More Hearts

Once I got started, it was quick and easy to put together some more Valentines with these great stamps from January's My Paper Pumpkin!  I used the Hearts & Stars decorative overlays again, and sponged in two colors--Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral--for a fun background, and then added the two heart stamps from My Paper Pumpkin in a random pattern.  The sentiment is also from My Paper Pumpkin, and the card is just that easy.  And happy!

Cheers,
~Melanie

Stamps: Filled With Love (Jan 2015 My Paper Pumpkin)
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Smoky Slate
Extras: Hearts & Stars decorative overlays

Happy February!

Time flies when you're having fun, and that's just what I've been doing for the past few months--holidays and secret crafting for gifts, travel to see family, plus lots of work has made me very busy!  But I'm back now, and have a cute Valentine to share to get you in the February spirit.

Huge props to the January Paper Pumpkin kit--it is just fantastic, and I love, love, LOVE the stamps that came with it!  Those stamps were my starting point for this card.  It turns out, my stamp collection is entirely devoid of hearts--it's a shape I never reach for, so I often go "nontraditional" when it comes time for lovey-dovey events.  But I do have the Hearts & Stars decorative masks, so I sponged in a cluster of hearts in the lower right-hand corner, then added the open heart and sentiment from Paper Pumpkin.

There are more Valentines where this came from, so stay tuned!
Cheers,
~Melanie

Stamps: Filled with Love (January 2015 Paper Pumpkin)
Ink: Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Basic Gray
Paper: Going Gray, Very Vanilla
Extras: Hearts & Stars decorative overlays

Another Valentine

Another quick Valentine that made me really happy.  I snapped a quick picture with my phone before sending this out.  The fading you see on the embossed edges is courtesy of Core'dinations card stock, and it's lots of fun to play with.

Hope you received some wonderful Valentines, and enjoyed the weekend.
Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Field Flowers
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Brights Core'dinations, 2012-2014 Core'dinations
Extras: Big Shot, Hearts Collection framelits, Alphabet Press embossing folder, Pretty Print embossing folder

We Still LOVE Stamping

It's been a while, I know, but I just wanted to swing by quickly to say Happy Valentine's Day!  And to let you know that not only do we still love stamping, but we're still doing it and have plans to return to the blog in earnest with all the great projects we've been hoarding to ourselves.

There were lots of changes in 2013, and those required a lot of crafting, so stay tuned to see what we've been up to.

Cheers!

~Melanie

Paper: Mosaic Madness, Pool Party

Extras: Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits

Love and Sparkles

Last year, you might remember that I was having trouble coming up with Valentine cards and so I went with the bold and obvious approach--just say it!  I liked that card so much that I decided to make it again, but step things up with a little bling, since I have the great new Red Glimmer paper to use.

I used the Timeless Type sizzlits to cut out the lettering, then mounted it on the retired Groom Speciality paper.  It was really easy to keep things straight with these lines!  I put it on a base of Real Red cardstock, and this is ready to send.

The only problem is that I don't want to waste any of this great Red Glimmer paper...so I came up with a second card that uses all the scraps.  Before using the sizzlits, I had punched out 1-1/4" squares, so I decided to use these to make a negative card that has a very positive message!

Cheers!

~Melanie

Paper: Real Red, Groom Speciality paper, Red Glimmer paper

Extras: Big Shot, Timeless Type sizzlits, 1-1/4" Square punch

Thoughts of Love

I'm a big fan of this heart-filled thought bubble, and thought about using it with the fox on yesterday's card...but decided the owl punch would be an even better fit.  This cute little card is 2"x3"--just perfect to fit in Scallop Envelope and give as valentines to everyone in your class (if you're in 3rd grade), or tuck into a brief case, lunch bag, box of chocolates, etc (for us older folk).

The star of this show is definitely punches, since that thought bubble is the only stamping on this card.  I used the Two-Step Owl punch, and borrowed the branch from the Two-Step Bird punch.  The extra special pop on this card is the owl's belly, which I punched out of Red Glimmer Paper (pg 7 of the Occasions Mini).  I thought I loved Dazzling Diamonds...and I do, but this is even better!  I didn't have to do any work to create this shine, and it doesn't rub off or shed glitter on everything it touches.

Would you like to make some cute cards like this?  Well, just send me an email and set up a party for you and your friends now.  I still have a few January dates left!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Valentine Defined
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Very Vanilla, Red Glimmer, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Old Olive
Extras: Two-Step Owl punch, Two-Step Bird punch

Forest of Love

Yeah, so I didn't know what to call this.  Bear with me; as I mentioned, I'm not much of a sweet and sappy person!

However, I just adore these heart-filled trees, which are also from Valentine Defined.  The cute clothesline of hearts is from the same set, making it a winner in my book (note...with the flamingos and the love you sentiment, you've now only seen HALF of this great set!).

This is another sweet and simple card.  I used Riding Hood Red for the trees, and Soft Suede for the clothesline.  After much searching for a forest animal that would be the right scale for this forest, I settled on the fox from Fox and Friends, and stamped him in Soft Suede as well.

My finishing touch is the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes, which I stamped on Very Vanilla and then popped out with the Word Window punch.  I matted this on a Modern Label of Soft Suede and that was that.  What do you think?  Not bad for someone who doesn't "do" Valentines, right?

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Valentine Defined, Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Extras: Word Window punch, Modern Label punch

Flamingos Take Two

I thought it would be fun to step up yesterday's super simple card, and use more of the complimentary Love Impressions rub ons from Stampin' Up!  [Want the real story behind this card?  I misjudged on my first try for yesterday's card, so the flamingos weren't centered.  Not a problem!  I cut out these three flamingos and recycled them onto this card.]

For my color scheme, I went with the soft colors Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla.  I used the Scallop Edge Border and Corner punches to make the Pretty in Pink mat, and there was no measuring required!  Since I already had my flamingos piece cut, I used that as a guide for where to make the corners.  TIP:  When using these punches for a full mat, make sure your sides are square...otherwise the corners won't match up!

I used Very Vanilla 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon for some interest along the bottom, and decided that I wasn't up for making a bow.  Instead, I decided to embellish the ribbon itself.  DID YOU KNOW that you apply rub ons directly to ribbon?  You can, even if it's ribbed, and this is one of my favorite effects for a neatly pulled together card.  My finishing touch is four large Basic Pearls to space the hugs and kisses, and this card is ready to go.

Cheers!

~Melanie

Stamps: Valentine Defined

Ink: Melon Mambo

Paper: Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Extras: Very Vanilla 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Love Impressions rub ons, Scallop Edge border punch, Scallop Edge corner punch

Flamingo Love

Usually I don't get the Valentine/love stamp sets because I don't really get excited about them.  (See last year's attempts to come up with a Valentine card if you don't believe me!)  For some reason, the cute hearts and sweet sentiments don't call to me in the same way that the other stamp sets do.  But the Occasions Mini has a FANTASTIC set, Valentine Defined, on page 9.  I like ALL the images in this set, so expect to see lots more cards made with it.

This card actually features my least favorite image, the lovebird flamingos.  But aren't they cute?  And this card is SUPER simple--no cutting, no layers, just stamping!  I inked up the flamingos in Melon Mambo and did my best to put them in a straight line across the card (thank you, clear mount!)  Then I chose the "love you" sentiment from the same set, inked it up with Basic Gray, and stamped it on scrap paper before putting it to the card, so I'd have a softer shade of gray.  My final touch is a large Basic Pearl to cover the O.

Simple and fun; I like it!
Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Valentine Defined
Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Gray
Paper: Very Vanilla
Extras: Basic Pearls

Love Balloons

When I received my new goodies from the Occasions Mini, I found a surprise in my package--a sheet of rub ons that Stampin' Up! sent as a gift to all demonstrators.  The sheet is from the new Love Impressions rub ons (page 8), and I adore the heart hot air balloons.  I've always wanted to go for a hot air balloon ride...so maybe this will be a nice hint for that certain someone.  Wink, wink!

I got my color scheme from the rub ons themselves: Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and Basic Gray.  One of the great things about rub ons is that they are sharp and bright, even against dark colors, so I decided to adhere my rub ons to a piece of Basic Gray, which I layered on some Pink Pirouette.  I used the Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches to add interest to the pink frame.

For the card itself, I got out one of my favorites from last year's Occasions Mini, the jumbo wheel I {Love} Love (it's still available--see page 46 of the idea book and catalog).  I used a Real Red ink cartridge, and decided that this stripe of sentiments was all the card needed.  Sweet and simple!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: I {Love} Love jumbo wheel
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Extras: Love Impressions rub ons, Scallop Trim Border punch, Scallop Trim Corner punch

It's in the Mail...

I'm sending out my valentines today! At least, that's one of my goals--I have a few work things that I need to take care of first, and it looks I'm also going to have to do some serious shoveling to dig my car out. But since I'm mailing them, I thought I should share another valentine with you, just to get you in the spirit.

Remember all those Medallion cards I made? Well here is another, with the colors updated for Valentine's Day. The base of the card is Rose Red--and I've since gone on a Rose Red binge, since I decided that I really love it's dusty deep pink hue. Again, I used a brayer to ink up the Medallion with Versamark, and then stamped that twice--once on the Rose Red for the background, then again (after reinking) on Sahara Sand.

Then I got out my trusty pastels and sponge daubers, and chose whatever colors I liked (you'll notice that some purple worked it's way in--no surprise there!). A quick punch or two with the Full Heart Punch, and I had my layered heart to express my love in a lovely font.

That's it! I hope you'll be sending some Valentines this year too--if only to say hello.
Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Medallion, Well Scripted
Paper: Rose Red, Sahara Sand, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose
Ink: Versamark
Extras: Stampin' Up! Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Full Heart Punch, Stampin' Dimmensionals

Hey Foxy

I can't take credit for this entirely, as it was inspired by some 3x3 cards by Angela McKay that I saw on Stampin' Connection (the demo-only site for sharing and swapping creations!), but I did tweak things a bit to come up with this valentine. Happily, this used up materials that I already had and didn't know what to do with, so it doubles as a "cleaning out my stash" project. Gotta love that!

On a Whisper White card base, I mounted a 4x5.25" rectangle of Real Red, and then a 3.75x5" rectangle of Real Red patterns from a 6x6" print pack that I had lying around. (Note: These print packs are available as a hostess reward, but you can also purchase patterned paper in Patterns Designer Series Paper in any of the colors available, which greatly widens the spectrum)

With my basic card ready to go, it was time to work on the details. Angela used circle punches for her animals, but I don't have those. Since Kiran wasn't handy to lend me her punches, I pulled out my new Scallop Trim Corner punch from the Occasions Mini, and cut a 1-15/16" square of Real Red. At that size, all I needed was the corner punch to create the design all around. The fox was easier, quickly punched out with my 1-1/4" square punch and ready for layering. I also turned to punches for my sentiment, mounting the Word Window punch on the Modern Label (a favorite of mine). For an extra pop, I used dimensionals to attach these to the card, and that's why the sentiment really stands out from the background.

I have to say, this was quicker to make than to explain. Deceptively simple, with lots of options for mixing and matching...

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, retired Patterns Pack
Ink: Real Red
Extras: 1-1/4" Square punch, Scallop Trim Corner punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Be Bold

Be bold and just say it this Valentine's Day. I've officially shaken my Valentine funk, and now I'm just having fun with it. This card is inspired by all those cards that I love that just have repeating elements--inchies, circles, curly labels, you name it. I do want to redo this as a square card, but for starters, I'm really happy with how this turned out.

My secret weapon is my Big Shot, which cuts out lovely letters in no time and with minimal effort. These were cut using the Timeless Type Sizzlits in Real Red and Pink Passion. Use Dotto to mount those on some Tempting Turquoise for a definite pop of contrasting color and voila! A striking card in about the time it took me to type this up. Now that's what I like!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, Real Red
Extras: Big Shot, Timelss Type Sizzlits, Dotto

Valentine Updated

This is the same basic idea as the last post, but with a little extra polish. Before die-cutting, I stamped my card stock with my favorite from I {Heart} Hearts in Real Red. I changed the orientation, so I'd have room for a sentiment, and used the Tulipe die again. Then my Stamp-A-Majig gave me perfect placement for the message, and my Mat Pack helped me to line up and evenly space those black brads. I added the Groom Specialty paper to the back, deciding that the swirly pattern matched those hearts better than the original stripes, and voila! Now this is a Valentine I could put in the mail...

Cheers!

~Melanie

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Real Red, Basic Black

Paper: Real Red, Groom Specialty

Extras: Big Shot, Tulipe Die, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Vintage Brads, Stamp-a-majig

Valentine Attempt 1

So I've never really been a big fan of Valentine's Day. I mean, the idea is nice--you tell the people you love that you love them--but it's so commercial and over the top at every single store from Jan 1st on. And since I famously once told a few hundred people, "I'm not a mushy, sappy, annoying kind of person" (and I did mean it), cards covered in hearts and screaming out in reds and pinks aren't so much my thing.

That said, I always love sending (and receiving! hint, hint) mail, so I am going to make some Valentines this year. Or at least I'll try. One of my goals for 2010 is to be in better touch with my friends afar, so this is the perfect chance to dust off that grade school tradition of giving all my friends a card. Here goes nothing...

Above is my first attempt at a Valentine this year. I like it--it's simple, striking--but it is missing something. So check back later this week to see how I jazzed it up...and then moved away from the Valentine color palette entirely. Hope you like...and I hope you'll be inspired to share the love, both platonic and passionate, with your friends and lovers come February.

Cheers,
Melanie

Paper: Real Red, Groom Specialty
Extras: Big Shot, Tulipe Die