Making Paper Dolls with Build-a-Bear Workshop Dies

After I posted photos of the paper doll sets I made using the new Build-a-Bear Workshop dies (see Sept. 1st post) I got so many questions about how to make them. So I put together this video which gives a few tips on how to get the best results.

These new Build-a-Bear Workshop® Sizzix® dies are available exclusively through Stampin'Up! They are so cute and perfect for so many projects. If you would like to order some please visit my Stampin'Up website here and click on the Shop Now button. As I mentioned in the video, if you order the Stampin'Up! Bear die (product #117977) through my website I will send you 2 DVD tins for FREE. But hurry! I only have a limit supply and this offer is only good while supplies last.

Retired Stamp Sets - Free to Good Homes

As I mentioned in my most recent post, I have been reorganizing my craft room. As a result, I uncovered several retired stamps sets that I haven't used in, oh so long. What to do? Neglect them in a dark closet a while longer? Sell them on Ebay? How about giving them away to kind and loving stampers who could give them the attention they deserve? Yes, that's it!

Order Now and Receive a FREE Stamp Set
The first 8 customers to place an online order for $75 or more (before tax & shipping) through my Stampin'Up! website (click here, then click shop now) will get their choice of one of these retired sets for FREE. First come, first served applies. Which, of course, means the sooner you act the more selection you have to choose from. Please note: all stamp sets are used, but in good condition and complete. This offer will expire Sept. 30th, or when inventory runs out. Sorry, due to restrictions, I have to limit this offer to U.S. residents only.

(left) Sew Seasonal, set of 9
(right) Heartfelt Thanks, set of 9

(left) Flower Filled, set of 9
(right) Be Happy, set of 6

(left) Live Your Dream, set of 8
(right) A Little Birdie Told Me, set of 12

(left) Artfully Asian, set of 5
(right) Polka Dots & Paisley, set of 6

After your order is placed. I will contact you by email to let you know which sets are available and to verify your shipping information.

Thrifty Storage Ideas

Hello fellow crafters. The past couple of days I have been reorganizing the clutter that is my craft area. Besides being a great opportunity to procrastinate on other projects, I often find supplies and other gems I forgot that I had squirreled away. Ever happen to any of you?

While I was looking for ideas on how to reorganize my clutter and store my new found treasures, I came across a slew of clever and thrifty, storage ideas. So I thought I'd share a few with you here.


Jars: Spaghetti sauce and other glass jars make great storage for ribbons, buttons, and silk flowers. Not only can you see what's inside, but they look very colorful sitting on a shelf.



These "hanging" jars were mounted by nailing the lid to the bottom of the shelf. My dad use to do this in the garage for storing nails, screws, and other odds and ends.

Priority Mail Boxes: Cut one end off used Priority Mailing boxes and stand them on their sides to make vertical paper holders.

Flat Ware Trays: To prolong their use, dual tipped markers and gel pens should be stored on their sides (or flat). Divided flat ware trays are the perfect solution for these items and can usually be found for cheap at thrift stores and garage sales.

Tiny Ziplock Bags: Those tiny ziplock bags that extra buttons come in on new clothes are the perfect size to store used sponge dabbers and ink blending foams.

Plastic CD Cases: CD cases are great for storing loose or left-over embellishments. Label the spine of the case (baby, graduation, birthday, etc.) and store them in a CD rack.


Egg Cartons: Use egg cartons to sort craft supplies by color, size or type. How cute is this? An egg carton that has been turned into a sewing kit. Egg cartons also make great disposable paint or glue cups.

Pringles Cans: Pringles brand potato chips or similar long cylindrical cans make great storage for paint brushes, keeping them clean and dust free.

4 x 6 Albums: Plastic 4 x 6 pocket albums can usually be found in the .99 cent bins and are great for storing brass templates.

Shoe Bags: Mount a shoe bag over the door or on the wall for storing craft punches and other tools.

Spice Racks: Spice racks are ideal for storing, brads, buttons, eyelets, beads, at kinds of small embellishments.

Wrapper Paper Tubes: Save your empty wrapping paper tubes and use them to store oversize pieces of paper. Stand several tubes upright in a basket in the corner of the room.

Dish Drainer: Sort card stock, scrapbook page kits, and complete layouts upright in a dish drainer. This is another item that can easily be found at a thrift store.

DIY File Folder: This may qualify as a craft project, more than a storage solution, but I had to include this photo because I thought the idea was so clever.

Have you ever come across an old photo album at estate or garage sale, but the insides were falling apart? I love this idea of using the covers and mounting a file folder between them.

Making the most of household and recyclable containers for storage can save you lots of money, which you can use for new supplies. Because we all know.... you can never have too many craft supplies.

Exclusive Build-a-Bear Workshop® Line Now Available

I am so excited. Today the exclusive Build-a-Bear Workshop® collection of stamp sets and dies available from Stampin'Up! premieres. Check out the full collection on my Stampin'Up! website here. This new line is so cute and just perfect for invitations, cards, scrap booking, and tons of other craft projects.

A couple of weeks ago I posted photos of some project ideas displayed at our Stampin'Up! convention (see my August 15th post.) After seeing all the adorable ideas I just had to place a pre-order and once my shipment arrived I promptly regressed to my childhood, cutting out "paper bears" and dressing them up. What fun!

Here's a project I just finished for my niece and nephew, tins with magnetic sets of paper "bears."

I left the front covers of the tins uncovered so that the magnetic dolls can be mounted here.


The paper dolls, their wardrobe choices, and a couple of backgrounds fit inside the tins.


I made a set of two backgrounds for each tin.

When you close the tin the magnetic paper bear holds the background in place. The clothing is also backed with a magnetic sheet.

Wouldn't these tins would be perfect to keep little people happy on long cars trips, quiet during church service, or maybe preoccupied in the doctor's office waiting room? I hope my niece and nephew enjoy playing with them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Supplies from Stampin'Up! Holiday Mini Catalog:
Beary Best Friends stamp set
Stampin' Up! Bear Bigz die
Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials Bigz die
Stampin' Up! Beary Girl Sizzlits die
Pawsitively Prints designer series paper

Supplies from Stampin' Up! 2009-10 Idea Book & Catalog:
Card stock: whisper white, very vanilla, bashful blue, old olive, real red, night of navy, basic black, chocolate chip, creamy caramel, regal rose
Ink: basic brown classic, whisper white craft
Accessories: chocolate chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, stampin' write markers, metal edge tags

Other supplies:
DVD/CD tin
Adhesive backed magnetic sheet