CAS(E) This Sketch 139

Hello!

I'm here to share my card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch. I may have gone wandering slightly away from the sketch when my creativity struck. ;-)

I used PTI Phrase Play #10 die and stamps. I coloured the wreath using Copics.

This card is destined for my darling hubby. He doesn't read my blog (I believe) so I'm pretty safe sharing it here first. :-)  Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. We've been married for 16 years this year, and together for 22 years. Life really is better with him by my side.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Thanks! Blog Hop

Hello,

Today I'm joining in with many others in this papercrafting world of ours to celebrate Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine, and especially to give thanks to those hard-working people who not only have made the magazine such a fabulous resource, but have supported many of us in so many ways.

If you are hopping along, you will have arrived from my friend and fellow Australian, Michelle Lupton.

I made a card for the occasion. The sentiment is heart-felt. The Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking team are special, and it IS all about the little things. I hope that in their new adventures they each find a place where they can continue to share those special little things that make such a big difference to others.

Being published in Paper Crafts Magazine was one of my first BIG goals when I was brave enough to join the papercrafting community online. It took me several months before I felt brave enough to submit, and then it took several more months to have one of my cards chosen for publication. I submitted to the November/December 2013 issue, with a non-Christmas card. I thought I had no chance of being selected, but it turned out that my my very literal interpretation of the sketch in non-Christmas colours was just what was needed. You can still see it here online. I never took a photo of the final card for my own records, but here it is before the corrections I made for publication.

You would not believe how excited I was to be selected for publication. I may have screamed out loud when the email arrived. I made this card while crafting with friends, and it took me HOURS to arrange the squares. I used a ruler and carefully measured distances. It took forever to achieve a very simple-looking card, so to have it selected felt wonderful! And then life got busy, and I only submitted a few times, and wasn't selected again until the February 2015 call. I can't share that card, because it is yet to be published.

When I received the email saying that Paper Crafts Magazine was closing down and that February 2015 would be the final issue, I was so sad. :-( I haven't submitted to other magazines. Paper Crafts has been my favourite, although I will admit to struggling with the new digital format (I can't carry my computer around in my handbag, lol!). There will be a big hole left behind when they close their doors. I'm obviously old-fashioned, because I love good topical magazines, the paper version. Yes, blogs give me inspiration, but magazines fill a different space for me. I don't want to be on my computer all day long, I like reading on the train in the morning, and reading about beautiful paper crafty stuff is just perfect! Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Mag, and all of you wonderful people who have made it what it is, I will miss you.

The next stop on the hop is another Australian friend of mine, Lyndal Higgins. Three Aussies in a row! :-)

Thank-you for visiting me. I hope you enjoy the hop. It's a big one. It may take a few days to get through. I'll be hopping along beside you.

Michelle
xxx