Day 4 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
Day 4 of our preparations and I'm in full panic mode ! Lots of little things have interfered with my plans for the week so I've still to make an impact into Christmas shopping. I need to put that right today. I've got more volunteer work later this morning and various orders to send/pickup (not for me !!!) After about 2pm I've high hopes of Christmas being ordered.
However, in preparation Im onto to the tags. I usually end up making loads of tags when I've discovered I don't have any - after wrapping a gift and usually very late. I'm going to make all the required tags over the next few days but I've designed and have all the bits and am printing more colours today. I need to do a few every now and again, multi tasking is the order of the day. Here is my design for this year.

The photos are a bit 'grainy' (late night photography !) but you get the idea.





I've got a few different proportions to the basic design and I will make each one unique by adding a little embellishment. I'm also planning on a range of colours - to coordinate with my wrap papers. The basic take is a thick cardboard tag shape made from a sizzix die (Tim Holtz Alterations - Tiny Tabs & Tags). The back of the tag will be a little stick on label for my message.






I like the thickness of the card and gives the whole tag a quality feel. I don't have too many to make so I should be on schedule by Sunday. I will get them together for a group photo when complete.

Thanks for reading.

Day 3 of Christmas Prep.@ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
Day 3 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac will be a card idea. I'm using a tried and tested folded system for constructing the cards. Here is a photo collage of the idea.



I made this one for a family friend card last year.
This year Ive produced a few modern card designs - I will develop the cards in a few colours. Here are a few samples :






I have some little trees, stars, ribbons etc to apply and will play around with ideas to make each one a little different from the next. I also want to personalise some of the cards and will work on that too.

Thanks for reading.

Day 2 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
It's Day 2 of Christmas Prep. and my prep of the day is a CARD TREE. Today, I am working on my first card (to send) alongside the List Board ( not quite there from Day 1). We have, in fact, received our first family card which is on the card tree. The Card Tree looks a bit bare at the moment but when it's full of cards I like the look and more important - all the cards are fixed and do not end up flying all over when doors are opened ! I think, I will add a bit of temporary bling until cards come in.



The Card Tree is simply made from old floorboards screwed together and roughly painted with white. I have the cross branches at an angle, I like the look of this slight 'lean'?
I like to lean the tree against a wall but it could be planted in a pot or placed in a stand. I used this tree as a jewellery display last week (when some Christmas jewellery went on tour) hence the added nails with little red bows. I'm not sure if these nails/hooks will stay but I think they could add to the overall look when I can hang cards on them.
This tree is quite large but the idea could be adapted to a smaller tree in the same way. It certainly adds an immediate Christmas feel to the room, with or without cards. As I've mentioned we have had our first card, it arrived on 1/12/14 !! I'm never that prepared.

Thanks for reading.

Day 1 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
Christmas is now underway in my World. I have the Christmas planning lists - they are up and running. Each big task eg menu/food, family presents, cards/tags and wrap etc. all have a list and a sheet on The Board. I did find a few of the boards from previous years and I've chosen one to re do. I have some lovely tissue wrap which Im going to decoupage the board. I will also add some white deer roaming throughout. I hope to use this image for other Christmas things around the house. All ideas are still under construction so I will reveal all when I have something to share.
I've put a little collage together showing my lists.



I know it's not much but it's progress. When I have a moment to sit with my lists I will fill them and then shop or make. I did manage to make my sweet mince for the mince pies and the cake and pudding are cooking. I'm quite please with progress today.
So, Day 1 is my Christmas List Board ( I know it's technically not quite there but I can picture it). I will hopefully get it going today, although I do have a jewellery workshop in the morning. Perhaps - we are talking Wednesday !

Thanks for reading.

12 Days of Christmas Prep @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
It's now December - Im way behind with any planning for Christmas ie none done. Almost 'a panic' developing !! However, today is the day to get going !
I'm planning a similar 12 Days series to that of the recent jewellery project (read back for details over last few weeks).
This time my '12 Days' will be around Christmas planning. Over the next 12 days, I will be introducing little projects to get Christmas underway. No stopping at weekends either ! (not enough days left !)

In the past I've made all my Christmas cards for lots of friends and family but this year I'm planning on adapting and customising rather than making from scratch. I will apply this idea to much of my Christmas preparations.

I want my house to be festive but I'm not sure exactly what to do ? Last year, I bought a few new hanging decorations which I like and I think I may plan around these items. I need to find them and check them out. My job today will be to get some lists going. I have a few little boards which I've used in the past for this job and will seek them out too. Here are some examples of boards I've used over a few years.









These examples all worked well but I do like the idea of a new design each year. I will spend a short time thinking and coming up with a theme and turn it into some artwork. Hopefully, by the end of the day my plans will be in place. The pressure of the 'real time' process often helps to make a practical job happen quickly for me ! Fingers crossed.

Thanks for reading.