Are these the cutest corncobs ever or what?

I whipped these up with my NEW Cricut Explore Air 2  and I must say...I'm impressed!!

That's right! There is a a NEW Cricut on the block my friends and I absolutely LOVE it!
The NEW Cricut Explore Air 2  comes in a variety of beautiful colors and the one my friends at Cricut sent me to review is a BEAUTIFUL mint color! (If you follow me on Instagram you saw me post it when it first arrived on my doorstep and it's a beaut - see video at the bottom of this post)

Anyway, you can use these cute paper corncobs as place card settings for your Thanksgiving table OR you can use them around your home to add some extra charm to your collection of pumpkins and Fall leaves.

Best part is, you only need a few supplies to create these!
These DIY corn-on-the-cobs are easy to put together...and the NEW Cricut Explore Air 2 helps make the process even faster than before. Let's get started...

SUPPLIES (for one corncob):
Cricut Explore® Air 2 machine
Circuit® Design Space  - (here's my custom corncob file created using the 3D Intricate Corn file) 
Cricut® 12x12” StandardGrip mat
Cardstock in yellow (or white if you'd like to chalk your corn - details below)
Raffia
Scissors - for cutting raffia
Hot glue gun

Optional:
Kraft card stock for cutting place cards.
Cricut 0.4 pen - black
Chalk - if you choose to use white cardstock

TIP
If you can't get the link to work for my custom corncob file, all I did was customize the 3D Intricate Corn file by eliminating all layers except for the solid corncob layer. I deleted all but one corncob and merged the two separate corncob pieces into one. I also enlarged the corncob to be 6 inches in length and then copy + pasted until I had the number of corncobs I needed.

To create the place card file for cutting, I searched "place card" in Cricut® Design Space and chose one that most resembled what I was looking for. Then I resized it to be 3.25" x 1.9"

DIRECTIONS for one corncob
1. Cut five corncob pieces from yellow (or white) card stock. (watch my video)
2. Use hot glue (or adhesive of your choice) and this .pdf file to assemble.  
    (don't freak out...the instructions are for an acorn but the same concept applies).
3. Cut a long bundle of raffia and knot one end.
4. Apply hot glue to open end of corncob and insert short end of knotted raffia to create cornhusks.
5. Squeeze together to seal and secure.
6. Display place card if desired or simply display with pumpkins and Fall leaves.

If you are using these for place cards you can cut some out using kraft card stock and then hand-write them using your Cricut® pen. 

TIP: You can also create a file in Cricut® Design Space to have the machine write names or even just Fall sentiments like "grateful", "thankful" or "blessings".

Now, if you'd like to take things to the next level, creatively speaking...

how about using white card stock instead of yellow and then use chalk to create the perfect mix of yellows and browns for Fall. Yes?

Just rub a mix of fall chalk colors onto the white paper corncobs and blend with your fingertips until you reach the desired result. I love that it mimics a watercolor effect. So pretty!

No matter if you keep it simple and use yellow card stock or if you decide to go all out and add your magic using chalks...the results are too adorable!!

The hardest part about this project was just trying to decide what I wanted to make in the first place when I perused the thousands of pre-designed images in the Cricut® Design Space. Ha!!

So yeah...if you are already creating your Christmas wish list...I think you're going to want to make sure this is on it. I know you'll love it and will find so many ways to create fun, personalized things for your family and friends.

With Ella's birthday party this coming Sunday, I've already determined I need to make her a personalized birthday girl t-shirt for her to wear AND a matching one for her American Girl Doll.

And probably some cute personalized party favors too! *wink*

So do you want to know what I love about the new Cricut Explore Air 2 compared to my Cricut Explore One?

1. The pretty color selections (rose, serenity blue, mint and classic ivory + gold)
2. The ability to cut or write 2 times faster

AND....

my very favorite thing about it...WIRELESS CAPABILITY!
No more ugly cords across my studio hooking my Cricut® to my computer when it's craft time. Yay!!

Want to know more about this amazing, beautiful machine?
Check out this YouTube video to see more specifics. 

Love you guys and hope you are inspired to get started on your Fall decorating...if you haven't already begun.

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THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY CRICUT®

PEN + PAPER FLOWERS HAS RECEIVED COMPENSATION AND/OR PRODUCTS 

IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATING CONTENT AND SHARING PRODUCTS.
  AS ALWAYS, FRIENDS + READERS, I ONLY WORK WITH BRANDS 
AND SHARE CONTENT I'M PERSONALLY INSPIRED BY 

AND ESSENTIALLY FEEL WILL INSPIRE YOU TOO!

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KEEPiNG iT REAL
You guys! It's soooo pretty! Not even kidding.
I created this video using Snapchat and then posted it in my Instagram stories a couple of weeks ago.
Find me on Insta and Snapchat by searching: pnpflowers

Cricut-Explore-Air-2-Mint-5117 from Jessica Kirkland on Vimeo.

SHOPPE | NEW! Caramel Apple Bar Collection

24x36 Caramel Apple Bar Chalkboard Sign

Have you all ever created a Caramel Apple Bar for a wedding, birthday or celebration?
I, personally, have NOT...but I've definitely been inspired to do so!

I think something like this would be so fun at a Fall Party, Neighborhood Party, Craft Night, Classroom Party or even as part of your Thanksgiving Day or "Friendsgiving" celebrations!!

I've had a lot of customers reach out to me to create a Caramel Apple Bar Collection for them and
today, I have made it available in the shoppe as an easy download! (It works just like the Chalkboard Popcorn Bar Collection!!)

Along with the printable 24x36 Caramel Apple Bar chalkboard sign you'll also receive...

Two different 8x10 "Directions" Signs 

"Take Home" edition + "Enjoy Now" edition

A set of Caramel Apple Bar Topping Tags

leave square or use a 2.25" circle punch to create round labels

If you need ideas for how to set up a Caramel Apple Bar, check out my APPLE EVERYTHING Pinterest board where you'll find tons of ideas! I personally think I would go with this "Apple Wedge" approach when setting up an interactive Caramel Apple Bar. It just seems more cost-effective and way more practical since I think kids and adults are less likely to eat an entire apple.

Besides that, I like the thought of being able to try a couple of different flavor combinations instead of being stuck with only one - who's with me on that? *wink*

If you are on the fence about whether or not you want to create a Caramel Apple Bar this Fall...I'm offering $5 off the NEW Caramel Apple Bar Collection for the next 24 hours!

EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS ENJOY $10 OFF - emails have just been sent!

Maybe that will convince you? All you have to do is go to the Chalkboard Caramel Bar Collection in my shoppe and enter CARAMELAPPLE during checkout!!

I hope you've been inspired!
I'd love to know if you've created one before and if you have any tips + tricks you think will be helpful as I scheme on what to do for mine this year!!

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I took these photos last week.
It's all still sitting on the floor in my studio. (even the caramel) *gasp*

Speaking of the caramel...
When prepping for the photoshoot, I just so happened to see the jar in the overflow fridge when I was grabbing the apples. Which means I didn't have to make some or buy some to use in the photos. AND...I'm pretty sure it's from last Fall, when I made caramel apple pie! *hands over eyes*
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