Two Holidays Together

Each February we have Curious Cupid at work (think Secret Santa but in February). There are a lot of us who look forward to this as a fun way to make it through the typically snowy month, but this year we had so many snow days we had to cancel it! To make up for it we had a one day "Lucky Leprechaun" gift exchange. This was my haul for the day. Lots of goodies to make Irish coffee, sweet treats, a pretty basket, and fun bling to wear for the day. 😏

I just sent out a big Etsy order for Easter. The gal ordering wanted boxes of cards for the teachers at her child's preschool. The two classroom teachers each get the big boxes with either the apple or books, the chapel teacher is getting the box with the church tag, and the music teacher is getting the one with the music note. I hope everyone enjoys their cards!

It has been bitter cold here, so these cards are helping me try to get into s springtime mindset!

 

More Hot Stuff

You know me, when I get on a roll with something I can't help but keep going. :)  I went to town creating a few more cocoa packets.  I reworked two versions from last year's batch (with fresh cocoa of course!).

These two are totally winter's day themed packages.  That snowman is soooo stinkin' cute!!!!  Making these is so addictive, but the trouble is that I want to drink all the cocoa before I fill the pockets.  Oh the trials of creativity.  LOL!

For these I went more in-your-face valentine.  Sometimes obvious is the best way to go, that and I was in the mood to get all hearts 'n flowers after all the Santa 'n tree action of last month. :)  To help reduce your valentine stress, I've loaded a few of these in my shoppe.

Have a happy Friday & stop by tomorrow for the great Grow Your Blog Party!

Heat it Up

Hi Everyone!  I've got a hot idea for you on this chilly winter's day!  It's been a snowy time here in New England and there's nothing like some snow to give me a good excuse to pull out my hot cocoa. :)  I love me some cocoa when the white stuff is flying- of course I love it most when I can watch the stuff fall from inside whilst sitting by the fire, but I digress...

The hot cocoa I was sipping also got me thinking about Valentine's Day.  See in February my fellow teachers and I celebrate Curious Cupid (think Secret Santa valentine-style).  It's been a tradition at my school since way before I started there and I LOVE it!  Curious Cupid makes for a fun lead up to the holiday and makes for a cheery distraction from the snow for all of us teachers.  So why did the cocoa make me think of it?

Well we have 3 mini gift days and then the Big Reveal day.  The first 3 days we are only supposed to spend $5 or less and the big day isn't supposed to be more than $15.  That isn't an easy feat to begin with, never mind in New England where things can get expensive quickly. So last year at around this time I was thinking "wouldn't cocoa be a fun inexpensive treat", but then I thought "how to I make it pretty & special vs. plain & boring"?  A quick search of Pinterest and I came across this cute packaging idea. :)

Basically the paper is a wrap for the cocoa and the ribbon is a pull-tab to get the cocoa packet out.  I cut the first layer of paper 8"X 5.5" and then cut an additional paper about 8"X 3.5".  I layered the smaller on top of the larger and scored one of the narrow edges at .5" and then again at 4.25".  Everything got folded and the smaller tab gets some adhesive.  Glue together and voila!  You have a pocket to slide your cocoa packet- but wait!  Se where the ribbon is at the top of both packets?  You'll need to punch a hole through the top of both side of the pocket and feed ribbon through the holes.  The cocoa packet will rest on the ribbon inside the pocket, so once you have enough ribbon sticking out of both sides, slide your cocoa into the pocket and tie a bow.  When that special recipient wants to break into their cocoa all they have to do is pull the ribbon up and the packet slides out. :)  Cool huh!  Don't forget to embellish with a tag so your cocoa buddy remembers you and smiles while enjoying their hot cup of yummy chocolate goodness.

I hope this has warmed you up (couldn't help it, I had to pun it) to the idea of giving some valentine love to friends and family this year.  You have plenty of time and these are super quick when you get on a roll.  If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will make sure to get you an answer!

Happy Thursday!!!

Wanna make your own that look like the ones above?  Check out The Hen's Den supplies used here:
Petaloo Mulberry Daisies
May Arts Pink & Brown Ribbon
May Arts Ivory & Pink Check Ribbon
Simple Stories All About Me 
Simple Stories Brown Damask 
Simple Stories Journaling Card Elements #1
Bo Bunny Garden Brads
Bo Bunny Love
My Minds Eye Christmas Rhinestones
Ranger 1/4" Wondertape

Curious Cupid

I'm getting ready for our Curious Cupid celebration at school. It's just like Secret Santa, but between the craziness of the December holidays and the fact that not all the staff celebrate Christmas, many moons ago folks decided to liven up February with Curious Cupid. I have to say it is wonderful! We deliver little gifts, with or without a hint, for three days prior to Valentine's Day (or this year right before vacation week) and then have a big Reveal Breakfast before school. You have never seen so much red, white, and pink in one place! All the big reveal final gifts are passed out and there are many hugs. :)
This card was made using Memory Box cards, Marvy heart punches, StazOn saddle brown ink, flourish stamps and a french/latin? stamp for the patterning. I used stickles to ad bling to the hearts and the paper with flourishes is a poor man's polished stone technique. I call it that 'cause I didn't use true glossy paper. It was some scrap paper that had enough thickness to handle the Adirondack inks and enough shine to give a little polish effect.
I really enjoy our Curious Cupid tradition. At my church growing up we used to bake cookies and put them into decorated coffee cans to deliver to shut-ins. Some of the classrooms write letters to folks at the senior center or sent care packages to soldiers. Do you have any Valentine traditions? I'd love to hear about them, so please share them. Your tradition may be an inspiration to someone else. :)

Here's to hoping your week is filled with joy, love, and happy surprises!