Kean On Paper: November 2011

November 26, 2011

OCC: Oh! Christmas Tree

I'm so thrilled this time of year. I love the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It is absolutely my favorite time of the year! The family, food and fun; the sharing, the caring, the love! Reflecting in the birth of Jesus really makes me feel grateful for all that he has done for me and the whole world.

This week on Our Creative Corner, Wendy Janson is our host with a challenge to begin ringing in the holidays. As Wendy puts it, "This is the weekend I like to put up my Christmas tree and decorations. The challenge is to make a project with a Christmas tree (or pine tree if you would rather) on it."

I'm not much of a CAS designer but sometimes, I can pull it off well. This card fits in that category (I think) with its simplicity in color, design and reserved layout.

I first stamped the green tree and then the sentiment.

And then I broke out my Liquid Pearls in Rouge to create a garland. Talk about easy, fun and mailable! This could be one of the easiest cards I've made in a long time and since the holidays are a huge card-giving holiday, this would be perfect to make 10...20...even 50 at once if you wanted to.

Why don't you join us this week on Our Creative Corner? Create a project with a Christmas or pine tree. Take a look at what the other designers have cooked up for their Christmas Tree projects.

Wendy Janson

I can't wait to see what your "trees" look like this week!

Holly

November 19, 2011

OCC: Photo Inspiration Challenge

Happy Saturday!

I am hosting the challenge this week at Our Creative Corner. With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching this week, I thought it'd be fun to have a photo inspiration challenge using a photo that's a little different than what our table looks like for Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving is always nice, always fun, always great company and food but never fancy. I'd love to go "all out" like this but its beyond me. But I can still admire it, right?

So this week I made a little tag to hang on a wine bottle or sparkling cider bottle. I was inspired by the pattern on the tablecloth and the blue and orangey-gold colors.

I used a bookmark blank that I got from JoAnn and punched a circle in the top near the flat side. The punch is about 1.25" in diameter and fits nicely on the neck of the bottle. Then I embossed the "front" with an impression plate from Papertrey Ink that I simply adore. When I saw this photo I instantly thought about this embossing plate.

The orangey-gold ribbon is one of my favorites. Its a bit if an odd color and has a bit of shimmer so I don't get to use it a lot but it makes a wonderful bow. I used two Papertrey Ink dies for the blue behind the bow (sorta hard to see) and the doily cut out. I stamped my sentiment on another piece of plain white cardstock and used some distress ink to add some color. I topped it all off with a gold button.

So get inspired by our photo and bake up something fun for your Thanksgiving table, Holiday or New Year. It could be a card, a small gift, a wine tag or anything else paper! While you're at it, take a look at what our other designers have put together this week!

Wendy Janson

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday - enjoy some turkey, pumpkin pie and your loved ones

Holly

November 12, 2011

OCC: Pumpkin Pie

Hello all my paper crafting friends!

Thanksgiving this year has taken on a new perspective for me. See, in year's past, I would have been anxious to get right to Christmas. Skip over Thanksgiving. Its just a day of turkey and pie. But this year I'm thankful.

Thankful for...
...my family. My husband. My son. My mom and dad. My father-in-law and mother-in-law. We've had our fair share of challenges these last few months and having them all around us is a blessing.

....my company. I love the place where I work. I love the people I get to work with and for. I get to go to work every day doing what I love and use the talents God has given me.

....my faith. I couldn't make it in this life if I didn't have God. These last few months have proved that. His grace and His truths have been the only thing some days I could hold on to.

...my country. America is blessed with freedoms like no other nation. Having been born here, I used to take it for granted but now as I grow older I can see how living here is a priviledge that our service men and women work to maintain each and everyday.

So this year, I'm happy to make a card for Thanksgiving day.

This week, our host is Wendy Jansen. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, make a project that uses the color of Pumpkin Pie or features pumpkins.

I found the little felt leave at Cost Plus World Market. I was really proud of myself to have found something crafty at a non-craft store!

Find your pumpkin pie colored paper and pull out your pumpkin stamps and put together a project that celebrates Thanksgiving (or any other occasion you prefer). To get you inspired, take a look at what the other Our Creative Corner designers have put together along this theme.

Wendy Janson

I hope you have a great week!

Holly