Valentine's Day Gifts

Here are a few easy Valentine's Day gifts that I made using the Close to my Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge & the Whooo's your Valentine stamp set & card stock.  I also used some patterned paper from my stash.

The first is a small mailbox I plan on giving to my son.  It would be such a cute way to deliver a special V-day card, but my kiddo prefers the candy. I used some red cardstock to cut the mailbox, door, and flag & then cut a piece of paper to cover the main body of the mailbox.  The flag is attached using a small brad so it moves up & down. I used the small "Love" stamp on the flag in a red that is just slightly darker than the cardstock.  It would have been beautiful to use some embossing powder in a sparkly white or pink.  The door opens and closes; I used super sticky tape to attach the scallop piece on the front of the door.  I would suggest NOT doing that.  It would have been better to use glue. The scallops are so small that the tape is visible between the scallops & I can't fix it without re-doing the entire thing.  Now I know . . .

This one is just a small box.  I used the zigzag stamp on white card stock to make a cute paper. I tried to use 3 shades of ink on the zigzag stamp like I saw on (Helen's) blog (for example, red in middle, light pink on the top, another shade of pink on the bottom) but my shades were too close together & didn't show up like I hoped.  I will be trying it again because it was such a neat effect.  I didn't get the zigzag matched up exactly on one part, so I covered it with the paper bow.  The edges are all inked & I added silver dazzles to the bow, the top & bottom of the box.  I originally planned to put 4 treat tubes in this but decided to just fill with candy.  I will put it in a clear bag & tie with ribbon to make it a gift that can travel without spilling.

I LOVE the new tubes! They are super easy & fast to make a great gift. I stamped all the way around the box I added some silver ribbon tape around the box - I didn't realize at first that is wasn't just ribbon - it's tape!!  It's nice to have adhesive already on the entire ribbon (PLUS, it comes as a 5 yard spool!!!). There are small silver heart dazzles to the top corners of the box.& a heart dazzle to hide where I attached the banner.  This only took a few minutes to make, which is great because I just found out I need to make about 15 more for my son to take to some friends tomorrow.  Why are moms always the last to know?!?!  Each tube holds about 15 peanut M&Ms - big enough to be a gift - small enough that it doesn't cost a fortune to fill.  One more tip for the tubes - I put a glue dot on the bottom of the tube to attach it to the little box just because it makes it easier to transport & pick up.  People who know me know how cheap I am - I give away homemade jam & ask for the jars back - I made a V-day gift for my dad with 5 tubes & told him to give them back when he's done with the candy!  Why not wash & re-use??  He said he didn't want them once the candy was gone anyway.

The last is a milk carton that I filled with candy.  I used super sticky tape for the half of the carton top that stays closed & repositionable glue for the half that opens up - just use the Close to my Heart Bonding Memories Glue Pen but let it dry a little bit before pressing the 2 pieces of paper you want to be repositionable together - no need to buy different types of glue - one glue pen can be permanent or repositionable depending on how it's used (LOVE that!) . The bow, hearts, & banner were all cut using Artiste. I usually cut items about 1/8" larger than the stamp calls for.  I try to do test cuts on scrap paper before using my good paper until I know the size will match the stamp the way I want it to.  The bow is held together with a small brad.  I "fluff" it after the brad is attached.  All the edges are inked to help each piece stand out.  I also used some small silver zigzag dazzles along the top & bottom of the heart paper.

Come along with me!!

I am starting a new journey . . . And want to share it with you.  I never thought I would be starting a blog devoted to scrapbooking, card making, and crafting in general.  Here's to jumping in with both feet!!

Crafting has always been a part of my life. My mom and I used to watch a crafting show featuring "Aleen's" products; oftentimes, we would go buy the supplies & do the project ourselves.  I made my best friends in high school pajama pants for Christmas one year (they say the still wear them, but I'm not so sure).  I worked my way through college by sewing & doing alterations on wedding dresses & tuxedos.

About a year ago I took some cake decorating classes & really enjoyed it. . . I still do . . . but I wouldn't fit into my pajama pants if I made cakes every day.  I came across a Cricut cake machine that cuts fondant (think - thick icing) to decorate elegant cakes.  My husband got me a Cricut Cake mini for Mother's Day. I cut fondant for days, it was so much fun!  But . . . I don't make many elegant cakes!  AND I hate the way fondant tastes!  I would spend hours upon hours, day after day making sugar flowers & piping borders, but after a cake gets cut, it's gone.

Then . .  I learned that my little machine could cut cupcake wrappers & cut paper in neat shapes to make cards, which led me directly to scrapbooking (and the need for a full-size Cricut). I learned there is an entire community of people who connect through their ideas & their creativity.  I watched hours of YouTube videos & found websites that produced videos on how to do use their products & shared new techniques. It reminded me of the time I shared with my mom learning how to make new things.  I love that scrapbookers & cardmakers design & create something special and then happily share it with the world.  These people do not patent their ideas and keep them hidden away; they consider it a huge compliment when someone copies their idea, adds to it, and creates something even better. I love looking through photos of my family to decide which ones make it onto a scrapbook page.  I love thinking about someone I love as I make a card just for them. The scrapbook pages may get put into an album and stored away; the cards may be put in the bottom of a sock drawer; but the time spent creating is a special memory for me. I also hope that when the sock drawer gets cleaned out months from now, that handmade card still produces a smile.  This blog is a way to share some of my work:  scrapbook pages, cards, perhaps the occasional cake or even homemade pajama pants. 

I hope you are patient with me as I learn how to blog & enjoy the things I post. I am looking forward to sharing my work & the work of others who astonish me with their creativity and skill . . .it's sure to be a fun ride.