Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks for counting down with me! Here is my grand finale - the display tray. I apologize for the quality (or lack thereof!) of the picture. It's late, and the lighting is not great. 

I used a variety of papers and stamp sets. I tried to add a little bling to every section. My secret with this board? I fastened each section in using our little hook and loop circles! I will be able to switch out the sections each season. Happy Valentine's Day!

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 12: Chalkboard Technique

This one is getting in just under the wire! We're almost there - thanks for counting down to Valentine's Day with me! Today's project is not only my countdown project, but it also works for two challenges - Mojo Monday and the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Love Is in the Air challenge. 

I tried the trendy chalkboard technique. I used the CTMH Chalkboard paper (12 x 12) and White Daisy pigment ink to stamp the sentiments. I used the heat gun to set the ink a little, but I also wanted some smudges to look like erased chalk. (That's my story, at least - and I'm sticking to it!) I will definitely be trying this technique often.

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 11 - Mailbox

One of the things I love the most about the Artiste Cricut cartridge is the option to make so many 3-D items like this mailbox. It was SO easy to make. The pieces are sized so they work together based on the size you select; you don't have to figure out how big to make the flag, for example. I selected the mailbox at 3"; the flag and tab were sized accordingly. Super easy! I cut out two mailboxes then cut out the front on the second mailbox for a contrasting paper on the front of the mailbox.

Who wouldn't want to receive this filled with sweet treats! 

Items Used: 

• Cricut Artiste Collection
• Paper: La Belle Vie (retired)

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 10: I Mustache You . . .

I "Mustache" You - Will You Be Mine? Corny - yes! But I think it's fun, too. I'm not sure where the mustache trend started, but I'm glad CTMH got on board! The 'staches on this card were cut using Cricut Artiste. This was a fast, simple card to make.  

Update: I submitted this card for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge "We Mustache You to Join!" in March 2013!

Items used:

• Cricut Artiste Collection
• Cardstock: White Daisy, Black, and Cranberry
• Stamp sets: Whooo's Your Valentine; Trinity Alphabet

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 8: A Little Valentine Mojo

I took advantage of this week's fun Mojo Monday sketch to create the card for today's countdown. I used some brand-new products, like the washi tape - LOVE!

Items used (all Close To My Heart):

• For Always paper packet
• Black & Grey Glitter Paper
• Perfect Fit - Frames stamp set
• Salutation Seals stamp set
• Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
• Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
• Artiste Cricut Collection
• Bling assortment (retired)
• White embroidery floss
• 3-D Foam Tape
• Ruler

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 7: Muslin Drawstring Bag

How's this for a little bag of sweetness? It is filled with kisses (Hershey's).  

I whipped up this project in no time thanks to our brand-new My Creations Muslin Drawstring Bags. They come in a set of 3 bags (4" x 6") for $3.95 and take ink really well. I used Hollyhock and Cranberry pigment inks which work great on fabric! Be sure to slip a piece of cardstock inside the bag before stamping to prevent bleed-through. The stamp set is retired but is one of my favorites. After the ink dried a little, I blinged it up with some Bitty Sparkles.  What's Valentine's Day without a little bling?

Remember to add your Valentine's Day party to the link below! 


If you'd like some more tips and ideas on using the muslin bags, enjoy the video below:

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day Six: Treat Tube

Another fast project - this one using our new Treat Tubes (available soon) and the Cup of Cheer stamp set. I created a band around the tube (and should have photographed it better) using the coffee beans stamp. The tube is filled with coffee for a little gift.

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day Five: Heart Card

Welcome to Day Five of the Valentine's Day Countdown! I'm really loving the combination of kraft cardstock and Smoothie ink and cardstock. This sweet little card was inspired by a Pinterest creation found here. (What did we do before Pinterest?) I also got my money's worth out of the Whooo's Your Valentine stamp set. I love all the hearts! 

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day Four: Card Box

I'm crazy about the Love notes! I covered a My Creations Card Box with Smoothie cardstock. The top was decorated with the Love stamp matted with a Smoothie heart cut on Artiste. A little bling was added using Silver Shimmer Trim, Sparkles Clear Flourishes - Small, Pixie Glitter Alphabet, and a Shimmer brad (retired). So easy!

The cards came together really quickly. I used the Love stamp on a White Daisy square matted with Smoothie. The cards fold on top, so I wrapped the card with Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon, which I gathered on the side with a piece of Smoothie Baker's Twine. It took a bit of creative placement to get all four cards to fit neatly in the box, but they do fit! I hope you enjoy this project and add yours to the countdown!

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day Three: Checkerboard Heart Card

This card just makes me happy. It was so fun to make! I was inspired by this card I found on Pinterest. I started with a 6 x 6 inch kraft card base then added a 5 3/4" Cranberry mat. The main part of the card is a 5 1/2" square of kraft cardstock. I made a grid using 1/2" inch strips spaced evenly. The hearts (Whooo's Your Valentine) are all stamped on kraft cardstock then hand cut. I placed the smaller hearts directly on the background; the larger heart are raised using 3-D foam tape. The smallest heart is layered on top of the large heart then topped with a knot of hemp baker's twine from the new Mini-Medleys Accents Wooden Collection. Everything is distressed with Saddle ink. 

Here's the inside:

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day Two

Wouldn't you love to receive this cute little milk carton filled with sweet treats? The milk cartons come in a set of two and are plain so you can decorate them just as you'd like. (They also come flat for easy stamping.)

I used the stamp set from Whooo's Your Valentine to random stamp the entire carton. The cool thing about acrylic stamps is that you can put several on one block to make the random stamping very quick and easy. I cut a band from Ruby cardstock then stamped the hearts on the white band. My Artiste cartridge helped me make the medallion. I finished it off with one of my favorite new-ish embellishments: Silver Shimmer Trim. It is self-adhesive and goes on quick and easy. I even cut a little snip of shimmer trim for the clip at the top of the milk carton. 

Be sure to add your creations to the collection!

   

                              

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day One

Thanks for joining me for my third Valentine's Day Countdown linky party! You can play along all fourteen days, one day, or just check out the ideas! It's more fun if you play, though - so please add your creations as we go each day. I'll be posting every day (hopefully!) right after midnight from February 1 - 14. 

My first project is quick and simple: four 3 x 3-inch cards made using the Pun Fun stamp set and the stamp set from Whooo's Your Valentine. I stamped each image using cocoa pigment ink on kraft paper. Once it dried, I used our amazing alcohol markers in Smoothie to color in the image. A quick border, some Opaques Mocha Gems, and you have some cute little Valentines!

Now it's your turn! Add a link to your project and play along! 

Are you ready for some . . .

Valentine's Day projects? (You thought I was going to say "football," didn't you! I'm ready for that, too!) Coming soon to a blog near you - fourteen days of Valentine goodness. Check back every day from February 1 - 14 to see what I've added. This is a participation sport, too - you get to play along! I'll have a linky tool set so you can add pictures of projects you have made. You can link from a Photobucket account or your blog. It's a lot more fun with group participation, and you can join once, twice, all fourteen days - as often as you'd like! 

Whooo's Your Valentine?

This is one of the cutest kits Close To My Heart has offered! I can hardly wait to make some sweet Valentines with my kit. 

LOVE

The challenge at Heart 2 Heart this week is to make something for the one you love. I've had these heart-shaped large bottle caps for quite a while and decided to use them to make a little wall hanging for over my kitchen sink. I love how it turned out!

It was very easy to make. I traced the heart shape onto a scrap piece of cardstock and cut out a template. Then it was easy to trace the pattern on the back of the lovely Lucy B&T paper and adhere the paper to the hearts. The letters were cut using Art Philosophy (of course!) and embellished with little pearls. So sweet and simple!

Products used:

Paper: Lucy Level 2 Paper Packet

Embellishments: Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, Colonial White ribbon

Other: Cricut Art Philosphy, heart bottle caps, Cropadile



Valentine's Day Countdown - Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! We made it through the Countdown! Or maybe I should say the CountUP. lol! I hope you have enjoyed the hop process and will join Paige and me for future holiday hops.

This is my final project, and I really love it. It is inspired by a banner made by Lisa Stenz {here}. I used one of the new My Creations banners from CTMH. There are 8 alterable pennants in each set, so you could easily make two of these banners - one for you to keep, one to give away.

I chose to use the new spray pen on the top part, filling the pen to the 2nd line with Blush re-inker and to the 8th line with water. Remember to spray your item in a box to catch the spray-over.

The accordian flowers were easy to make. Each one uses 2 pieces of 1/2" x 12" B&T paper, scored every 1/2" and accordian folded. (The pieces are attached on the short end.) Attach the ends to make a circle, then gently push the inside toward the table until it lies flat. Using a strong adhesive, attach the accordian flower to a punched circle (smaller than the flower) and hold for a few seconds until it is well adhered. Decorate as desired.

The banners come with jump rings, but I chose to put mine together with ribbon.

Items used:
Paper: Sweetheart (light pink polka dots & accordian flowers); Sophia (darker pink); Cotton Candy cs; White Daisy cs
Stamps: Bohemian alphabet
Embellishments: Designer Ribbon Collection - Pink; Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems; White Daisy grosgrain ribbon
Inks: Blush re-inker; Blush; Hollyhock
Other: Spray pen; corner rounder; My Creations Banner

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Thirteen - Sweetheart WOTG

I love the Workshops on the Go from CTMH. For $29.95, everything I need to make at least 4 scrapbook pages and at least 6 cards is included! That includes detailed cutting guides and instructions as well as embellishments. There are always plenty of leftovers to make other projects, too. The Workshops on the Go are available in the Idea Book (ask me how to get your own copy!) or on my website.

I made the featured 2-page layout and 6 cards. There is also an additional layout pictured, using one of the how-to books, and 6 more cards.

There is always a new technique featured in each WOTG. This month's technique is using Liquid Applique. This fun, inexpensive embellishment is so fun to use! It comes in a little tube, and you just squeeze it on the page or card, let it dry for 10 minutes or so, then use the heat tool to make it "puff." I used it around the banner letters. So fun!


Items used:
Paper: Sweetheart Workshop on the Go
Stamp set: Exclusive WOTG stamp set, Pennant alphabet
Ink: Cotton Candy, Black
Embellishments: Sweetheart Level 2 Epoxy Stickers
Other: Liquid Applique, heat tool


Check out the projects from other consultants:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Twelve - Recipe/Photo Box

Wow! Our Valentine's Day Countdown hop is winding down. Hasn't this been fun?

Today's project is an item that will sit on my desk every day. I used the My Creations Recipe/Photo Box that has been sitting on my shelf every since they came out. I guess it was about time for me to actually use it! I made a box that will keep customer information cards. I love the cheerful Sophia papers.

Pleated cardstock - I used two 12" lengths of cardstock cut 1 1/4" wide. The cardstock is scored every 1/2" to make it easier to pleat. You can also mist the cardstock lightly with water to make it easier to work with. I adhered it to the back of the flap and trimmed it at the ends.

The ribbon rose is from some of the new Pink Collection ribbon. The length of ribbon is 12" long, and you can use it all together or cut a rose off like I did. Isn't it beautiful? I used ribbon from the Pear Mini-Medleys to make leaves.

 The inside - I put cardstock on the flap but not on the inside. I figured that once I get it filled with cards, I won't see much of the inside. But you could certainly line yours with paper or cardstock.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamps: Our Mission (not available); Polka Dot Alphabet
Ink: Hollyhock; Blush; Pear
Embellishments: Button Collections - Pink and Green; Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots; Designer Ribbon - Pink; Pear Mini-Medleys; Dimensional Elements Hearts
Other: My Creations Recipe/Photo Box

Please visit the other Consultants' blogs to see what they have made today!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Eleven - Sock Cupcake

You may have seen these little goodies on other blogs. This is another quick, inexpensive gift for someone special!

Start with a pair of spa socks -- the fuzzier, the better! I found mine at Old Navy. Lay the pair out, one sock on top of the other (like they come from the store). Starting at the toe end, roll the socks up, keeping the bottom edge even. Place a rubber band around the bottom of the socks. Place a "cupcake liner" around the sock cupcake. You might have to work with the top a little to make it look more cupcake-like. I tucked a Tulip button into the top for a cherry. I measured the cardstock against the socks and just made it the height that looked good. Then I ran the piece through the crimper after stamping it. This would be a nice little gift, along with some lotion, to tuck into yesterday's gift box.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Cardstock: White Daisy
Stamps: Love Ya!
Ink: Hollyhock; Cotton Candy; Blush
Embellishments: Tulip Mini-Medleys
Other: Spa socks (Old Navy)

Now, more hopping!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Ten - Photo Cube Gift Box

Today's project is another practical/decorative item. I used the My Creations Cube to make a gift box that can later be used as a photo cube. The idea came from the amazing mind of CTMH Consultant Christine David. You can see her box here.

If you'd like to see a tutorial on putting the cube together, click here to go to an earlier post on my blog.

The ribbon roses were really easy to make. Start by punching a circle the size you want your flower to be. Using a glue dot (you'll use a lot of them!), attach one end of the ribbon to the center of the cardstock circle. Start twisting the ribbon, attaching it to the cardstock every little bit with a glue dot. Keep going until the flower is the size you want it to be. I ended my flowers by attaching the end to the back of the cardstock circle. A Pearl Opaques in the center is the finishing touch. I have a lot of retired ribbon, so this is a great way to use it up!

I apologize for the quality of the photos. I'm struggling with the white balance on my camera.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamps: Love Ya!
Ink: Baby Pink; Cotton Candy
Embellishments: Button Collections - Pink; Colonial White Waxy Flax; Pearl Opaques; Blush ribbon (retired); White organdy ribbon (retired)
Other: My Creations Cube

Enjoy the following projects: