Crafty Weekend with ODBD

For the second year, I got to do demo for Our Daily Bread Designs in the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbook and Stamping Show in Birch Run, Michigan.  This show, on it's fourth year, is put together by Great Scrapbook Events.  And I haven't missed any one.  

I guess it's meant to be because we have a 4-day weekend from work due to the deer hunting season, thus Deer Widows' Weekend, another thing I love about Northern Michigan.  

The first two years of the show, I was a plain customer - savoring each booth and trying every make-and-take.  I enjoy pulling my small carry-on luggage around, hauling my crafty finds all day (Check out Year 1 and Year 2).

Starting last year, I was on the other side of the table - mainly doing demo for products that ODBD carries and helping out on the selling floor  (Check out last year:  Part 1 and Part 2).  And because I'm a people person, I really enjoy my time interacting with fellow crafters.  When they make a purchase based on my recommendations, it really makes me glad.

This year, ODBD occupied a larger space from last year.  It was awesomely super great to see President and CEO Kelley Holland and her husband Rick again.  I also met one of their employees, Josh.  And like I said on the Tinker Planet Facebook Page,  I was in craft heaven!  It felt really good to see each and every ODBD stamp and feel them in my hands.  Not only that, you get to see the cards the designers made - that's an overflow of inspiration right there.  And then you see more products they carry - new ones and old.  I got to see Becca Feeken's Peg Bow Maker in action.  All of these made me feel special... really!   

This year, we had two make-and-take tables - one for a fall card and the other for a winter card, all utilizing ODBD products.  A lot of different people sat on our MAK table - crafters having some "me time", girlfriends hanging out and chit chatting while making a card, and mothers and daughters having an intimate quality time.  Some of them came both days, and some of them I recall from last year. 

I did try to convince some husbands to sit down and make a card.  I even promised I would give them a hug after.  For two days, I was unsuccessful.

And did I say I really like wearing the ODBD apron???  I only get to wear this once a year, and I'm proud and flaunting it.

They were great two days very well spent.  I made sure to visit one of my favorite companies USArt Quest, and said hi to Susan Pickering Rothamel.  I was very humbled when she complimented my demo skills.

I won't even tell you anymore the shopping side of this weekend.  Let's just say I did acquire some new products and goodies I've been wanting to add to my planet.  I was very good though, and really thought well about my purchases.  No impulse buying this time.  The only regret is that I forgot to buy Becca's Peg Bow Maker.  I just realized that as I write this blog.

Next year, Great Scrapbook Events will be a week earlier (November 7-9, 2013) and might use the entire Birch Run Convention Center.  That means a much larger shopping area (way fun!) and a lot more space for the croppers.

If you are from Michigan and nearby areas, this show is really worth seeing.  And when you do, stop by the Our Daily Bread Designs Booth and say hi.

'Til next blog!

Crafty Weekend (Part 1)

Hello crafty friends!  I had a super busy weekend filled with lots of crafty deliciousness at the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbooking & Stamping Show by Great Scrapbook Events in Birch Run, Michigan.  The show ran for the entire weekend, but I was there all day Friday and Saturday.

Even though it was snowing on Friday morning in our neck of the woods, I still went on and started heading south. I just have to mention (and brag) that my DH escorted me and drove his truck ahead of me until the main highway to make sure that I was going to be fine. But there was less and less snow as I got more south, and driving was a lot easier. At that time, the excitement started kicking in - I was going to work for one of my favorite stamping brands: Our Daily Bread Designs.

 

At the Birch Run Expo Center, I was surprised to see many cars already parked outside, with people in line ready to get inside. They were the croppers who have the privilege to shop an hour early for all three days. It sure felt good to walk past them all and tell the organizers that I'll be working for ODBD.

My main task was to demo Flower Soft, but I also assisted in their operations during the show.  I was proud to wear the ODBD apron - it made me feel extra special! 

The ODBD booth was 60 ft. long, perfect to showcase their entire rubber stamp line and all othe crafting products that they carry.  The area you see in the photo below is only about two thirds of their entire space.

It was a feast to see ALL the ODBD stamps.  Who doesn't want to have them all?

It was nice to see new products from Sizzix like their matching rubber stamps/embossing folder combo and matching rubber stamps/die combo.

And it was my first time to see the Cheery Lyn dies.  They are all beautiful!  If I am super rich, I would buy all designs.

All around the booth you will see the beautiful cards made by the ODBD Design Team.  It's such a joy to see each and every one, even though it could take an hour or so.  It sure makes a big difference to see these cards in person and actually feel them with your hands, compared to seeing them online.

And of course, the Flower Soft station where people can learn how the product works, do make-and-takes and try Flower Soft themselves.

 

Did you know that Flower Soft now also has the Ultra-Fine and Diamond Range?  While playing with them during the demo, you can really see the difference from the regular Flower Soft, especially when you all three kinds in one project, giving a more dimensional effect.

In the picture below, you will see the Flower Soft kits by the manufacturer and also by ODBD.

It was a super great experience to work for Our Daily Bread Designs.  Each hour I spent at the booth was so worthwhile and will never be forgotten.   

But you know what the best part is?  I got to meet Kelly Holland, the super person who gave us Our Daily Bread Designs, and her husband Rick.  They are very wonderful, down-to-earth and accomodating people, and I'm so glad to have met them.

I thank them both for a super duper awesome experience, and also Great Scrapbook Events for a great opportunity.

'Til next blog!

Eleven Eleven Eleven

Isn't today special being 11-11-11?  I have a friend who's getting married on this day.  Maybe somebody's going to win the lottery or something big.  Are you doing anything special today?  I am.

It's my first time to demo a craft product today.  And what makes it extra something is that I'm doing it for Our Daily Bread Designs during the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbook & Stamping Show by Great Scrapbook Events.  I remember last year, I was on the other side of the table doing the make-and-take for ODBD. 

Our Daily Bread Designs Booth
Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbook & Stamping Show
Birch Run, 2010

But it doesn't end there, as I will be taking three classes by Susan Pickering Rothamel of USArtQuest at the Marco's Paper booth.

It is definitely going to be a very crafty weekend!

If you're from Michigan and can make it to the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbook & Stamping Show this weekend, please stop by the Our Daily Bread Designs Booth and say hi. I'll be posting photos all day Friday and Saturday at the Tinker Planet Facebook Page. 

And while I'm busy working for Our Daily Bread Designs, I would like to share with you a card I made for DH this Veterans Day:

It's my first time to use this flag image by Our Daily Bread Designs (colored with Copic markers) and I love it!  The sentiment from Stampin' Up works really well with what I what to depict in the card.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Wassau, WT, K&Co.

image/sentiment:  Our Daily Bread Designs, Stampin' Up

ink:  Tsukineko, Copic, Ranger

tools:  Spellbinders, Janome Sew Mini, Tim Holtz distressing tool

embellishments:  fabric sticker, brads

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

I am very proud of my DH for dedicating more than half of his life to serve our country, together with dear family members, relatives and friends who did and are doing the same.  I salute all the men and women in the military, past and present for all their sacrifices in keeping and defending our freedom.  May the government NOT put all of this aside and modify and/or take away what military servicemen, past and present, deserve.

'Til next blog!

Treat in the Mail

Hello crafty friends!  Last Halloween, I also received a treat by winning ArtBin's Pumpkin Carving Contest.  I found out about it through the ArtBin Facebook Page.  And I just received my prize today:

Super Satchel Deluxe
ArtBin

This would be perfect to take for crops or card making events, as it has compartments that would fit 12 x 12 cardstock, tools and embellishments.  Even my Fiskars paper trimmer fits perfectly inside.  And because it's almost clear, It's so easy for me to see everything inside and find what I need.

They also have a new product that I find really interesting.  It's called the Holiday Super Satchel Electronic Cartridge Storage, which can hold up to 16 Cricut cartridges:

And you know the good news?  I received a Joann's Christmas Catalog in the mail, and the Holiday Super Satchel Electronic Cartridge Storage is in it as well:

And finally, this weekend is the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbook and Stamping Show by Great Scrapbook Events.  It's going to be at the Birch Run Expo in Birch Run, Michigan. 

I will be there to demo Flower Soft for Our Daily Bread Designs.  If you happen to be in the area, please stop by the ODBD booth and say hi.  We have 2 make-and-takes together with a bunch of other companies who will have fun activities as well.  There are classes that you can sign up for too.  I actually signed up for 3 classes by Susan Pickering Rothamel, and I'm really excited about it!  You can get more information about this event at the Great Scrapbook Events website and Facebook page.

'Til next blog!

Super Ultra Fun Weekend

I was looking forward to this weekend for two reasons.  One is a karaoke contest, and the other is a Scrapbook Shop & Crop Show hosted by Great Scrapbook Events, only 15 minutes away from home.  Even though I didn't have enough sleep the other night, I made sure I went to this Scrapbooking event yesterday.

The crop area was so tempting with all the tools available for use.  So I stayed away from there and went around and checked out the different vendors and booths.  The popular brands were there like Stampin' Up and Close To My Heart.  And there were locally based vendors too like my LSS The Paper Manor.  There was a product that really caught my attention called the Fantasy Fiber being sold by Til Dawn Paper Crafts.  I had to buy several colors and I can't wait to play with them!  There were lots of good deals like dollar bins and marked down prices.

 
 

What totally made my visit to this fun event was the Make & Take project by Stampin Up.  For $4, I was able to make this really cool pull-out card.  It seemed so complicated, but it was actually easy to make.  The best part was, I was able to use a lot of Stampin' Up tools and supplies - especially the ones that I don't have.  I got to use the blender pen for the first time and I actually liked it.  It was nice to see a lot of the SU products right in my hand, especially the ones I've been contemplating on buying.  It gives you a better perspective of the products than just seeing them in the catalog.  Now I know which ones I should get for my next SU club purchase.

For this card, I used the Owl Together Now stamp set, which is such a cutie!  Then I used three SU colors:  Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip for the cardstock, ink and ribbon.  When you pull the ribbon on top, another part of the card comes out from below.  Really cool!  Thank you Ms. Denise Carpenter for teaching me this really fun card.

But it doesn't end there.  About an hour after I got home, I got a phone call from Great Scrapbook Events and they said I won a prize in their raffle.  It's a Making Memories Tag Curler, sponsored by my LSS The Paper Manor.  Who doesn't want a new tool for free?

Now I'm looking forward to another Scrapbook event in October, and another one in November.  My calendar's already marked for these 2 events, and I'm already excited!  Kudos to Great Scrapbook Events for putting up fun shows like these.

 
It was a really ubber great weekend!  Woot!