Jennifer Schaerer
Have you ever started work on a great idea and then at some point, probably right in the middle of the process, wondered what have I gotten myself into?
Yeah, us too.
We’ve never been happier than to see the printed copies of our Party Ensembles book arrive in our office, mainly because it meant we could officially put a great big check mark next to this item on our to-do list. But oh, what an AMAZING item it is!
As Susan told you yesterday, our journey to get this book into your hands was truly epic. The work behind the scenes to get everything photographed was equally epic, and I thought you’d enjoy a peek behind the photography curtain, which also includes a peek at the oh-my-gosh-my-head-might-explode shopping list as well.
My shopping list and the chaotic collection of items purchased (it took me weeks to get near a grocery or specialty food store again after this adventure)
And, since there aren’t many parties that are complete without cupcakes, you can imagine all the cupcakes we needed for this book.
All these cupcakes (and more!) were baked and hand decorated by our fabulous stylist Claudia Daniels, complete with custom frosting colors and decorations to match the ensembles.
Of course we used every single white prop that Brian Smith at BPD Studios had in his collection, because our art director Matt Anderson knew that a white set would really make the projects stand out.
If it was white, it became part of our prop arsenal for this book!
Claudia making sure that every single piece of this festive July 4th ensemble is in its rightful place
I wish I had a photo of Brian’s wife Shoko in the kitchen, because she was a food fashionista extraordinaire. Most of the food in the ensembles started out frozen or from a package, yet she made it look like it was fresh from a chef’s kitchen. So appetizing, in fact, that Kelly Smith started to grab a slider for lunch until Shoko told her they were almost two days old. Ooops!
Speaking of appetizing, Susan also mentioned yesterday that I made a Swiss Fondue ensemble for my editor’s note. That fondue pot you see in the photo (technically referred to as a caquelon) is one that my husband and I bought in Switzerland on our honeymoon 12 years ago. Try THIS RECIPE for cheese fondue, which is the closest I could find to our own make-it-as-we-go recipe (don’t omit the kirsch, which is cherry liqueur—it’s just not the same without it!).
My Swiss husband makes sure we have cheese fondue for dinner on a regular basis, and this is my way of making an otherwise everyday meal a bit more festive
One of my favorite items in the ensemble is the paper bowl – it’s so easy to make (I’ve already told you my “I’m not a scrapbooker story” and how I love to use my 12 x 12 patterned paper in non-scrapbooking creative ways).
1) score a 3-inch border around the page 2) fold at the score lines and cut the corners diagonally to the scored intersection 3) adhere the diagonal corners and trim off the tips 4) enjoy a paper-crafted snack!
And that brings me to one of the best insider secrets about this project: we included all the patterns, downloads (graphics, custom invitations, and more), and detailed supply lists on a CD in the back of the book. We’ve also put them in the downloads section of our website HERE. So, for the bargain price of $24.95, you’ve got not only the book but everything else you need to make any occasion extra festive, too!
Ready to party? Good, because I have a copy of the book to give away! Let me know in the comments if you’ve got a favorite way to use 12 x 12 paper that isn’t necessarily a scrapbook page. From all the comments received by 5pm MST on Thursday, March 1, I’ll pick one random winner, and don’t forget to visit Cath over at the Moxie Fab World blog for another chance to win!
Party on!
This behind-the-scenes info is so interesting! Love the paper bowl how-to. I recently framed 12×12 paper that there’s no way I can cut up and will be getting hubby to hang them on wall
I love making envelopes and gift bags out of 12 x 12 paper. Also, I love just framing some really beautiful paper and hanging it on the walls!
This behind the scenes is very interested! I have made baskets and gift bags out of 12 x 12 paper! Thanks for the chance to win!
I like to make gift or candy pockets out of 12 x 12 paper and large flower wheels and pinwheels and snowflakes. Thanks for the great opportunity…this book seems fabulous.
12×12 is perfect for making a pile of 3×3 cards. Since I am a cardie, I like to cut it up – easy to do on solid cardstock, but SO hard to do with printed 12×12 !
I use it as a backdrop/floor sometimes when photographing my cards.
It does seem like a lot of work, but parts of it MUST have been fun…my question…were the cupcakes still edible after the shoot, because that probably helped!
I love the paper bowl idea!
I LOVED this behind-the-scenes look! I am absolutely DYING to get ahold of this book. I use 12×12 paper for just about everything related to home decor. I don’t think anyone has mentioned placemats yet.
This is so inspiring – makes me wish I had all the time in the world to complete ensembles for every party I have! I’d like to say I do something exciting with my 12×12 papers, but alas, they mostly get cut up and placed on cards!
i usally cut it up to make cards or use for a scrapbook page. thanks for the great ideaS!
I like making gift bags from 12 x 12 paper. Putting everything on a cd and including that in the book is absolutely fantastic!
I love the WIP photos for that pretzel bowl!
Grandkids love the pinwheels I make with 12 x 12…..I also like to use it on cards. This book looks awesome….would totrally love to win it.
Grandkids love the pinwheels I make with 12 x 12…..I also like to use it on cards. This book looks awesome….would totally love to win it.
I’m so excited about this issue! The sneak peeks are awesome! I do actually scrapbook with 12 X 12 paper! I also love to mat photos with it and sometimes just frame really beautiful pieces! Can’t wait to get my hands on this issue!:)
Thanks for this behind the scene look! So much work & preparation! Can’t wait to see this issue IRL.
I am so glad to know that a CD is included with the book! What a great idea! Time to have a party!
So many cute ideas! I’ll love using some of this inspiration using 12 x12 papers in my larger die cut machine.
Love making boxes and packing with 12×12 paper.
I am addicted to throwing parties….I’m always looking for new ideas and Paper Crafts has always been a staple in my library! Congrats on the new book and whoever gets it is one lucky winner!
Love the paper bowl idea! Will have to try that sometime! I love using 12×12 paper for home decor 3D projects.
Love the idea of a paper bowl…must try!…I usually cut up scrapbook paper for frames around photos…especially vinatage photos.
Thank you so much for sharing and for the opportunity to win this great book. I really like the paper bowl idea…wow…i will def Pin it! lol. I like to use my 12 x12 by making 4 pages in mini books. i love 6×6 format for minis and if the paper has a good weight and is two sided, you get a nice bang for your buck.
I don’t scrapbook much, I mostly make cards so of course I’m always cutting up my 12 x 12 paper. I also love to create stationery and card sets with a OSW (one sheet wonder) so that the entire set of cards coordinates–it’s a fun and fast way to make cards and I made 3 sets in German when we traveled in Germany and stayed with host families–the hosts loved them! I even created special boxes–one of the hosts said they were so gorgeous they didn’t want to use them–just “keep” them on display.
A brilliant behind the scenes peek!!
I love to make gift giving items with my 12″ x 12″ paper, so easy to personalize for smaller gifts.
I like making gift boxes and bags out of 12 x 12 paper.
I like making origami gift boxes with my 12 x 12 paper, easy and fun to do!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
Love the dish! Nothing too creative here–just cards and paper crafts!
I love using it to make boxes!
Love behind the scenes stories! I am not a scrapbooker neither! I’m more interested in making cards, gift bags, tags and boxes too! Thanks for the snack tray idea! Awesome!
I love using 12×12 paper for making card boxes for the cards that I make. I love the ideas here too, If I win the book, I promise to make all the projects, love giving parties.
I like using 12×12 paper for boxes
thanks for the chance to win..hugs
Paper purses are my favorite for 12×12 as well as boxes. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I always cut up the 12X12 paper to meet my card making needs. My new favorite is to make a simple bowl as you demonstrated!!! This is an invaluable ‘outside the box’ tip. Thank you!
My favourite way to use 12X12 paper is for card making — certainly not nearly as creative as your paper bowl (love it)! This new book looks amazing and I’m keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed!
I like making gift boxes and I like making framed wall art
Thank you for the behind the scenes! I use 12×12 craft paper for making cards, although I think I should make some pretty layers of paper and hang them on the wall because I like to just look at all the designs!
I don’t scrapbook, either, so my 12×12 paper goes towards either gift box making or card-making!
I am SO LUCKY and I live close to ALL of my siblings and thier families!! We get together and do LOTS of fun things and I like to use my 12×12 papers to create mini books that I can give to my siblings for little keepskaes of our adventures!! My nieces and nephews LOVE the mini books and when they are full of photos of them they like them even more!! Plus it doesn’t take much to put together and the time is minimal LOTA of BANG for your BUCK!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
My grand-daughter’s wedding shower is Sunday. We used 12×12 white paper to make gift boxes to put at each place on the tables. They have a scalloped-shell top. Julie embossed the bride and grooms initials cPa on the front of the box and we tied blue ribbons around the top to hold the boxes closed. They look so pretty and they smell good. They’re filled with Hershey kisses.
I wish I did have a great way to use my 12×12 papers. I usually end up cutting them up for cards. I do like the paper bowl you have featured here and have also made an origami type card ( I think it was called a diamond fold card) with a sheet of 12×12 paper, but it has to be pretty thin to fold neatly!
I usually use it for my cards and as a fun background when taking pictures of my cards, but one time I used those pretty 12×12 sheets to wrap up gifts to be given to everyone attending my friend’s bridal party! The gifts really looked dressed up that day!
I like to make berry baskets with 12X12 papers. I have a template that is so cute.
I make a lot of different things with the papers. I don’t scrapbook at all. I make cards mostly.
I really like to make goody boxes with paper. Who doesn’t like to get goodies boxed in adorable paper? The papers must be very good quality to stand up to the goodies.
I like the behind the scenes info and photos. I have made many cards with great papers. I buy all different companies’ papers, but my favorites are October Afternoon and Graphic 45.
Banners and home decor – love how you can put in a piece of colored paper to just change the look of a picture! THIS BOOK LOOKS AMAZING!!!!
I love making boxes and bags out of my 12×12 paper. Not to mention 3-d flowers, 12×12 home decor, card and tags… Yes, I love paper and my Cricut!
Paige
Wow! I dont think I had appreciated the effort that goes into a publication until I had a look at your amazing pics. Unbelievable. I love paper and I will give just about anything a go with my 12 X 12.
I love the ideas in this book. I have used 12 x12 paper to make card boxes and lids to match to hold cards that I make as gifts.