From the Heart...Valentines Day!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Lisa here today and I have a challenge for you! Since today is the day of LOVE!! I challenge you to write a love story. This can be a story about any kind of love...love for your husband, your cat, your kids, your shoes, your coffee, your scrap supplies...anything! It can be a story about a specific time or day that is about the love you share. It can be a story about when you realized that you loved this person or thing. ANYTHING Just write it! And write it in your handwriting. No scripting. No editing. Start writing and don't stop until you've reached the end of the paper! I don't like writing long stories in my own handwriting on my layouts, but I think love stories should be written by hand. They mean so much more this way.

I choose to write about the day my husband and I got engaged. It was 11 years ago today and I've never written down the story. I'm so glad I did! I love this day. I love Valentines Day so much more because of it. I love him! I also love the Charm School kit that I used for my layout! 

Side note: There's a new This or That challenge coming tomorrow and I've already done my layout for this challenge...I'll tell you what it is tomorrow!!! Teehee!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Valentine's Day Postalettes

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY and I'm here with a quick and easy idea to help you send a Valentine note to your loved one . . . Valentine's Day Postalettes! The inspiration for this set came from a stationery set my mom owned when I was a little girl. She had the cutest set of postalettes that you would write a note on, fold into thirds and close with a coordinating sticker. There were also additional round stickers that you could fold over the side to make it more enclosed. I LOVED them! Opening one of those notes was like unwrapping a little present! I decided it would be fun to use that same idea to make cards with the Charm School Kit for each of my children to open on Valentine's Day morning.

First, I cut out an envelope shape using my Cricut machine. You could also use an envelope template found on the internet. When selecting your envelope shape, be sure to choose one that has shallow side pieces. You will be cutting those off to create the postalette and you want the top and bottom "flaps" to be long enough, and wide enough to cover your note inside.

Next, I covered each panel on the outside of the postalette with adorable patterned paper from the Charm School Kit. I decorated the back with a label shape to house the receiver's name, and then created a decorative piece to use as my "sticker" to close each postalette.

I also tied a length of twine (from the Cabin Fever Kit) around each postalette making it even more of a treat to unwrap and open! :) Inside I adhered a square of cream cardstock stamped with hearts (Charm School Kit) in gray ink. The stamps will frame my message perfectly!

So if you find yourself without a card to give your loved one, instead of fighting the crowds at the greeting card store, pull out your kit and create a darling postalette! It's more special than a store-bought card anyway. *wink*

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jana Eubank

Inspiration Sunday 2/12

It's Valentine's Day this week, so let's draw inspiration from the sweet and wonderful.












All photos are taken from Pinterest...cheers to the artists. Wishing you all a "LOVE-ly" week! :)

Tokens of Affection. A place for all your sweet memories

I was thinking the other night about something I should have done years and years ago, and got up yesterday morning and made it. If you have little ones then I am sure you have drawings, greeting cards and little notes that they have given you tucked away. Unfortunately, mine are spread out all around the house, some in my office, some in my closet, some in my sock drawer, some in my desk {sigh} :lol: , so I am still hunting for a bunch, but I found a lot and got to putting them in my "tokens of affection" book, where I can keep all these precious memories in one place!
I am thrilled with how it turned out, and I have to say, the Fancy Pants book is just perfect. The greeting cards fit perfectly, I can tuck larger pictures folded in half in the pockets, and use the 4x6 clear pockets for small pictures. If you don't already have something like this started for your kids special things, then I encourage you to get started. It won't be long until those notes are going to someone else. ;) :shock: :cry: I am just so happy that now when they hand me a note I can read it and put it right in my book where it belongs!

+++++PLUS+++++

A few detail shots from inside. Just an FYI. There are 50 pages (which you can use the front and back of), 15 2-slot pages (enough for 30 photos or small items, and 15 pocket pages to fold larger pictures and out in. Plenty of room to keep adding for years to come!
Shot of how I did the front of my album.

Close up of my title. I used my old Creative Memories cutting system to get my ovals just right. Also, I was only working with the left over Charm School Papers, so I used some Sassafras alphas, some October Afternoon mini alphas, and some Pink Paislee Alphas to to the title. One thing I have found in doing title stuff for albums is that using the flat stickers is the way to go. Thickers, or other "thick" alphabets, tend to fall off and get lost.

This is the only page I made on the interior of the album. I made a shipping tag out of a paper in the kit, a Hambly overlay from my stash, some OA Mini Alphas, Thickers, and a die cut from the kit. I also added a few stickers from my stash and then finished it with the canvas butterfly (I frayed the edges with my fingernails), and the small MF gems from the kit. I tied it with pink twine.

As you can see, even large greeting cards will fit on the pages.

A super sweet picture one of my sons drew for me a few years ago.

Here you can see the 2 slot "photo" page and how it can hold smaller items. I LOVE this feature. Peeking from behind is the pocket page.

This is one of the pocket pages holding a folded picture my oldest drew in Kindergarten. I just adorned it with a few stickers from my stash.

I hope this idea inspires you to create an album just for the "Sweet stuff" in life, and if you create one please share it with us so we can see your take! Questions?? Email me noel@noelmignon.com

Get your Charm School kit here!
and your Fancy Pants book here in red . I also have it in black if you like that better.

Blowing kisses your way

My two little girls go to a Mom's Day Out twice a week, so this year, I'm like a Valentine's making factory around here, once you add in theirs to the two big kids' stuff! 

Of course, I want them all to have fun, unique Valentine's, and since my two year old doesn't really care yet, I got to have creative license with hers. ;) hehehe

I was inspired by these cute little bags I saw here, and wanted to put my own spin on them. 

Start with tiny cello bags from the baking section in the craft department at your local big box store. Put three Hershey's kisses in and tie off with some cute baker's twine. 

Then cut patterned paper and coordinating cardstock. The patterned paper (from the Charm School kit- a few are still left!) is cut to a 3x4" size, and the cardstock is 3.25x4.25". 

Then I rounded the corners. 

Adhere them together, then print on some cardstock your message, and cut into little banners. I used the font "Rough Typewriter." It's one of my very faves! I added in a little punched heart and the Valentine is almost ready to go! 

My local big box store has packages of 3 small bubble wands in the summer toys section. They are only $0.98! Punch a hole in the Valentine, and tie tulle through the wand, through the twine on the little treat bag, and tie into a big bow! 

So cute! I know that none of the little kids in her class will really care about the cute factor, but I bet you they will LOVE the chocolate and bubbles! :) 

Feeling the LOVE...Valentine's project enclosed. :)

Hello everyone! Happy Valentine's week!

It's Kimberly here, to share a fun layout I created using the FABULOUS

CHARMED SCHOOL KIT!

A little bit of this, and a little bit of THAT from this kit...and you can create some AMAZING projects that are sure to make you smile! :)

A couple of close up's of this layout! :)

I LOVED the borders with this kit! I cut the banner in half, and then attached them to the paper by using glue dots at each end. This gave me the ability to let it bend slightly in the middle and give some dimension. I am also a FAN of using these foam dots to about everything I do...and they are on SALE right now too! :)

Olivia has this thing for Fortune cookies...so we decided to make Fortune cookie Valentines for her Class this year. This was such a FUN little project to do together, I thought I would share it with you all as well. :) I got this idea from Pinterest, and it was an instant MUST do, for this year's Valentines.

1. We thought of Valentine's sayings and I typed them and printed them out.

2. Cut 4 inch circles from Pink/Red and Light pink Felt. (We especially LOVED the red, because it has pretty glitter sparkles on it)

3. Cut floral wire 4 inches

4. Cut matching ribbon 4 inches each for the felt and to cover floral wire.

5. Hot glued the wire and topped it with the ribbon.

6. Allowed to dry. (15 min)

7. Assemble with fortunes and goodies

8. Fold in half with goodies inside.

9. Bend the felt into a fortune shape. Goodies stay inside really well. :)

Olivia and I LOVE doing crafts and art together...and this was somethings simple unique to do for her friends on Valentine's Day. :)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week and Weekend!

Do you have 30 minutes??

Then join me in making a few Valentine's cards with your Charm School kit!
3 cards in 3o minutes to be exact.

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, there is no time to waste!
I've got a supply list for you and some instructions to walk you through 3 easy cards in no time flat! ****
Here is what you need from your Charm School kit:
-pink and red cardstock
-the sheet of Crate Paper "love" worded patterned paper
-the sheet of Pebbles patterned paper with red pattern on one side and subtle kraft hearts on the other side

-My Mind's Eye die cut sheet
-My Mind's Eye buttons

-the 3 Pebbles layered heart embellishments

-Crate paper phrase stickers

-Crate Paper border stickers

Also grab some brown or black ink and a sanding block.
*****
Now let's get crafting!
On your mark.
Get set.

GO!!

1. Cut red cardstock 4” wide x 11” tall. Fold in half to create a card 4” wide x 5.5” tall.
2. Cut red Pebbles paper 3.5” wide x 5” tall. Sand the edges. Then adhere to the center of your card.
3. Adhere Crate Paper pink scalloped border sticker across the center of the card.
4. Adhere a ~3/4” strip of Crate Paper “love” patterned paper above the scalloped sticker.
5. Punch out the “L” card die cut from the My Mind’s Eye die cut sheet. Ink the edges. Then adhere with foam adhesive to the center of the card.
6. Punch out the small “love” die cut from the same MME die cut sheet. Adhere it over the “L” in the center of your card.

*****
One card completed!
Now on to your next one!

1. Cut red cardstock 4” wide x 11” tall. Fold in half to create a card 4” wide x 5.5” tall.
2. Cut a piece of Crate Paper “love” patterned paper 3” wide x 5.5” tall. Sand the edges. Then adhere to the center of the card.
3. Adhere the “Happy Valentine’s Day” sticker from the Crate Paper sticker sheet over the bottom half of the card. Adhere with foam adhesive.
4. Using the My Mind’s Eye buttons, adhere the bigger red button under the sticker. Adhere the smaller red button above the sticker.
*****
One more card to go!
*****
OUT FOR

PUBLICATION
*****
1. Cut pink cardstock 4” wide x 11” tall. Fold in half to create a card 4” wide x 5.5” tall.
2. Cut Pebbles kraft/hearted patterned paper 3.5” wide x 5.25” tall. Ink edges. Adhere to the center of the card.
3. Grab the 3 Pebbles layered hearts embellishments as well as the larger pink button and the “i.love.u” die cut from the MME die cut sheet.
4. Starting ~1” from the top of the card, add one heart embellishment. Then ~1/2” below that heart add another heart. Then add the 3rd heart embellishment ~1 inch up from the bottom of the card.
5. In between the bottom 2 hearts add the “i.love.u” die cut. Adhere the pink button to the left side of the die cut.
*****
Done!!
3 cards completed!
:)
And plenty of your Charm School kit left to make more!
Have a great day!

And happy (early) Valentine's day!!