Basic Bear

“This paper doll is too big.”
“This paper doll won’t do what I want.”
“This paper doll faces the wrong way.”
“Ahh, this paper doll is just right!!”

If you’ve used paper dolls in your scrapbooks, you may have experienced frustration with paper dolls that only stand straight up and don’t look “movable”. Tamara Merrill and Theresa Irene Banks were frustrated with die cuts and paper dolls that could be embellished with pens, stickers or chalks, but couldn’t walk down the stairs on Christmas morning carrying a gift or face each other from opposite corners of a scrapbook page. It was this frustration that led to the creation of “Scraps, the Basic Bear”.

How Do Basic Bear die cuts work?
The Basic Bear is a component die cut. Each piece of the bear is a separate piece. This enables you to position the bear any way you choose. Since the pieces are independent of each other, the arms and legs go together in an infinite variety of positions. The heads and bodies are provided in both front and side views an all of the body parts are interchangeable – use either head with either body, etc. The bear’s face is left blank so that you are able to draw a face on the bear showing the right emotion for your page. (An easy to use Face Template is also available.) Using Scraps, the Basic Bear, you can dress the bear as anything or anyone. They can be male or female, child or adult, or they can simply be a “teddy bear”. You can also dress them using the various clothing templates to “costume” them for any page!

Basic Bear Project Packs are available in a large variety of idea formats from Newborn to Thanksgiving and every pack comes with full color, detailed, directions to help you assemble your bear and give you great layout ideas.

In addition to the bear – Basic Bear offers Just Ducks and Just Geese, realistic-looking duck and geese die cuts. Available in a variety of colors and in four positions, the ducks and geese are not only the bear’s best friend, but they also complement many pages and make craft projects quick and easy.

Basic Bear also offers a fantastic Idea Book, containing 26 full color pages, simple instructions for working with the bears, and it shows over 101 positions and ways to use the bears. The book is a wonderful resource for ideas on how to position the bears. Due out in Fall 2003 are three more books based on Sports, Special Occasions and People and Holidays.

View layouts using Basic Bear products in the Scrapjazz gallery.

In addition to offering bears, ducks and geese, Basic Bear has also recently merged with Triple-T Designs, Inc. -- where a new organizational tool for scrapbookers has been developed—The Scrap Rack-- which will be available July 1, 2003.

What is the ScrapRack?
TheScrapRack is an organizational system with a tilted design that allows you to view all your supplies quickly and easily. Because of its “component” driven design you can start with as little or as much as you need and then continue to add pieces as your scrapping supplies grow. Spinders, the TravelPack, and the four types of Storage pages all work together to create a simple and effective organization method.

The Spinders are a specially designed 3 ring unit. Each Spinder has an industrial strength 3 ring mechanism which fits all standard 3 hole punched products. Scrap Rack Spinders have "close tight rings" and also feature double locking tabs. The Spinders adhere to the base unit with commercial grade Velcro. The Velcro is secured to the Spinder with both rivets and epoxy. Each base unit can accommodate up to 8 Spinders.

The TravelPack is a unique design. You can use it to travel easily from home to crops and classes. To use your TravelPack, simply remove 1 or 2 loaded Spinders from your base unit, adhere them to the interior velcro spine of the TravelPack, add your favorite tools, zip the TravelPack closed and off you go! It includes several great features like a pocket designed just for your personal paper trimmer, 12 pen holders, 3 reinforced mesh pockets that allow you to bring scissors, punches, adhesives, and anything else you need when you scrap away from home. When you return home, remove the Spinders from the TravelPack, replace them on your base unit and your workspace is back to being organized. The handles for the TravelPack are located on the top, so tipping it upside down is almost impossible (but no guarantees)! Every TravelPack also includes a shoulder strap to make it easier to carry.

Storage Pages are designed with ease in mind. Each pocket has it's own Patented, Unique flap closure. As you organize your supplies, you choose to use or not use the flap, depending on what you store and your personal preferences. The crescent cut flap shape allows great ease in loading and unloading the pockets. Storage pages are offered in 4 designs.

• SuperSized Single - Our "bigger is better" page! One large pocket cut to hold any 12 x 12 paper. Each SuperSized page easily holds 24 sheets of paper.


• Double XL - Two long pockets stretch horizontally across this storage page. Border die cuts and stickers fit easily in these extra long pockets.


• Perfect Six - Six "bigger then 4x6" pockets. It’s ideal for holding your photos, stickers and die cuts.


• Dream Dozen - 12 great pockets, 8 - 3x3 pockets - ideal for small embellishments and stickers, and 4 - 3x6 pockets for your long narrow stickers and die cuts.


• The ValuPack – For those who can’t decide which size is right. It includes 20 pages, 5 of each design.

Visit the Basic Bear and Scrap Rack web sites for more information and to purchase their products.

If you do a layout for the Basic Bear layout contest on Scrapjazz and Purchase the Basic Bears you use from the Basic Bear website, you will receive a free face template. There will be a GREAT prize for the contest winner!