Kerri Miller
What is red, yellow, blue, green and swirled all over? Did you guess the lollipop found on page 54 of Card Creations: Get Inspired? The lollipop also happens to be the favorite inspiration piece of Kalyn Kepner who is our designer spotlight with 8 published cards in Get Inspired! We, here at Paper Crafts, were excited to see Kalyn become one of the top published designers for this issue as she is also a former intern for the magazine!
Kalyn did a great job of being inspired by not only color but also texture and shape in her creations. I caught up with Kalyn to ask her a few questions about her crafting.
1. Where do you find inspiration for your cards?
I love finding inspiration from out-of-the-industry places like fashion ads and website designs, but my favorite place to find inspiration is actually in the paper-crafting products themselves (patterned paper and embellishments, mostly). It could be a chipboard shape that I know I want to create an entire card around or it could be a piece of patterned paper that inspires a color combination.
2. Which inspiration piece did you like the best from Card Creations: Get Inspired and why?
The lollipop image (see page 54) was my favorite – I created 3 cards for it because the ideas just kept coming! (Psst! Scroll down to see Kalyn’s card!)
3. Out of your eight cards from Card Creations: Get Inspired, which three are your favorite and why?
Elegant Thanks Card p. 67 (inspiration piece: embroidered pillow) – This was the first time I tried a glitter stamping technique and I love the way it turned out.
Make a Wish Card p. 54 (inspiration piece: swirly lollipop) – That lollipop embellishment from Crate Paper is just adorable to me, so naturally this card was one of my favorites.
Father’s Day Reeds Card p. 72 (inspiration piece: grass in glass vase) – I enjoy making masculine-style cards from time to time and this one reminds me of my Dad, who loves the outdoors.
4. What is your most difficult paper crafting challenge?
Committing to a design is difficult for me, so I can literally spend hours on a single card trying to come up with the best possible look. I wish I were faster!
5. What is your favorite paper crafting supply?
Patterned paper – I just can’t get enough of it and it’s often the source of my inspiration.
6. How would you describe your style?
That’s a tough one, but I would say I tend to gravitate toward “fun and cute” with a hint of shabby and vintage thrown in.
7. What is one thing people would be most surprised to know about you?
Most new people I meet are surprised to know that I make greeting cards! Ha ha! But to my fellow crafters, I think a surprising fact is that I actually can’t stand (and have no ability for) wrapping presents. Apparently, my love for paper does not translate to wrapping paper, so I’m a gift bag kind of girl.
8. Name three Paper Crafts designers whose styles you like, and tell me why they appeal to you.
Betsy Veldman’s stamping skills and creativity constantly amaze me and every one of her cards is pure eye candy to me.
Cristina Kowalcyzk is another designer whose work jumps off the page. Her clean and graphic cards just ooze style.
Anabelle O’Malley has a sweet and feminine style that just speaks to me. Her way of layering patterns and textures is divine.
My thanks to Kalyn for sharing her thoughts and cards. You can catch more of Kalyn’s beautiful creations and ideas at her blog!
Look around and see what inspires you! Leave a comment telling me what you’re inspired by, and I’ll pick three lucky winners to win a copy of Card Creations: Get Inspired! Comments must be received by Friday, December 2 at 5 PM MST.
Good luck!
