Stamping & Scrapping with Jen

More From the Crop Weekend: Famous Build a Bear Contest

We have had a wonderful weekend so far.  The highlight for many was our Famous Build a Bear Contest held last night.  We gave each guest a Build-a-Bear die cut and asked them to dress it as a famous person. Then we gave everyone the opportunity to vote for their favorite.  We got some AMAZING entries!!!

 

For more details on future crop weekends, visit us at www.njcropweekends.com.

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Oooo Oooo Witchy Woman

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is dating Brett, who has "a song" and it's Desperado?  Then she tries to come up with her own song, or maybe it was a song for the two of them - I forget, but anyway, she picks and sings Witchy Woman several times through the episode.

I'm sure Elaine didn't have this little cutie in mind when she was singing Witchy Woman, and I seriously doubt the Eagles (who really sings the song), had her in mind either.  But nonetheless, here is MY take on a Witchy Woman.

I'm pretty sure this little gal isn't dating anyone or hoping anyone sings to her.  I kind of think she is probably on her way to a Halloween Party with all her Build-a-Bear friends.  It's probably a party in the neighborhood, since she decided to walk and not ride her broom (oh, wait she isn't a real witch, she is just DRESSED like one!)  And it looks like it's still daylight, which is good because she looks rather young to be out at night alone; so maybe she's not really a woman at all.  Maybe Witchy Young Woman is a better title.  Hopefully she'll have a great time at her party!

I have to admit, I had some fun putting this little girl together.  (I actually made 4 of them, so she does have a few friends.  I'm pretty sure they are all going to the party.)  It uses the Kooky Spooky Sizzix Die (for the witch hat and broom - #117979), which is exclusive to Stampin' Up!  If you want to use it for your Halloween cards, it's not too late (but it's getting close!)  Be sure to go to my online store and place your order for it today!!  The rest of her clothes are from the Beary Essentials Die (#117978), which is also exclusive to Stampin' Up!

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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!!

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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.

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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!

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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.