witticisms by Jess Witty

December 03, 2014

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Thanks Blog Hop


 


 
Things I know to be true about paper crafting:
 
a) It's more difficult than it looks.
 
Especially if one has taken a year or so off from it.  (Hypothetically, of course.)
 
Seriously... props, paper crafters.  I have a whole new appreciation for this form of art. In my experience, I would not say that coming back to paper crafting has been like riding a bike.  At all.
 
 
b) It's more gratifying than it looks.
 
Right? 
Seeing a vision come to fruition... man... I love that feeling.
And being blown away by someone else's vision... also gratifying.
 
 
c) It's more about the people than the crafts.
 
And today... it's about the people of Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine.
 
 
 (Go-to-Gals, but missing Kim Hughes! Still love you, Kim!)
 
I submitted by first few cards for the Stamping Royalty contest of...
oh, man... 
2006.
 
Yup, they had it all the way back then ;)


In a stroke of luck, both cards were picked.
And so it began for me.

I ended up at my first CHA with the long-gone-by-the-wayside Paper Salon team (if you remember Paper Salon, God bless you, because you've been around a while) and met then editor-in-chief Stacy Croninger, and then editors Megan Hoeppner, P Kelly Smith, Cath Edvalson, and Brandy Jesperson.

 
I'm sure my story is similar to many of yours...
they were so encouraging. 
They made me feel like they were excited to have me.
They made me feel like I had something new to contribute to the magazine.
 
What more does any creative person want than to be able to express themselves creatively and feel valued in return?  It's our own kind of heaven.
  
 (Kelly, Susan, me, Anabelle O'Malley, and Cindy Smith of Emma's Paperie)

Over the years some editors rearranged and relationships grew to include Jennifer Minerman Shaerer (who can practically read you like a book after asking your birthday, place of birth, etc, and handing you a personalized astrology analysis) and Susan Opel (of colored hanger fame but also my Bay City buddy) and as time went on, an eventual post as a Go-to-Gal.

I saved the answering machine message from Jennifer offering me a spot (yeah... ACTUAL answering machine. Not a voice mail. ANSWERING MACHINE. Continue on with the story.) and played it for my mom to tell her.

Can it be noted here that any time any one is sweet and encouraging to your own personal mother that they are going to build up within you a well of gratitude wide enough to fill an ocean?  That was the entire editorial team to my mom :) 

Sidenote... it was only a few weeks after taking on the Go-to-Gal gig that we got the call about Noelle (excuse the formatting on that post, please; my older posts have been reformatted so that there are no breaks. Not intentional, I swear.) so I went from mom of 2 to mom of 2 plus a newborn alongside this new gig in a matter of days.  Cath was one of the very first people in my life to know we had adopted a daughter in just a few days time because I was in the middle of an assignment for her.  Only time I asked for more time on a card :)  Thanks, Cath.

I've heard it echoed among many of the other Go-to-Gals say that this call was a dream come true and I'm no different.  But man, getting to have that gig alongside those girls... Teri, Kim H, Maren, Betsy, and Kim K... and alongside those editors... seriously humbling. 

And seriously hilarious.

Infamous example A:


Infamous example B:



And so I offer my small token of thanks that could never match the depth of gratitude for the people of Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking that lives in my heart.


Thanks for your encouragement.
Thanks for your validation.
Thanks for your commitment to us... your contributors and fans of PC&S.
Thanks for your sympathy tears when I needed them.
Thanks for your hugs.
Thanks for your laughter.
Thanks for your friendship.


Thanks for the memories, friends.

My prayer for you is that as you move on you go with the knowledge that you and your work were and are valued and appreciated by me and so many others.  Blessings to you.

Today's hop started over with Jennifer McGuire,
led you here from Rae Barthel,
and continues on next with Annette Witherspoon.

I've enjoyed dipping my toes back in today, folks.
Thanks for having me :)



{Thanks} card
CS - Soft Stone, White, Vellum (Papertrey Ink)
Glitter CS - American Crafts
Ink - True Black (PTI)
Stamps - Thanks All Ways (PTI)
Dies - Headline Alpha, Heart Prints, Love Lives Here (PTI)
Felt - Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Canyon Clay (PTI)

77 comments:

~amy~ said...

Such a gorgeous card and post :)

Anonymous said...

It's been delightful to read you again, Jessica! What a wonderful post, and as always, your card is perfect :)

Cindy C. said...

Beautiful card!! TFS!!

Danielle Flanders said...

What a cutie card, miss you!

Kim A. said...

Beautiful card!!

Shelly said...

Gorgeous card!!! And such a loving post!

Lenora said...

What a lovely card!

TheWinstonFamily said...

Thank you for a sharing a beautiful card.

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Love your lovely card, Jessica! And, your post is so heartwarming. I will never forget the encouraging email you sent me after GI 2010. That's what I love about PC and the people that work there. All so encouraging & kind.

Michele Gross said...

Great pics and a wonderful post :)

Lea Lawson said...

Beautiful card, and lovely walk down memory lane!!

Unknown said...

ty for everything you have done!

Carisa said...

Great story and beautiful card!

very_inky_fingers said...

Such a wonderful story and card. Of course I had to click on Noelle to find out about her... and oh my gosh.. how to make me cry!! God Bless.

Mendi Yoshikawa said...

Loved your sweet tribute and card. I gotta say I was a huge Paper Salon fan too (In fact I came across some papers of theirs in my scrap drawer just yesterday). ;)

Unknown said...

PC&S will surely be missed by so many. I love your tribute cards. They say it all.

Nancy said...

Such a wonderful tribute and wonderful card!

michelegeorgern said...

Your sweet tribute and card say it all.

Lydia said...

Thanks for sharing your memories today

Keren Baker said...

What a gorgeous card- love the CAS'ness of it. Your post made me smile and it's lovely reading how much the mag and the people behind the mag have made such a difference to our lives x

Jodie Stoddard said...

It's so clean and simple yet it's gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your creations with us.

Queenie said...

Its such a joy seeing your in blog land again!! I always loved your work as a GTG!! Thanks for such a lovely post and beautiful card.

Kara said...

So pretty Jess!!

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Super cute card, love the design

Brenda Weaver said...

gorgeous card! How I miss seeing your creations. Glad you could join us for the blog hop.

Nance said...

Beautifully designed! Love it! Great tribute!

Jess said...

Such a beautiful card Jess! It is amazing how this magazine has touched us all.

Ashley Newell said...

I miss you JWitty, your cards, your blogging, your cute face. I'm so glad this magazine gave me the chance to meet you. To take your picture with your first cover. To be inspired that it took you a while to get there. You've always been an inspiration to me, I'd love to see you make more cards.

Veronica Z said...

As I said earlier it is wonderful to see you back with a card. I know life can be crazy at times, but I hope you find your way back to inspiring us with your amazing designs!

Annette Witherspoon ♥ said...

Your card is so elegant. I love the cute felt hearts and the gold lettering on vellum. I would never have guessed you haven't been making cards all along!

Celeste Goff said...

Such a beautiful card! I love the vellum panel!

Amy Sheffer said...

Beautiful card! Thanks for sharing your memories!

Kalyn said...

Jessica! So wonderful to see your work again and to read your hilarious and very sweet writing. I've missed you! xoxo

StacyC said...

One of my favorite memories is the night we ate at Texas Roadhouse (your mom was there too) and we laughed and laughed. I was afraid you'd never claim to know me after that.

You are one talented lady. Thank you for your fun post!
StacyC

Jill Norwood said...

Jess what a beautiful post! What an amazing community it is! :)

Meredith MacRitchie said...

I've missed your blog! I have been away from this for about a year as well, and I know exactly what you mean about it not being a bicycle! I love your card, and I loved hearing your memories. Good to see you back, if even just for a minute!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Gorgeous!!!

My heart overfills with emotion and gratitude to this crafting community. I consider myself blessed.

Isha Gupta said...

Such a wonderful post Jessica. It is a delight to read it. Love your card too.

Cindy H. said...

Beautiful card and a great post, Jess! I always looked forward to and now miss seeing your beautiful and inspiring creations. Hope all is well in your world.

Lisaerica said...

Sooo beautiful, all my fav colors. Thank yo for sharing your work and story.

Lyndal said...

Fabulous card & fabulous tribute to a fabulous team, Jessica :)

jintyoo7 said...

Beautiful post!

Susan R. Opel said...

I miss you.
Your words.
Your wit.
Your FREAKING pretty cards.
You are so filled with awesome, and I'm so glad we are friends! xoxo

Alexandra Higgins said...

Great pictures! And the card is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing this loving post.
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