Sunday, October 3, 2010

Elmer's Crafting Challenge GIVEAWAY!

WARNING: This is a very long posting...but so worth reading! If you are short on time, scroll to the bottom to find out how you can win...but be sure to come back later to learn how to make a message board for your child's room that rocks!

I am extremely excited and honoured to share with you a project that I created using Elmer's and X-ACTO products which were sent to me a few weeks ago. They had contacted me through email and asked if I would like to participate in the Elmer's Crafting Challenge. As soon as I heard what the prize was I couldn't refuse!
Elmer's and X-ACTO then sent me a personalized storage box filled with all this craftin' goodness:

The enclosed instructions were as follows:

Use the new Elmer's CraftBond and X-ACTO crafting products within this kit to create a craft that matches the theme of your blog by October 8. It can be anything from a family-oriented scrapbooking page layout to a trendy piece of home decor (if you need a little inspiration picking a project, just let us know)! Elmer's will make a $1,000 donation on behalf of the winning blogger to the national educational-based charity of her choice! Elmer's has multiple recommended charities if you need guidance. Don't forget to share your craft with your readers and have fun giving away the three Elmer's prize packages we promised. Good luck!
So, they had me at "Hello." As many of you know, our six-year old daughter, Ema, was born with an extremely rare skin disorder called Ichthyosis, specifically Congenital Ichthyosiform Erythroderma (CIE). Believe it or not, this just happens to be Ichthyosis Awareness Week (October 3-10, 2010)! Also, our foundation (Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types - FIRST) has recently announced Educational Scholarships that will soon be available to affected individuals. Given the fact that my husband and I are both teachers, we both agree that if I should win the Elmer's Crafting Challenge, the prize money will be donated to the Educational Scholarship at FIRST.

My brain started cooking the minute I opened the storage box. My blog as always been called "Only in Hollywoodstock", so I started there. We live in Woodstock, ON, Canada, which just happens to be the Dairy Capital of Canada. Yeah. Not very Hollywoodish, is it? Hollywood, to me, represents glamour and pinash (pinash: has a lot of life to it). Ema, from the moment she was born, has had A LOT of life to her. She sings, dances, and has a dramatic flair that many people notice immediately (not just her dear ol' Ma and Pa). I then thought MAGAZINE COVER - not just any magazine cover..."only in HOLLYWOODSTOCK". Here we go!

Step One: Hang a white sheet to a wall in a well light area and take four seasonal portrait shots of your child. If you have a tripod, great...if not you should try and set your camera on a steady surface for the best shot. WARNING: If you ask your child to pick out the outfits be prepared for a HUGE clean up when they are done. *sigh*

Step Two: You will need to purchase a few extra items for this craft. All items can be found at your local Walmart store. In fact, all of the Elmer's and X-ACTO items that are found in the storage tub above can be found at your local Walmart store. ;0) You may also want to consider purchasing a heat laminator or ask around to see if your friends have one you could borrow. I know a lot of businesses and educational stores offer the service of laminating as well. SUGGESTION: I highly recommend NOT taking your kids with you to Walmart. They know where the toy section is...just like homing pigeons know how to find their way home.

Supplies: Elmer's magnets, Expo dry eraser markers and cleaning brush, Homestay push pins and a Magnetic Dry Erase Combo Board by The Board Dudes (available in various sizes).

Step Three: Using your favourite word processing and/or photo editing program, create a blank magazine cover. I used PrintMaster Gold by Broderbund which a dear friend bought for me when I completed teacher's college. I worked in the same font that I used for the banner on my blog (see Matthew burping above). NOTE: Ema would not want me to point this out but be sure to notice the article entitled, "Fashion Tricks: How to Fix a DIY Hairdo" - someone felt she was done with bangs this past summer. *sigh*

Step Four: Print off the blank magazine cover. Laminate. Once cool, trim the excess plastic allowing 1/4" overhang using your 9" X-ACTO Trimmer along the 8 1/2" sides. Dang. I love how this trimmer cuts. Now I need the 12" version. Did you hear that, Santa?

Step Five: Using your X-ACTO Craft Knife, X-ACTO cutting mat and X-ACTO metal ruler, trim the excess lamination (leaving 1/4" overhang) from the 11" sides of the laminated blank magazine cover.

Step Six: Going back to your computer, drop each of the four seasonal photos into the blank magazine file. Print off all four seasonal covers and, using your X-ACTO 9" Trimmer, cut off the magazine title. Laminate each of the four covers, trimming the extra lamination materials as you did in Step Five.

Step Seven: Using your Elmer's Glue Spots and Elmer's magnets, attach a magnet to the back of each of the four laminated seasonal magazine covers. Aim for the top near the center on the back. HELPFUL HINT: If you want to be sure that you've hit center, use your X-ACTO metal ruler to find the center. I'll never tell. ;0)

Step Eight: Using more of the Elmer's Glue Spots, attach the blank magazine cover to the white board section of the message board. You need the strength of the Glue Spots to make sure that the blank magazine cover stays firmly in place. Trust me...once you stick it down with Elmer's Glue Spots it ain't goin' no where!

Step Nine: Go get a snack. You've been working hard. You deserve it. ;0) Also, make sure you remembered to turn off the laminator. Yeah. Learn from my mistake. You can also tidy up now. A great feature to the X-ACTO 9" Trimmer is that you can slide back the surface and stow away a bunch of stuff. Nice!

Step Ten: Bring in the kid again. Ask him or her if they would like to draw a picture of themselves using dry erase markers. This is why you laminated....ahhhh... Here's Ema's version of herself. Note the remarkably accurate depiction of her shirt. Yeah. Smart like her mom, cute like her dad. ;0)

Step Eleven: Call the entire family into the room where the message board will be hung and have them marvel at your masterful crafting. Don't tell them where you learned how to make this message board. They'll never know and I'll never tell. ;0)

Ema's Final Version:

Mom's Final Version:


Of course as soon as I finished taking the photo above Ema promptly removed the "summer" photo and replaced it with the "fall" photo. "Um, it's fall now, Mom," she informed me. *sigh*

Additional Suggestion: While you are busy creating this work of art for your child you may want to consider a craft that they can be working on at the same time. Our craft room has lots of space for Ema and Matthew to be working on something while I am in a crafting frenzy. This past weekend, while I spent four hours making this board for Ema, Ema joined me by painting this lovely picture for her new room. I purchased the set (paints, canvas, tray and brushes) at Walmart and, you bet, Elmer's makes it! Brilliant!

HOW YOU CAN WIN:

As mentioned above, I have been granted three prize packs from Elmer's and X-ACTO to giveaway on Friday, October 8th, 2010. Each prize pack contains:

X-ACTO:

  • 4-pack Decorative Edge Scissors
  • Self Healing Mat
  • Retractable Craft Knife
  • Craft Swivel Knife

Elmer's CraftBond:

  • Scrapbooking Tape: Repositionable
  • Extra Strength Glue Stick
  • Wet & Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen
  • Permanent Tape Runner

In order to "be in to win", please leave a comment on this blog posting (not Facebook posting). If you don't have a blog, don't worry. Just log your comment as "Anonymous" but be sure to include your name and city (i.e., Marilyn Groom in London, ON). Local, national and international entries are welcome. Also, if you aren't already a "Follower" of our blog, please sign up today. Spread the word! Let your crafting friends and family know that Ema and I will be randomly selecting three winners as soon as we wake up on Saturday, October 9th, 2010. Good luck!

Final Note: On Monday, October 4th, and Wednesday, October 6th, I will be the guest designer over at the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. Be sure to drop by and see what else my brain has been cookin' up!

125 comments:

  1. How friggin cool is that??!! And Oh so cute because Emma's sweet face is a magazine cover!! Great idea Sarah!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is SO awesome girl!!!! I love it!!!
    You are just so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great project, Sarah! Love the magazine cover (and I know my daughter would too)! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. great work as always sarah! looking forward to seeing your work on SCT blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome idea Sarah! You are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. OH MY---this is soooooo fun! I love how your sweet little girl picked her own outfits:) FUN FUN FUN! Thanks for sharing the chance to win:)

    Savannah O'Gwynn
    sbmmhoover {at} {yahoo} dot {com}

    ReplyDelete
  7. Totally cool Sarah! Your masterpiece turned out and on time too! You amaze me with the things you come up with and all the things you know how to do. Ema is completely adorable as usual. I hope the two of you had a super mom and daughter time making this project. I know your winning will go to a super wonderful cause. I am confident about that! I'll tell my friends to stop by your blog and check out what you've created - and I won't forget coolcat either! Love it!!! Tanya - CMC of Hollywoodstock

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is awesome Sarah! You are so talented (and Ema is still as cute as usual!)
    Char

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOW! Not only is your project clever and completely adorable but so love how you used the products and let us know what they each were about. Lots of neat stuff I didn't know they had.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the way you made this a fun and functional project! Great job showcasing all the advantages of the projects. I'll be looking for you on SCT!

    ReplyDelete
  11. genius.. youre a genius...this is such a great idea. just came over from SCT and loved your table settings as well...didnt see my name tho?? LOL. - hera

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your daughter is both beautiful and bright! I hope you win the challenge! It's a great project!

    ReplyDelete
  13. great idea, good luck winning the scholarship!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an amazing message board! Your daughter is such a cutie pie :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is a great idea and so cute! I am going to put that in my file of things I want to do... Carol of Maryland

    ReplyDelete
  16. My girls would love this project, too!!! LOVE it. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Crossing my fingers in hopes you win. This really is a fantastic project.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ooo winning a prize for helping another win their prize! Sounds like good juju! Great project too. Can't wait to use those magnets and do up my own swap out projects.
    Laura, Hamilton Ontario
    Canada

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great board!!!!!!!

    Vicki Dalton in Alto, GA

    I'm a follower

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great project! Hope you win!

    ReplyDelete
  21. love it! what great fun it looks like you both had. here's hoping you win!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your ideas always 'wow' me. Love it!
    Jenifer Harkin-Des Moines, Iowa

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great idea! Hope you win!

    Nancy H
    Outer Banks, NC

    ReplyDelete
  24. cute kids and amazing art!hope i win

    ReplyDelete
  25. that's a fun project - i know exactly what you mean about the clothes cleanup too. my daughter's closet is currently all over the floor of her room...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Excellent idea. It is always handy to have ideas to keep the kids activities organised and on track.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great message board! Terrific job!
    {Rebekah}

    ReplyDelete
  28. How extremely talented you are. I love the board and the pics are fabulous. She's adorable. Hope you win!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for a chance to win, and good luck with the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great Blog - you are an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thats just to cute. Thanks
    Laura Jo Fry Cambridge Id.
    Happy Crafting all !

    ReplyDelete
  32. WOW! Great ideas-I luv it! Susan Spiers Carriere, MS

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a great give away. Great photo and ty for sharing. gasuski@mac.om

    ReplyDelete
  34. I hope you win for your charity! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is so clever and creative Sarah!!! Good luck!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love this!! What a great way to showcase your children on a magazine :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is the most adorable thing I have seen for a child in a long time!!! What a great way to boost self-esteem without going overboard! (oops, no pun intended!!). And, yes, I did become a follower too, how could I not?!?

    co4hfamily at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love your board! I hope you win!
    mare460 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. So crafty!
    melindasr5 at yahoo dot com
    Melinda from San Diego

    ReplyDelete
  40. The seasonal pics are just too cute.

    Danielle
    loveslove00@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Awesome tute! Thanks for sharing. Please count me in for the incredible giveaway. micheletimms at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful! Love idea for magizine cover! Thanks for sharing!

    butterfly2547@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I read about this disorder and I just know with her terrific parents, she will be a strong person and a determined person. That's a terrific project! And a fun time in her life to look back on.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your craft and idea all goes together with the prize for the prize - showcasing your beautiful daughter - she really is cover worthy - and the craft is simple the way you explain it. Hope you win the big prize! Katie kellkat@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  45. Great Products - great showcase! I'd love to win something, and I hope you do too.

    ReplyDelete
  46. love your project-it turned out great!
    Wouldl love to win the Elmers/Exacto stuff too!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Way 2 AWESOME!!! and such a generous give-away! Luv your posts.
    sandy.......samand@shaw.ca

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love your tutorial! So well done!
    Amanda B, oshawa, ontario

    ReplyDelete
  49. That would be great in my scrapbook room; lovely daughter you have : )
    Annie-M P, smilinganniem@hotmail.com , Indiana,US

    ReplyDelete
  50. That's adorable! Thanks for the chance to win!
    Angie Rundle in St. Louis, MO

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love it! Wish I could find four hours to work on ANYthing.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I LOVE IT! And she is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. This is truly fantastic! What a cute idea! HUGS and blessings to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a great giveaway. They'd have me at "hello" too!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Julianna sent me over here... And, boy, am I glad she did!! This is a FANTASTIC project -- I can already smell the smoke from my brain trying to figure out just how I can use this idea for something special!!

    Darling little girl you have too!!

    Amy V in Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA :)
    www.lovetocrop.com
    scrapbookingwithamy (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Your daughter looks like a little sweetheart, I hope that your guys win the scholarship. WOW!! This giveaway looks fantastic, so much wonderful items. I would love this prize!!!

    Bev B in Oakvile Ontario

    ReplyDelete
  57. What a fantastic project you made! I'd love to win some fabulous Elmer's products! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hi! Great tutorial. This is a great giveaway. My brain is already working on my next project using these items. Thanks Marilyn Coombs from Toronto Ontario

    ReplyDelete
  59. Isn't it great that there is such a great variety around for crafty people! Love how you individualized your project.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Fantatic project! Your daughter is adorable! I became a follower so I'll be back for another visit from Saskatchewan soon!...Nancy :o)

    ReplyDelete
  61. I really like that last picture.

    Melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Your daughter is just too cute! What a wonderful idea to dress up the board! I am a new follower. Thank you for a chance to win.

    jean, Rockford, MI

    mjmarmo@comcast.net
    pagesintime.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. What a fun project for both you and your daughter! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  64. What sweet photos! And the project is a lot of fun... good luck with winning the money for your charity! :D

    ReplyDelete
  65. Your daughter is both beautiful and bright! I hope you win the challenge! It's a great project! I want to make one.

    ReplyDelete
  66. That great will have a go at one for my grandchildren

    Caroline Ipswich UK

    ReplyDelete
  67. You have a beautiful little girl there. I could use everything in you give away. I go through a lot of tape and glue. I am always making a card or cards for the family and friends. Some of them give me a little money for them but most just take and use them. I am going to use your idea and make a mag of my grandkids. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thanks for a fun project and a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Awesome Sarah, great fun project.

    ReplyDelete
  70. What an amazing idea that every kid will love and easily made unique as u showed us!

    Mary Lou Pearce
    North Bay, ON

    ReplyDelete
  71. So cool thanks! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Love your magazine idea and the topics on the magazine are so cute. Cherylann

    ReplyDelete
  73. Excellent project for young ladies and I have 2 living at my house! Thanks for the inspiration. Love the prize opportunity too. Here's hoping we are amongst the lucky winners. Good luck to you too.

    Shari in Colorado
    ladyjspice@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. SERIOUSLY - I NEED YOUR BRAIN.
    I can't wait to see it in person and after our conversation on Sunday morning I am so glad your photos of Miss. Ema turned out wonderfully. I love the make you own cover with wipe off makers. EMA - LOVE YOUR PAINTING!!!

    P.S. - don't clothes belong on the floor?

    ReplyDelete
  75. I love your project and I hope you win your challenge. Your little girl is so very cute and I love her painting. Good Luck!!

    Leslie Loutit in Lockport Manitoba Canada

    ReplyDelete
  76. oh sarah! that is the coolest and she is so sweet! what a cool thing Elmer's is doing.

    ReplyDelete
  77. such a neat think Elmers and X-acto are doing. Thanks for letting us participate.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hey, neat idea. Good luck in the Elmer's competition! Count me in for the giveaway draw please :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. I hope you win the $1,000 - great project!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Please count me in! I've been meaningto do a memo board for ages!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Your daughter is adorable! It's a really great project! I hope you win the challenge! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Su C, Abbotsford, B.C.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Awesome project Sarah! I hope you win!

    ReplyDelete
  83. I am now a follower. You made a very cute project! Good luck to you...I hope you win the scholarship!

    Christy S., Miami,FL

    ReplyDelete
  84. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Wow! Generous prize package and I love the projects you and your beautiful daughter made!!! To be honest, I didn't even realize Elmer's Glue had all these awesome scrap supplies~! That cutter with the storage inside is awesome! Good luck, I hope you win this for Ema ;) Renee VanEpps, Ann Arbor, MI

    ReplyDelete
  86. Great project !
    Happy Thanksgiving and good luck !!
    Tracey, Winnipeg,MB

    ReplyDelete
  87. Your daughter is beautiful! This project is sooo cute! Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Your daughter is precious and lovely. The project you did is awesome and the project SHE did is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Great ideas & giveaway!

    Jessica D.
    info(at)funkyfinds(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Super creative! I just happen to buy a brand new wipe-off board yesterday! Thanks for the fun inspiration!

    Allison Cope
    Eastern, BC.

    ReplyDelete
  91. So cute, great work. I'm now a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I think it'll be hard to top the creativity that you've shown with the magazine covers. You're a shoe in to win.
    All the best to your daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Very Cool!!! Ema is adorable..I take it she likes blue! I sincerely hope you win..I know that I just learned a lot about a disease I had never heard of before. Thank you.

    Of course, I'd LOVE to win these goodies. I love X-acto and Elmers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Great idea, love your daughter's hair! My brother used to do that right before school photos EVERY YEAR.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great prize!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Cool project !!
    and thanks for the chance to win... great prize.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Ema is so adorable.
    I'd love to win these fantastic goodies, thanks for the chance.

    Alexandra
    Paris - France

    ReplyDelete
  97. This giveaway is incredible ! Love your project! try to do the same one day;

    ReplyDelete
  98. Thank you Sarah for this big giveaway.
    Love to win all this stuff...

    ReplyDelete
  99. pretty project, love your cute daughter!
    Thanks for the giveaway, count on me please!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Oh my goodness, this is so darling!

    ReplyDelete
  101. Sarah (and Ema) you did an amazing job on this project! I hope you win and can donate that prize to the charity where your heart belongs!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Darling project! And thank you for the chance at the giveaway!
    DeniseB
    Penn Valley, CA

    ReplyDelete
  103. What a great post, Sarah! I especially love step #9! ;) Becky

    ReplyDelete
  104. Great post! Would love to win some goodies!

    ReplyDelete
  105. Very cute idea! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  106. Hi there, love this idea, not a Mum though. I love crafting and it is amazing that you include your children at the same time! Also beautiful girl, captivating smile! Melissa M from BC canada

    ReplyDelete
  107. Is it Wow!!project. paid off when you see your doughter's smail. Great job. I'm fllowing you.

    ReplyDelete
  108. wonderful inspirational projects..simply fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Really sweet project for a terrific girl's room!This is the 1st time I've visited your blog - won't be my last - I like your writing style.
    - Ann in Elmira, ON

    ReplyDelete
  110. Hi Sarah, amazing project- thanks for the tutorial. I love the magazine cover idea and your daughter is so cute!!

    Virginia, Brampton, ON

    ReplyDelete
  111. Sarah.....you are brilliant!! This project is amazing....how much sleep did you give up??
    I can totally hear you talking when I read your blog!!!
    Tami, Woodstock, ON

    ReplyDelete
  112. Great project & love the tutorial! I will be trying it with my grandaughter! Maybe I will be one of the winners which will make it even better. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  113. Thanks for the tutorial.
    jenstreats.blogspot.com
    jenstreats@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  114. First, let me just say how awesome your blog title is. Then, let me say how adorable your daughter is. And oh yeah, the craft project is brilliant. I love how you made it "fit" your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  115. This is one of the best projects I have seen in this crafting challenge. Amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  116. Good Informative post, Thanks for sharing it with us

    ReplyDelete
  117. आशा आहे की आपल्याकडे चांगले लेख आहेत. स्वागत आहे खूप मनोरंजक

    Máy massage chân

    Chậu ngâm chân

    Bồn ngâm massage chân


    ReplyDelete
  118. Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing an amazing Blog... Keep Sharing salesforce customer portal

    ReplyDelete