This one is for all the scrapbookers, stampers and anyone who has children who like crafts.    Recently, Stampin’ Up has partnered with Build-A-Bear for an exclusive line of stamps, papers, and die cuts.

As an introduction, my boys and I were invited to a special workshop at the home of a local Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, Susan LaCroix.  Only a few Stampin’ Up demonstrators throughout the country were picked to host this wonderful family event.   Susan has been a demonstrator for 7 years.   She has a wonderful home and a basement studio that anyone would envy.

YES! Those shelves behind Susan are stocked with stamps !!

Our evening started out with popcorn and a movie featuring “Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” an animated TV special.    It is a wonderful film and all the kids sat glued to the TV.   Hal Moose dreams of being part of Santa’s reindeer team.  One evening he decides to make his way to the North Pole.   His sister Holly follows him to keep him out of trouble.    There is a bad storm coming on Christmas Eve.  But Holly and Hal help Santa and the elves save Christmas.

Following the movie, we had the opportunity to try out the Stampin’ Up Build-A-Bear projects.    The kids enjoyed Build-A-Bear coloring pages.

They also made their own Build-A-Bears using die cuts.   The kids made Beary Merry Santa Bears and Boy and Girl bears in coordinating outfits.   I could see little girls loving this.  They could make their own paper dolls (well bears).   It would also make a wonderful project for girl scout troops.

While the kids were busy with their own project, the moms were able to make these Beary Special Christmas Cards.  I think this will make a wonderful card for my son’s preschool teacher.

We were able to try out a variety of the Stampin’ Up products including the Papers, Ink pads,  Beary Best Friends stamp, the Watercolor Wonder Crayons, and Scallop Edge Punch.  Just to name a few.  Being an art student one of the most useful tools was the Aqua Painter.  It would be a great tool for watercolor painting.   It is so messy having the cup of water.   The Aqua Painter is available in two different sizes and holds the water right in the pen.

Many people think they aren’t creative enough to do scrapbooking and stamping.   But all of our cards turned our wonderful.   Even those who complained about their lack of artistic abilities.   Susan’s demonstrations were very easy to follow.

By the end of the night, the kids were full of cookies and Build-A-Bear fruit snack (yes they make Build-A-Bear fruit snacks).  As the evening wrapped up, a few of us left with wonderful gifts from Build-A-Bear – the “Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure” DVD, a Holly and Hal Moose Story Book, and Sparkles, a cuddly Build-A-Bear with light up Merry Christmas Shirt.

It was such a wonderful relaxing evening.   It would a great girls night out/in.  We all left talking about getting together to scrapbook again.

To find out more about Stampin’Up, please visit these websites:

• If you live in the Metro Detroit area, please visit Susan LaCroix’s website.
• For those of you outside of the area, please visit the Stampin’ Up website to find a local demonstrator.

Here are a few additional samples made with the Stampin’ Up Build-A-Bear products:

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