Snowman Valentine

Happy January!  Thought I'd pop in and share one of my favorite valentines to make.  They are fun to cut and color. 

The idea for these cards comes from a class a friend taught years ago.  The snowman image is from Paper Smooches.  I added the heart and then colored it with Spica so it would shimmer when you are holding the card. 

I free-hand cut the hills from a variety of red, pink, and valentine papers from my stash.  The snowmen are my favorite part.  The stamp set comes with a couple versions of snowmen and coloring them brings out their little personalities! :)

Hope you were inspired to make a couple of your own (but if you are too busy, stop by my Etsy shop and pick up a couple!).

Toodles,

Nuts & Bolts Love

Thought I would share another version of my Valentine Card Kits.  This time I have a robot version!  My hubby likes this one because it combines a corny saying with an engineering-ish image. ;-)

This creation was something I had thought about putting together, but hadn't gotten around to it until I had an Etsy customer request something more boy-ish.  Have I mentioned how much I really do adore my Etsy customers?!?!  They really are an inspiring group! The deadlines they create don't hurt my productivity either. LOL!  Am I the only one who actually likes deadlines?

These are flat front valentines which is great for production, but stressful when you have to stamp the sentiments in two separate steps.  Lots of room for an "oops"!

Hope this has inspired you to play Cupid with some cards this Valentine's Day!  What are you going to create?  Please share it with me.  I'd love to see what you make!!!

Happy Valentine's Cupcake

I was scrolling through my blog and don't think I ever shared these!  This is one of the kits that kept me busy last winter.  Which wasn't a bad thing considering how much snow we got and how many snow days I had last year!

These went all over.  California for a tea party, Pennsylvania for a 2nd graders valentines, Texas, and a bunch of other places I am forgetting right now.  One gal used the watercolor version to make cards for her coworkers.  Love my Etsy customers!  I wouldn't have thought anyone but kids would like these and I'm so happy to find out how wrong I was!!

Two options for the DIY Cupcake Valentine Kits are just cupcakes to make, but two versions also include 2 teacher cards that I make with big layered cupcakes.  Anywho, thanks for taking a peek at another valentine throwback!

Love

Happy New Year!!!  Thought I'd pop in and serve up a couple valentines with a cutie corgi chaser.  I made these last winter and never managed to share them because of all the valentine kit orders.  Totally not complaining about being swamped with orders!  It was awesome that so many people liked them!!!!  I made several versions of this card, but I only just got around to loading them in my Etsy Shop recently.

I used a wicked old SU stamp that I borrowed from a crafty friend for the "love" and the heart balloon is from a balloon set by Amuse (I can direct you to an Amuse rep if you like this balloon- I think they still sell it.). The inside, which I forgot to photograph- ugh, read Happy Valentine's Day and was a Curious Cupid gift ages ago. (FYI- Curious Cupid is a valentine version of Secret Santa & is LOADS of fun at a much less hectic time of the year!).

Speaking of hectic times... Here is a pic of Cida waiting for Santa.  He has been doing really great with almost all of his commands though "come" seems to be optional in his puppy brain still. LOL!  We traveled to see family at Christmas and they all remarked about how much he has "grown up" since last year.  He looks more dog that puppy already!!!!

Speaking of corgi dogs, someone is hitting the back door looking for a chance to get outside.  Guess I gotta head out.  See y'all soon!

Amuse-ing Items

I played around with some tags and old Amuse stamps and came up with these "Heart Throb" tags.  There is something very Zen about coloring tiny "stuff", for me at least.

This is another one of those stamps I've had forever, but can't remember ever using!!!  I'm glad I funny inked it up.  This guy is soooo much fun to color!!!!

What fun things have you done today?

 

 

Super Bowl Class Highlights

 

Some folks get hyped for some football game or something today. *wink* At my LSS we get hyped for the Super Bowl Craft In! It is an all day 4 classes, 4 instructors, 4 projects, prizes, and lunch crafting bonanza.  I was the 4th quarter "coach" and my team of 15 made these cupcake cards.

The cards needed to be simple since these gals had been crafting since 10 am and when I got them it was 1:45 pm.  To make things easier all the items were punched, cut, & stamped so they could cut, color, and glue. :)

The samples were out for them to copy, but I encouraged them to do whatever moved them as far as "frosting" and sentiments.

The paper was all double-sided, which worked well if anyone wanted the cards to be mostly valentine-y, or more all occasion.  I think folks were pleased because they got to end with a low-key set of cards & could shop/chit-chat for the last little bit. :)

Hope you are having an awesome Super Bowl Sunday!  I can't wait to see all the commercials (they are my fav part no matter who is playing).

 

Super Bowl Fun!

Happy Monday Peeps!  Taking a break from my 50 Projects Challenge, I'm sharing the cards I'm "coaching" at the Ink About It Super Bowl Sunday Craft Event (10-3 so it'll pre-Super Bowl).  There are 4 of us "coaches" all teaching a different project.  Everyone will get to make all the projects & have a "half-time" lunch.

It's always a fun time, although this one will be bittersweet because it'll be the last one. *sniff-sniff*  The owners are retiring in March and the store will be closing.  So if you live in the Westford MA area, make sure to sign-up for this awesome event before it is as gone as chocolate cupcakes in my little hands. *wink*

My Heart on the Moon

So this hasn't been my "Big Year" for blog posts.  What can I say, life happens. :)  I've made lots of (I think) fun things, but before I could take pictures I often gave (or happily sold) the goodies.  I was cleaning my creative space (again) and came across this card.

It's become a tradition to teach a valentine card class at work.  This was one of the cards we made this past snowy February.  The stamp belongs to a friend and was designed to be a "baby" image (we think).  She saw it and said wouldn't it be cute with a heart for a valentine?  If I had had my act together I would have posted this on Mother's Day 'cause I think it works for that too. :)  It could be a cute wedding card too.  Hmmm, I made need to borrow that stamp again. LOL!

Happy Friday Peeps!

Valentine's Revisited

Valentine's came and went, but I thought I'd do a quick recap. :)   These cake balls are a valentine take on these balls I made a couple years ago.  The fam got the job of eating these.  These weren't as good as the peppermint ones, IMHO, but the peeps seemed to like them so all was good. :)

I got together with some gals at work and made a few different valentine cards.  Here is a valentine take on this card.  Aren't these pink snowbanks soooo stinkin' cute!  Speaking of snowbanks...

The pre-valentine blizzard left us with over 2 feet of snow.  Would you believe most of it has melted in my backyard!?!  The mountain in front is still there.  The entire state was shutdown and a driving ban was in place for something like 48 hours.  It was AWESOME!  Not having to go anywhere or do anything was kinda fun.  DH and I went out after the storm to throw snowballs and act like kids.  Apparently when I wasn't looking my body got a little older- I manged to twist my knee playing in the snow!  I'm way better now, but how pathetic!

Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday where ever you are and that you have something silly to smile about. :)

Hugs,

Triple Scoop for The Hen's Den Blog Hop!

It's The Hen's Den Valentine Blog Hop today!  All of us are highlighting a technique, tool, cool idea and if you hop along to everyone and leave comments at ALL the blogs you'll be entered to win some awesome goodness! 

The Hen's Den Blog Hop Roll of Awesomeness:

Anita (start here)

Carolyn

Janet

Lori

Nicolle

Moriah (that's me!)

Stephanie

Charlie @ The Hens Den Blog

You have until Feb 17th to leave a comment on the posts for the hop to be entered to win!  Here is my part of the prize.  :) 

Leave a comment below to be entered to win (and you'd be my valentine if you became a follower!)

Now get ready to hop!  :)

So here's the skinny.  I've been trying to make as many cards as I can from the supplies Charlie sent (you can see the first trio here).  The DP is all from Simple Stories Fabulous collection.

Today I'm going to show you how I made this cupcake card (and 2 more versions too!).  The idea is not mine, I lifted it from Pinterest (via this gal).  There weren't directions, so here is what I did to make this tasty trio come to life. :)

I used my 2.5" circle punch, my 1.5" circle punch, and my 1" circle punch.  This kind of project is perfect for the Simple Stories Fabulous collection because having double sided paper gives you twice as many patterns to work with!

This shows you roughly what you need size-wise & number-wise & pattern-wise for circles.  I tried to used 1 "light in color", 1 "medium in color" and 1 "dark in color" pattern so there was enough contrast to see all the papers.

This is me playing around with the mats. I used 2 mats on top of every card base for each card, but the sizes were all different.  I went with whatever I had that I thought looked good.  Some had 1/8" borders and some were much fatter borders.  The cupcake holder/base is from the back of Flashcards paper free-hand cut.  I just eyeballed the shape.  This is an okay thing to do folks! ;)  IMPORTANT- Make sure when you glue down the cupcake holder/base you leave empty space at the bottom.  You'll find out why in a minute.  To help remind me to do this, I make sure the largest circle is pretty close to the top of card.

The next step is to add 3 of the 1.5" circles (each one should be a different pattern) along the top of the cupcake holder.  This is why it's okay to eyeball the cuppie holder.  Most of it will get covered by the time this card is finished. :)  Notice how the bottom right circle matches the largest circle?  You'll want to do this each time you make this card.  You'll see why a little further down. :)

Next add the remaining 1.5" circle.  See how the circle on the bottom left is the same as the one you just added?  This is also important for contrast.  Bottom left should always match upper right.

Now add the smallest circles.  The 1" circle you add to the bottom should match the 2.5" circle.  Now you have formed a triangle for your eyes.  Also if you had added the other circle to the bottom you'd never "see" it because it would blend too much with it's mate in the middle. :)

That empty space you left at the bottom left you with a place to add a ribbon and message.  See how it all works out?  And you were so worried. LOL! ;)  To add to the fun, and since it is Valentine's Day, I die cut a small heart for the "cherry" and one to go with the message.  Not a stamper?  No problem!  I used the sentiments from the page of stickers. Now that you know how to make these for yourself, I'll show you 2 more versions using this paper line!

One with more patterned background paper and...

One where I stamped the brown polka dots on the background.  No sentiment here just some distressing instead.  The pink "composition" pattern circles are from one of the flashcards on the Flashcard paper.

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be in the running to win the goodies from ALL the blogs in our Hen's Den Designers hop!


Supplies from The Hen's Den used here:

Simple Stories- Fabulous- 100% Girl (all 3 cards)
Simple Stories- Fabulous- Fabulous Flashcards (used on 1 & 3)
Simple Stories- Fabulous- Brown Damask/Antique (used on 1 & 3 for mats)
Simple Stories- Fabulous- Orange Mini Dot/Doily (all 3 cards)
Simple Stories- Fabulous- Sassy (all 3 cards)
May Arts Ribbon- Orange Wrinkled (card 1)
May Arts Ribbon- Ivory/Green (card 2)
May Arts Ribbon- Light Green Check (card 3)
Also used- Bazzill cardstock in Truffle & Hot Pink

Your next stop is 

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