Valentine Giftables

I would like to share with you what we made during my Valentine Giftables class last week. I am trying to decide which one is the easiest and most economical to make for my daughter's class, since we will have to make 32 pieces. I love Valentine's Day! I love the nostalgia of it and the pink and red colors - reminds me of my youth when being giddy and silly was okay.

Valentine Treat for your sweetie

 

Project Recipe: Bigz Dies Two Tags (115954), Punches: Owl Builder (118074), Full Heart (119883), Decorative Label (120907), Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (115370), SAB Sprinkled Expressions Stamp Set (Free with $50 order), 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Pretty in Pink (109032), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Real Red and Pretty in Pink card stock, DSP, Googly Eyes from local craft store.

M&M Fun Size holder

Project Recipe: Punches: Modern Label (119849), Full Heart (119883), Word Window (119857), Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (115370), 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Pretty in Pink (109032), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Real Red and Very Vanilla card stock, DSP

 Mini Card with Red Hots

 Project Recipe: Punches: Modern Label (119849), Full Heart (119883), Word Window (119857), Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (115370), 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Pretty in Pink (109032), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla card stock, DSP, Heart Treat Cups (120435)

That's it for this Sunday's blog entry. I hope to feel better soon. I hate not feeling well. My cough kept me up all night and will try and get some rest today. Thank you for stopping by.

Fun and Cute #2

I have been trying my darnest to fight off the aches and pains hoping it will just move on to the next person at work and skip me. No luck there, today I decided to stay home and I literally slept for six hours. I don't suppose that qualifies as a nap. I have this notion that sleep is a waste of precious time. However, I notice that as I am getting older, I can't go non-stop like I used to do in my twenties. I haven't had any down time for a couple of months and lately my body has been screaming at me to slow down. I am bummed that I am not feeling well, but admittedly it was very nice to not get out of my jammies all day. Note to Self: Sleep actually feels good especially when your body really needs it.

Today is Maddy's, my niece's 3rd birthday. I made her this special card because we have this inside joke about her throwing a huge fit over a stuffed elephant toy at Joann's Fabric. Hahaha. Isn't this card so cute? I need to work on my coloring techniques. It's another Fun and Cute style card appropriate for a cute and adorable three year old.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Elebration (121175), On Your Birthday (111664)

Paper: Lucky Limeade card stock, DSP, Real Red card stock, Whisper White, Marina Mist

Ink: Classic Stampin Pad in Basic Black, Real Read, Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Bigz Dies Top Note (113463), Stampin Write markers, Punches: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle (119854), 1 3/8" Circle (119860), 1 3/4" Circle (119850), 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Real Red (109034)

That's it for now. My warm and comfortable bed beckons. See you soon!

Happy, happy birthday dear Maddy! You are loved.

Vintage Valentine #1

Today's post is this beautiful Vintage Valentine card. I just love the aged look of it, like it's something our grandparents would send and receive back in the day. Vintage is another style of paper crafting and it has been very popular lately. This style usually has lots of layering and distressing techniques to make the product look old-fashioned or obsolete. I really like making Vintage style cards, although I must admit that it does take more time than other styles. 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Valentine Love (Wood 122695 Clear 122697)
Paper: First Edition DSP (121878), Soft Suede (115318), Very Vanilla (101650), Glimmer Red Paper (121790)
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Stampin Pad (119670), Soft Suede Classic Stampin Pad used to aged it with the sponge (115657), Real Red Classic Stampin Pad (103133).
Accessories: Framelits Dies Heart Collection (125599), Crochet Trim Ribbon in Chantilly (118480), Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Heart to Heart Punch (119881), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin Dimensionals (104430)

That's it for today, folks! Our Valentine cards/giftables class yesterday was so much fun. I promise to share the projects we made next week.

Remember that our Sale-a-bration SAB promotion begins on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Every $50.00 order entitles you a choice of one free stuff from the SAB catalog. For more info, go to  
My Online Store!

S.W.A.K.

When I was in high school, my best friend and I used to send each other notes. I remember that we borrowed lipsticks from our moms, put it on only so we could S.W.A.K. (Sealed with a Kiss) the scented stationery envelopes. I still have all our letters, cards and notes we passed in class. This was in the 1980's, so clearly we couldn't have even imagined back then the technology that texting or the internet will bring forward twenty years. I am a card maker and I wish people still write letters or send notes to each other. I am thankful that I lived through the era when I wrote and received love letters. Obviously, I still send handmade/hand stamped greeting cards, but admittedly I don't write letters anymore. I type them when I really have to and often they are attached in e-mails.

I remember when we first came to United States, I was so homesick and the only thing that kept me going was waiting for letters from my boyfriend (my husband now) in the Philippines. The wait was agonizing, but the feeling when I'd open the mailbox and find letter(s) from him - priceless. I also remember going to school and working all day and staying up all night writing to him about silly things or just giving him a recap about my day; I'd run to the post office early the next morning to mail it. Nowadays, everything is instantaneous. People are very impatient. Sadly, sometimes I am also guilty of not even picking up the phone anymore to call friends or family. I just text or find out what's going on in their lives via Facebook and vice versa. We've stopped talking, writing and most unfortunately, we've stopped being thoughtful. Not many people even buy gifts anymore or put enough thought and effort into buying someone a gift. They just send gift cards or e-gift cards. Personally, I buy and send gifts...unless the recipient requests a gift card. Oh well, I better put a stop on this litany because I will not get to post my card.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: S.W.A.K. (120861), Valentine Love (Wood 122695 or Clear 122697)
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pin, DSP (Retired was on clearance)

Ink: Real Red Craft and Classic Stampin Pad Real Red (103133)

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die (113462), XL Oval Punch (119859), Scallop Oval Punch (119856),  Scented Stampin Emboss Powder in Cherry (127035), Stampin' Dimensionals, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Pretty in Pink (Retired was on clearance)

I used the Real Red Craft ink on the lips stamp and then emboss with the scented embossing powder from the new Occasions Mini Catalog, cut it out and then adhere it with dimensionals to give it a raised 3D effect. It's really nice and very appropriate for your special someone. I am sending this to Patrick Dempsey. Hahaha!

That's it for today. I have a very long list of chores and errands to do. See you soon!

Fun and Cute #1

I am much happier today because it's Friday and payday, it's a three-day weekend, plus it's Max's, my nephew's 2nd birthday. I am completely enamored with my nieces and nephew. I love being an aunt. After being a mom for almost eighteen years, I have realized how fast children grow. However, nothing drives the point harder than seeing my nieces and nephew and be reminded that my own kids were just this small not too long ago. Now, my son is graduating in high school and my daughter is almost eleven. How fast time flies.

I made a Fun and Cute style card appropriate for a two year old who's crazy about Elmo and Sesame Street. A Fun and Cute card has a happy / bright color combination. It can have humorous or whimsical embellishments and it's guaranteed to always make you smile or even laugh. I find myself using this style when I create birthday cards for kids or for some of my whacky friends.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: On Your Birthday (111664)

Paper: Real Red, Pacific Point, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White and Big Top Birthday DSP (122348)

Ink: Basic Black, Stampin Write in Chocolate Chip for chocolate chips

Accessories: Punches - Word Window (119857), Modern Label (119849), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle (119854), 2 1/2" Circle (120906), 1" Circle (119868), 3/4" Circle (119873), 1/2" Circle (119869), Googly Eyes from local craft store, Big Shot,  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Pacific Point Ribbon (retired)

Isn't this card just so darn cute? So, there you have it my special blog entry for today. Happy, happy birthday dear Max. May you always know how much you're loved.

Happy Friday, y'all. See you, Sunday!

Clean and Simple #2

I have been feeling kind of lonely lately. Is it possible to have such a hectic life full of things to do, errands and surrounded by people, yet be lonely in the midst of it all? However, it was a good week considering I only thought of quitting my job once in the last four days. Then again, the week isn't over until tomorrow afternoon. I hope for strength and lots and lots of patience. I thought I'd share a card to cheer me up. It's a Clean and Simple style and very masculine, don't you think so?

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Out to Sea, On Your Birthday (111664)
Paper: DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso
Ink: Classic Stampin Pad Early Espresso (119670)
Accessories: Word Window Punch (119857), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 5/16" Jumbo Brads Neutrals (112534)

That's it for now. I have a special post tomorrow and it is so darn cute, it's bound to make anyone smile! See you then.

With All My Heart

It's the first weekend after the holidays and my plate is full and overflowing. Mom came to visit me and my two younger sisters for a month. Between the three of us we were able to spend a little bit of time with her. She also did so much for us with cooking, cleaning, baby-sitting and gardening. It was such a treat to come home to a clean house with dinner prepared on the table and all I had to do was sit down and eat. I teased her that she is our Filipino housekeeper. She stayed with me only a few nights here and there because both my kids are bigger and did not need as much looking after compared to my nieces and nephew. During those nights when she was with me, we watched movies and chatted over coffee in the mornings. I sincerely enjoyed those moments when I can talk to my mother as if we're equals, like we're just two old friends catching-up. Early yesterday morning, I dropped her at the airport and as I was driving away, it just dawned on me that I have grown. Surely I have been a full-pledged adult for over 23 years, but I have been so preoccupied with the process of it all that I have not completely noticed it even occurred. A simple dropping your mom to the airport and coming back home to bury your grandmother made me realize I really am grown. A part of me wants to be sad that I am old-er and a bigger part of me rejoice because I believe I have turned out just fine. Life truly is a cycle and it just keeps on going. Lately I find myself looking back in wonder if I had done some things differently, would I have been happier. Probably one of the symptoms of Midlife Crisis? Then again, I look at my family, my job, my arsenal of paper crafting tools and supplies, my little accomplishments in life and with a big sigh of relief and gratitude..."Thank goodness, I am where I'm at."

I have not been feeling inspired lately. It's awfully hard to feel creative when you're too busy to even smell the paper. Smile. However, last night I made sure I finished a sample card for my upcoming Valentine / Giftables class on January 21. Here's what I have done! I promise it is prettier in person. I have a couple more that I am working on and will share them with you next week.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: With All My Heart (118134 - Wood) and (118623 - Clear)
Paper: Pretty in Pink card stock (100459), Patterns Love DSP (retired - was on clearance), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink: Versamark Ink Pad (102283), Craft Real Red Ink Pad and Classic Real Red Ink Pad (103133)
Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon (117286), Clear Stampin Emboss Powder (109130), Heat Tool (100005), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), Modern Label Punch (119849), Build a Brad (retired - was on clearance), Lots of Love Letterpress Plate (120983), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Stamping Sponges (101610)

That's it for today's post. I have to go take down my Christmas tree. Smile.

Clean and Simple #1

Happy New Year y'all! One thing I have noticed is that the older I get the faster time flies. It's hard to believe that we are on to a brand new year. It will be a big year for us and for my son who will be graduating high school this year. I hope he gets in to the college of his dreams. I will miss him dearly, but I also know that he is ready to be on his own. He makes me proud every day.

I would like to challenge myself this year and to know my crafting style better. I want to know my style. So, for this year I will be creating different styles of cards and will share them with you. My first post will be under the Clean and Simple category. This style is just what the title says. It's usually plain or white background, clean sides, simple fonts and minimum embellishments. I find myself utilizing this style for masculine cards and scrapbook pages. While it may look too simple, it can also be pretty impressive.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess Set)
Paper: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, DSP
Ink: Old Olive Craft and Basic Black
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch (120907), Extra Large Oval Punch (119859) and Clear Emboss Powder (109130)

That's it for today and here's to wishing us all a prosperous 2012!

Feel free to shop the Clearance Rack there are so many huge deals.