Marion Claire Stationery: 2014 Holiday Launch

Today's November Blogathon prompt is to blog about a fall craft. So I thought this would be a good time to post about the Marion Claire Stationery 2014 Holiday Launch. This collection officially launched on Saturday, November 1st, but I didn't want to overwhelm the masses with posting about it on the blog that day as well. Especially since there are so few posts on my blog done on a Saturday, I didn't think it would be natural.

I'm so unbelievably proud of this collection. I really feel like it's the perfect mix of heart and sass, which is always my goal! And I think that each of these fit in perfectly with the Marion Claire Stationery brand and what I sell throughout the year. I have to admit that it was really hard for me to think about Christmas in general while I was just watching the leaves change colors, but such is retail. I hate skipping over Thanksgiving, but I have had two Thanksgiving designs up since October, so I didn't feel too awful about launching these at the beginning of November. I'm really excited about where this company is going and the growth that has come in just a few short (and quick) months.

Also, I will be heading to three craft shows soon, if you're in the area, I welcome you to come check out Marion Claire in person and get some of your holiday shopping done. More specifics will be up soon about those shows, so stay tuned!

Which holiday card is your favorite from this collection?

DIY: Marion Claire Stationery Card Box Display

Hey everyone! I haven't done anything DIY related recently so I thought that this would be a good time to do so. My greeting card company, Marion Claire Stationery, has recently started doing wholesale and this card box was created because the most recent store that bought some cards needed me to also send them a display as well. This was, of course, fine with me because I very much believe in branding and like to be able to control everything that surrounds my business and how it looks to the public. So I happily created something that ties in with the Marion Claire Stationery brand anywhere else that you might see it.

Keep reading to see the entire DIY...or to just scroll through some pictures.

Seek Love: Wine Cork Art

I think that the original pin for this project was one of the first pins I ever saw on Pinterest, but just recently did I realize that the link led to nothing. So to right that wrong and use up some wine corks that I've been hoarding, here's a DIY of making art out of some simple materials! Feel free to pin this one, so you actually have the steps for later!

First things first, you need to get all of your materials. Except for the wine corks (obviously) I got all of my materials from WalMart, but I'm sure that they are readily available at any craft store as well. Also, you'll have to save up corks, there are places online that sell them as "supplies" but where's the fun in that? What you'll need: corks, paint, brushes, water cup, pater towels, newspaper, pencil, piece of wood, glue, stencil letters, and something to mix your paints in that you don't mind ruining. I also encourage you to put on your favorite Pandora station because this project does take a while. I highly discourage you allowing your curious kitten to "help" with this, though.

The first step is to paint your board. I originally thought I'd just use a canvas but, didn't think it'd be sturdy enough to hold up - use your discretion on that one. Also, if your board doesn't have a hook on the back, this is the prime time to add that on as well. Let this fully dry before going to the next step. During this time, I went out for dinner, but that's certainly not required.

Step two: Lay out the letters you want on your painted board and paint them in. Or just freehand this - I never trust myself fully to freehand everything, so I outlined my letters. Step three: you'll want to arrange the corks in the shape you'd like. I went with a heart because of the phrase that I put on it and because, Valentine's day is coming up and sometimes I pretend to like that frilly holiday haha

Once you know where you want your corks to go, either mark their places on the painted board, or leave them and work on this step as you go along. Paint just the top of the cork and glue the opposite end to the painted board. For this I used Krazy Glue because it works really well and dries fast. I also painted my heart in an ombre effect to give it some interest.

To finish off your piece of art, make any touch ups that you want and let everything dry overnight before hanging it up. If you'd like, you could also coat your whole piece in a sealer, I personally didn't want to because I don't mind getting an aged look over time.

Check out what other fabulous bloggers are pinning and doing with the H&K Style Journey link-up! 

And don't forget about the giveaway currently going on, hosted by writtenforyou!

The Best Thing About Ellwood City

You can just smell the fried food, hay and excitement!

The main food area - somehow I cut off the best booth ever in this picture, our church's apple dumpling booth.

A fan favorite - Rag Trader "Vintage Reborn"

Not to worry - we're still in Steelers Country, A LOT of vendors bring their black and gold best.

The information booth for visitors - I think it's the most festive and always loved it.

I've mentioned a couple times that I am currently in a different (smaller) city - while on the job hunt, I'm living back at home in Ellwood City, not too fair from Pittsburgh, distance-wise, but far from the luxuries of a downtown living lifestyle. However, there is one thing that is amazing about Ellwood City and that, is the Fourth of July Arts, Crafts, & Food Festival.

My mom and I are pretty much obsessed about the Festival, as is just about everyone else in the Ellwood area. The year I was born, my mom said that I better not interrupt her time at the Festival, which, I didn't, because I was born on the Monday after. The Festival features great (but horrible for you) food from local churches, clubs and other community groups, a judged art show, children's arts and crafts area and craft vendors from all over the US. I know this for a fact because I always pick up every business card. And I remember one Festival while hanging out at a friend's mother's booth, we were talking to a girl sitting in the booth next to us and she told us about her family who traveled to different fairs all summer, every summer; she was from Texas. 

This past weekend, Friday through Sunday, was the 2013 Festival and did not disappoint. Although it seemed like a lot of people were scared away by the rain and a couple favorite vendors were missing, still the same great weekend with fireworks to end the weekend. I bought the most stuff I have ever got from the Festival this year too, mostly jewelry, guess I'm a grown up? How was your weekend?