The wait is finally over, and I know everyone is so excited to hear who our 2024 winners are! Each year the entries get better and better, which of course makes our job harder. We had the difficult task choosing just four winners from a huge amount of incredible entries. But we were absolutely blown away by the detail, range of skills, styles and finishing touches on those that won. So, without further ado, let's meet our winners...

Rebecca Davies

Rebecca's attention to detail work really stood out, especially in her colouring and use of different mediums to embellish her die-cutting

How does it feel to be a Cardmaker of the Year 2024 winner?
I still can’t believe it and it hasn’t sunk in yet! It is a pinch me moment and I am absolutely thrilled and amazed that I have won. It has even made me believe in myself more and has shown me that if I believe in myself amazing things can happen.

What are your crafting aspirations, on our Design Team and beyond?
Well, my biggest crafty aspiration was to get into Practical Publishing’s magazines, and now that is happening, and I couldn’t be any more excited! It really is a dream come true. I would also love to grow my social media following so I can share more tutorials. I just want to inspire people to explore papercrafting.

What or who inspired you to enter the Cardmaker of the Year competition?
I follow the competition each year, but never had the courage to enter. I told my husband that I would enter in 2024 and my husband gave me a gentle nudge to hold my word when the competition came around again. But I didn’t tell anyone else, and I hope that my Mum and Nan will be super proud when they see I have won!

Svitlana Burenok

The dimension and mediums in all of Svitlana's makes really made the impact we were looking for

What is the best advice you have for other papercrafters?
Create what you love! If you create what you love then you will love the process and more times than not, you will love the result! I think people, especially those just starting out, are nervous about sharing their work, don’t be shy! Share you work and take in the love and excitement it will bring.

What are your crafting aspirations, on our Design Team and beyond?
I still can’t believe that I have won and will now be part of the Design Team and I am so excited to get started. I would love nothing more to learn new skills and styles whilst being on the Design Team and be able to push myself.

What are you favourite papercrafting techniques?
I love a wide range of techniques as I love to learn something new, but my favourites are die-cutting, stamping and embossing. I also really enjoy making flowers from foam and paper, which is what started me on my papercrafting journey.

Vicky Derrick

The whole team where instantly drawn to the bold colours used in Vicky's makes and the attention to detail throughout each make.

What advice would you offer for new papercrafters?
Do not be afraid, have a go, experiment and there is no right or wrong way to craft! Take inspiration from others but don’t be afraid to add a bit of you to your projects. Always enjoy the process and believe in the creative side of yourself and just have fun as it will show in your final makes!

How does it feel to be a Cardmaker of the Year 2024 winner?
Incredible! I can’t describe the feeling of being recognised by people who have been inspirational to me. I feel so proud of myself, and I am still lost for words!

What inspired you to enter the Cardmaker of the Year competition?
I wanted and needed to take a leap of faith and put myself out there and believe in myself. My thought process was to enter this year and just try again next year, I didn’t think for a minute that I wouldn’t have to enter because I had won! If just one person sees all the winning entries and is inspired to make something, even if it’s not perfect, it will be amazing to know that it began with us.

Julie Dawson

The wide range of skills in stamping, die-cutting and 3D makes really stood out in crowd.

What are your favourite papercraft techniques?
My favourite technique is stamping and colouring, which I often do whilst watching my favourite TV shows. I find it very therapeutic!

How long have you been papercrafting and what made you start?
I visited a craft demo in 2008 and I was shocked with how versatile stamping could be, I have been hooked ever since!

What are your crafting aspirations, on our Design Team and beyond?
I would love to get a job in the craft industry in some capacity, but equally I would love to meet all the designers that I love as they have inspired me every day whilst crafting.

Please join us in congratulating our four incredible winners! The papercrafting team are really looking forward to working with these talented designers who will each be receiving their share of over £17,000 worth of crafty prizes to keep themselves busy in the meantime! Look out for their creations in the future issues of all papercraft magazines. And remember, next time it could be you!

Full interview can be found in Simply Cards & Papercraft 260.