Nov 12, 2009 | Big Shot, Build-a-Bear, Catalogs, Contest Winner, Decor Elements |
Today is the day that the December issue of the Stampin’ Success magazine will be online and begin mailing. I can’t wait to see it – why? Because I should be in it! If you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator you will receive the magazine so look for me! I can only think of one other time I was in a publication and it was our Annual Report for the company that I last worked for – but my picture showed the back of my head because the photographer liked my hair – so you couldn’t even tell it was me…anyway…..
I sent in my Build-a-Bear idea for the
October contest (so I think I sent in actually in September) and it is getting published in the December issue as the winning entry for the Kidding Around contest. I took my sleeping bag idea and turne
d it into a Color Match Game for kids. I made a sleeping bag using each of the colors in the Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper – “Green”, “Orange”, “Pink”, “Blue”, and “Yellow”. Then I made a Build-a-Bear with matching pajamas for each sleeping bag. I decorated one of the skinny tins that Stampin’ Up! has for sale in the clearance section of the online store. The sleeping bags and bears fit inside. I used My Digital Studio to create the instruction sheet that I attached inside the lid. I don’t know what photos they will have in the magazine but here are the ones I took before I mailed it away.
I’m working on writing the instructions for the project. So I’ll post that when I have those ready. It was very exciting to win the contest and then have a phone interview. I was very nervous and I think I babbled on about who knows what. I’ll try to post the article here…
Ok I think I figured out how to get it copied out of the magazine so I can include here.
Here is the little article:
And in the same issue is a write-up on my upline Wendy Randall – a full page article! And we got our first peek at the new Occasions Mini catalog – with NEW products!! And the new Sale-A-Bration catalog – you’ll want them all! And new Decor Elements too! Oh my goodness I can’t believe they keep coming up with all these new things that I just have to have.
The dates for the Occasions Mini catalog are Jan 5, 2010 – April 30, 2010 and Sale-A-Bration will be Jan 5, 2010 – March 31, 2010.
Thanks for stopping by today – this is so exciting!
Oct 8, 2009 | Big Shot, Build-a-Bear |
Hi everyone! I wanted to share another project with you today using the Build-a-Bear product line. And I wanted to let you know that my contest entry that I sent to Stampin’ Up! last month was a winner! I got the email yesterday. I took the little sleeping bag idea and turned it into a 3-d project by creating a kids Color-Match Game. I’m not sure if I can show the project so I’ll wait on that for now. It will be published in the December issue of Stampin’ Success Magazine – which is our demonstrator monthly magazine. I’m having a phone interview next week – I’m excited and nervous too. Anyway onto the project I’m sharing today.
Last weekend I participated in a Holiday Bazaar and this was one of the items that I created to sell – it was one of the more popular items. The idea came from one they showed us on stage at convention. But the idea was just a little coloring kit and it was in a canvas bag. I couldn’t find little canvas bags so I decided to use what I had here at home – card stock. And when I went to the store to buy the little 8 packs of crayons – I discovered a 24 pack was only 25cents and the 8 pack was 3 time mores – so I bought the bigger boxes for less money.
The box of crayons fits nicely in the Fancy Favor box Big Shot die so I cut those out of Old Olive card stock. Assembled them and added a strip of card stock as a handle. I attached the handle with brads.
My concept was a tag kit for kids. I stamped the bears – Beary Best Friends- with various accessories – hat, balloon, flower, etc. on pieces of Whisper White card stock – I cut 2 sheet into 8 pieces each – so there were 16 tags for each box. I added a greeting on each one using the matching set in the mini catalog – Beary Nice Wishes. Punched a hole with the Crop-a-Dile and put them on a ring. I tied a piece of ribbon on the ring. The idea is that they can pick one that they need off of the ring – color it and then tie it onto a gift – they can add the to/from on the back and they’ll be set.
The front panel is stamped on the natural white card stock and water colored with the aquapainter and classic inks. I layered each on a coordinating piece of card stock and put on the front of the box with dimensionals.
I tied another piece of ribbon on each handle. I thought they really turned out cute. I plan to send one to my niece and nephew. Too bad my kids have already outgrown the Build-a-Bears. But I sure am having fun with them.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Have a Beary nice day!
Sep 15, 2009 | Big Shot, Build-a-Bear, SU Ribbon, Tutorial |
I don’t know what it is about Chocolate but I never have enough. I’m actually talking about Chocolate Chip card stock – but that statement holds true for the real stuff too!
I swear I must eat my card stock in my sleep – I think I order lots of it and then all of a sudden my Chocolate Chip card stock is gone – AGAIN. What am I doing with it? I think I can safely say that it is my most used color of card stock. I just placed another order and put 5 packs on my order so maybe I won’t run out so fast. I need to make a habit of ordering one pack every time I place an order then I will never run out – right?
So let me see what have I been doing that used up the Chocolate Chip card stock – well you know what – some of it was used for Build-a-Bears, and some of it was used for my last Class to Go Kit – which by the way is now available as a tutorial – it just needs to be added to my tutorial for sale page – here is a photo of it –
And I used some in my new 50-50 JAR!
I wanted to try something else besides the 50/50 board but couldn’t come up with another idea so instead I decided to tweek the 50-50 board idea and I have turned it into a 50-50 jar. 
It is the same basic concept – place a $50 order and get a chance to win $50 of Stampin’ Up! product from me. I used a big cracker jar. Tied the new 1-1/4″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip around the jar. I made a tag using Bella Bear’s stamp that says ” “LIFE WITHOUT STAMPS……UNBEARABLE….”
The tag was created like this – I stamped on Whisper White in Chocolate Chip ink and punched out with the 1-1/4″ Circle Punch.
I layered that on a 1-3/8″ Circle punch of So Saffron. Then I punched a Scallop Circle from Chocolate Chip card stock – this one I added White Gel Pen dots. The stamped layered circle was added on to this one with a Stampin’ Dimensional to pop it up. Then the next layer was my newest little discovery…..
I just got the Stampin’ Up! Two Tags die (THANKS GLORIA!) and I can tell this one will be one that gets used a lot. One of the tags has a scalloped circle at one end that layers perfectly with the Scallop circle punch – but it only goes half way around – so this is what I did. I used the Big Shot to cut one tag out of Old Olive card stock – then I placed that tag back on my die in the opposite direction matching up the scallops and cut it again – Ta-Da – a larger scallop circle to layer with my punch!
It shows a few of the perforated lines but that’s ok – I love how it layers! I tied the tag with linen thread to my ribbon.
The inside of the jar is the other tag – the one that folds up. I cut 50 of them in Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie. On each one I stamped Bella’s stamp – by the way I named my Stampin’ Up! Build-a-Bear “BELLA” – I’m not sure I announced that on my blog yet. The idea with the tags inside the jar is that when someone has a $50 order they get to pick a tag and write their name and information on it – fold it in half and place it back in the jar. Once all the tags are filled out I’ll draw a winner.
The top of the jar is the large scallop circle die – decorated with the White Gel Pen to resemble the perforated lines on the tag die. And then I added the numbers/letters from the GoGo Boots Alphabet die. I like how it turned out. So lets fill up the jar!
One other weird thing to mention – I had this jar in a plastic storage box with a bottle of etching cream – the bottle was closed – we did some glass etching a year or so ago for the holidays – I may need to do that again using the Decor Elements!! Anyway when I took out the cracker jar the back side is now frosted like it has been etched – do you think fumes from that bottle of etching cream got out and etched that jar? It was all clear like the front to begin with. That’s the only thing I can think of is that it was sitting next to the jar closed up in a plastic container and over time it just happened somehow…..weird isn’t it….
Enough for today…….it is pouring down rain here and thundering. Stay dry!
Sep 14, 2009 | Build-a-Bear, class, My Digital Studio, Stamper's Club |
Sorry for not posting in several days. I have a cold/sinus/allergy thing going on and my head is so stuffed I haven’t been doing much for a few days. I did have a Stamper’s Club 
meeting on Friday night which was a lot of fun. We made the Build-a-Bear in the sleeping bag cards that I shared with everyone last week. I love those little guys – I have made a ton. I’m working on a 3-D project to also send to Stampin’ Up! and also the scrapbook page that I talked about – well not sure that I talked about it here or not maybe just on my yahoo groups.
We also made scratch pad holders – everyone made a different one – we used papers from Cottage Wall, Noveau Chic, and Pink Flamingo. I meant to take pictures of what the different designs looked like but I forgot. I’m planning to make an assortment of these for a Holiday Bazaar that I’m participating in next month so I’ll take pictures of those and post later.
Remember last week I made the little project with the new My Digital Studio – I printed it to put in the frames we decorated while I was at convention so here is the picture of that:
In the picture is me, then Sue, Diane and Michele. Sue brought these black wooden frames to convention and an assortment of rub-ons for us to decorate them with.
So the outside is rub-ons (I think all retired ones) and I had a few spill over onto the glass in the upper left-hand corner. Then inside the frame is the picture that I printed out after adding some elements with the My Digital Studio. Unfortunately my printer is not printing the colors correctly – the background should be Old Olive but looks more like Kiwi Kiss.
I’m working now on an album that I will sent to the Stampin’ Up! printer so I can see what that is like and have to show to everyone too.
Update on the Circle Circus Class to Go Kits – kits with supplies have all been cut and will be ready for pickup/mailing tomorrow. I’m adding photos to the instructions and hope to be emailing the pdf files for those of you that ordered those later tonight or in the morning. A new class will be out soon.
My class at my house is this Friday – it is a Sweet Treats class making lots of different treat holders – it will be a fun class and give you plenty of ideas to take you through all the holidays. Treats for the kids, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers – anybody that needs a little something! Come join me. Below is a peek at some of the projects – for the details visit my website – CLICK HERE.
Have a sweet day!
Sep 6, 2009 | Build-a-Bear |
WOW!
I have received lots of comments on my bears and their sleeping bags! I’m so glad everybody loves them as much as I do. I think I sold some demos on finally ordering these Build-a-Bear dies….here are some of the comments I’ve been getting:
– Oh my GOSH, Monika,
these are the cutest things I have seen yet with the bears, big shot. Heather
– sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!! Patty
– Oh my goodness! They are ADORABLE!!
Now, I’m going to have to get this die! Kelly
– I’ve seen so many cute things done with the Build-A-Bears but haven’t felt any need to buy them….until now. What an awesome idea. Those are so stinkin’ cute! Roni
– Great idea! Perfect for a Slumber Party Invitation. Michelle
– OMG!!!! How cute is that!!!!!!!!! Ruthie
– They’re adorable!!!!! I love them!!!!! I haven’t purchased any of the Build-a-Bear products . . . yet. I’m trying so hard to not want them, but I do love your sleeping bags! Regina
– I just wanted to tell you how ADORABLE I think these are, and that you should definitely send them in to SU! I’d do a 12×12 layout including the sleeping bag bears, as that will show a useful versatility. I have to admit that I was not a fan of the bear dies, but I’m dying to make these now. You’ve given me lots of ideas – thank you! Melinda
– I have not been too overly excited about these die cuts cause my kids are all grown up- too big for the bears anyway. This is the absolutely hands down best I have seen yet! These are adorable! Shelly
– Those are the best things I have seen done with those bears yet!!! So adorable!! Can’t let my granddaughters see those.. they’ll want them!! Keep up the GREAT creativity!!
Connie
– love your cute bears in the sleeping bags!!!!! good thinking Sherrill
AND THERE ARE MANY MORE!!!!
And thank you also to Sherril Graff – she has selected me for one of her Artist Spotlights on her blog: http://latenightstamper1.blogspot.com/
And here is a peek at my next class to go kit:
Have a great Holiday weekend!
Sep 5, 2009 | Big Shot, Build-a-Bear, Designer Series Paper |
I’ve been having so much fun today making bears!! The other night when I was working I came up with an idea that I thought was very clever. Do you ever have one of those days where you just keep smiling cause you came up with something and it just makes you happy? Today I’ve been playing again and I just have to smile ’cause I’m tickled pink with this idea. So are you just dying to know what it is……..well the Top Note Die is the perfect size to making sleeping bags for the Build-A-Bears! Look at this……
Look at all my bears in their little sleeping bags!! Here is a close up of a boy and a girl bear.
I cut two Top Note dies from the Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper and scored one of them and folded it down. What I did to score was line up the center points on the 1″ line and score carefully. Then fold that over. I used snail on the sides and bottom to put the sleeping bags together. I added buttons (from the sizzlet die) or ribbon to each one. I stamped one of the greetings on the bottom – I decided to use “I ‘heart’ YOU BEARY MUCH!” and I cut a heart using the Beary Girl Sizzlets die and popped it up with a tiny piece of a Stampin’ Dimensional. I did trim the points off of the sides of the sleeping bag. Maybe I should have done it on the bottom too – that is the only thing my boys thought was weird because their sleeping bags never had points on them…..oh well.
The bears are cut from the Bear die using Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, and Creamy Carmel card stock. I punched a 1-1/4″ circle out of Basic Black card stock and glued it with a 2-way glue pen to the back of each bear head for the facial features (this is much easier that dealing with the tiny little piece from the die). I glued on the muzzle from a different color of card stock.
The clothes are cut from the Beary Essentials die using the Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper and I just mixed up the different pants and shirts. On some of the girls I cut the bottoms of the pants off at the perforated line to make them look more liked cropped pjs. The girls also got bows in their hair – it is on the Beary Girl Sizzlits die. I glued on all the clothes – a few of them I added the cuffs for the shirt. I also added the hearts on the outside of their shirts. Then the bears were tucked into their sleeping bags.
The card is run through the Big Shot with the new Perfect Details texture plate (just the front) to give it a little texture – it looked too plain without it to me. The card base is Old Olive since that is one of the accent colors in the designer series paper.
So I’m thinking about sending this idea in to Stampin’ Up! for one of the monthly contests. What do you think?
I was going to plan a scrapbook page with the bears in their sleeping bags – Ryan whenever he went to visit my parents when he was little always took all of his Build-a-Bears and had a “sleep-over”. I know I have pictures somewhere…..I just haven’t figured out where that is yet. So my dilemma (is that spelled right?) was what to send in for the contest – a scrapbook page or a card?
These are my swaps for the STARZ group meeting tonight.
Have a BEARY FUN WEEKEND!!
