The Observation Car

February is the month of “LOVE”.  And, I fell in love with the new Spellbinder dies and Whimsey stamps.  Here is a selection of Valentines I made for my grandkids and the Brushstrokes and Blessings gift shop at the Market.  Designer papers, gems, and flowers are from BoBunny.  Cardstock is from Stamp Express.  Colors are Copic markers.  All these plus the dies and stamps are available at www.stampexpressstore.com

Remember that these can all be used after Valentines Day.  They will be great for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and special events.  You can add them to scrapbook pages too.  Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine Bunny

Bella Sole Valentine

Lacey Flowers Valentine

You're Special Valentine

Snowflake Valentine

Kitten Valentine

These little booklets make terrific gifts.  Just decorate in any theme like graduation, baby, wedding, sports, or vacation.  Place photos and memorabilia on the pages and insert a giftcard or check in the pocket.  You can even include a CD in the front pocket if desired.  Here’s how to make one:

1.  Fold CD holder on score lines.

2.  Glue front and back covers to outside.  They are 5″ square, so you know how to cut them.  They can be designer paper, cardstock, embossed cardstock or a mixture.  We used embossed cardstock and BoBunny paper on this one.  For a strong hold use Scor-tape for adhering.

3.  Cover the spine with a contrasting color.  Apply Scor-tape on the spine and on each side of this piece and wrap it around.  Paper was cut to 3″x5″.

4.  Use cardstock cut to 5″x10″ for inside pages.Fold in half  and fit inside CD holder.  This makes 5″ square pages.

5.  Punch holes in spine through all layers for threading ribbon to hold book together.

6.  Thread ribbon through holes from the inside to the outside.  Tie in a knot and then make your bow.  This way the book won’t fall apart is the bow unties.

7.  Decorate the front and inside pages keeping with the theme of your book.  We did a Valentine theme and used Whimsey stamps colored with Copic markers.  The heart diecuts are Spellbinder, and the flowers were cut with the Cricut.  For a 3-D effect, pop the hearts with foam tape or pop dots.

The first image was our make/take at the Gettysurg Croptopia Getaway.  All the supplies are available here at our on-line store www.stampexpressstore.com. The 2nd and 3rd images show another example including a cover image and one of the open book.

Valentine Mini Book

Snowman CD Book (cover image)

Snowman CD Book (inside page image)

We got new Spellbinders dies and I couldn’t wait to use them.  Hearts, scalloped hearts, snowflakes and swirls just screamed out Valentine’s Day!  The black and white card uses a heart that I embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  The swirls were a mess until I used waxed paper between the die and the cardstock when cutting.  All the lacey type die cuts just pop out when you do  this.  No problem.  I did run them through about 4 times to make sure they were all cut.  This is an easy card to make.

My mailbox card is a new Whimsy stamp colored with Copic markers.  The designer paper is from BoBunny and the border punch is Martha Stewart.  Rhinestones and flowers finish off all art work beautifully.

To purchase any of these supplies, look at our store www.stampexpressstore.com.  Availability depends on what we sell out of at the Gettysburg Croptopia Getaway this weekend.

My Valentine card

Valentine Mail card

Preparing for the Croptopia Getaway in Gettysburg the first weekend of February, I made these “LOVE” pages to display.  I used my new Spellbinder dies for hearts, frames, and swirls.  Putting together the patchwork heart is rather tricky.  Cutting them in fourths is no problem, but piecing them back together is mind boggling.

The designer  paper is from BoBunny and the stamps are Whimsy.  Ribbon is Morex and flowers are Prima. Cardstock is ColorCore and Stamp Express.  Of course I colored with Copic markers.  If you are not attending the show, check our on-line store next month to purchase these items.

I’ve noticed that ribbon shaped strips of paper with the notch cut in the end have become popular.  Cut a piece from scrap paper first and then use that as a pattern to cut the cardstock.  That way you get even tails.

Next week  we may be able to show you the free make and takes we will be doing. Check back then.

8x8 Love Page

121x12 Mailing Your Valentines

My sister was born on Valentine’s Day.  So, a heartfelt wish with a heart cupcake is in order.  I used the Stamp Express circle cut-out card in pink and some heart designer paper.  Then I added a cupcake stamped from Hero Arts and colored with Copic markers.  Some beads for sprinkles completed the cake.  Then i mounted it on a Nesties circle from Spellbinders.  For embellishment there is lace from a Martha Stewart punch. ribbon from May Arts and sentiment from Hero Arts.  The basic cardstock for this and the next card are the quality cardstock from Stamp Express.

The blue card also features a Hero Arts cupcake, May Arts ribbon, Martha Stewart punch, Art Institute glitter, and designer paper from Colorbok.  Layers are cut with oval Nesties from Spellbinder.

Take a look now for some of these products at our on-line store.

February Birthday Card #1

Birthday Card #2

Everyone loves receiving Valentine cards.  Parents, lovers, children, grandchildren, and friends all enjoy a greeting on that special day.  Here’s a selection you can copy or embellish upon.  Designer papers are from BoBunny, cardstock is Stamp Express quality cardstock.  Dies are Spellbinders and Accucut.  Cupcake stamps are from Hero Arts.  Sentiment stamp is JustRite, and the bunny is Stampavie.  All coloring is done with Copic markers.  Remember when cutting images out by hand, move the paper instead of the scissors for a smoother cut.  Also, cut just outside the lines so that you can see the stamped outline.  Embellishments include Prima flowers, butcher twine from Stampin’ Up, and glued on beads for the cupcake decorations.  These are such fun to make, you’ll want to make more.  All products are available at www.stampexpressstore.com.  During January, everything is 30% off!  Start crafting!

Valentine #1

Valentine #2

Valentine #3

It’s easy to make Victorian style Valentine cards when you incorporate our vintage prints with lacey embellishments, flowers, ribbons, and jewels.  You could also use these on a wedding scrapbook page or anniversary spread.  Punches I used were Martha Stewart and EK.  Cardstock is  Stamp Express quality cardstock.  Designer paper is from BoBunny.  And stamps for the sentiments are from Hero Arts.  Jewels and ribbons were in my stash.  Ovals and scallops were cut with Spellbinders dies.  You can order the vintage prints this month at 30% off.  All the other products are also on sale.  Just click here to go to our store.

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Greetings from your Valentine

My Valentine

You have to admit it, these sweet House Mouse designs just make you smile.  The mouse of the month has a “love” theme for Valentines day, but could be used at any time of year.  Think wedding showers, anniversary, love you cards and even get well.  The first sample was done by Barb Barton for the Locomotion day on Feb 5.  You can still register for this all day extravaganza on our class registration tab.  The following 3 cards are included in the mouse kit at our on line store.  All were colored with Copic markers.  In the kit, you get pre-cut papers and directions plus the two stamps.  You do the coloring yourself.  What FUN!

House Mouse with Chocolate Covered Strawberry

Valentine Sweets

Double Fold Valentine

Sliding Pop-up Card