first day of school

I am so excited...I can finally announce my news... I have been selected as a Design Team Member on My Grafico!! This is a digital stamp company. We are encouraged to think "Out of the Box" when designing our projects. My first project is probably one that you have  not seen before unless you live in Germany. While working in Germany many years ago, I was curious about the darling cones that children carried with them to school on their first day. 

I wanted to share this tradition with all of you. So, if you have a few minutes read on...

In the history of mankind you can find many major inventions — such as the creation of the wheel and the light bulb — but there are also small ones like the Zuckertuete (literally translated, "sugar bag" or "candy bag"). This is a German tradition played out every September at the start of the school year. The First Day of School, Einschulung, is a very special event in Germany that symbolizes the importance of a child's formal education. The Zuckertuete — a special cone-shaped container that is about three feet tall filled with candy, toys and school supplies — is a gift from the parents to their children so they feel special on this important day. Literally...a sweet way to begin their formal education.

I understand that this cone (schultute) is given to children only once - when they enter first grade, the beginning of their formal education. It is only appropriate that I design one for my granddaughter who will be starting first grade in another week!

Here are some fun things to put in the bags: crayons, erasers, watches, yo-yos, hair clips, gum and stuffed toys. And as is the German tradition, fill the Zuckertuete up with some authentic German candies such as marzipan, chocolate kugelns (kisses), and gummies.

# I used a large black cardstock from the Dollar Tree to make the cone. The darling digital stamps are from My Grafico Crafts. The sentiment is computer generated and then cut with a Spellbinders Die. I distressed around the edges of the die with CTMH ink. I also added Stickles to the girl's skirt, her hair clips and the lights on the bus. I tried to show both sides of the cone so you could view more of the digi stamps. The ribbons as well as the fabric, at the top of the cone, was from Jo Ann Fabrics.

This was a difficult project to photograph because of all the 3Dimensionality! I hope that I have inspired you to perhaps create a Schultute for a special child entering first grade :) Maybe you will try to create something...out of the box for your next project!  I hope that you enjoyed visiting my blog. Please feel free to comment and/or follow this blog.

I am sharing this project with:

die kreativen stempel freunde.: School

daisy doodles creative challenges.: Anything Goes

heart song inspirations: Anything Goes

paper pretties : Back to School

stamps r us challenges: Anything Goes

crazy challenge:NEW School Year

catered crop: Ribbons, Stickles, Collage, Layering digital Stamps

sentimental sundays: Back to School

all sorts challenge: Back to School

just us girls challenge: Back to School 3D Challenge

just some lines blog: Anything But A Card

one stop craft challenge: Anything But Square

send a smile 4 kids challenge: Use a die cut

dutch dare-card challenges: Anything but a Card