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The creepy candelabra was embossed in black on a silver metallic cardstock and embellished with a few well placed basic rhinestones that just give this card some extra bling! The photo does not do it justice. |
I was SO in the mood - to make valentines, that is! Valentines Day is the perfect opportunity to play with all my stamps and stuff, and at the same time show my dear ones how much I love them.
I was anxious to try my new Petal Cone die for my Big Shot which makes this perfectly adorable cone shaped box!
Crowns, the Eiffel Tower, and the key to my heart - so very French! This Valentine is so ME! Amour!!!!
I also made these candy bar holders. So fun and easy. XOXO!
When you pull up on the ribbon, the candy bar pops out! What's not to LOVE?
For the kids in my seminary class, I made these cute little baggies. I found the small paper bags on clearance years ago, thinking I could do just such a project. The toppers are just cut with my Top Note die. The heart is shiny and puffy using Crystal Effects. LOVE - from the bottom of my heart!
For my own kiddos, I simply dressed up some boxes of conversation hearts with my new Be My Valentine stamp, the jumbo scallop circle punch, and a bubbly texture folder on my Big Shot! 
My younger guys also made their valentines for all the kids in their classes. It is a tradition. We make these every year, and have since my highschooler was in preschool - lollipop holders. They are quick and cute, and the kids do most of the work themselves. Caleb and Luke worked so hard on them. It was so fun to watch. Both crafters after my own heart!
This was the first time I didn't hand stamp all my invitations thanks to my brand new My Digital Studio software from Stampin' Up! I had just received it in the mail when it was time to do the invitations, so I thought I'd give it a try. HOW FUN! It was really, really easy to use - very intuitive! I sat down and created this invite in only about an hour my first time using the program. It is so fun because it comes pre-loaded with tons of SU! artwork and exclusive colors. Super fun! I was in luck because I took photos of Shea's baby a little while ago, so I already had his pictures to put on the invitations. I just emailed the invitations to everyone, and printed out and sent a few to people that I didn't have email addresses for. (Sorry, I am pretty excited about my new program, as you can see!)
Since it is finally fall here in the desert I decided to chance it and have the shower outside. It was a bit warm, but we managed. For a table cover I used a fun quilt top I found at a garage sale a few weeks ago. It is from the 30s of 40s and the fabric is so very fun and retro! It is an unfinished quilt top, but works perfectly as a tablecloth for my big square table. Also a pitcher of flowers and some little fat green birdies. I also did the Baby Isaac framed picture on My Digital Studio. It took me just minutes now that I had the program figured out. Cute!
The fun thing is, that the images and colors on the software match the stamps, inks, and decorative papers that SU sells, so I was able to make everything to match the invitations exactly. The BABY pennant banner (see beginning of post) I made for decoration was made with the cutest decorative papers with the same birdies and same colors!
Yummy fruit pizzas (thanks Ann!) and icy lime water worked to cool us all off a bit. You can't see it from here, but I stamped little birds on branches on the cups and napkins. 
The invitations worked. We had 20 ladies and the Uncrustables and pre-sliced apples were a hit with the kiddos.
The mommies got a little something special too! I made these little matchboxs with my favorite toy, my SU! Big Shot.
They slide open to reveal four little chocolate nuggets wrapped in the decorative paper. How cute is that?!?
I even stamped another little birdie on the inside. I just love details!
I stamped up the insert and the envelop with my favorite little birdie from the Always set. I just love this card! It is so totally ME, only it would be more me if had it been pink. Pretty pretty pretty!
I stamped the little tag with some bunnies and a sweet little chick, embellished it with yellow ric-rac and tiny millinery flowers, both from garage sales.
The best part of all was the angelic little pixie sitting among the eggs. Alysa and I stole the idea from the talented Wendy at The Shabby Nest who had a tutorial for pixie making. The darling little girl is actually my mom when she was a baby. I gave her easter egg wings, a millinery flower wreath for her hair, a vintage paper flower basket, and a daisy petal tutu. Isn't she precious? I have got to make one for myself! I'll make Alysa make one too, and we'll show you when we're done. Did you see our cupid pixies from Valentines Day? We'll post those for you too.
I had a little fun making a few St. Patty's day projects without any St. Patty's stamps.
I just Love this card I CASED using the heart stamp from current SU Sale-a-bration set "Polka Dot Punches" and my new Full Heart Punch. The heart makes a perfect Shamrock and the dot pattern on the heart reminds me of a celtic knot. The background was stamped in white ink with the same stamp. The stem was from the "Flight of the Butterfly" set, and finished off with a rhinestone brad. So pretty!
Then put sticky strip, or any strong adhesive along shrt edge, as shown
