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I bought the new Paper Crafts yesterday and it was the strangest edition they've ever done. About 90% of it is Halloween and tattoo inspired stuff. Like skulls and crossbones and wings. Not what I expected from PC and not what interests me. I wondered what everyone else thinks?
__________________ Debra ---artist * teacher * designer Say yes. Be generous. Speak up. Love more. Trust yourself. Slow down. ---Patti Digh
Skulls are pretty hot right now. Just look at the new RockStar stuff from DCWV (which I picked up on impulse). I don't think they are awful...but hard to work with for my one year old little girl. I'm using that stuff to scrap my 20 year old brothers band stuff. I think lots of it stems from pop culture...look at all the ink (tattoo) shows on TV. But wow...I haven't seen the new paper crafts yet. I usually scarf it up and then spend hours studying it...interesting.
__________________ ~Alison
Raising children is like being pecked to death by a chicken.
I actually thought it was the most useful issue I've seen in a while. That could be because there was a lot from Nichole Heady, and I *heart* her stuff! I loved the Frankie card. I will agree that I am not about skulls. :-) I just kinda skipped over that.
I like the tatoo theme and some of the darker themed things, but the skulls and pins, as cool and creative as they were, just were not my style.
I do love this issue. I agree that this was the most useful/inspiring issue they have put out in awhile. Lots of projects and did it not seem to have as many ads as they usually have had in past issues.
They did the same thing last year and I remember preparing a letter to them in my head (which never got to the paper stage!) because I don't really 'do' Halloween! I guess I was not surprised to see it again this year; it didn't bother me as much because there were cards by so many of our favorite stampers in there, Julia, Jen, Trudy, Nichole......I know I'm forgetting some! I'm not crazy about the new tatoo stuff either but, to each her own!
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I thought this issue of Paper Crafts was one of THE best ever!
I couldn't get enough of the tatoo inspired stamping. Loved the graphics!
Loved all of the Halloween projects...Many of them are just eye candy for me (I'd never actually do them) but there were also more do-able projects that piqued my interest.
I loved the scary quotes from the movies too on the Halloween pages..
I wasn't particulary thrilled with this issue either. Most of it wasn't something that I would use and I found myself going through it pretty quickly as there wasn't as much that sparked my interest. I don't make Halloween cards either though. I had hoped for more general Fall inspired stuff. Now I'm going to go through it again looking at the layouts and get ideas from that.
I liked the issue. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, of course that could also be cuz it is my birthday. I send out Halloween cards to my niece and nephew, so I enjoy making them.
__________________ Julie Paper Thoughts One of Kota's Kids
Yeah, most October craft issues will revolve around Halloween because although a minority of people don't choose to celebrate Halloween, the majority of people do. I'm big on Halloween and was even before I became Wiccan. I look to November for the more general "fall" themed projects. I LOVE that October issues are heavy on Halloween!
__________________ Proud Mom to an 9YO Level 7 gymnast
Too cool for words!!
I also thought its the best issue they have put out lateley!! They were getting kinds wimpy looking and not too cutting-edge, but this issue was great!!
Ive been loving skullz for about a year now, and they were very hard to find! The tatoo look is cool too. Very cool!!
It isn't that I dislike the Halloween stuff, far from it. I just didn't like that there wasn't really a lot of other stuff, lol. If they're going to do that, maybe they should have a special issue? It just seems like between the folks that don't "do" Halloween and the folks that consider it a minor "holiday," PC is leaving a lot of its readership out in the cold with this issue.
I really liked the PaperCrafts issue for October - I bought "Wing It" so I liked the tattoo inspired art. I like to see new trends and ideas instead of the same old stuff. Plus it is MUCH better than The Rubber Stamper magazine this month. I'm just waiting for my subscription to run out on that pub - it has gone downhill, in my opinion.
I enjoy Halloween but I was very disappointed in this issue (actually the last few issues have been lacking). I didn't like the 'dark' photography--but then I'm getting old and so are my eyes!! I'm glad others liked it, like I've said many times, I can't imagine trying to please more than two woman at a time!!! I also didn't like the September Cards magazine--what a waste of $20! But I did like the last two issues of Simple Scrapbooks--just so you all know I can be pleased! Have a happy day!
I appreciate hearing from y'all. I'm going to take another good look through it after hearing it described as a best. Usually I *do* find layouts and projects I want to do even if I'm using them completely differently, but I didn't really see anything I can use. More general fall stuff would have been nice. I'm sure I'll love the next issue. That seems to be how it works for me: I really like every other issue.
__________________ Debra ---artist * teacher * designer Say yes. Be generous. Speak up. Love more. Trust yourself. Slow down. ---Patti Digh
I love halloween stuff! I also really liked this mag. There are going to be issues that some people don't like and some that you do. If I don't like an issue, I don't buy it.
I think it was a really different issue, and I appreciate the diversity of the designs!! I was thrilled to have a tattoo design picked up for this issue, and even more excited to be in there with some friends!!
If these designs aren't for you, you can always use them and adapt them to suit your style. Substitute that tattoo rub-on for a bouquet of flowers, or a pumpkin and wallah, you have a card for your needs! ;)
I have a subscription to the magazine and will not renew. All the cards seem to be just a bunch of costly embelishments and not much stamping. If I wanted to spend a million dollars a month maybe this would be a magazine with appeal for me. I will save my money for the Stampers Sampler magazine.
__________________ Pam
Ring the bell that still can ring, forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets through. Leonard Cohen
I can't say this is one of the best issues I've ever gotten, not much in it is my style! Glad some folks like it, there has to be something for everyone.
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
I picked it up at two different stores thinking I'd make myself like it. After going thru it pretty carefully both times, I put it back down and never bought it. Usually one quick skim and I *have* to have it. I was disappointed.
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
As a born-again Christian I cannot bring myself to "do" Halloween. It is not my thing. There are people that don't do Christmas and there is a lot of Christmas things as well. I think they could bring more balance to October by doing some fall things - pumpkins, leaves etc. and no so many skulls, crossbones, dracula etc. There is a balance in magazines now for Christmas, Hannakah, Kwanza (sp?).
__________________ Did you know nearly 1 in 2 Americans live with chronic illness? chronic illness?
Tatoos and tatoo stuff along with Hot Topic clothing are all the rage and I looked at it as PC keeping up with the trends. It was great timing from a marketing standpoint, especially for the younger crafters (which scrapbooking is beginning to appeal to as the "little girls" whose moms let them SB) are becomming teens/twenties! Time for them to appeal to those crafters!
The layouts in this issue are cool and I love the samples from my favorites (Trudee, Nicole, et al) but... I just don't see enough stamping in that 'zine for my liking any more. Just my own preference. I really wish they would return to more items using more stamped images. It's still fun to look at as eye candy, but not necessarily 'stamping' inspiring KWIM?
I just renewed my subscription to Papercrafts because they sent me a deal (two years for $19.97) I was not nuts about the tatoo stuff, and they don't have that much stamping in it, but I love the layouts and the party decor/favor ideas.
Incidentally, I am R.C. and I like Halloween, I see nothing wrong with it. If you look through history many of our religious holiday traditions are based on pagan celebrations anyway, including when Christmas is celebrated. I do, however, like to see variety in a magazine, celebrating all holidays and occasions.
I find most US Stamp mags seem to focus on Halloween at this time of year. Halloween isn't big where I live so I guess at first glance these particular issues aren't my fav ....... but if you look at the magazine again with a different mindset ........ that is forget about the theme of the cards and focus the layouts you might enjoy the magazine a little more ........ most cards can be adapted to a theme or style you do like.
I loved it too. I also thought it was one of the better issues yet. I really liked the ideas in this issue. I found it to be the nest halloween issue I have. I do love PC and have it coming to me until 2008 of oct. And will definettly continue getting them.
WASN'T BIG ON THE TATTOO STUFF TO MUCH. but I would do the same with any rubbons.
__________________ WHAT IS A STAMPPIN ADDICT!
It's someone who buys stamps they didn't normally like at first,only to see it in Split Coast Stampers gallery in a different perspective.
I know I can adapt the stuff, but I hate when I have to do it with almost every single thing. Kudos to them putting out some cutting edge stuff, but balance is good.
love the edgier stuff- my SIL has a 15 yr old son into paintball.... FINALLY some stuff we can use for his scrapbooks/cards... we bought some of the papers featured in the magazine at our last expo. And i LOVE tattoo style/graffiti styled stuff.... it's not for everyone, but i thought this issue was fun and a break from flowers!
I didn't like it at all!!!! And I LOVE Halloween!!! I was very disappointed with it!!
For some reason I found that it seemed to be organized "differently" or maybe more confusing-ly!
Usually I find it very reader friendly and this issue didn't seem to be like that, for me anyway!!! But then, I have had a VERY confusing and hectic week, so maybe my brain (what is left of it) was still a bit frazzled when I looked through my issue!
It's so funny that some of you thought it was the BEST issue ever - goes to show ya that there is something for everyone and you can't please everyone all the time!!!
I guess I had better sit my butt down and give it another chance!!!
I hope they do another Holiday Cards issue - I got soooooo many ideas from that one last year!!
__________________ Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!! Mary Engelbreit
I think this issue is a great way to get younger/teens into stamping and scrapbooking. Also it appeals to non-traditional (whatever that means) people who maybe aren't attracted to cute images, etc. I think it's smart for any publication to step out of the box and broaden there audience.
I personally think it is a really cool issue but I'm weird like that;)
I have not actually enjoyed Papercrafts magazine for quite a while. When my subscription expires, I will not be renewing it. I get so much more inspiration from this site, and I am a member of the fan club already, so I will just save my money
I think it's smart for any publication to step out of the box and broaden there audience.
Agreed. The tatoo thing isn't really for me personally, either, but it's more because I can't really see myself using a whole sheet of paper, rubs, stamps, etc. enough to justify it. Same with Halloween for the most part. But, since all the tatoo stuff, etc. did really well at Memory Trends/CHA last year, there is obviously a strong market of scrappers/crafters who do really like it, and PC is only wise to appeal to that market. They do big sections on nearly every holiday and event... not all of which are celebrated by everyone. For example, back to school stuff may not appeal to those without children or empty nesters, but as others have noted, it's more about the ideas than the specific project, IMO.
I look at the tatoo section and think - what can I learn from these cards/projects? I see lots of "imperfect" projects... distressed or messy edges, non-symetrical elements, non-linear elements... maybe I can let go a little and attempt some of those things in my personal projects. It may be outside of my personal box, but would probably be a good challenge for me.
And for the Halloween projects, what about looking at some of the really ingenious ideas... the Jack-O-Lantern are super simple, but really striking and could be adapted for nearly any occasion. I'm also always impressed by the paper-pieced projects like the Frankenstein card (made by my friend, Kim Hughes!) and the Brew card. It reminds me that I don't need a ton of product and I other than cardstock to create something so cool!
I gotta say, I really do love PC. Every issue may not feature my personal favorite style, but I think that's a good thing, ya know?
__________________ Paper Crafts Go-to-Gal member #1507gallery witticisms... a witty blog
I enjoyed the issue. My favorite card was one made by Mary Bieber, using the Amuse Arts polka dot alpha. I am always looking for ways to use it and her "eeck!" was adorable.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I can see why a mag would go with this theme for the Halloween month. I'm not crazy about it. Aside from the skulll/tattoo theme, maybe there are some ideas which could be applied to preferred motifs.
I don't get the whole skull popularity? I find it extremely...what's the word I want...irreverent...disrespectful? Satanic? Sorry, but I celebrate life, not death!
It was nice to see some stamping, though, in the stamp it three ways section.
I only get PC because I got a dirt-cheap subscription for $11!! My favorite issue was the last issue because it actually had some variety, especially in the "Destination: Design" section. And I always enjoy seeing the cards made by our SCS girls!
October Paper Crafts Magazine
