From the Editor

In 2004, we celebrated the launch of the first issue of Paper Creations magazine. Six years later, our commitment to the exciting world of paper continues to grow. We feel so very privileged to be working with some of the most talented designers and creative manufacturers in the industry. Their inspiring contributions in the way of great new products and artistic works have helped us to fill this issue with a wonderful collection of summer-themed cards and project ideas that are sure to ignite your creative endeavors.

With an eye on summer and thoughts for spending some one-on-one time with the kids, our Rethink and Reuse series on page 12 takes a creative look at “Paste-on Eyes” (aka “googly eyes”), then pairs them up with leftover scraps, making some unbelievably unique cards (you and the kids will be grinning from ear to ear). And, to help get you started, we’re giving away free packets of “Paste-on Eyes” generously provided by Sulyn Industries. Simply write your name, mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone number on a postcard and send to: All American Crafts, Inc., 7 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, NJ 07874, Attn. Googly Eyes; or visit our website at www.papercreationsmag.com and fill out our entry form. Forty names will be drawn on June 1, 2010.

From birthday, thank-you, and friendship cards to patriotic stars, firecracker flags and cherry pie ideas, you’re sure to find everything you need to get inspired, stay inspired, save some money, and have some fun this summer.

Enjoy!,

Border Punch Flower Cards

Thanks for Your Kindness
It takes just a few extra minutes to transform ordinary colored cardstock into something extra special. Inked edges and randomly stamped leaf sprays instantly provide plain yellow cardstock with real eye appeal, while blue cardstock receives a complete makeover with help from embossed and highlighted designs. Now, that’s not so hard to do, is it?

Border Punch Flower Cards
For unlimited creative possibilities, use border punches with a mix of different strips of plain and patterned papers to create these striking, pleated paper flowers. The size of the flower depends on the width of the strips you cut. Then use buttons, brads, crystals, or whatever your creativity dictates to crown the flower centers.

Sweet 16
“Sugar and spice, and everything nice” applies to your favorite teen, no matter what the age. Whether six or 16, she will always be your sweet little girl!

Butterfly Thanks
Glimmer Mist easily transforms a plain chipboard butterfly into a colorful accent, while an acrylic sentiment button and contrasting ribbon provide the perfect finishing touches to this charming card.

Sweet Violet Thanks
Charming in color and design, this sweet card expresses one small word in a big way.

Sweet Violet Thanks

Gift Card Holders
The cards featured here all share one thing in common. Each has a special pocket on the inside for tucking in a gift card. Creating gift holder cards is a smart way to go, as gift cards are easily available, require little wrapping, and they won’t break if you have to mail them. And who doesn’t enjoy receiving a gift card to their favorite shop or restaurant?

Hi Sweetie
Clean and crisp, this vibrant green-and-white checked patterned paper provides the perfect background for creating a “cherr-fully” sweet card.

Friendship Has its Perks
“A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.” – Anonymous

Just Because You’re You
We might always think it, we might always feel it in our hearts…but how many times do we actually say it? This sweet card provides the most charming way to tell that special person how much they mean to you.

Thanks
A repeat pattern of dry embossed fleur de lis accented with pearls delivers a big punch of color to soft blue and pale cocoa cardstock. Gingham check patterned paper flowers are layered and use natural twine and grosgrain ribbon to form a neatly tied embellishment.

Welcome Baby
Give the next baby to enter your life a star welcome with this handcrafted card. Foam dots were used to add dimension to the layered die-cut stars and sentiment label.

Birthday Girl
Can you remember when baseball cards were packaged with bubblegum and how much fun it was to chew the gum while attaching the cards with clothespins to the wheels on your bike? Nothing compares to pedaling like the wind, sounding like a motorcycle while blowing big pink bubbles! Both in color and imagery, this delightful card captures the simple childhood pleasures from a different era.

True Friends

True Friends
The true joy of friendship is a wonderful thing. As this set of cards proclaims, friends do make each day a little brighter. And who could argue with the sentiment that a real friend is one who drops in when the rest of the world drops out? Both sentiments come straight from the heart…

Happy Graduation
Whether graduating from elementary school, high school or college, this card sends an uplifting message…dare to dream big and let your imagination soar!

It’s Party Time
Step outside the box and get in the habit of looking at embellishments and accessories in a new way. Designer Charity Hassel shows how easy it is to do by putting a funky spin on a conventional clock face with a chipboard flourish and arrow brads.

Balloon Girl
Working with two well-coordinated patterned papers, designer Michele Boyer chose crochet trim and a jute-tied button to embellish this sweet birthday girl image.

Toadily Happy

Toadily Happy
He’s just the “hoppiest” little toad you’ll ever see! Complete with a daisy (one of Mother Nature’s happiest flowers), this delightful card is sure to delight your intended recipient.

Forever Friend Sentiments
Various shades of beautifully coordinated pink and green patterned papers are set off to perfection with scallop shaped flowers and trims. Complementary ribbons, rhinestones, and buttons are the only embellishments needed to complete these stunning three-dimensional cards.

Happy Birthday Fleurs
Sweet and simple, this Happy Birthday card makes the most of a scalloped chipboard frame, rose spray, and jeweled butterfly.

Thinking of You
Pale pink and green patterned papers team up with crisp white solid and dry embossed cardstock to create this finely detailed greeting card. A scalloped border, grosgrain ribbon, and pearl and button accents are the perfect finishing touches.

Plain Janes
There are times when quiet sentiments are best expressed with a single image. Simple pairings of muted color mats, ribbons, and pearls are the only accents used for this humble collection of cards.

Mother
Creating a watercolor effect on your greeting cards isn’t as hard as you might think. Designer Elizabeth Allan applied colored markers directly onto a rubber stamp, misted the image with water, then stamped directly onto cardstock. If you’ve never tried this technique before, we suggest you practice on cardstock scraps first.

By the Numbers

Family Love
A lovely damask image stamp sets the tone for this paper-pierced and beaded Mother’s Day card, while twine, earth-colored papers and embellishments perfectly suit a card for hubby.

Please DO Pick The Daisies
Delightfully different, stamped face images were used to crown the centers of these lovely daisy cut-outs. Punched doily borders, rhinestones and fancy die cuts all add appeal to these whimsical cards.

Baby Bird Card
Colored in soft cream and speckled with crisp, white mini dots, this little bird chirps a cheery welcome for your new baby.

By the Numbers
Designed especially for kids, this collection of cards is age specific. From colorful animal shapes to cool bike and grunge images, the ideas shared here are sure to bring lots of smiles to all the special youngsters on your birthday card list.

Sunny Days
Dressed in hot pink, sunshine yellow, and ocean blue, the cards, gift box, and accordion photo book shown here provide a boatload of summer fun to share and to remember.

Oh My Stars!
Would you like to swing on a star? This collection of star cards is colorful, quick, and created directly to get right to the point!