John's working from home today. Every other Thursday (unless he has meetings) he works from home and I move my laptop from the basement so we can sit next to each other in the dining room and tap away. Isn't that the cutest thing ever? (Yeah, it's really cute)
And so just a second ago he was cracking up and I wanted to know at what. "Engineering humor" he told me, and then showed me this:
Ha ha ha! Engineers are funny, yo!
But then, so are scrapbookers. I had to do this:
And this has all been just a massive distraction from my true posting subject, which was to announce my new products that were released at CHA Winter.
Check this out:
I've licensed with Sizzix to create interactive pop-up dies. With the Bigz XL dies and the Big Shot machines, there is finally enough real estate on a consumer die to make a substantial pop-up, something I had previously only dreamed of. (My students were likely also having that dream as they took hours to hand cut and score my templates!)
The initial release is 7 dies, six of which are adaptations of my most popular templates, and then one brand new one - the three tier cake.
The dies will ship in May and will include excellent step-by-step pictorial instructions in the packaging. But what's most important to know is . . . they're all easy. I can't stress enough that these dies are simple to put together. The machine does all the hard parts for you - precision cutting and scoring. Some of the dies have fewer construction steps, so they may be quicker to put together, but they're all easy. I've timed myself and they range from 30 seconds (the tree) to 10 minutes (the pop-up ball) but they're all EASY.
We filmed my demos at the show and they should be available at some point on the Sizzix Website for a video tutorial of just how easily these dies go together. I also made some samples that I need to photograph and create instructions for. My website, karenburniston.com will have free downloadable projects and ideas closer to the dies' ship date.
Oh, and I should mention that the beautiful projects on the packaging were done by the jaw-droppingly-talented Sizzix design team. I was completely in awe with the projects they created.
So that's what I've been up to. I will continue to offer Home Construction projects on my website, because there will always be things I can do with templates that I can't do with dies, but primarily I am going to focus on the dies. In fact, I'm already designing the next release!
You may also find me out there teaching for Sizzix at some events, so keep an eye on my website for those dates and locations. Right now I'm working on a complete website overhaul, but I'm just one person, so it's going to be a while before I complete it. When you get to the upper levels of Diner Dash (and I have completed every level at expert status, thank you very kindly) you get two extra arms. Wouldn't that be loverly? I could type with two of them and make pop-ups with the other two. Ahhh . . . to dream!
One last piece of business - a new class that will be offered next month at Akke Fietje in the Netherlands and also at the Craftiere event in Ireland. Carin and Jacqueline will teach the Dutch class and Jane Dean will teach in Ireland. Check out the websites for photos of the class. Alternate words will be available in the handout templates offering maximum customization.
And that, in a nutshell, is what I've been up to!
RKQOTD (In the van on the way to a play date Emma: Karl, what did you bring to play with? Karl: A Wii game and my Wii remote. and then, sadly: I realize that there are some children in the world who don't have multiple remotes for their Wii or multiple player abilities. Me: Oh those poor unfortunate children!! Emma: Well gee, Mom, I don't think they're *that* unfortunate. I mean, they probably play outside and use their imaginations WAY more than we do!)
Oh Crap.....here is more sizzix that I will have to buy!
Posted by: Karen | January 29, 2009 at 01:04 PM
You are hilarious! I so want to scraplift your design and put me & my husband's photo to send to him but it would take too long. Then I couldn't get dinner on the table! But really, I want to commend you on your Sizzix dies. They are ingenious!
btw, any time you return to Kansas City, give me a call. I found another BBQ joint that is to die for!
Posted by: Linda | January 29, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Love the stories! Congrats on your new adventures with Sizzix!
Posted by: StacyS. | January 29, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Congratulations!!! I am so far behind - congratulations on Lucy, on the new and gorgeous teeth for Karl, and *absolutely*, congrats on the new products! That is AWESOME! I am *so* excited for you!!
Posted by: Jen | January 29, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Hi Karen, well done on the deal with Sizzix. Will probably be 6 months until we get them here in the UK. Hope new Home Construction Classes are in the pipeline!!!!
Regards
Mary
Posted by: Mary MacLeod | January 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Hi Karen, well done on the Sizzix deal. Can't wait for the dies, just hope they are released here in the UK at the same time as the US. Your Blog is one of the 3 I read and I have have really missed your posts.
Hope Home Construction Classes are next on your list!!!!!!!!
Love
Mary
Posted by: Mary MacLeod | January 29, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Oh my gosh you completely crack me up!
I really enjoyed meeting you in person at CHA. I love the dies! I can't wait to get my hands on the ball and the beach chair too!
Posted by: Michelle Laboissonniere | January 29, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Bwahaha! At least when you do post, you make it worth our while. :)
Posted by: Cyndi | January 29, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Jeez Louise, girl - you totally crack me up. You know the milk and the screen. Well, I put the glass down... but just in time. Thanks.
Posted by: Peggy | January 29, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Emma's a smart one!
Posted by: Helena | January 29, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Excellent engineering and scrapping photo stories ... had a little giggle on the side. Oooh I just love those Sissix dies you have engineered, they are mind bogling. Happy scrap engineering. Hugs from Desire
Posted by: Desire Fourie | January 30, 2009 at 12:19 AM
I drooled on the keyboard... I can't wait to get my hands on some of these...
Posted by: Amy | January 30, 2009 at 05:52 AM
I am so excited for these dies. I love your home construction projects, so these will make some of them a little quicker. Very nice! And, as usual, you crack me up!
Posted by: Tracy | January 30, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Tell Karl that I don't own a Wii and he should see about asking you to send yours for a while so I can play. :)
I promise to send it back. :P
So, you are telling me that I need to start saving money to buy MORE scrap-booking stuff.. since I have a very small collection. :(
Posted by: Tifani Northcutt | January 30, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Tell Karl that I don't own a Wii and he should see about asking you to send yours for a while so I can play. :)
I promise to send it back. :P
So, you are telling me that I need to start saving money to buy MORE scrap-booking stuff.. since I have a very small collection. :(
Posted by: Tifani Northcutt | January 30, 2009 at 11:23 AM
you must think I'm the biggest duffo head in the world! This is our conversation:
K - Laura! Hey!
L - Karen...hey {hug} how are you!
K - good
L & K blah, blah time we got in, Christmas etc.
K - So who are you here with
L - Dream street. You?
K - Ellison, you know promoting my new product.....
L - Oh yeah, well see ya.
Serious dorkage moment on my part! Can you say not clueing in, not quite connecting in my old brain, not quite realizing what you were telling me?!?!?!?
Belated CONGRATULATIONS Karen!!! I'm excited and thrilled for you! Best of wishes to you! Laura
All of this should have been said in the Embassy lobby. Did I mention my lack of sleep and caffeine?
Posted by: Laura Achilles | January 30, 2009 at 12:36 PM
It's about time you did this
Posted by: Michelle | February 02, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Congratulations Karen ! awesome and how the heck did you ever design those, wow. I need to see these IRL.
Deep down "you want me diecutting those letters". You are hilarious. Boy, I've missed you.
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle OKeefe | February 04, 2009 at 11:43 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So happy for you!!! Hilarious post as always!!!
Posted by: Yvonne | February 04, 2009 at 08:42 PM
HI Karen, waving at you from across the big pond - man that die release is awesome, so excited for you and for US - as you know we have been doing your classes in our store, for a year now and we love them, the dies will make this a bit easier - take care Ruth (Scrapbook Central, Western Australia)
Posted by: Ruth in OZ | February 05, 2009 at 09:50 AM
This is so exciting!! Congratulations!! I can't wait to get some!!
Posted by: Angela K | February 05, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Oh, wow! This is so so cool about Sizzix..gives me about a few months to save up!! LOL!! So happy for you!!!
Love the post b/ you & hubby...you crack me up!
One of these days I would love to see you back in Chicago...but without the tornados! LOL!!
MargieH in Chicago
Posted by: MargieH | February 08, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Damn. I sold my sizzix. I might need to go buy another one. MUCH congratulations on your new endeavor. They look great - I hope they're a huge success!!
Posted by: marybethp | February 09, 2009 at 07:47 PM
So exciting!! I can not wait to get some of these!! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Angela K | February 10, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Congradulations Karen on your new product. You continue to crack me up and impress me with your creativity.
Posted by: Aunt Mary | February 12, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Amazing!!! I can not wait until they get into the European market.
Congratulations Karen!!!
Posted by: Helena - The Netherlands | February 15, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Congratulations, I seen these dies for sale in a shop for pre-order, I recognised them from the classes I have done with you.
One of the best teachers out.
I will be buying them.
Hope you release many more.
Posted by: Dawn Silver | February 15, 2009 at 04:28 PM
It's nie to have our hubbies at home isn't it? I'm a baby scrapbooker but congratulations~I sure know that name/brand!
Posted by: Tommie Jo | February 18, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I am LOL at your hilarious crafter's version of Jack Nicholson's speech! Had to pass that on to my family - big fans of the movie, not so much of my stamping.
Can't wait for the 3-tier cake die. Wow!
Posted by: Tammy T | February 19, 2009 at 09:14 AM
I loved both of those 'Few Good Men' jokes ... being a Civil Engineer I'm with John on the Architects! (even if I get my feet wet these days).
I'm tempted to find a copy to print out on A4 and stick on our tea area wall (well I'm in the UK, we need our tea & coffee at regular intervals!) It will be well appreciated by my section!
... and sizzix dies are cool, crossed fingers they land in the UK too!
Posted by: Caz | February 26, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Hi Karen,
Barry here from Sizzix in the UK! I hope you had a great Easter!
Looking forward to catching up with you at CHA Summer. Is there a house of blues anywhere near (he he!)
The dies are selling great guns over here and i'm looking forward to seeing the next amazing releases.
Take care and speak soon!
Barry
Posted by: Barry Short | April 15, 2009 at 10:10 AM