taken a peek at page 81? It’s our January/February sweepstakes! And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s full of some of our favorite crafting goodies! Ten lucky winners will receive an assortment of all-occasion themed products from companies such as Jenni Bowlin Studio, Cosmo Cricket, Practicing Creativity Designs, Crate Paper, Unity Stamp Company, Inkadinkado and Papertrey Ink!

Enter the sweepstakes HERE!

Courtney Smith

We’re a lucky bunch here at Paper Crafts.

Not only do we get to look at inspiring projects created by you lovely readers all the time, but we also live in the mecca of paper crafting. Echo Park, Making Memories, BasicGrey, Cosmo Cricket are all just an hour or so drive away! And that’s just to name a few!

Wednesday afternoon, we were fortunate enough to attend the American Crafts warehouse sale. And boy, did we do some damage.

But what’s a little spending among friends, right?

We had such a good time, and it left us in such a good mood, that we decided to share the wealth! Leave a comment telling us which manufacturer you would most like to visit, and one lucky winner will win this smattering of American Crafts goodies, including two of my favorites: Farmhouse collection by Crate Paper and Margarita by American Crafts. Mmmm delicious! Comments must be received by Monday, November 21st at 5 PM MST.

Farmhouse collection by Crate Paper

Margarita collection by American Crafts

With all those tropical colors, I must be in cruise mode!

Good luck!

P.S. Live in Utah? Here are the details to the sale! Go check it out!

Courtney Smith

Good morning! Welcome to the last day of our 365 Cards week! Can you believe it’s already coming to an end?

Growing up, my favorite month was August. It was my birthday in the beginning of the month, and the end of the month meant new clothes and school supplies! But since then, I have a hard time picking just one favorite!

January is my favorite month because I like making resolutions. Oh, but I also like July. July is my favorite month because it symbolizes summer and pool parties and BBQs. But then again, November is my favorite month because it’s finally cold enough to wear boots and tights and scarves.  Yes, November it is.  But what about March, because who doesn’t like green eggs and ham for St. Patrick’s Day breakfast?! Ok, fine, I can’t pick a favorite month!

Fortunately, we don’t have to pick favorite months because 365 Cards has a card for every occasion, every holiday, and every day of every month! Shout hooray! We asked out top 12 designers from this issue to design a card from each month of the year.

Fun, right? Here’s how to play. Check out each of the blogs below. They’re all giving away a copy of 365 Cards, so make sure to leave a comment! Then skip back here and leave a comment for a chance to win another copy of the issue as well as product for each month of the year! Wait, what?! That’s right! Inside this neat little box is product for every month. The wintry month of January? Check.  April showers or May flowers? You got it. There’s even some gold for the end of your rainbow.

• Chan Vuong
• Kalyn Kepner
• Carly Robertson
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Kelley Eubanks
• Amber Daigre
• Vanessa Menhorn
• Windy Robinson
• Laura Williams
• Betsy Veldman
• Teri Anderson
• Julia Stainton

What?! A mystery box? Ok, I’ll give you a hint (or ten): The box includes some of our favorite manufacturers. Echo Park, Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket, Close To My Heart, Bella Blvd., DCWV, Karen Foster, American Crafts, We R Memory Keepers, and BoBunny! Whew! That was a lot! Comments must be received by midnight MST on Sunday evening!

Good luck!

P.S. Did you know that it’s Moxie Fab World‘s blogiversary tomorrow?! Happy three years! Check it out tomorrow morning to see what Cath has in store to celebrate!

Cath Edvalson

If you joined Susan and me on the Paper Crafts and Moxie Fab World Facebook Fan Pages during CHA itself, and if you’ve been hangin’ around the Moxie Fab World blog during CHA Week last week, you know what fun we’ve all had in, on, and around CHA Summer.

As trends editor at Paper Crafts magazine, it’s my job to make sure that our publications are on trend–which translates to stay super inspiring–which is why I pore over the product the way I do. And once all is said and done, I put together a post which highlights the 12 major trends from each show in my semi-annual Trends by the Dozen post.

So, without further ado, here are the trends that rose to the top, IMHO. They are here to inform you, to inspire you, and to help us all calibrate where our interests and tastes lie in the grand scheme of this ever-evolving industry which we all love so much.

Ready? Set! Scroll!

A trend that continues show after show after show is vintage. I sometimes wonder what it says about our present that is causing our incredibly strong desire to revisit the past visually. Here are some of the best examples of this mainstay trend from this particular show:

Manufacturers represented: Darcie's, Stampendous, Tim Holtz, and Cosmo Cricket

Perhaps related to our desire to return to a simpler time in the vintage trend, what I’m calling the Country and Western trend. There were two lines with the name “Farmhouse,” two major western lines, and more farm and country influences than I could count. Check it:

Manufacturers represented: October Afternoon, KI Memories, My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper, Webster's Pages, Little Yellow Bicycle, and Studio Calico

And while past trends such as banners, doilies, lace, music, cameras, rulers, chevrons (especially as B sides), bakers’ twine, and yes, even owls, are still going strong, the cameo trend, which was so prevalent at CHA Winter, was too rampant not to mention again this time:

Manufacturers represented: American Crafts, Melissa Frances, My Little Shoebox, Studio Calico, Webster's Pages, Maya Road, and Pink Paislee.

Speaking of popular, lasting trends, the sewing trend was honed by focusing on spools and spool tops:

Manufacturers represented: Wendy Vecchi, Jillibean Soup, Pink Paislee, and Maya Road

There are always a handful of icons that are featured at each show. Here are the trendies from this one, beginning with typewriters:

Manufacturers represented: Maya Road and Jillibean Soup

…eyeglasses:

Manufacturers represented: Imaginisce and Pink Paislee

…and feathers:

Manufacturers represented: EK Success and American Crafts

Maps have made their way to the center stage as a design element:

Manufacturers represented: Unity Stamp Company, American Crafts, Inkadinkado, and Teresa Collins Designs

…while the runaway pattern of the show was hexagons:

This paper from Studio Calico is a moxie fab example of this trend!

There were a lot of French influences at the show:

Manufacturers represented: Glitz Design, Die Cuts With a View, Teresa Collins Designs, Darcie's, Prima, and Stampendous

…and one of my favorite trends, what I’m call the retro family trend, reminds me a lot of the television show Mad Men:

Manufacturers represented: Cosmo Cricket, Unity Stamp Company, Suzanne Carillo, October Afternoon, and Pink Paislee

And apparently, this year we want our Christmas lines to be strictly traditional. In fact, most of the lines we saw utilized just the basic Christmas colors–red, green, and lots and lots of black:

Manufacturers represented: Graphic 45, Little Yellow Bicycle, Teresa Collins Designs, Melissa Frances, Webster's Pages, and Cosmo Cricket

So there you have it, friends. The trends that seemed to speak the loudest to me at the show. What do you think? Which are your favorites? Which could you do without? Which can you see yourself actually incorporating into your designs? I’d love to hear the answers to any and all of these questions. And to thank you for taking the time to do so, I’ll offer one lucky (something really trendy and fun from the collections we have on hand.) Just leave a comment by midnight (MDT) on Thursday, Aug. 11 and maybe you will be the winner! 

I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em,
Cath

P.S. Our brand new special issue, Card Ideas for Paper Crafters officially goes on sale today! Look for our fun online promotion (both here and on the Moxie Fab World blog) the week of Aug. 22-26. Get ready for this sketch-filled issue by hopping over to the Skipping Stones Design web site. Go-to Gal Teri Anderson is their the guest sketch designer and will be posting a new sketch there every Tuesday during the month of August!

It’s time for another Go-to Challenge with the Paper Crafts Go-to-Gals!

Today, the Go-to Gals are sharing projects made with Cosmo Cricket product.

Hop over to the blogs of:

• Teri Anderson
• Julie Campbell
• Kim Kesti
• Jennifer McGuire
• Windy Robinson
• Betsy Veldman

~The Paper Crafts Team

Courtney Smith

Several Paper Crafts editors and Go-to Gals are at the Crafts & Hobby Association’s (CHA) Summer Show.

If you’re anything like the rest of us (who stayed behind), you’re longingly checking our Facebook page multiple times a day, catching up on all the CHA inspiration. We feel your pain.

And while viewing product from your computer screen isn’t quite the same as walking the red carpet of crafting, these releases are cute enough to make you forget your sorrow. Momentarily.

Sweet As Can Be die, Papertrey Ink:

I don’t need another reason to love ice cream, but if I did, this would be it!

 Postage Stamp Nestabilities, Spellbinders:

Check out Kimberly Crawford’s cute card using this stamp die!

Dear Mr. Clause Gift Tags, Cosmo Cricket:

I’m of the belief that Christmas music should be kept on hold until after Thanksgiving, but this new holiday line has me humming a Christmas tune.

Clear To See stamp set, Lawn Fawn:

These specs make me wish I wore glasses!

Leave a comment telling us what product you’re most excited about, and we’ll pick two lucky winners to win this stamp set courtesy of Lawn Fawn! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, July 22.

Courtney

P.S. Stay tuned for CHA Week on the Moxie Fab World blog. Trends editor Cath Edvalson will be spotlighting even more new product and trends the week of August 1-5. It’s one moxie fab party you won’t want to miss!

Renae Curtz

Believe it or not, but today is National Gray Day! A day devoted to a color that most of us think we could live without. Does Grecian formula ring any bells?

As I write this, I can peer over my gray cubicle walls to the outside world that is equally gray. Hmm…Sounds like a pretty somber way to start a post, but hang with me for a second. I’ve got gray inspiration that will have you thinking a little differently about this color!

I have a confession to make. About 60% of my wardrobe is gray! I love that the color is so versatile – you can pair it with almost any color. Really, you can!

For instance, here’s a little gray love from Jolio Design. Couldn’t you see a hand-stamped card with this same layout using a masking technique? Or perhaps stamping on the card base topped with layered, dimensional die-cuts?

Another example of a beautiful use of this color is the Upcycle collection from Cosmo Cricket. The combination of yellow and gray is so fun and trendy.

In our January/February 2011 issue we did an entire feature entitled, Gray is the New Black. Check out Tiffany Johnson’s yellow and gray Lavish Love Card:

So what’s your take on the color gray? Do you love it as much as I do? Please brighten an otherwise gray day with a comment or two!

Happy Gray Day!
Renae

Creating paper crafted projects to thank those special people that keep the office running smoothly is easier than ever with all of the office-themed products available. Have you heard the chatter around the water cooler? From typewriters to ledger papers to paper clips, office products are hot!

Take a look at these fun goods… 

From Cosmo Cricket’s Circa 1934 collection:

From Crate Paper’s Emma’s Shoppe collection:

From Echo Park’s For the Record collection:

Bella Blvd’s Midterm collection:

My Favorite Things’ Typewriter Alphabet stamp set:

And speaking of My Favorite Things’ stamps, here’s a bit of office gossip for you…I created a card befitting the day using a brand new, soon-to-be-released stamp set called Just My Type (available May 3 from My Favorite Things). Shhhh…you didn’t hear it at this water cooler! 

And you might want to stick around, because this gossip’s about to get a whole lot juicier! My Favorite Things is offering up a $25 voucher to their store to one commenter! Leave a comment telling me about your favorite office supply to use in paper crafting — whether it be office-inspired or an actual office product — and I’ll choose one winner for the MFT voucher! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Thursday, April 28.

Betsy Veldman,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal

P.S. Want more office inspiration? Hop over to my blog and I’ll show you a project or two that I created using some real-life office supplies.

Susan R. Opel

Pair flip-flops and ocean air with creativity and delicious paper crafting product and you’ve got magic! We’re so excited for the Paper Crafts Cruise we can hardly stand it!

On top of fabulous dining, exotic destinations, and breathtaking ocean views, you’ll create unique projects and learn new techniques with Paper Crafts editors and still have time to explore the ports of Cozumel, Belize, Isla Roatan, and Grand Cayman.

If you haven’t already signed up for this delightful get-away, I’m here to entice you with some of the fun classes you can take while we venture around the Caribbean come November 5-12, 2011 on Carnival’s lovely lady Liberty! We’ve got eight great classes planned for participants and given the time of year, Christmas is definitely on our minds.

Jolliest of Holiday Wishes – Add that personal touch by creating and sending family and friends a hand-stamped holiday greeting card that is sure to wow and delight the recipient! Class participants will stamp 25 delightful greeting cards created using the latest and greatest product from manufacturers such as Cosmo Cricket and Unity Stamp Company.

All Wrapped up for the Holidays – Giving the perfect gift will be even more meaningful this year when wrapped in handmade and hand-stamped boxes and bags designed specifically for holiday gift-giving. Five beautifully designed bags and boxes can serve as a delightful holiday centerpiece, excellent hostess gift wrap, or party favor packaging.

Adding the Finishing Touch with Tags – You’ve wrapped the gift, tied the bow and now all that’s left is that stunning final touch, the tag! We’ll be creating a dozen wonderful tags that can be used on packages, as decoration for your tree, or can be used as an instant embellishment on a holiday card.

But it’s not JUST about Christmas. We’ll be basking in the sun, so it’s only fitting that we make pretty paper crafted stuff for the whole year through. We’ll be so relaxed and having a load of fun!

Colorful Congratulations Card Set – Participants will create five fun monochromatic congratulations cards (to keep or give as a gift) using the versatile Sophisticates By Stephanie collection from Bella Blvd. Each card is created based on sketches that will appear in Go-to Sketches for Card Makers - a special issue of Paper Crafts magazine.

Everybody Loves a Birthday Card Set – The It’s the Little Things collection from Fancy Pants will inspire a birthday card for everyone on your list! We’ll create five cards to give to a variety of celebrants in a classy & elegant style as seen in Card Style – a special issue of Paper Crafts magazine. Learn what makes a card a certain style and determine which style fits you best!

Many Thanks Card Set – Show how much you care with a thoughtful thank you card. In this class, you’ll create five lovely thank you cards using the wildly popular and ever so gorgeous Portrait collection from Crate Paper. Explore your shabby chic side and learn the freedom of creating cards from a sketch.

Bright & Cheery All Occasion Card Set – It may be November, but we’re soaking up the sun in this class using the cheery Summer Days collection from Echo Park. You’ll create five cards to brighten someone’s day just because. And get ready to rock your fun & cute style, cuz we’re on a cruise, right? And what’s more fun than that?

Banners and Boxes and Birthdays, Oh My! – Create a bright, fun and welcoming birthday banner using Cosmo Cricket’s Social Club collection and Fancy Pants chipboard pennants. You’ll also be creating eight treat boxes, eight thank you notes, and eight napkin rings for a total of 33 elements!

So what are you waiting for? It will be the time of your life, and you deserve a little time away, right? And not only will you have an amazing time and meet new friends, you can have a head start on your holiday crafting!

You can find the cruise schedule here, and you can book your cruise here.

Leave a comment telling me which class(es) appeal to you most and what would be your favorite part about taking a cruise with Paper Crafts magazine!

Come cruisin’ with us!
Susan

P.S. Just a reminder that voting for your favorite Stamping Royalty Honorable Mention ends today at noon (MDT). Click HERE to cast your vote! And come back here tomorrow to see which designer takes home a $450 prize package!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Freebie Friday! As if this week couldn’t get any more exciting (did you see yesterday’s GO-TO GAL ANNOUNCEMENT?), we’re counting down to our 350 Cards & Gifts Week.

Beginning on Monday, we’re celebrating our latest special issue, 350 Cards & Gifts. It features personalized gifts of all types to give to family, friends and anyone else you’d like to acknowledge in your life. You’ll find marvelous ideas for card sets, gift cards, gift wraps, food wraps, home décor and gifts.

In addition to having a ton of fun here, we’re partnering with trends editor Cath Edvalson and the Moxie Fab World blog. Between both sites, we’ll be spotlighting projects from the issue, hosting some creative challenges and doing daily giveaways (including issues!).

Click on the cover image to order your copy today!

Today I thought I would spotlight three of my favorite projects from this issue. (Trying to pick three favorites out of 368 projects was no easy feat!) Check it:

Card Sets: Betsy Veldman's Cherry Pie Note Card Set looks good enough to eat!

Gift Wraps: Lucy Abrams' Silly Birthday Tags are indeed silly, but oh so cute!

Home Decor: Julia Stainton's Canvas Welcome Banner would brighten any entryway or mantle.