Maria Filosa’s UHU Project Blog

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Hi everyone,

Please forgive the delay in getting new posts, comments and recent reviews up. We are working on some design changes to the blog that will be in place soon and allow the site to be updated more regularly and feature more projects.

Thanks very much for your patience - please check back soon for new UHU news and product samples.

-Alyssa

Well, CHA 2008 has come and gone. The show, held in Anaheim, CA, is the largest craft trade show in the market. If you can’t find it at CHA, it probably doesn’t exist. I walked the isles of the show in wonder of all of the products and gadgets available to the average human being. Of course, most of my time was spent at the Saunders Mfg, Inc. booth teaching participants the joys of working with UHU glue products. We made a cute business size (or purse size) card holder embellished with an array of beads held on the front of the flap with my favorite 2 part epoxy glue, the Metal Glass & Jewelry Glue, from the Creativ Line. Everyone who stopped by the booth to make the MITI (make it/take it) got to take home a pack of the 2 part epoxy glue, Metal Glass & Jewelry Glue. We also used the UHU Origianl Glue Stic for securing the side paper flaps on the project. I found it very interesting that most people who stopped by the booth were very familiar with the Glue Stic product. In fact, any who were teachers or artists insisted that the UHU Glue Stic was the ONLY stick glue that they would use or recommend. We certainly enjoyed hearing that.

We all had fun creating get well cards for our U.S. Solders. Anyone who stopped by the booth was asked to create a card. Most everyone who did a card was so grateful that they had a way to say ‘thank you’ to our troops. It was heartwarming to see the beautiful cards that were made knowing that lots of love was put into each and every one.

Another product that brought great interest was our UHU Twist ‘n Glue with the unique applicator top. Some thought this was a new product but we have had it available for a few years now. It was a pleasant surprise to them. I loved watching their faces as we showed them how the applicator top worked. Just remove the cap and you have pinpoint application, (they loved that) and then twist the top and you get the choice of two widths of a spreader type applicator (they really loved that!) People walked away with samples of our glues and they were like kids in a candy store.

Although it seemed as if traffic for the trade show was down this year, I know that everyone who came to the show had a specific purpose in mind. It was interesting to watch them walk the isles with determination, map in hand, trying to find the destination of their next great product find. Scrapbooking is still a big product category and it certainly requires glue. We are glad that most crafts who work with paper ask for our glue sticks by name. It shows us that we have a consistently good product to offer the crafting public.

If you’d like to make our paper purse or business card holder, check under projects for the UHU Money Holder Ornament. You can use a copy machine to enlarge the project sheet if you’d like to make a larger size purse. For the business card size, make sure the body of the pattern (the large rectangles) are at least 2 ¼” x 3 ¾”. A standard sized business card is 2” x 3 ½”. The slightly larger size will give you a bit of room to get the cards in and out. If you make the larger purse size (your choice of size) a cool idea would be to make greeting cards that fit inside the purse and give the purse and cards as a gift. The receiver will love having a set of handmade cards and a cute holder to keep them in until use.

Well, that’s all for now. Keep crafting…it warms the heart!
Maria

Technorati tags: UHU, CHA, cards, troops

I know I’m very behind on posts but we are busy trying to prepare for CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) . To all of those that have done reviews and are waiting on the next sample of the month, bare with me. As for CHA, just wanted to give everyone an exclusive to what they can expect to see at the UHU booth (#4473) where Maria will make an appearance.

First is our Make-It-And-Take-It project. Maria has come up with a design for making your own purse to embellish using UHU glue.

Our other project at the booth will be a Cards to Our Troops project.

Saunders (US distributor for UHU glue) and UHU are providing attendees at the CHA Winter 2008 Trade Show with an opportunity to embellish cards for recovering U.S. military service people. Saunders/UHU is partnering with Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP) to deliver get-well cards to U.S. troops around the world.

CHA show attendees visiting the UHU booth (#4473) will be able to use an assortment of UHU glues, ribbon, papers and other decorative items to embellish cards wishing troops well and thanking them for their service.

“As the U.S. distributor for UHU glue, we thought it was a good match to use the German-made glue to send cards to patients in the hospital there,” noted Jim Dean, group marketing manager for Saunders. “Working with LHCP has been helpful, as they can deliver these custom-designed cards to patients at Landstuhl or other military hospitals where they are needed most.”

LHCP is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 that provides support to the Pastoral Services Department at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany, field hospitals in combat areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan and VA hospitals across the U.S. Coordinating with patient liaisons at hospitals, they work to send items that comfort and provide relief to patients wherever the need is greatest.

“The need for cards, blankets and other items changes regularly,” noted Karen Grimord, founder and president of LHCP. “We are happy to help coordinate with companies like Saunders and other organizations seeking to make donations so that we can share information about what types of items are needed and where they would have the most impact.”

The card project will be available for all CHA attendees to participate in at the UHU booth (#4473) and the cards will be collected and given to LHCP to distribute following the show’s close.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday season and is ready to start scrapbooking those memories because this month’s UHU Glue Sample of the Month is the UHU Glue Scrapbookers Pen. Many of you have used the UHU Glue Scrapbookers Pen before but for those that aren’t familiar with it, here are some features…

* Formulated to dry fast and not run
* Pen design allows delicate glue placement
* Fits in narrow tool trays, utensil holders or apron pockets
* Strong, non-toxic & washable
* Does not wrinkle paper
* Non-clogging tip
* Works on all kinds of papers

Here are some links to what other crafters think about the UHU Scrapbookers Pen

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269357
http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stamping_thoughts/2006/11/thankful_for.html
http://scrapability.squarespace.com/scrap-rants/2005/8/7/focus-on-uhu-glues-uhu-scrapbookers-pens.html
http://susanblanton.blogspot.com/2006/09/uhu-scrapbooking-adhesives.html
http://community.livejournal.com/thecraftyblog/7873.html
http://jensstampworld.blogspot.com/2007/03/uhu-product-review.html

If you’ve reviewed the UHU Scrapbookers Pen and don’t see your link here, drop a comment so others can see your review.

If you would like to try a sample, please drop us a line at uhusamples@yahoo.com and include your name, mailing address and blog address. Due to shipping costs, our sampling program is limited to bloggers in the U.S. and Canada.

Questions, comments, projects you want to share? Please send them our way!

Technorati tags: UHU, crafts, glue, scrapbooking, craft supply

I received a google alert for this UHU glued project and asked Judi (the creator) if we could post it on the blog to share with all of you.

It’s a perfect little winter themed project. It’s a clock with glued together using UHU glue.

Judi said, “Since I discovered the wonders of the UHU gluestick, I gladly gave up my Duck tape runners for all my scrapbook projects. UHU is a fabulous product ”

check out Judi’s project at http://howjudiofyou.typepad.com.

In the last few months we’ve received some great posts on UHU projects from crafters around the web regarding their UHU glue experiences. We wanted to share some of their ideas and projects with all of you.

Di Hickman is well known crafter in the blogsphere with her own newsletter and nearly daily posts of new projects and personal interests.

Di can be found at her website, www.dihickman.com or her blog, http://dihickman.blogspot.com.

In the past she has reviewed UHU Scrapbookers Pen, UHU Original Glue Stic, UHU Twist & Glue, UHU Glue Roller and recently the UHU Envelope Glue.

She has created approximately 10-20 projects using UHU Glues ranging from cards to altered projects and scrapbook layouts. A few of these projects are even being published in 2008 publications. Look for them in the following publications:
Memory Makers, February 2008
Paper Creations, Spring 2008
Paper Crafts - Stamp It Book, 2008

She has also has UHU projects published in Ready Set Create Ezine and Scrapstreet Ezine.

Di had this to say about her UHU experience:
“Since trying my first UHU sample I’ve really grown to love the UHU products and use them almost exclusively on my craft projects. Whenever I want something to adhere well, I reach for UHU everytime! They have great adhesives for every surface!”

Visit Di on her blog and look out for her reviews of UHU Glue.

Technorati tags: UHU, glue, Di Hickman, craft projects

UHU Money Holder Ornament
Designed by Maria N. Filosa

Materials:
UHU Glue Stic
UHU Creativ Craft Glue for Metal, Glass and Jewelry (2 Part Epoxy Resin Glue)
Small Bead Mixture (Seed beads, E beads, bugle beads)
4 1/4 x 5 1/2 heavy card stock (your color choice to correspond with beads)
Rubber Stamp and Stamp Pad (your color choice)

Small Velcro dot for closure
Cord to create hanger
Non-stick paper of foil
Alcohol
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
1/8″ hole punch

Directions:
1. Cut out pattern than trace pattern onto heavy cardstock. HINT: If you use heavy paper when making pattern, you can then cut out the pattern and score all the fold lines using a ruler. Use double sided tape (remove some stickiness by pressing onto cloth) to hold down pattern on heavy cardstock. Trace around pattern then lift each section at score line, pressing slightly harder than normal to create an instant score line on cardstock.

2. Cut out ornament pattern from heavy cardstock. Flip paper over and use stamp pad and rubber stamp to create desired effects on paper. Create at all score lines.

3. Use UHU Glue Stic to glue sides (A to A and B to B) also glue all small flaps to inside of ornament. Press punch through top of each side of the ornament through all 3 layers (two side panels and one small flap.) This well be the whole where the cord hanger will be attached.

4. Mix up equal parts of UHU Metal, Glass and Jewelry Glue in tray provided in package. Be sure to mix both hardener and resin well to ensure proper curing of product. Place non-stick paper or foil under front flap of closed ornament. Spread mixed epoxy onto only the front flap of ornament. Sprinkle bead mixture into epoxy. You can cover entire flap with beads or just sprinkle a few to allow the stamped design to show through. Let dry completely (approximately 15 minutes). Use alcohol to remove wet epoxy glue from hands.

5. thread cord through hole on each side of ornament and tie a know on the inside of ornament to secure cord for hanger.

6. Attach velcro dot to underside of flap and body of ornament to hold flap closed. Place ornament on tree and fill with your choice of present (money, candy, love notes, etc.)

NOTE: This can also be used a business card holder. Just make sure the size will accommodate a regular business card (usually 2″ x 3 1/2″). Make the ornament slightly larger to get the cards in and out easier.

Technorati tags: UHU, Gift Card Holder, Ornament, Crafts, Craft Projects, Glue

As promised, here is the layouts and instructions for creating from scratch your own holiday cards using UHU Photo Glue Stic and UHU Envelope Glue Stic. These cards are a great way to add a personal touch of heart to send to your loved ones this holiday season.

Photo Holiday Cards
Designed by Maria N. Filosa

Materials:
Card Stock, your color choice and size
Mulberry Paper, corresponding colors of card stock
Photos
UHU Envelope Glue
UHU Photo Glue
Scissors
Markers (Pentel’s Metallic Outline Markers were used in this project)

Directions:
Cut your photo to the size and shape of your choice. Use the UHU Photo Glue to glue the photo to cardstock. You can cut around the photo leaving an edge of colored card stock and then glue this to another piece of card stock folded in half to create a card. You can also layer several colors of cardstock under your photo gluing and cutting each to create a multi-colored background for your photo card. Use the markers to add sentiments or headings for your card.

Once the card is completed to your satisfaction, create a matching or contrasting envelope using the mulberry paper (see directions in “All About Envelopes”)

It is fun to create an invitation card for a birthday and then create smaller “Thank You” cards using similar photos. It shows you care and is much more fun to receive than a standard “thank you” card from the store.

Here is a little message from Maria about envelopes for your holiday card crafting. Tomorrow I will post Maria’s layouts for creating your own envelopes and some cards that she created using the UHU Photo Glue Stic and the UHU Envelope Sealer to kick off the Christmas crafting season.

“I love to make envelopes. I think I have always been fascinated by envelopes, too. I remember as a teenager, I got some stationery and envelopes that had clouds on it. The envelopes were made of vellum (which was a mystery paper to me back then…well, to date myself, I was a teenager back in the 60’s!) I loved that stationery so much that I didn’t really use it because I didn’t want to use it up. Recently when I was moving into my house, I found my box of ‘special papers’ and there were those vellum envelopes and cloud stationery, a little yellowed but still fascinating to me. I finally passed on the precious box of ‘papers’ to a senior center telling myself that I could make those really cool envelopes and stationery anytime I wanted. Isn’t it funny how we hold onto things of our past and also how much influence they have on our future?

Envelopes…such a simple concept, but people get all bent out of shape when they look through their stash of cards and find out that they don’t have an envelope to fit that perfect card they wanted to send out. They’ll steal an envelope from another card even though it doesn’t fit quite right or they will go out and buy a box of boring white envelopes. With just about any kind of paper, a pair of scissors and the right glue, making an envelope can take on the average of five minutes. Once you remove the symmetry restraints, anything is possible.

First think of what the word envelope means, to envelop something is to cover it completely. That’s exactly what an envelope does, it completely covers another piece of paper or card. It doesn’t matter if the flaps are equal in size and shape, nor does it matter whether it is a square or rectangle. What does matter is that your card is encased inside of it and it is of a size and shape that the postmaster will accept for mailing if that is what you plan to do with it. Square cards and envelopes actually cost more to mail than standard rectangle ones. Oversized cards cost more, too. Also, if you are using a paper that has an intense design on it, it might be a good idea to use a white or light colored label for the address. This will help it to stay on track in the delivery process. If you are handing your card over to a friend for a birthday or special occasion, the size and shape don’t matter at all.

Some of the papers I have used to make envelopes are old maps, papers torn from magazines, gift wrap, vellum, mulberry paper, stamped paper, paper placemats, scrap paper (mostly mistakes from my computer!) and even old letters or photos. Practically anything that can be folded and glued can become an envelope. I use UHU’s Envelope Glue for the job of gluing down my flaps because I know that it won’t come apart in the mailing process. It is important that you trust your glue to deliver your card and envelope in good shape because without the glue, all you have is an oddly cut piece of paper with nothing inside it!

So, let’s get started and I want you to experiment with the paper you are using. Don’t play it safe, use something unusual and colorful. You will be amazed at how much fun it is to mail something so wild and wacky! You will need UHU’s Envelope Glue or UHU’s Stic Glue if your store doesn’t carry the envelope glue, a piece of paper larger than your card and a pair of scissors. The size of the paper will vary according to the style envelope you want to make. Place a piece of paper out on the table in front of you. If it is a rectangle, place it so that the short sides are at the top and bottom of the paper. Place your card in the center of the paper. Fold the top and bottom sections of your envelope paper over your card. They will need to overlap at least 1/2”. Now fold the sides in over your card. Crease all folds using the edge of your finger nail or a folding bone. Do not glue anything yet. Open the envelope paper and remove the card. You will notice that the envelope paper has nine sections to it, three across the top, three in the middle and three at the bottom. Use a pencil to lightly label them – 1, 2, 3 straight across the top, 4, 5, 6 straight across the middle and 7, 8, 9 straight across the bottom. Use the scissors to cut out sections 1 and 3 across the top and 7 and 9 across the bottom. You now have a center section with four flaps. Slightly angle the flap sections with your scissors. This will make it easier to fold them over your card just in case your creases and angles are not perfect. To finish your envelope, fold the bottom flap up and the side flaps in over the bottom flap. Use your UHU Envelope Glue to secure the side flaps to the bottom flap. Place your card inside and then glue down the remaining flap. Attach your label if needed and mail your card! That was one style I call the straight envelope.

For the diagonal envelope, place a square of paper (your envelope paper) on the table in front of you with each point of the paper facing north, south, east and west. Place the card in the center of the paper so that each side of your card has a corresponding point from the envelope paper. Fold each point of the envelope paper over your card and crease the folds. Again it will be important that you have an overlap area of approximately ½” on the top and bottom flaps. The side flaps do not need to overlap each other but they do need to fold in enough to allow you to glue them closed over the top and bottom flaps. Open the paper and remove the card. With the points still facing north, south, east and west, you will notice that you again have three rows of three sections. Trim and glue the sections as you did in the above envelope. Don’t worry if one of your flaps is larger than the others or if the top and bottom flap don’t line up exactly in the middle. It doesn’t matter. As long as your card is completely covered, you have a working envelope.

So gone are the days of being a slave to the mechanically engineered envelope market! Be bold, be reckless, be daring and your mail will not go unnoticed!”