Lisa Johnson

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P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Even though we’re still a few days away from Thanksgiving, a massive snowstorm blew in this weekend reminding us that Santa Claus will be here very soon. Luckily, a few of us magazine editors are well-prepared because we just swapped Christmas tags at our monthly card group.

Our little group (which just celebrated its one-year anniversary!) met at Jennifer’s house on Saturday. Since there’s always so much going on in December, we deliberately don’t meet this month – which means we swap Christmas tags in November. We each made 12 tags of the same design, swapped them with our fellow card group members and took home 12 different designs. I know I’m a little bit bias, but I think our tags are gorgeous!

Here's all of our lovely Christmas tags...just waiting to be swapped!

After we swap cards/tags, I like to have some crafty activity prepared for us to do. In the past we’ve paper crafted calendars, wooden picture frames, recipe books, gift bags, magnet boards, treat containers, etc. Since we’ve been meeting for a while now, it’s getting harder and harder to come up with new activities that are not only fun, but can be completed in a couple of hours. Lucky for me, I stumbled across this inspiring blog post from designer Lisa Johnson. Her little holiday planners immediately put me in the Christmas spirit and made me think, “Let’s make these in card group!”

Lisa Johnson's cute holiday planner was all the inspiration I needed.

Lisa Johnson's holiday planner was all the inspiration I needed!

The icing on the cake is I just happen to stock up on composition books during all the back-to-school sales. I found them for 53 cents a piece! What’s great about this project is you can adapt it for so many occasions. In addition to holiday planners, these make great journals (pregnancy/weight loss/travel), sketch books, appointment books, etc.

Once again we gathered in Jennifer's cozy dining room to unleash our creativity.

I had everyone bring their favorite Christmas-themed paper and I provided the “Christmas Lists” title and the stamped envelopes that said “Coupons” and “Receipts”. (Just paste the envelopes in the front and back covers!) And it was so fun incorporating a pen into the design of the planner. Who doesn’t need a pen when they’re making their “naughty” and “nice” lists!

Here's Brenda and her completed holiday planner.

Here's Brenda and her festive holiday planner.

Sarah and Brandy show off their cute planners and Brandy's baby bump!

The Three Musketeers (Jennifer, Beth and Tracy) proudly display their planners.

Megan arrived a little late to the party, so she missed our fun activity. She kindly agreed to stand up with me to show you the "before" and "after" look.

So there you have it…November’s card group is in the bag! If you’re itching to do a fun project, I highly recommend these cute holiday planners. Why not make a whole bunch and give them away? Tis the season, after all!

Happy Monday!
Kelly

P. S. It’s time to announce the two winners from my Freebie Friday – I’m Thankful For… post!

1. Kellie B. (Nov. 22, 12:43 p.m.)
2. dahlhousedesigns (Nov. 21, 5:27 p.m.)

Congrats, winners! You each won Reminisce’s Autumn Forest collection! I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!

P.P.S. There’s still time to upload your holiday treat containers to our November Gallery Challenge! Three winners will receive a 1-year subscription to Paper Crafts (or a special issue of their choice) and be featured on this blog on Monday, Dec. 7. You better act fast…this challenge ends at midnight (MDT) tonight. Click here for the details!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday! I hope everyone is in full Halloween countdown mode. Like I mentioned last Friday, here at Paper Crafts, we’re anxiously counting down the days until we can reveal our team costume. It’s going to be a real scream! (Hint: That may be a clue!)

Since little gremlins will soon be creeping up your walkway, I thought I would bring in an expert on all things Halloween. With two of her four daughters celebrating birthdays near this frightfully fun holiday, I just knew she would have some spooktacular ideas to share. Not to mention, I’m just batty for this designer, and have been wanting to spotlight her for many moons now…

So without further ado, let’s get to know the bewitching Lisa Johnson!

Lisa Johnson

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Alaska – the Chugiak/Eagle River area. I was born in California though, and spent a lot of time there also.

2. Do you work outside the home? If so, what do you do?

Nope, but I volunteer in schools and am very involved in my church.

3. If a movie were to be made of your life, who would you cast to play the part of you?

My girls wouldn’t hesitate to say Reese Witherspoon – with brown hair. (I don’t see any resemblance beyond us both being short.) I can’t imagine them making such a boring movie though. LOL!

4. What song would you choose as the theme song for your life?

I have to laugh…my girls screamed out the theme from Mission Impossible! LOL! (Should I be offended?) I think it’s more like Singin’ in the Rain. I do try to find the happy in life.

5. What is one thing most people would be surprised to hear about you?

Most people are surprised when they hear me sing…I have a very full alto voice. My talking voice is more on the Minnie Mouse end of the spectrum!

6. What/who inspired you to start paper crafting?

My good friend Joan invited me over for a stamping party…that was the beginning of it all!

7. What is your biggest paper crafting challenge?

Scrapbooking! I’ve just never found my groove. I recently took a great photography class so that might change!

8. If you were only allowed two items to create a card beside cardstock and adhesive, what would they be?

ONLY TWO? Sheesh…Okay, um…stamps (and ink since you have to have ink to stamp, right? So they really are one in the same!) and a synthetic sponge. I usually add depth by lightly sponging my cardstock edges. LOVE IT!

Lisa Johnson's Swirl Boo Card

9. What is your favorite occasion or holiday to paper craft and why?

This may sound strange but I love Just Because. There is something so inspiring about creating a project for someone with the sheer intention of brightening their day!

10. How would you describe your style?

This is always a hard question for me to answer…I don’t think I have a specific style. I like clean and simple, vintage, detailed, glam…I pretty much love it all! I’ve heard recently from my friends that my style is clean and classy though.

Lisa Johnson's Boo Treat Box

11. When is your favorite time to craft?

After lunch and reaaaaaaly late at night!

12. What sort of music do you listen to while crafting?

None! I start dancing and singing and can’t create or design. I do listen to audio books and watch movies though.

13. How does your family participate in your paper crafting passion?

Well, the mere fact that I have four daughters sort of answers that! I have supplies set aside in a drawer just for them, and an area in my studio. We make everything from cards for their friends to birthday gifts. We are a bunch of busy bees!

14. When it comes to calls and deadlines, how do you keep yourself organized?

I print them and put them in order on a clipboard that I hang from my studio desk. I also add the dates to my computer calendar and send myself e-mail reminders the morning of the call so I don’t forget to actually submit my projects! I pretty much assume I will forget unless it’s e-mailed in a reminder to me…so I do it with every appointment and deadline!

15. Do you remember what Paper Crafts issue your first project appeared in? How has your style changed since then?

Oh my…this really ages me! My first project ever published was for the 2005 Stamping Royalty Card Contest. I think my style may have become just a little more detailed since then.

16. Have you contributed to any design teams in the past or present? If so, which ones?

Yes, I currently work on the following design teams:

Marvy Uchida
Hampton Art
Papertrey Ink (Senior DT and Illustrator)

I have been blessed to be able to work with We R Memory Keepers, Webster’s Pages and Prism. I’ve also done contract work for Tsukineko, 7gypsies and a few other manufacturers.

17. Name three designers whose styles you like and why they appeal to you.

Debbie Olson – Everything Debbie creates is so full of depth and exudes a solid sense of design. I’ve watched her for so many years in awe. Her work is full and decadent!
Nichole Heady – When I first started being published, a friend pointed out to me how amazing this Paper Crafts designer was. I started taking notice and fell in love with her immaculate and innovative creations. Always perfection in paper!
Melissa Phillips - Have you ever seen someone’s style that was so different from your own and fell in love? Melissa’s warm, eclectic, vintage touches and candy sweet creations exude her equally sweet personality. Guiltless pleasure!

18. Do you have any advice/tips for someone who’s never been published or who wants to submit for the first time?

The best thing to realize is that just because it’s not picked up doesn’t mean it’s not good! Have faith in your work and keep trying. It just might not have met the editorial needs at that time.

19. Do you have a blog or online gallery? If so, please provide the URL.

I do have a blog (www.poppypaperie.typepad.com). Please hop on over!

Thanks, Lisa! Your Halloween projects are simply boo-tiful! If any of you are looking for something sweet to put in your treat containers, make sure you check out Lisa’s “Spooky Sweets” post. Leave a comment for Lisa here and I’ll pick three lucky winners to win a sweet surprise! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Here’s to the sweet life!
Kelly

P.S. If you’ve been inspired by Lisa’s Halloween projects, why not make your own and upload them to our October Gallery Challenge? The deadline is midnight (MDT) tonight, so don’t delay!

P.P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Cath’s Meet Our New Graphic Designer post and the three winners from my Boo Crew post!

Cath’s winners:

1. Darlene L. (Oct. 22, 4:20 p.m.)
2. Connie Wright (Oct. 22, 3:50 p.m.)
3. Shari (Oct. 22, 3:23 p.m.)

My winners:

1. Kelly (Oct. 23, 7:40 p.m.)
2. Sharon (Oct. 23, 3:50 p.m.)
3. Denali (Oct. 23, 2:38 p.m.)

Congrats, winners! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly to get your mailing addresses and discuss your prizes. Thanks to all who left comments!

Welcome Go-to Gal, Maren Benedict!

July 14, 2009 in Uncategorized

Tags: Amy Rohl, Anabelle O'Malley, Card Creations: Volume 7, Cath Edvalson, Cosmo Cricket, Jacksonbelle Embellishments, Lisa Johnson, Lizzie Anne Designs, March/April 2009 issue, Maren Benedict, Paper Crafts Go-to Gal, Paper Crafts magazine, Stamp It! Cards, Unity Stamp Company

271 comments

Cath Edvalson

I’m pleased as punch to introduce you to moxie fab Go-to Gal Maren Benedict! Maren made a big splash in our world when she started submitting just a short year ago making five first-timer appearances in our March/April 2009 issue, followed immediately by 13 appearances in our special issue Stamp It! Cards.

She’s living proof that not only can you get published in the pages of our magazine, but you can jump from first-timer to rising star to Go-to Gal in just a few short months.

Maren’s approach to paper crafting is fresh and fun. She uses colors in innovative ways and she has a great eye for balance in design. She has a clean and graphic approach to stamping that is very hip, and though this may sound crazy, she has a way of incorporating ribbon into a design that makes me gasp with delight.

Shall we get to know Maren a little better?

Go-to Gal Maren Benedict!

1. Where did you grow up? Although I was born in Binghamton, NY, I spent the majority of my childhood in Auburn, WA.

2. Do you work outside the home? If so, what do you do? Some quarters I teach night classes at the local community college in the Early Childhood Education department.

3. If a movie were to be made of your life, who would you cast to play the part of you? My part would probably be played by some unknown actress. Perhaps this would be her breakthrough roll!

4. What song would you choose as the theme song for your life? Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”

5. What is one thing most people would be surprised to hear about you? My first son (now 13) was born in Japan with the help of a translator!

6. What/who inspired you to start paper crafting? A dear friend invited me to join a monthly stamping club. Although I wasn’t very interested, I said yes, and now look where I am!

7. What is your biggest paper crafting challenge? Time is my biggest crafting challenge. I often plan for hundreds of cards but never seem to have enough time in the day to make them all! It also wouldn’t hurt to have a little cleaning elf that makes sure my crafting area is clean.

8. If you were only allowed two items to create a card beside cardstock and adhesive, what would they be? I would have a hard time making anything without patterned paper and ribbon!

This Rainbow Stripes Card appears on p. 16 of Card Creations, Volume 7 . See what I mean with the ribbon?

This Rainbow Stripes Card appears on p. 16 of Card Creations, Vol. 7. See what I mean with the ribbon?

9. What is your favorite occasion or holiday to paper craft and why? I love crafting for Halloween. There are such fun images and great colors! Plus, Halloween is an unexpected time to send a card. I love surprising people!

10. How would you describe your style? I am mostly a clean and simple crafter. I like to play around with little details and different designs, but tend to have few layers.

Flourish Halloween Card in Card Creations, Volume 7, p. 95

Flourish Halloween Card from Card Creations, Vol. 7, p. 95

11. When is your favorite time to craft? I craft late into the evening/early morning when all my boys are sleeping. This started as a necessity and has since turned into a habit.

12. What sort of music do you listen to while crafting? I love the silence when I craft at night. Silence is rare in my house of boys!

13. How does your family participate in your paper crafting passion? My youngest son (4) has his own craft desk with bins of supplies that I don’t use or are retired. All three of them make their own cards for family and friends.

14. When it comes to calls and deadlines, how do you keep yourself organized? I primarily use my Google calendar to keep track of dates. I love how it e-mails me updates of what I want to get done each day. I need those reminders!

15. Do you remember what Paper Crafts issue your first project appeared in? How has your style changed since then? My first Paper Crafts publication was in March/April 2009. My style continues to subtly evolve. I have become more comfortable with adding embellishments and sewing on my creations.

I had such an emotional reaction to this card when I saw it come through the submissions judging that I called my daughter over to the computer so she could see it, too.

I had such an emotional reaction to this card when it came through the submissions judging that I called my daughter over to the computer so she could see it, too.

16. What are you looking forward to most about being a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal? I am most excited about working with the editors and staff of Paper Crafts, as well as the other Go-to Gals. Surrounding myself with such inspiring people motivates me to push myself in new directions.

17. Have you contributed to any design teams in the past or present? If so, which ones? I am currently on the Unity Stamp Company and Lizzie Anne Designs design teams. I have also been on the Cosmo Cricket and Jacksonbelle Embellishments design teams.

18. Name three designers whose styles you like and why they appeal to you.

Anabelle O’Malley has such an elegant style. She can magically find that perfect balance of adding details/embellishments without creating something overdone.
Amy Rohl is so creative. She plays with colors and makes creations that are pleasing to the eye.
Lisa Johnson has a clean and classic style. She artfully integrates patterns and color in unique ways. Her work is inspiring!

19. Do you have any advice/tips for someone who’s never been published or who wants to submit for the first time? Just do it! And keep doing it! Remember that we each have our own style so don’t think you have to change what you do for publications. Be true to yourself and your creations and it will happen!

Be sure and stop by Maren’s blog and check out all her fun ideas—but leave her a comment here before you go! I’ll pick one random winner to receive this ”delightful” prize package, courtesy of Unity Stamp Company. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Wednesday, July 15. The winner will be announced on Thursday’s blog.