Jessica Witty
If I was Cath, I’d write a poem about it. If I was Kelly, I’d say it’s been the real thing. Susan…I’d create a color board to show my feelings and then find an outfit {and hanger} to match. Jennifer…I’d take a look at how this event coincides with my natal chart.
But since I’m me and this is my last Groovin’ with the Go-to Gals post, I think I’ll just hit some highlights from the past few years and possibly add in a few sappy comments along the way, okay?
So, if you’re interested, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about being a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal.
It involves a lot of submitting. Like…a lot. Both before and after becoming a Go-to Gal. Luckily, we all like that part, right? This is one of my earliest publications and, I have to say…I still love it after all these years {even if it was before anyone had heard of Copics and watercoloring was the prime method of putting color to paper}.
Greetings from Paradise Card from Stamp It! Cards Spring, 2007
It involves a rigorous application process. This is no episode of The Apprentice, people. The editors make it fun, but I’m not gonna lie…recognizing that this might be your long-awaited shot to achieve a long-desired dream can put a wee bit of pressure on a person. {Or maybe that’s just me.}
Here’s one of my favorites from the application process. It found a happy home in A Card a Day.
Spread Your Wings Card
It {hopefully} involves a constant stream of inspiration. This means that during your tenure as a Go-to Gal, you will forfeit any rights to go anywhere without a camera in hand, to read any type of magazine or blog without filing away ideas for later, to take in any kind of visual information at all without thinking, “How can this inspire a card/project/blog post/article?” {For example…note the card above. That design was totally inspired by a springtime plate I cruised by at Target.}
It involves the willingness to try something new. Because even if there is nothing new under the sun, there can still be a new way to do things, to see things, to put things together…to do something new to you.
I’m not gonna lie…it can be scary. Me trying to tackle my perfectionism head first and curb the need to spend forever-and-a-stinkin’-day on a single card by creating 10 minute cards? Yeah. That was a little scary to me. But so gratifying.
Trying to stretch outside of my straight-lined creative box and go for a more artsy style? Satisfyingly exciting.
Music Card from Stamp It! Techniques
It involves collaboration, and a lot of it. Sitting together at Editorial Board meetings and brainstorming never-before-seen article ideas, walking the floors at CHA and searching for trends, daily chatting through project ideas and techniques. My fellow Go-to Gals and I have been having our own little version of the recent Reject Blog Hop for quite some time now…showing each other our favorites that weren’t picked up and giving each other the proverbial ol’ “better luck next time!” pat on the back.
Being a Go-to Gal means bringing whatever you have to the table, then seeing what everyone else brings to the table, then mixing and mashing it all together to help make one sweet and savory meal of a magazine.
I’ve loved it.
*Loved* it.
Glad to See You Sunshine Card from Stamp It! Techniques
And I think I always will.
Love to all of you, my fellow paper crafting friends,
Jess
P.S. Since I’ve shared a few of my favorite cards, I thought it would be fun to do a “Jessica’s Favorite Things” giveaway! Leave a comment and I’ll pick one winner to take home some of my favorite paper crafting goodies: Stamp It! Techniques, Go-to Sketches, doilies from Hambly Screen Prints, stamps from Unity Stamp Co. and mists from Tattered Angels. All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, April 22.
One lucky winner will take home this fun prize package!
P.P.S. If you missed my farewell post on my own blog, you can find it HERE. I’m counting on all of you to visit me often.