Well, here we are at the end of 7 full days of revealing in Spellbindersâ„¢ Surprise Party!! I can’t believe that we’ve released over 20 die template (including today’s) sets and although this part of the party is nearly over. We still have a big surprise at the opening of CHA on January 24. I’d love to tell you all about it, but…

But let’s not wait to see what today brings. Today’s hostesses include:

.
Sherry Cheever
Spellbindersâ„¢ Blog Team Member
Walkin on the Bad Side Blog

.

Kimberly Crawford
Spellbindersâ„¢ Design Team Member
For the Love of Paper Blog

.

Sharon Johnson
Guest Designer
No Time to Stamp Blog

Please click on the Designers’ blog links above to see their reveals and the out-of-this-world, creative projects they made.

We hope you enjoyed the new die template releases that all our designers shared. Remember, they (along with even more die templates and something VERY SPECIAL) will be officially released at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association Trade Show) in Anaheim, California on January 24, 2010!

You can enter to win today’s revealed die templates by following the Official Rules. Be sure to read and follow all the rules to assure you are entered correctly. Each blog hostess will take entries for 48 hours, from 12:01am on their release day through the following day.

Commenting on this post is welcome but does NOT enter you into the contest. Directions on how to enter are in each Blog Post and on Spellbindersâ„¢ Blog HERE.

This contest is sponsored by Spellbindersâ„¢ Paper Arts. Please send questions to: ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us

Here’s hoping you are a winner!

Eli

How did Day 5 of Spellbindersâ„¢ Surprise Party!! get here so fast. I am so excited for every day’s release so far and my wish list is growing exponentially.

Today is no exception to how amazing the new die template designs are and how inspiring the new projects are! Go check them out for yourself:

.Keri Lee Sereika
Spellbindersâ„¢ Blog Team Member
Pink Lemondade Blog

Ker.

Kazan Clark
Spellbindersâ„¢ Design Team Member
NunuToolies Blog

.

Mary Pfaff
Spellbindersâ„¢ Design Team Member
Crafty Cabin Blog

Each Designer will share a project using a new die template that will be officially released at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association Trade Show) in Anaheim, California starting on January 24, 2010. Please click on the Designers’ blog links above to see the reveals and what creative projects were made.

We’ll have two more days of introductions with at least three new die template designs. You can enter to win each day’s newly revealed products by following the Official Rules. Be sure to read and follow all the rules to assure you are entered correctly. REMEMBER, you have 48 hours to sign up on each blog. So if you miss one day, you can go back the next.

Commenting on this post is welcome but does NOT enter you into the contest. Directions on how to enter are in each Blog Post and on Spellbindersâ„¢ Blog HERE.

This contest is sponsored by Spellbindersâ„¢ Paper Arts. Any questions should be sent to: ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us

All I can say is WOW! Hope you checked out all the fab, fab artwork and have some ideas of your own. Thanks for stopping by and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for another triple play.

Eli

We are thrilled to announce our first of many winners from our 5th Anniversary Party. Yeah, Spellbindersâ„¢! Yeah, You guys!

We had nearly 2,200 entries to Debbie Olson’s Blog, Thinking Inking and we went to Random.org to have it choose a random number out of our total:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2147

Timestamp: 2009-01-07 13:30:24 UTC

Linda from Greeley, Colorado

When contacted, she said:

We’ll be back soon with the next winner!

Today we welcome Michelle Wooderson, a Spellbinder’s Blogger, stamper, scrapbooker, wife, mother and teacher, AND our hostess of Day 2 of Spellbinder’s 5th Anniversary Party. Be sure to visit Michelle’s Blog Mish Mash to see today’s reveal of the latest die template from Spellbinders Paper Arts, AND to enter to win yesterday’s and today’s die templates, AND qualify for the grand prize, see details and rules here.

Michelle, where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from looking through magazines of all kinds, browsing through store aisles like Target, looking through catalogs, visiting junk stores and antique stores, and browsing my favorite web sites and blogs. I love vintage and antique items and often look for new ways to use old, found objects.

Where do you get ideas for a new project?

When I’m starting a new project, I am often inspired by a simple piece of new cardstock, a snippet of ribbon, a stamp set or some item I’ve found at the junk store or a garage sale. That one little tidbit of inspiration inspires me to create my Inspiration Stations. I gather up other crafty items that will coordinate and work with my item. By gathering all the goodies together in one spot, I can easily pick and choose what I want to work with.

Besides paper, what other materials have you used?

I have recently taken up quilting and other sewing projects. I can’t wait to incorporate fabrics, wools and other materials into my upcoming projects. I think the combination of paper crafting and sewing works hand in hand.

What do you enjoy most about crafting?

The thing I love most about crafting is that usually I am creating something for someone. I use my crafting in my every day life so that I can make gifts for teachers, friends and family. I also love to decorate my home with my hand made items. I really love the one of a kind feel that you get when creating something hand made.

Introducing Debbie Olson!  Visit Debbie’s blog Thinking Inking,  today to see the first die template revealed for Spellbinder’s 5th Anniversary Party.

I had a chance to catch up with Debbie, and here is what she shared with me.

Did attend school for art or design?
I have a B.A in Commercial Art/Graphic Design, and an M.S. in Secondary Education. I learned much in my art classes that I still apply today–basics of design and color theory, as well as drawing and coloring skills.

When do you usually craft?
I craft any time I can slip away undetected during the day, as well as half of the night! I am a home-schooling mom by day, however, so most of my craft time is after 10pm.

What kind of craft space do you have?
Right now I’m working in a makeshift [disaster] area, but my wonderful husband is working on finishing a studio for me!  The stud walls, insulation, and wiring are now in. It’s almost time for drywall. . .  I can hardly wait to have a place for everything!

Can you describe your style?
In a word, eclectic. I appreciate many different styles, from clean and fresh, to detailed and vintage. I probably lean toward the slightly shabby, however. A sanding block is rarely far from my hand.

Where do you shop for supplies?
Because I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, about two hours from any crafting superstore, the majority of my goodies come by UPS or USPS. Sometimes it’s hard to choose papers that way, not being able to see them in person and touch them. But getting to see them at CHA, or simply knowing what companies’ products I gravitate toward is a help.

Debbie is sharing a few of her recent cards.  Click on title of the cards to read more about them.

Beauty for Ashes

For My Son

No Winter Lasts Forever
Beautiful work, Debbie!  Thank you for sharing with us!
Don’t forget to visit see Debbie’s Sneak Peek today and enter to win that die template!

Remember, you need to follow the instructions for sending the email to enter the contest.  We love your comments, but we cannont enter you from the comments sections.  The contest is sponsored by Spellbinders Paper Arts, not the individual artists.

Just a little reminder to be sure to visit our designers’ blogs beginning Monday, January 5th, 2009 (I can’t believe it is already 2009). We are celebrating our Fifth Anniversary at Spellbindersâ„¢ and the party is coming. Consider this your “formal” invitation. Please be sure to READ ALL THE RULES in the official post to make sure you meet all the contest requirements to be entered into the grand prize drawing.

Here are a few things you won’t want to miss in order to be entered!

• You have 48 hours to send an email from the link in each blog (12:00 am on the day of post through 11:59 pm on the day after the post).
• You must send your daily email entry from the same e-mail address, no exceptions, to be entered into the grand prize. (If you can’t access your work e-mail address every day, for example, you’ll want to use another choice that you can access for 16 days.)
• When you send in your entry email, please use the die name in the subject line.

If you do these three things, you’ll be on your way…but be sure to read through and follow all the rules.

Here is a BIG SURPRISE

This is a PROGRESSIVE blog frenzy give away!

We can’t wait to see how many thousands of you visit this year. It just keeps getting better…

PS: Here is another tiny peek:

Last sneaky peak ...art: Holly Craft

See you Monday! Eli and Beth

Spellbindersâ„¢ Celebrates 5^th Anniversary with a World Wide Blog Party!

Two-week Anniversary Celebration!

When: January 5 to January 20, 2009

Where: Spellbindersâ„¢ Designer Blogs

You, our favorite crafters, do NOT want to miss any of our Bloggers’ new Spellbindersâ„¢ Die Template releases during our Fifth Anniversary Blog Party. We are celebrating FIVE incredible years of changing the die cutting industry and YOU get the presents with daily sneak peeks, incredible prizes and amazing projects. Many of the new die templates debut during the Winter Craft and Hobby Association Show (CHA) in Anaheim, California, January 25-28, 2009, at Spellbindersâ„¢ booth #4873.

Beginning Monday, January 5^th and continuing through January 20^th, a different Spellbindersâ„¢ Designer (schedule below) will preview at least one of more than two dozen new die templates set to debut at Winter CHA. These exclusive sneak peeks will be available ONLY through Spellbindersâ„¢ Designers’ Blogs!

In addition to getting the first look at these new die templates, you’ll find innovative project ideas and can sign up during specified times for a chance to win daily prizes, as well as become eligible to win the Grand Prize … a complete set of all new release die templates valued at more than $600!

For more information … and to be sure you don’t miss a minute of Spellbinders’ 5^th Anniversary Celebration … visit these blogs on the following dates!

• JANUARY 5: Thinking Inking by Debbie Olson
• JANUARY 6: Mish Mash by Michelle Wooderson
• JANUARY 7: Today’s Creations by Holly Craft
• JANUARY 8: Walkin’ on the BAD side by Sherry Cheever
• JANUARY 9: Embellished Dreams by Heidi Blankenship
• JANUARY 10: Amazing Paper Grace by Becca Feeken
• JANUARY 11: Created from Paper by Jennifer Ellefson


This Die Template will be revealed in full view... soon.

• JANUARY 12: PaperFection by Sharon Harnist
• JANUARY 13: Mixed Media Madness by Jeni Calkins
• JANUARY 14: Wickedly Wonderful Creations by Wendy Weixler
• JANUARY 15: Cookies for Breakfast by Beth Pingry
• JANUARY 16: Pink Lemonade by Keri Lee Sereika (link is all better now)
• JANUARY 17: Inky Heart by Sally Lynn MacDonald
• JANUARY 18: Donya Schroeder by Donya Schroeder
• JANUARY 19: Linda’s Works of Heart by Linda Duke
• JANUARY 20: Follow Your Bliss by Trudee Sauer

We can’t wait to see you there: Beth and Eli

Thanks to everyone who participated in our little “Get-the-word-out” contest. We love all your blogs and appreciate the support. We can’t wait to see all the art come in for the Design Team Contest.
So here is our winner, chosen by random integer generator at random.org:

Amy Johnson

Amy Johnson Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 6:48 am

Well, lets try this link for the third time. Geez, this is embarrasing! I guess I just lost my chance at the design team since I can’t even make an accurate link! I’m really not this computer inept! LOL! I wish you had a way of deleting my own comments on your post. LOL! Anyhow, hopefully this is the right link and if this one doesn’t work, I give up! LOL! But I guarantee you, the post is there! LOL! http://amyscreativepursuits.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-spellbinders-paper-arts-design.html

Well, AMY. Your post did work, so I guess the third time is the charm. Please e-mail me at spellbinderseditor@yahoo.com and we’ll get that prize right out to you.

Congrats and thanks again to everyone for playing and for sharing our contest info on your blogs.

Cheers,
Eli, Community Communications Specialist

Now that you are heart rate has come down to a normal level (after reading about our next Design Team Contest…OH. MY. GOSH…)

We want to sweeten the deal by adding some, you guessed it…

Blog Candy: Win one of these…

Labels 2

Labels Large

If you post the link (found below) from our design team contest on your blog, we’ll enter you to win one of our awesome labels dies, such as: Labels 1, Labels 2 or Labels Large (depending on stock on-hand.) Then post to us here in the comment section–

–with a link back to your blog. If it all checks out, we’ll enter  you to win one of our seriously popular Labels Die Templates.

We’ll give you until Monday, December 22, midnight CST. On Tuesday, we’ll share the love here…

Can’t wait to see you spread the news.  Eli

Thanks for your participation, we have selected a winner, see post on December 22!

Beth

Spellbinders introduced Borderabilites Grand Borders this past summer. The Grand Borders are wonderful fun for scrapbookers and everyone else too! Grand Borders measure true 12″ long. They come in designs that coordinate with the Rose, Daisy and Wisteria Edgeabilities Die Template styles, and one with the Symbology Die Template. You may have seen this tutorial I did for the summer reveal, but it deserves another run now that you have the borders in your stash, along with some fresh artwork at the end.
I am using Spellbinders Premium Craft Foil, which is 12 inches wide  It doesn’t matter which color I use, because I want the silver side. It comes in 5 colors plus pure copper, each color has silver on the back, except the pure copper. I used a tag from the Ribbon Tags Trio and the Daisy Patch Edgability Die Template. The paper is Worldwin’s ColorMates in Deep Awesome Aqua, Deep Totally Tan, Light Heritage White, and Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum, and black acrylic paint. Note that this technique works on foil as well as paper. Die cutting and embossing a 12 inch long die template on standard mats is easy. Use the standard Spellbinders Die Template sandwich, when stacked from your table up: white master mat, white spacer plate, die, cut side up, material to be cut, white master mat. A little tip, if you are concerned your material will move off the die, you can use a small piece of removable tape. It won’t harm the die, and it peels off the paper easily without damaging the die cut.

Feed this into your Wizard. With a 12 inch long die, part of the die will stick out the back end, and that is fine. Only the part of the die that sits on the Spacer Plate will cut, but it won’t leave a line or crease where the spacer plate ends.

After the first pass, lift the top mat, turn the border die 180 degrees so the uncut portion is on the spacer plate, replace the top mat and feed it in exactly the same way as before. You can remove the excess cut foil from the outside of the die.

Embossing is done the same way. Leave the die cut in the die. Remove the spacer plate from the sandwich so the die sits on the bottom mat, place the tan embossing mat on top of the die, and cover with the top white mat. Feed the embossing sandwich through the Wizard. To emboss the other half, turn the die 180 degrees, cover with the Tan mat and white mat and feed sandwich again.

For my layout, I painted the entire die cut with black acrylic craft paint. Paint it evenly, and be sure to get paint into all the nooks and crannies. Let it dry slightly. With a dry paper towel, wipe the paint off the embossed areas. Be gentle, but you don’t have to be perfect. Do not wipe the paint out of the crevices. You can always add more a little more paint if you took too much off and you can always take a little more off if you put too much on.

I assembled my layout with photos and a poem.

Daisy Layout by Beth Pingry

Cathy Chlebana used the same Daisy Borderability Grand on this layout of her mother.

Layout by Cathy Chlebana

This decorative box is from Donya Schroeder, isn’t it clever how she used the Rose Borderability Grand?

Altered Box by Donya Schroeder

This heart shaped ornament from Heidi Blankenship is another example of Rose Borderability Grand.  She wrapped it around the heart shape.

Decorative Heart by Heidi Blankenship

Wendy Weixler layered the Wisteria Borderability Grand for an elegant accent on this layout.

Wedding layout by Wendy Weixler

Sally Lynn MacDonald linked together the Illumination Borderability Grand to frame her layout.

Layout by Sally Lynn McDonald

Thanks for spending some of your Saturday with me!  I hope you love the Grand Borders as much as I do!

Beth

PS.  I just got word, and its just for you!  Its an announcement.  Oh no, not just any old announcement.  This is a big one!  I bet you’ve been waiting for it too!  Come back on Monday December 15 for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.  Want some candy?  We’ve got Blog Candy coming, and a new feature too!  Its going to be so much fun, I can’t wait to tell you about it!