Groovin’ with the Go-to-Gals – DIY Stick Pins

Teri Anderson

I pride myself on being a Do-It-Yourself kind of gal.

Well, at least when it comes to paper crafting. Let’s not talk about my ongoing bathroom rehab project!

I find it real fulfilling to raid my crafty stash every so often and make a few unique embellishments for my cards and paper crafting projects.

Most recently, I’ve been making stick pins. You don’t need a whole lot to make a pretty stick pin.

You just need a few beads, scraps of ribbon, paper and stick pins.

The easiest way to decorate up a pin is to add beads to it.

Here are two I recently made:

I started with pins with pearls already on them. Corsage pins in the floral department of most craft stores work great for this.

I applied a thin layer of glue to the pins. I prefer Super Glue. It is clear and really strong. And since I intended to use them on a card and not a scrapbook page, I did not have to worry about things being acid-free.

Then, I added a few beads. I was able to use the pins right away to make this card:

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also use ribbon and paper to make pretty pins.

I made the ribbon pin here by adding a bead to the pin. I then folded the ribbon and poked the pin through the ribbon over and over.

I made the pink pin with patterned paper. I randomly pierced holes in a strip of patterned paper and then wove the pin through them. I added a small dab of glue at the bottom of the paper, just to keep things nice and tight.

When I was finished, I put the pins on this card:

Have you made any fun embellishments lately?

Leave a comment here by midnight (MDT) on Thursday, April 15 and you could win one of two packs of beaded pins made by me. You’ll also get a copy of Paper Crafts’ May/June 2010 issue that has an excellent feature on DIY embellishments. For this feature’s two online bonus projects, click HERE for Sherry Wright’s Spring Fence Wall Hanging and HERE for Vanessa Menhorn’s Happy Birthday to You Card.

Teri Anderson,
Paper Crafts Go-to-Gal

P.S. Have a paper-crafting question that has you stumped? Send it to gotogals@papercraftsmag.com and it could be answered and published in a future issue. If your question is selected, we’ll send you a complimentary magazine! Disclaimer: Due to the large quantity of questions we received, not all will be answered.

A Go-to Sketch Quest and Eternal Inspiration

Susan R. Opel

I can’t remember the last time I was so inspired! Last Tuesday I cruised around the Go-to Gals & Friends Blog Hop like many of you, and what a spectacular hop it was! Seeing so many different styles and takes on each sketch was like unwrapping gift after gift at an extravagant birthday party.

That night I opened Go-to Sketches and marked over 20 sketches that I can’t wait to use. The funny thing is that I’ve worked on this issue since its inception last September, but seeing your reactions has been so exciting. I’ve created an album on Facebook where I’ll share my Go-to Sketches Quest.

And you know what? I really needed this push. I’m afraid I’ve become more of a supply collector, organizer and purger than an actual paper crafter. It’s been a long time since I set up a challenge for myself (honestly, I haven’t had a good goal for myself since I tried out for Creating Keepsakes magazine’s Hall of Fame and Scrapbooker of the Year contests). There’s a bit of a misconception that we are creating cards in the office every day. And the answer to that is: not so. There’s much to do in our corporate office environment.

Here’s a card I created for my Go-to Sketches Quest.

It’s based on Go-to Gal Teri Anderson’s sketch on pg. 16.

While I know that this special issue with 66 sketches will keep me busy for a while, you can be assured that the ideas will never run out. Go-to Sketches is actually based on a regular column in the magazine. Each issue offers two new sketches and ten examples of the sketches in use (eight in the magazine and 2 online). As a matter of fact, here is one of the sketches in the May/June 2010 issue that is officially on sale today!

I love this sketch (designed by Go-to Gal Jessica Witty), especially for the balanced design. By using the rule of thirds, the sentiment ends up in the “sweet” spot in the bottom right third of the card front.

And as you learned last week in this post over at the Moxie Fab World blog, sketches can be turned every which way! I love how designer Sarah Martina Parker rotated the sketch 90 degrees to the left, not to mention her gorgeous color combination and heart-stopping houndstooth butterfly!

Take any sketch and make it your own!

How would you like one last chance to win a copy of Go-to Sketches so that you can join me in my Go-to Sketch Quest? Leave a comment telling me about any of your paper crafting goals, and one person will win this sought-after issue! All comments must be received by at midnight (MDT) on Wednesday, April 14.

*Shhhhhhh!!! Don’t tell anyone, but I think I might sneak out of the office early to create!*

Susan

Magazine Monday – Go-to Sketch Challenge Winners!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday! Did everyone have a good weekend? I hope you found some time to 1). go out and buy our new special issue Go-to Sketches, 2). sit down and devour this magazine and 3). create your own projects from some 66 inspiring sketches.  

If you did get crafty this weekend, why not submit some of your entries? Just a reminder that our submissions deadline for our Holiday Cards & More, Volume 5  issue is tonight at midnight (MDT). Click HERE for more information! 

Even though our Go-to Sketches Week is officially over, I’m going to squeeze in one more day of sketch-filled fun. Three weeks ago we launched our first ever Go-to Sketch Challenge. With sketches from Paper Crafts Go-to Gals Teri Anderson and Maren Benedict as inspiration, submissions poured in for all occasions. We picked these four entries (two per sketch) as our final winners! 

Winner #1 – Cindy Holshouser: 

Cindy Holshouser's Sweetest Flower Card is a direct interpretation of Teri's sketch (Go-to Sketches, p. 9).

 Winner #2 – Vanessa Menhorn: 

Vanessa Menhorn also used Teri's sketch to create this delightful Ladybug Thanks Card.

Editor’s Note: Vanessa was just published for the very first time in our May/June 2010 issue! Not only that, her Rainbow of Butterflies Card (p. 74) made the cover! Click HERE to see cover girl Vanessa literally jumping for joy when her issue arrives in the mail. 

Winner #3 – Nicky Hsu: 

Nicky Hsu felt inspired to create her Welcome, Little One Card from Maren's sketch (Go-to Sketches, p. 33).

Winner #4 – Rosemary Dennis: 

Rosemary Dennis also used Maren's sketch to create her You're So Thoughtful Card.

Congratulations, ladies! Each of you has won either a one-year subscription to Paper Crafts or the special issue of your choice. I’ll be contacting you shortly to discuss your prizes. If you’re interested in seeing all the projects from our first Go-to Sketch Challenge, please visit our gallery HERE.    

Wanna join the fun and participate in our next challenge? We just launched our bling-inspired April Gallery Challenge last Monday. This two-week challenge will run through midnight (MDT) on Monday, April 19. Click HERE to upload your sparkly entries today! 

Happy Monday!
Kelly    

P.S. It’s time to announce each of the three winners from Cath’s Go-to Gals & Friends Blog Hop post, Kim Kesti’s Over the Top Inspiration post, Jennifer’s Behind the Lens post and my It’s a Sketch World After All post! 

Cath’s winners:  

1. Wendy
2. ArlaMo
3. Debbie G. 

Kim’s winners:  

1. Stacy (April 7, 10:18 a.m.)
2. Nancy M. (April 7, 11:02 a.m.)
3. Holly H. (April 8, 7:33 p.m.) 

Jennifer’s winners: 

1. Kathy W. (April 8, 8:45 a.m.)
2. Denali (April 8, 12:36 p.m.)
3. Diane Jacobson (April 8, 7:32 p.m.) 

My winners: 

1. Charlene (April 9, 5:31 p.m.)
2. Susan McMenamin (April 9, 8:23 p.m.)
3. Jessica (April 9, 9:25 a.m.) 

Congrats, winners! You’ve each won a copy of Go-to Sketches! I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!

Freebie Friday – It’s a Sketch World After All!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Freebie Friday! Is this exciting week really over? Say it isn’t so! While all good things must come to an end, we hope you’ve been inspired by the amazing sketches and projects we’ve featured this week. If anything, maybe it’s jump-started your creative battery and you’ve found yourself viewing sketches in a whole new light. Because let’s face it…the possibilities are endless! 

Like Jennifer mentioned yesterday, we do often get caught up in “magazine” time, which is usually 6-7 months ahead of “real” time. Being able to read your comments and see the blog traffic (thank you, by the way!) is thrilling for us because we get to relive the fun of putting together Go-to Sketches. And as you’ve seen from some of the behind-the-scenes photos this week, a good great time was definitely had by all! 

Speaking of “all”…we must thank our fabulous Go-to Gals for all their hard work this week. Someone referred to them as the “Go-to Geniuses” and I think this is an accurate description. (And if we ever get tired of the Go-to Gal title, we’ve got a something else to consider!) We’re gathering for another editorial board meeting in a couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to see my sweet GTGs! 

Okay, I’ve rambled long enough…you know it’s Friday, you know it’s coming…”What’s Kelly giving away today,” you ask? Well, I’ve got a special treat for all my Paper Crafts Connection peeps. On Moxie Fab World this week, Cath mentioned our exclusive Go-to Sketches sponsor: Doodlebug Design. In addition to creating some adorable ads for this special issue (in which they used their product to create projects from our sketches!), they took it one step further and are now offering the Go-to Sketches Card Companion Kit. This kit allows you to make ALL 18 Doodlebug cards that are featured in Go-to Sketches. And I’ve got three kits to give away to three lucky winners! PLUS, each winner will receive TWO copies of Go-to Sketches! One to keep and one to give to a friend! All you have to do is leave a comment naming a new blog you discovered from this week’s blog hop. All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, April 11.

Three lucky winners will take home this fun prize package!

Happy Friday!
Kelly 

P.S. The sketch fun continues on Monday when we spotlight the winners from our first ever Go-to Sketch Challenge! We picked two winners per sketch, so stay tuned to see which four projects really impressed us! And if you feel like participating in Cath’s Go-to Sketches Week Challenge, she’s accepting entries until midnight (MDT) on Monday, April 26. Click HERE for more details!

Go-to Sketches: Behind the Lens

Jennifer Schaerer

We try not to, but sometimes we get so focused on publishing our magazines that we lose sight of the final product once it’s “out there.” We’re so used to Christmas in July and Mother’s Day in December that we’re always well on our way to the next inspiring issue. 

That wasn’t the case with Go-to Sketches. From the very first moment we sat down to discuss the concept, we were giddy with anticipation. It all came together so perfectly, including the photo shoot that coincided with our annual editorial board meeting. As Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Teri Anderson said, it was an instant connection for our newly-minted Go-to Gals even though they had never been all together as a group before. 

Oh, the laughter! The teasing! 

And, of course, the primping. Since these six lovely ladies had to pose not only for their official headshots (the black and whites we use here and in the magazine), but also the colorful opener shots AND group shot for Go-to Sketches, you can only imagine the quick changes and hair brushing going on. 

Brian takes a test shot and looks back at the monitor to check the lighting.

Luckily, our intrepid photographer Brian Smith of BPD Studios is not only talented but a really good sport. He and Matt are the Dynamic Duo of girly stuff whenever a Paper Crafts issue heads for the studio. It might even bring out the best in him, but he’ll never admit it…right, Brian? Hee hee! He definitely brought out the best in our Go-to Gals, though.

One of many attempts at a group shot. Can't you just hear the laughter?

Then it was on to the individual shots for the section opening pages. Not only were there six boisterous Go-to Gals in the studio, there was also an audience of editors to help keep things lively. 

Is it any wonder there are dozens of outtakes for each one of these shots?

And here’s your insider secret for the day: although the final shots in the issue are just beautiful and appear effortless, each one was meticulously arranged and checked on the monitor. 

Matt, Brian and stylist Claudia Daniels check the all-white set on the monitor.

It was only after their shots were complete that the Go-to Gals remembered to have a quick bite to eat. After all, we literally whisked them straight from the airport right to the studio and then ordered them to smile pretty. 

Maren, is that a little lettuce between your teeth? Just kidding!

This has truly been a fun and fulfilling journey bringing this very special issue from early concept last August to the newsstand a few weeks ago. Your other insider secret for the day: we’ve got something else up our collective sleeves for later this summer, so you might want to hang around and find out more. Shhhhhhhh. Don’t tell anyone, though. 

If you haven’t already gotten your copy of Go-to Sketches, you can check out our sneak peek HERE. (Psst…today’s the last day for the 20% off plus free shipping offer! Just enter the promotion code “SKETCH20” HERE.) 

I’m sending heartfelt thanks to our fantastic group of Go-to Gals for making this week so much fun with all the blog hopping and exclusive new projects using some of the sketches from this issue, because we sure couldn’t have done this without the group effort. You ladies are the very best! 

And since our readers are the very best, too, I’ve got three more copies of Go-to Sketches to give away! Leave a comment telling me your favorite aspect of this promotional week (so far!). All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, April 9. 

Jennifer 

P.S. The fun is just beginning! Hop over to Moxie Fab World as Cath talks about stretching a sketch to suit different styles, purposes, occasions, holidays, gender, age, etc. And the Go-to Gals each take a single sketch and turn it six different ways to create six unique new projects!

Groovin’ with the Go-to Gals – Over The Top Inspiration

Kim Kesti

If you’re lucky enough to already own a copy of the new Paper Crafts Go-to Sketches, then you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say “over the top inspiration”. I was totally “wowed” just by looking at the gorgeous cover!

Well, that’s nothing compared to my delight in every single page of this very special issue. Gasp, grin and giggle pretty much describe my reaction. Then, it was off to my scrap room to act on all that inspiration.

Not only are sketches fun and easy to use, they are also super versatile. Let me show you. First, I picked out this simple sketch (I love the scallops).

I have a sister-in-law who recently had a baby, so I wanted to make a small gift bag. I thought this sketch would be perfect for a baby theme. Since I had a specific size to work with, I chose to paint a scalloped square directly on my patterned paper. Then, I simply added a cardstock strip, flower and stickers. I love how it turned out.

Of course, sketches are perfect for cards, too. I’m feeling the love for the baby stuff now, so I continue on and made a baby card. This time I turned the sketch upside down for a little different look.

I freehand cut my scallops and added a little paint swoosh here and there. A ribbon tie and a few small accents are all I needed to finish this little cutie.

Why not round it out by making a little tag, too? I love having a few tags in my stash to tuck into small gifts.

I kept pretty true to the sketch by making my tag a square; then, I used a scalloped square punch, two little pieces of ribbon and an epoxy for my sentiment. This was super fast and easy to create!

Now, I know you really want a chance to win a copy of this new special issue – am I right? All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me about the last time you paper crafted a NON-card project. What did you create? Scrapbook pages, home décor, a gift bag?  You have until midnight (MDT) on Thursday, April 8 to leave a comment and be entered to win one of three copies!

Happy Sketch Days!

Kim Kesti,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal

P.S. Some of the other Go-to Gals are making a bag, a tag and a card from this very same sketch! Make sure you visit their blogs to see their interpretations. And I hear Cath is hosting her Go-to Sketch Challenge on Moxie Fab World today. Feel like getting sketchy? Hop on over to see the fun!

P.P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Kelly’s Go-to Sketches Photo Shoot post!

1. Cynthia B. (April 5, 11:22 p.m.)
2. Melanie Gleisner (April 5, 3:27 p.m.)
3. Nicole Maki (April 5, 10:03 a.m.)

Congrats, ladies! You’ve each won a copy of Go-to Sketches! Kelly will be contacting you shortly to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!

Go-to Gals & Friends Blog Hop

Cath Edvalson

Who’s ready for some fun?

I’m always up for a good time, and I know you are, too, so let’s get this party rollin’! 

In celebration of our new special issue, Go-to Sketches, the Paper Crafts Go-to Gals have got some fun up their sleeves, beginning with these inspiring projects from this ultra inspiring issue. Check it: 

Soaring by to Say Hi Card by Betsy Veldman, p. 125

Thanks, Dad Card by Teri Anderson, p. 14

Nurture Today Card by Maren Benedict, p. 147

Brilliant Flowers Card by Kim Kesti, p. 96

Miss You Birdie Card by Jessica Witty, p. 147

Girly Girl Purse Card by Kim Hughes, p. 78

Since Go-to Sketches is all about gaining inspiration from a sketch, the Go-to Gals have not only posted the sketches from which these cards were created, but they’ve got a brand new project created just for you based on the same sketch. AND, they’ve asked five of their friends to do the same thing! 

So, leave a comment here saying which of these projects inspire you the most and why, click on each of these links: 

• Betsy
• Teri
• Maren
• Kim K.
• Jessica
• Kim H.

…then click on the five links of each of their friends. Visit all the blogs, gain a TON of inspiration and leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win one of three copies of Go-to Sketches. If you do the math as I have, that gives you 37 chances to win! 

As in, leave a comment here + 6 comments on the Go-to Gals’ blogs + 30 comments on their friends’ blogs = 37 big chances! 

The comment-to-win ends at midnight (MDT) on Wednesday, April 7, so you better get hoppin’! 

Let the inspiration begin,
Cath

Magazine Monday – Go-to Sketches Photo Shoot

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Magazine Monday! Today we’re kicking off our exciting Go-to Sketches Week here, on Moxie Fab World and each of our Paper Crafts Go-to Gals’ blogs. 

All week long we’ll be taking you inside the pages of our new special issue Go-to Sketches. We started with 66 sketches and then let our designers go to work in creating 282 unique projects. Who knew one sketch could have so many possibilities? We were blown away by all of the different interpretations and couldn’t wait to share them with all of you! 

Click on the cover image to order your copy today!

Today we’re going behind the scenes of one very “colorful” photo shoot. By now you probably know we work 6-7 months in advance. Hence our current call for submissions for Holiday Cards & More, Volume 5. So because of this strict production schedule, it was last September that we were concepting Go-to Sketches. Fortunately, our yearly editorial board meeting just happened to fall around this time. With our six Go-to Gals flying in for the meeting, we decided to make the most of our 48 hours together and threw in a photo shoot. 

I think this is my favorite picture from the photo shoot.

But I love Kim Kesti's laugh in this one!

And the cute playfulness of this one! I think they like each other!

We knew Matt had an all-white theme planned for this issue, so we told each Go-to Gal to come dressed in a bright, vibrant color. The editors were removed from this conversation, but apparently there was much discussion between them about who would wear what color, how they would wear their hair and just how big they should go with the accessories. (From Jessica’s post last week, we know her philosophy on this topic: the bigger, the better!) 

To see more individual and group outtakes, make sure you visit each of the gals’ blogs. They’re also talking about the photo shoot from their own perspective, so I’m sure it will be interesting and full of juicy details! (Hopefully they’ll be kind to us editors…especially since we were all in the background saying things like, “Smile, Kim! Turn your head, Teri! Stop giggling, Maren!” 

• Teri Anderson
• Maren Benedict
• Kim Hughes
• Kim Kesti
• Betsy Veldman
• Jessica Witty

Wanna win a copy of Go-to Sketches? Go visit their blogs and then come back here to tell me your favorite juicy detail revealed. From your comments, I’ll pick three people to win a copy of Go-to Sketches! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Tuesday, April 6. And check back with us tomorrow when Cath announces the Go-to Gals & Friends Blog Hop. There will be lots of inspiration and lots of chances to win more copies of Go-to Sketches! 

Happy Monday!
Kelly 

P.S. We just launched our April Gallery Challenge! Since diamonds are a girl’s best friend, we want to see your projects that incorporate bling, glitter and anything else that sparkles. For inspiration, please turn to the “Shimmer & Shine” feature in our March/April 2010 issue. This two-week challenge will run through midnight (MDT) on Monday, April 19. Click HERE for all the details! And don’t forget…today is the last day to enter our Go-to Sketch Challenge #1! All entries must be submitted by midnight (MDT) tonight! 

P.P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from my Countdown to Go-to Sketches Week post! 

1. Le Anne (April 2, 7:03 a.m.)
2. Sonja (April 3, 4:46 p.m.)
3. Tami (April 2, 2:20 p.m.) 

Congrats, winners! You’ve each won some fun goodies from the Easter Bunny! I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!

Freebie Friday – Countdown to Go-to Sketches Week!

P. Kelly Smith

Welcome to Freebie Friday! Hopefully you’ve heard a few good things about our new special issue Go-to Sketches. If you’re still curious about what this magazine is all about, it’s essentially 162 pages spotlighting 282 projects, inspired by 66 sketches. Got that? 

To add to all that fun, each Paper Crafts Go-to Gal has their own section (complete with a one-page introduction!) that features projects made from each of their 11 new sketches. And as Matt pointed out yesterday, the fun part about creating this issue was shooting everything on white. The result: 282 projects and 66 sketches that “pop” off the page! 

So are you ready for Go-to Sketches Week? Once again we’re partnering with creative editor Cath Edvalson and her Moxie Fab World blog to bring you five days of sketch-filled fun. In addition, because our Go-to Gals are featured so prominently in this issue, all six of them will be involved in our very special promotional week. I’d love to spill the beans, but I’m sworn to secrecy! It’s going to be THAT cool! 

In honor of Easter this weekend, I thought I would share a “hoppy” project from the pages of Go-to Sketches. The talented Heidi Van Laar created this adorable Easter Basket Card from one of Betsy Veldman’s sketches. To download the pattern for this card, please click HERE. 

Heidi Van Laar's Easter Basket Card can be found on p. 114.

Isn’t that just about the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? And because I believe grown-ups should have Easter baskets too, I’ve got a few goodies to put in yours! Leave a comment telling me your favorite Easter candy and I’ll pick three winners to receive a fun paper collection from A Muse Artstamps, Pink Paislee’s Vintage Pop stamp set, a Paper Crafts Connection button AND a copy of Go-to Sketches! The Easter Bunny is feeling very generous this year! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, April 4. 

Three lucky winners will take home this fun prize package!

Happy Easter!
Kelly 

P.S. Between now and Sunday, April 4, you can purchase Go-to Sketches through our online store and save 20%! Click HERE to buy your copy!

Creating the Look of Go-to Sketches

Matt Anderson

Hello, friends! It’s been awhile since you last heard from me. (I’ve been a little busy with my new role as art director, teaching design classes at a local college and coaching my son’s football team).

So when Kelly suggested it was time for me to blog again, I told her it had to be something I was passionate about.

Enter Go-to Sketches.

First, let me just say that Go-to Sketches is a must have for any paper crafter. It’s full of useful tips, creative sketches, big color images and personal quotes from all our Paper Crafts Go-to Gals. Plus, it was a lot of fun to create, which I had a little something to do with.

My white props played a subtle role in this graphic cover.

My concept was to go clean, simple and basic with everything shot on white. I wanted the projects and their colors to “pop” off the page. The projects, sketches and our Go-to Gals themselves were the highlight of this issue, and I wanted them to shine respectively.

The idea to shoot everything on white was simple as far as thought processes goes, and it worked really well. So well in fact that I’ve started integrating this white on white look into the columns and departments of our regular Paper Crafts issues. The fun part in creating this special issue and our very first edition of Go-to Sketches, was the preparation – even though it was a lot more extra work. I took older props and paper crafting tools from our resource room and spray painted them white, along with my arms, fingers, shoes and pants.

Can you see the fine dusting of white paint on my shoes?

When I was done painting, this was our arsenal of props for this issue.

This issue is priceless when it comes to resource and shelf value. Trust me ladies…you’re going to want to run out and get this one! If you already have it, I’d love to hear what you think of the overall design. My humble ego could use some positive reinforcement. Editor’s Note: That cheeky Kelly added that last line just to make fun of me. It’s not easy pleasing this all-female team!

Your Paper Crafts Art Director,
Matt Anderson