Best Blogger Contest

As a designer member of the Association for the Creative Industry (AFCI), I am privileged to work with some of the most talented artists, designers, and bloggers in the industry.

This past January, during the AFCI annual trade show "Creativation"  Prime Publishing/Fave Crafts invited the creative influencers to their annual Blogger event. The evening is sponsored by some of the best creative manufacturers in the industry.

The event is designed to allow the two groups to mingle and get to know each other. Allow the manufacturers to learn about the designers, artists, and bloggers, areas of expertise, and let the creative influencers learn what the manufacturers are looking for to see if a partnership can be formed between the two.

One of the absolute funnest parts of the event is that all those "creative influencer  types" get to participate in Prime Publishing/Fave Crafts "Best Blogger" Contest using products from the sponsors.
There were over 40 entries, and 20 were chosen as finalists and mine was one of them.

My "Modern End Table from Wedding Keepsakes" is up against 19 other amazing projects. The prizes are all cash awards and determined by public vote.

 You can check out the amazing projects including my end table here at -----> Best Blogger Contest and then vote for your favorite!

Thanks to Prime Publishing/Fave Crafts for being amazing hosts, and to the wonderful sponsors: Deflecto, Leisure Arts, Love Knitting, Marvy Uchida, Premier Yarn, Plaid, Polyform, Red Heart, Sakura, Share A Sale, Testors/Rust-Oleum, Xyron, Yarnspirations

Modern End Table from Wedding Keepsakes-the wood guest book (Part 1 of 3)

* This is part 1 of a 3 part series, be sure to visit Part 2 and Part 3

When my a dear friend from high school comes to you for help with her wedding because you are the “creative type” you naturally offer to help anyway you can. 

Amy’s dilemma, a “creative” guest book. The problem with traditional guest books you stick them in a drawer or box after the wedding soon to be forgotten about. Amy wanted a keepsake that would remind her of the family and friends that celebrated her special day.

As I talked to Amy more about what they were looking for with not just wedding decor but  home decor as well.  I found that her and Otto liked simple… rustic..industrial…with a touch of elegance. She also mentioned in passing that they were looking for something to use as a cake platter as well.

This got me to thinking “what if we could make separate pieces, that somehow fit together to become a keepsake when the wedding was over?” 

The idea for a "guest book end table" came into being.

I started with a wood round found at the hardware store. 

Almost 18” in diameter it would allow plenty of space for guests to sign their names. I brought this wood round to our local lock and glass store. (Thanks Jerry's Glass and Lock for the fast service) I told them I needed the glass to be for a table topper and cake platter and they suggested the thickness and then had a piece cut to match ready for me the next day! Setting aside the glass to etch later I began work on the wood. 

After a light sanding, I stained the wood a lovely "Summer Oak" color by Rust-Oleum.

I wanted to add their initial to the round, tracing a large letter “S” lightly with pencil. 

 I then followed my lines and filled them in with the Folk Art Wood Burner. I used the round tip and a "medium-medium high" setting for heat. 

This piece will then become the "guest book" for family and friends to sign at the wedding. 

To see "what comes next" be sure to visit, part 2 and part 3. There I will show you how I created the etched cake platter, and then put everything together. 

Supplies used: Wood Round, Rust-Oleum Wood Stain in "Summer Oak",  Folk Art Wood Burning Set-Plaid Crafts, Wood letter to trace. 

Thank you to Plaid Crafts for providing the wood burning set. 

SaveSave