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Monday, August 29, 2011

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:
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



19 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new dt position Barbara :D That candy cone looks a fabulous gift for any kiddie going back to school(even grown up ones haha!) Thanks for your lovely comments, always a pleasure to hear from you :D XXX

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  2. What a great project for that kid going back to school. Love the coloring. Thanks for joining the Heart Song Challenge this week. Good Luck. Hope to see you again next week.
    Debbie HSI DT

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  3. What a delightful tradition and how wonderful that you are carrying it forward to your granddaughter. Beautiful project. Thanks for joining in at Heart Song Inspirations this week.
    NanaConnie HSI DT

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  4. Congrats with your new DT job.
    Stunning creation you have made, it's a funny little gift for someone. Thank you for sharing with us at DDCC this time.
    hugs Dorte

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  5. What a clever idea Barbara and just perfect for our Back to School theme.

    Thank you for sharing with us at Allsorts this week and good luck.

    B x

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  6. Hi Barbara! This is such a wonderful project for your granddaughter. What an awesome grandma YOU are : ) I can see how loving and thoughtful you are!

    Congratulations on your new dt position with My Grafico! It's loads of fun to be challenged and encouraged by others... Enjoy!!!

    Love n hugs,
    Lori

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  7. What a wonderful project - and what a wonderful tradition! Thanks for sharing the story with us and thank you for joining our Anything But a Card challenge at Just Some Lines! :)

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  8. What a wonderful Project! Lovely details and funny colors! Thank you for playing along with us this week at the crazy challenge. Good luck, Dominique

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  9. Cute project. Thanks for joinig us at the crazy challege. HugsPam

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  10. What a great gift idea, Thank you so much for entering my “back to school” challenge at ALLSORTS this week, good luck & hope you’ll join us again!
    Hugz Fleur xXx

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  11. Sweet project and such a clever 'back to school' project!
    Thanks for joining us at Stamps R Us.
    Marilyn

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  12. Fabulous creation hun and what a great tradition.Thanks so much for joining us at the OSCC this week. luv gina xx

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  13. Congrats on your design team appointment! I love your cone...I have heard of this tradition before. I'm sure these little kiddos love getting them and I'm sure your granddaughter loved hers! Thanks for playing our Just Us Girls challenge!

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  14. Barbara,
    Thanks for playing along with JSL's "anything but a card" challenge!

    Laura JSL DT

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  15. Wohoo Amy that is awesome about you DT news, of course your work is always amazingly out of the boa and this creation is no exception!

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  16. Oh that is so gorgeous:-) I love your idea:-) Thanks so much for playing along at Sentimental Sunday's
    Hugs
    Karen
    xxx

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  17. Wonderful Back To School project. Such a neat history. Thanks for joining the Sentimental Sundays challenge!

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  18. Wonderful project, didn't want to miss out on stopping by even if I'm a little behind! Thanks so much for joining us at Sentimental Sundays last week, hope you join us again this week.
    Hugs
    Tammy Louise

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  19. What a great idea for the first day of school have never heard of this before, so thanks for sharing. Bet your grand daughter was the only one with a cone...and so big!!! Wonderful creation! Thank you so much for joining the Anything Goes challenge at Daisy Doodles.

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