Wednesday, December 01, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Paper Trail Blog Hop


Welcome, hoppers, to the 2010 Paper Trails "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" blog hop!!  I am SO excited to be the December Guest Design Team member for The (Paper) Trailmakers Challenge Blog!! 

The blog hop will run from Dec. 1 - Dec. 4, and on Dec. 5, each blog owner will pick a winner for a small giveaway or RAK from those who've left comments!!  Here are the blog hop participants, in case you've started in the middle, so you can make sure to catch all of  us:

4. Jen - you're here!
6.. Karen

Without further ado...here is my first project for the month, using the December Paper Trails kit:


First off, let me just say - I am *LOVING* the December Paper Trails kit!!!!  The papers, the embellishments - they are all STUNNING!  And SO versatile - I am finding that they allow me to create something more on the elegant side, like this piece of home decor, or something more on the whimsical side - which you'll see with the first Trailmakers Challenge.  ;)  (Interested??) 


For this project, I used all of the papers in the December kit, with the exception of the solid red cardstock.  I started with a plain-jane burdundy-red wooden 8x10 photo frame.  I sanded it a bit, using my Tim Holtz sanding block, and then painted it black using a black Adirondack paint dabber.  Once it was dry, I sanded it again, giving it a slightly worn look and allowing some of the underlying red to show through.  

Then I cut a sheet of the black cardstock from the kit, to fit inside the frame.  I then used a 1 3/8" square paper punch to punch out lots of squares from the patterned papers, as well as a few from the white cardstock.  I went around the edges of the squares with a white Adirondack paint dabber, to help the squares stand out against the black background, and once dry, I adhered the squares to the black cardstock using adhesive.  I then put the piece in the frame and closed it up.  




I adore Thickers, so I was thrilled to get some in this kit, and I thought they would look great on TOP of the glass in this project - and I was right - I love the effect!!  I placed the letters for "JOY" over three of the plain white squares, and then placed one of the gorgeous chipboard buttons over the fourth white square - again, on top of the glass.  

I used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (one of my absolute NECESSITY scrapbooking and crafting tools!) to make pleats in the red and black ribbon from the kit - a gorgeous piece of ribbon, I might add!  I then used my hot glue gun to attach the ribbon, Prima vine, and Prima poinsettia (all from the kit - seriously, this kit is LOADED!) to the frame.  Finally, I added the "Merry Christmas" cardstock sticker, over the ribbon, and my project was complete.  (And I have TONS of kit product left over, I have to add!)



I supposed you would like to see a picture of everything that's actually included in this kit, right?  Well, here you go:


I promise you that there is no way you could buy this kit at retail for what the kit is selling for!

Whether you need to make cards, scrapbooking layouts, home decor projects, gifts, or whatever else your imagination can create - you cannot go wrong with the December Paper Trails kit!!  Hurry - go get yours right now!!  But don't forget to leave a comment first, for your chance to win a little something!

And keep an eye 0ut - I will have a couple more projects later in the month using the same kit!!

The next stop on your hop is Krystle's blog!  Happy hopping!

14 comments:

Crafty Mom said...

I'm very impressed! I love it and what a creative way to showcase all of the kit's contents! Way to go on your first official designer project!!!

Anonymous said...

That's a fantastic home decor piece which you'll be able to display for years to come!

Krystle said...

I just adore this project!

D said...

What beautiful holiday decor! If you made these as gifts, everyone would be thrilled to get one!!! Love it :)

D said...

What beautiful holiday decor! If you made these as gifts, everyone would be thrilled to get one!!! Love it :)

Lillian Child said...

Can I just say WOW!!!!

Susie said...

wow that is absolutely gorgeous! hope you have a blessed Christmas and a year that is Christ centered and filled with answers to prayers

Sally said...

Okay, so I very, very much love your project! And, I'm not even saying that because I already love you! This is really cool and is definitely something that I would use to decorate in my house (and I don't do much decorating!) Awesome!

Avenueswithoutlimit said...

Jern,
I luv luv your project perfect for a mantle.
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

Sandi said...

Jen, I just love your framed project! It is amazing!!!

Ryder Royalty said...

Great job! So pretty!!!

Patricia said...

Jen, I love your blog. I am going to come by and visit offten. I know we are to comment on the paper kit project but before I do that I want to say I love your tags. I love using tags on my pages. I haven't gottn into Tim Holtz ideas yet, but I want to.
Now back to your project. I love this to me you were thinking outside the box. I like the idea of a home decor' display piece. Great job can't wait to come and visit again

Brooke Douglass said...

I love what you have done!!! I love the paper kit and I am very interested in some! Thank u Brooke
Girl Boy Girl Inspired

Anonymous said...

I love your project. It looks great and is a standout at "Crafting with the Stars". Good luck. I'll be following your progress!

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