Saturday, November 19, 2011

Blessings

Happy Saturday!  Wow, this month is screaming by.  Does anyone else find themselves trying to play 'catch-up' with how fast this year is going by?  
Holly, from Our Creative Corner, has a great challenge for us this week.  I love it, when a design team member gives us a great challenge.  I love to be challenged, but not too crazy.  I love to have some creative freedom and to give the challenge our own sense of 'life'.  And Holly has given us an inspiration photo and some guidelines.  How clever.  How creative.  How wonderful.  So, without boring you any longer, this is the inspiration photo:


This photo has some wonderful colors, textures, designs, and tons of different elements!  Holly tells us to, 'find some inspiration from this fancy table setting and create a Thanksgiving, Holiday, or New Year's paper craft'.  So, take your que from this photo.  And create something wonderful to share with us!  For me, I'm still working on craft fair items, and so, I decided to create a guest blessings book.  When your family and friends share your Thanksgiving meal, instruct them to each write down what they are 'thankful' for.  Here is my Blessings book:


The blank journal measures 5 1/4 " x 5 1/4".  The original cover is light blue with this  huge unattractive tea cup on the front.  I kept the back cover original.  So, i worked with the light blue.  I cut a darker blue cardstock to fit the front cover, and then added some newly arrived pattern paper.  I wanted to use pattern paper that reflected the colors and patterns in the inspiration photo.  I used a scallop die to create the scallop trim.  I wrapped scallop trim with a scrap piece quilted ribbon.  The quilted ribbon has the diamond pattern on it, like in the inspiration photo.  I just love the words and font on the larger tag: I am thankful for you.  Love it!  And a seperate stamp created the 'Blessings' stamp at the upper edge of this journal.  I stamped it in a dark brown and heat embossed it.  So it has some presence and some texture.  I just love the shades of yellow and orange in this pattern paper.  I wanted those colors to really pop, so I added a yellow paper flower on top of an orange silk flower.  I felt the flower seemed 'naked' and so I used a die to cut the butterfly shape out of a pressed wood piece.  I inked the edges with some brown ink, to give the wings some definition.  I added the metal tag holder piece, because I thought the journal needed another texture/element.  I added the 'love' tag, to help express my feelings for my family.
So, its now your turn.  Lets see what you create with this wonderful inspiration photo.  Take your time.  Get in your crafting space, and lets see what you have done!  Share your talents with us! 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sharon, I think this is just beautiful! I'm not a fan of orange but i think these colors are really beautiful together. Nicely done. Love the butterfly/flower embellishment.

Marjie Kemper said...

You've rocked this challenge, Sharon. I thought about going with blue and orange but I couldn't get past the idea of the NY Mets with those colors. You've blended them into a soft and beautiful treasure for your family. That wood butterfly adds so much depth and dimension. Love how you've adorned him with the flower and pinned love note. This is a fantastic project!

Tui Nathan said...

What a fabulous idea Sharon ... I love this Gratitude Journal and definitely a treasure worth keeping for years to come. Your embellishing is just gorgeous, simple, subtle and full of blessings!!!

inkedx2 said...

Love your journal! Great job with the cover.