Stamping & Scrapping with Jen

Technique Tuesday - Van Gogh Technique

A few weeks ago, I was looking for a new technique to use in my Technique Tuesday class, so I went to Splitcoaststampers for a little inspiration and I came across the Try a Technique Challenge.  For that day it was the VanGogh Technique.

The basic concept of this technique is to color in a line image with markers without shading, then go back and add brushstrokes in darker colors and/or coordinating colors to add the shading and dimension.  I really liked to look of the samples so I set out in search of the perfect stamp set, and all I really came up with was the Build-a-Bear stamps.  Since they are a smaller stamp (a lot of the samples were larger images or scenery), I didn't think I could use the large brush end of the marker, so I used the fine-point end, which made it a little more like Georges Seurat, but I'm still calling it the VanGogh Technique.

So, here are the two cards I came up with. I had to do both the girl and boy versions!  If you click on them, you can see them a little larger and see the details in the brushstrokes.

Here is a full recipe:

Stamp sets: Beary Best Friends, Beary Nice Wishes

Ink: Jet Black StazOn

Cardstock: Brocade Blue (boy), Bashful Blue (boy), Rose Romance (girl), Pretty in Pink (girl), Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: lots & lots of markers!!

See you tomorrow!!

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Build-a-Bear Birthday

My daughter celebrated her 5th Birthday at Build-a-Bear and a few weeks ago I posted some of the pieces of the invitations.  I thought I would post the final invites AND the thank you cards (which I am very happy to say are all written out and (mostly) delivered!!

First, the invites.  After creating all the bears, I just attached them to a Bashful Blue card front with a little torn Old Olive at the bottom.  I stamped "You're Invited" from the retired Hugs & Wishes set at the bottom and then included all the details on the inside (which I actually printed out from the Build a Bear website).

 
(thanks Jess for the photo!)

 

And here are a few shots from the party: 

 

 

And finally, here are the thank you cards. Even though all the invitations were different (and the boys got the boy bears, and the girls got the girl bears), the thank yous were all the same.  I colored the bear, the balloon, and her shoes with markers, and the dress is paper pieced on.  It's a patterned paper from the Pawsitively Prints DSP.

Overall I have to say, this was one of the most organized, affordable, and FUN birthday parties ever.  The folks at BAB really outdid themselves!!! If you decide to have your child's birthday party at Build-a-Bear (which I would highly recommend), let me know!  I can help you create custom invitations and thank you cards.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

More Build-A-Bear

Here is another Build-a-Bear card that I made last month at my upline, Tina Rosenkrans's annual Fall Fest.  Is she not adorable?  Sad to say, but I am learning all about fashion as I dress these little bears!  I know when I have made a good one, because I get the nod of approval from my 7-year old daughter, who is our family's resident fashion expert. 

Fortunately, Stampin' Up! does make it pretty easy to get fashion right when clothing these little guys (and girls).  Between the coordinating color lines and the Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper (used here for her clothes and shoes), you really can't go wrong.

I am currently working on invitations and thank you notes for my soon-to-be 5 year old daughter's birthday party (at Build-A-Bear, of course!), so I will share those finished projects as soon as they are ready!

Speaking of Build-a-Bear birthday parties, I think they may be the EASIEST place in the world to have a party.  Here is why, #1 - you determine how much you want to spend per child, #2 - they also give you goodie bags, #3 - your activity is already provided, #4 - you only pay for who shows up that day (so no paying for no shows!!), and #5 - each child leaves with a bear and a bunch of other stuff, and you are pretty much all set!!!!  I feel like other than make the invitations, I don't have to do much else!!  That's gotta be a mom's dream!!!

So, I hope you enjoyed today's sample (and explanation of a Build-a-Bear Birthday Party).  See you tomorrow!

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Dressing Up Build-A-Bears

My daughter will be having a Build-A-Bear Workshop birthday party this year, and what great timing that is!!!!  In case you haven't heard, Stampin' Up! just came out with a product line of Build-A-Bear items.  So last weekend I was at a crop and created all these adorable little bears.

I made enough bears for each child we are inviting, and eventually they will go on a card with all the info.  All the boys will get boy bears, and all the girls get girl bears.  Here are a few up close:

And here is a little tip to make assembling these guys WAY easier.  Instead of trying to glue on the eyes, nose & mouth, punch out those areas instead.  Then take a small black piece of cardstock and attach it to the back of the bear.  The black will show through to the front, and you'll spare yourself the headache of those little pieces!!!  Here is what the back will look like.

I only used two dies to create all these bears.  Here they are:

I had so much fun dressing these bears!!!  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!  If you absolutely have to have these (c'mon, I KNOW you want them!!!), you can order them online at my Stampin' Up! store.