Featured Artist/Designer: Susan Opel 10 15 2015

Posted byIrene Bernas 6 Comments on Featured Artist/Designer: Susan Opel 10 15 2015

Welcome to another Featured Artist/Designer Spotlight. Today we’re thrilled to welcome back Susan Opel.

Before we show you Susan’s project, let’s get to know her a little bit more…

SusanProfilePic-250W-07162015When I turned 39, my life changed drastically. After receiving a BA in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, MI, I spent 16.5 years teaching English, art, and religion to students in Illinois, Nevada, and Indiana. One day I decided that I wasn’t excited about teaching anymore. I wanted to expand my world.

In a dramatic leap of faith, I took a position at Paper Crafts magazine, quit teaching, and moved across the country to pursue a dream job. For 6 1/2 years I worked (can you really call it that?) as an editor for Paper Crafts, connecting with cool creative people from all over the globe. I forged relationships and friendships with scrapbookers, card makers, and manufacturers.

I reveled in the creativity that surrounded me, and I couldn’t imagine NOT being a part of the industry.

One day that little magazine shut down for good, but God knew what he was doing. I’m now thrilled to be continuing my career in the creative industry as the Creative Ambassador for My Favorite Things, a premiere stamp and die company with some of the CUTEST designs out there, the best product, the most amazing design team, five star customer service, and a group of dedicated and seriously awesome employees. I get to look at pretty designs and cheer people on in their creativity every single day. It’s pretty awesome. Really.

I Love You

Some of my favorite cards come from an inspiration piece. I love the challenge of trying to take what sparked my creativity and turn it into card form.  This card was one of those run-downstairs-and-do-this-right-now situations. The inspiration came from this simple and muted Victoria’s Secret pajama photo in their recent catalog. I have to admit that I tend to go for BOLD colors usually, but there was something so sleek and understated about it.

Print

SusanOpel-2

SusanOpel-3

The pretty gray patterned paper from My Favorite Things gives this card a soft heather-like feel. I originally had a gold frame around the outside edges of the card, but the more I looked at that design, I felt like the frame took the focus away from the sliver of gold at the top of the heart. I had to keep telling myself to keep it simple. That’s hard for me. 🙂
For more color inspiration, I invite you to participate in the MFT Color Challenges with my design team and me.

Supplies

Stamps: (For the Boys) My Favorite Things
Card stock: (Pink Lemonade, Grout Gray, Gold Foil) My Favorite Things
Patterned paper: (Calm & Cozy Chevron) My Favorite Things
Ink: (Steel Blue) My Favorite Things
Dies: (Stitched Rounded Square STAX, All My Love, Blueprints 21) My        Favorite Things
Finished Size: 4 1/4 square

We hope you have enjoyed today’s project courtesy of Susan Opel.

If you are looking to see more from Susan, she hosts the MFT Challenge & Inspiration blog with a talented design team and at least one challenge every week! http://www.cardchallenges.com/

Happy Crafting!

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