Feb 20 2009
A BEAR of an Invitation
TGIF! Today I thought I’d share my daughter’s birthday party invitations. Not because I think they’re out-of-this-world over-the-top (although I do like them), but because they were SUCH a pain to make.
You’re Invited
I don’t usually make party invitations, mostly because I hate mass-producing anything. But since my daughter’s party is at Build-a-Bear, I thought I could come up with something much cuter than any of the store-bought invitations. (I’ll admit I didn’t look very hard though.)
I found this Sizzlit set with the cutest little bear die cut. I am generally not a “die-cut” user but I thought I’d give it a whirl. The bear on the package was so cute! Holy moly….never again. Cranking out 12 of these things…twice so I could get the lighter muzzle…not to mention all of the ovals and scalloped matting.
Then there were the eyes. See those tiny little eyes? I wanted to just color them with a black marker. They kept falling out. I thought about leaving them out and coloring the space black but then they looked like little freak-bears with eye sockets and no eyeballs. I finally got the eyes back in and colored, then when I ran my adhesive over the back of the bears to attach them to the ovals, the blasted eyes stuck to the adhesive.
As for adding shading and highlights to the bears, after I dipped a Q-tip into a white ink pad and added sloppy highlighting, it ocurred to me…oh, I have chalk. Duh. Too late. Sloppy bears.
I finally got them all together, the insides written, stuffed into envelopes, addressed …then I realized I forgot to add the cupcake Card Scents around the edges. I PROMISED my daughter the invitations would smell like cupcakes. (She was so excited about that.) So I ripped open all the envelopes, added the Card Scents, stuffed and readdressed.
So anyway, they are out the door, Katie is thrilled with them and that’s all that matters. (Right? lol)
As for MY eyes, they are fine…just dry. So I’m wearing my contacts only for short bits of time. The doctor gave me these “gel” lubricating eye drops…ICK! But at least my eyes aren’t falling out. 
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs “Happy Birthday” (Anna Wight) Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa; Stampin’ Up White Craft Cardstock: Prism Natural Smooth, Suede Brown Dark Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl Accessories: Sizzix Sizzlits “Stuffed Animal” die cut set, Spellbinders Nestabilities, white gel pen, Copic markers (for shading), Cupcake Card Scents, A Lot Time and Not-So-Much Patience.
I think its adorable!! And while a pain to make, having your daughter love them makes it all worthwhile
I think your bears are adorable! But the little smiley faces displaying your angst at this project are even cuter!
Oh, the things we do for our kids!! LOL
Michele, this couldn’t be any cuter! All your work was totally worth it — and I’m sure Katie thinks so, too!
This post is so sweet! You are a certainly a wonderful Mom!! I just love this invitation, the bear turned out adorable and as you said, your daugther is thrilled!! Perfect for a Build-a-Bear birthday party.
ok ok ok…I’m so sorry…but I laughed! =) Thanks for making the rest of us feel so *normal.*
Sometimes, making a card so much harder than it should be!!! I agree…I’d much rather make “originals” than mass produce.
I think it turned out sweet…and your d’ter will prob never forget the fact that you gave her this gift of time and effort. =)
Michele - this is an absolutely adorable & fabulous invitation!
Oh, that was an out loud hearty laugh! I am so glad it’s not just me that these things happen to! Well, in the end your daughter loves them and they are really cute! And she only has a birthday once a year…so you can handle it right? Thanks for the laugh and have a great weekend!
Your little bear is so cute, and I love the pretty papers too!! Sorry for the troubles…but they really did turn out great!!
this is so cute love the white shading on him
Hugs
Norine
LOL The things we do for our kids, it’s nice when they appreciate it!
This is super sweet!
They may have been a pain but they turned out super cute!
OMG, I laughed so hard at your post! The eyes and the tape!! Haha… I can just picture it! They turned out beautifully by the way!
Diane
Well…you did it…you enabled me to buy some Whipper Snapper stamps - some of the same ones you recently purchased! Thanks; I really do love their images!!
Well, the end result is very, very cute and your daughter is happy - that’s what counts! I look at die cuts sometimes, too, and think they might be nice. But then I talk myself out of them. I have the small CB zoo animals, and they are a pain! I have only used them once - that was enough!!
Awww, cute! Sorry they were such a pain!
I love the card with the babies on it-so many go around looking for a twins stamp, and you had it all along. Cute, cute, cute!!!
The bear is delightful and I have used that die many times & love it–I put in the eyes that you buy (have you tried that? lol). I don’t minddoing the sizzix cutting, but I would sure love one of the new electric ones, as mine is the original that I purchased when they first came out. Anyway, I am sure that dd loved the card because everyone else does, too.
Oh no…sorry to hear you had so much trouble! I’m even sorrier because I just bought a doggie die cut last night. LOL. I’ll let you know how it goes.
They turned out very cute! Kids are worth the effort, right? ;0)
LOL About the invitations! Twelve?! Wowsa girl! Have fun with the party! That bear is adorable but sorry you had to do so much cranking! I’m so happy to hear about your eyes! I hope they keep improving each day!
Awwww, this is soooo sweet!! I love the added white on the bear, I am sure Katie just loved it! Wish I could smell one!
So, I’m guessing you’re still not a big fan of die cuts? Tee hee! Sorrry, Michele, but this sounded like no fun at all, especially being in such a big hurry. It’s cute, and you were a good Mom to make them for your daughter…and then to rip open all the envelopes to add the scent. I really like the white ink for highlighting. I don’t think chalk would have shown up as well.