MARK YOUR SPOT!

The SCS challenge for today is called "Mark Your Spot". Intriguing isn't it? Basically the challenge was to create a "non-traditional" bookmark. I thought about it all afternoon, had the design in my head, and decided to use the little gnome reading a book from the SU Gnobbly Gnome set. When I got home tonight I sat down at my desk and saw a scrap of Kiwi Kiss cardstock sitting there and began playing with it. It coordinates so well with the Bella Rose Designer Paper but I didn't want an elegant bookmark - I wanted something a little more homespun so the red & white gingham paper from that set was the perfect choice. Once I pieced it together it cried out for scallops and buttons, so those came next. The last thing to go on would be the stamp itself - but somehow the little gnarled gnome just didn't seem the right choice. I wanted to make the bookmark for a friend that enjoys reading - and the gnome doesn't look a thing like her!!!! Maybe words would be the best thing. So much for my well thought out design. This isn't ANYTHING like it! :) The bookmark is the top right corner and slips off to reveal a hidden message.

I demonstrated the BIGSHOT at a workshop yesterday afternoon. What fun!! I spent the day Saturday playing with it and a variety of dies, embossing folders, stencils and materials. I have to tell you - I CAN'T WAIT TO ORDER MINE!!!! It is so lightweight (especially compared to the heavy ended old red Sizzix) and very user friendly. I definitely prefer it to the Cuttlebug (which can do the same things). It appears to be more durable, it can cut a greater variety of materials and can accept even the largest of the dies currently on the market. It makes dry embossing a breeze!

These are some of the items I made using it.

The owl treat bag was made using one of the exclusive Stampin'Up dies called "Top Notes". I demonstrated that die first. When I started to introduce the next die which was the scalloped envelope my great-niece Annabelle wanted to know if this one was the "bottom notes"? Don't you love the way a child's mind works? It makes perfect since really - if there's a top note there HAS to be a bottom note doesn't there???

The butterfly is cut from a glittery piece of felt and glued to the card front which was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder run through the BigShot. I cut a second one from the black felt, another from hot pink felt which I cut apart for the body then sewed both pieces to a light pink t-shirt. It turned out pretty cute (if you don't look to closely at my hand stitching) but unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of it before giving it to Annabelle.

In case you haven't guessed by now, "I LOVE THE BIGSHOT!!!" I can't wait to start playing with the snowflake dies that I'm ordering - I have several ideas for those.

Thanks for visiting my blog and reading my ramblings.

Have a great day and make sure to schedule a little play time today.

Jill