Thank You, You Fill My Cup Card

 I know that this looks like a Valentine card, but I made it to add to my stash of thank you cards.  The main images came from a Hero Arts clear stamp set.  I used the matching die set, too.  I think these sets can be used for many different occasions.  The blank card came from an old Hot Off the Press package (HM BFC may still carry it).  It shouldn't be hard to create your own pop-up card blank because it only requires folding the inner panel and adhering it to the inside of the flap.  The card set comes with a pattern to cut the front scalloped edge but after looking at the white edge, I decided that I needed to add some color and pattern...so WASHI tape to the rescue!

 I knew that I bought the skinny width tape from Daiso (I think) for a reason.  It was a bit tricky to cover the wavy edge but washi tape is forgiving and wrinkles can be smoothed out with a fingernail. The additional sentiments came from other Hero Arts stamp sets.  All the pattern papers came from a Doodlebug 6x6 pack. I love that they coordinate and have small prints...some on kraft paper. I colored the images with Copic pens and added clear sparkle Stickles to the hearts. For added interest I sprinkled on Martha Stewart (from old set) tiny heart glitter.  Since we are between holidays, I am happy to be adding to my 'thank you' card collection, Crafting is so therapeutic!

Blueberry, Ginger, and Coconut Yogurt Scones

 What do you do when you buy too many blueberries and don't want them to spoil?  You make scones!  I found a recipe on the internet and tweeked it a bit.  I really liked the results so I decided to share the amended version:

2-1/4 cup whole wheat white flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 T. butter
2 T. minced crystallized ginger
1 glass container Oui coconut yogurt plus 2-3 T milk
I generous cup of fresh blueberries
2 T. milk or cream and coarse sugar

In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour and sugar. Mix the baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small cup and add that mixture to the flour/sugar bowl.  Add in the ginger  (original recipe had only 1 T.) and cut in the butter. The original recipe had buttermilk but since I didn't have that, research told me that yogurt would be a good replacement so that went into the bowl.  I followed the original recipe and rolled out the dough added 1/2 c. blueberries and folded over the dough, then rolled it out again adding the second 1/2 c. blueberries and folding the dough again.  This was a bit messy and the blueberries still got squashed so next time I'll just mix in the blueberries after the yogurt when the dough is crumbly and moist. Add the 2-3 T. milk if the dough is too dry.  This recipe makes 15 -16 scones depending on if you cut round shapes or squares. Place the unbaked scones on a parchment lined baking sheet  and brush each one with cream or milk and sprinkle tops with coarse sugar. Bake the scones in a 400 degree F oven for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Love-In-Their- Eyes Wedding Card

 I was working on Valentine cards when I found this die in my box of supplies.  I knew that it would make a great wedding card for an upcoming family event.  For I change, I decided to keep it color neutral....white and silver.  I layered several card stock papers (purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts) and then die cut the heart from silver vellum.  A little Beacon 3 -in -1 glue and double stick Heiko tape helped to put everything together. The supplies in the bottom photo were also from HM BFC. Check out their wedding department for some super ribbons and even wedding washi tape. Since we usually give monetary gifts, I like to create a card to show I put some thought into celebrating the happy event!

Peek-a-Boo Valentine Cards

 I wasn't going to buy any more Valentine dies but this Avery Elle one at HM BFC caught my eye because I wondered what I could create with it.  It was so basic that I knew it could be used for many Valentine cards in the future.  Since my upcoming trip made my time limited, I decided to keep it simple....let the card stock do all the decorating.  For these two cards it was important that the inside design complimented the outside. I chose a conversation heart design and matched it with stickers. The little fox is a sweet surprise for the recipient.  I rounded the corners of both cards with a corner- rounding tool. 

The second card is a tribute to the most popular  Valentine gift (besides diamonds). My old stash contained some Martha Stewart  stickers which reminded me of wrapped chocolates which I thought matched the card stock.   Besides these simple cards, I plan to used this die to make shaker cards and cards with animals peeking out and hanging onto the heart openings.  Won't that be cute?....well maybe next year I'll get started on my cards earlier. LOL!

 P.S. Don't forget to get some Valentine washi tape to decorate cards and envelopes!

Valentine Hug Cards

 When I saw these Whimsy stamp images and sentiments, I knew I had to get the set.  It was so simple to whip up these cards.  I started with a rectangle of watercolor paper which I misted with water. Next I placed an acetate heart stencil (made by die cutting an acetate sheet over the moistened paper and blotted on some Distress Oxide inks.  Don't worry if the inks bleed outside of the heart. When the inks were mostly dry, I sprinkled on some big drops of water.  The rabbits were stamped on marker paper with waterproof ink, lightly colored in with Copic pens and fussy cut out. Once everything was dry, the sentiment was stamped on, the rabbits attached with foam dots and then the watercolor paper was adhered to a card blank.

 For this card I basically did the same thing but flicked gold Liquitex ink onto the background.  Both cards were sweet and simple which means I can make lots of them for ALL my sweeties.  The images in this stamp set can be used for many occasions so send hugs out to everyone all year long!

Valentine Resin Hair Accessories

 Looking for something unique to make for your Valentine?  How about creating some heart-shaped resin hair accessories?  These are a cinch to make and will cost you very little.

 This one started with an unfilled metal heart on a stretch elastic band.  (I think I got it from HM BFC resin department).  It was so simple to mix some white resin colorant powder (available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts) with LED resin (also from HM BFC) and pouring the resulting liquid  half way into the heart cavity.  Next, I set the resin with an LED lamp (from HM BFC) and then added the pressed flowers and a layer of clear resin. After this layer was hardened, the one-of-a-kind floral hair decoration was complete.

For a young girl, this piece is very doable.  The heart piece, on a stretch band that already had rainbow colors and sparkles, was purchased from Daiso (only $1.50!) The pretty stickers also came from that wonderland of $1.50 bargains...Daiso!  It is simple enough for a child to make...1) put stickers on 2) cover top surface with LED resin and 3) set under LED lamp with an automatic timer...from HM Ben Franklin Crafts of course!  These hair pieces are so easy to make you can make a bunch to give to all your sweethearts. Use them in place of a ribbon on a small box of jewelry and you'll really make someone smile!

Valentine Bear with Bouquet Card

 This card came together rather easily probably because there was little coloring and no fussy cutting.  I had the tiny hearts background die from last year (purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts) and used it on a Pebbles printed card stock.  This die cut piece was attached to a red Paper Accents blank card.  The Hero Arts bear images were colored with Copic pens and cut out with the matching Hero Arts dies.  A red heart was cut out using a Spellbinder's die and stamped with white Versa Mark ink before heat embossing with Nuvo white embossing powder.  The heart with sentiment was adhered  to the card and then the bears were put in place with sticky foam dots.  That was it...easy peasy.  I think Valentine's Day cards should be simple and sweet...like LOVE!

The Year of the Rat Valentine Card

 This card started out as a Valentine's Day card but other than the heart confetti this card can be used for any occasion, even Halloween.  Because I just remembered that the start of the Chinese Year of the Rat starts soon, I dubbed this card 'The Year of the Rat Valentine Card' LOL! I love the goofy look of the rat ad the fact that he is next to a big hunk of cheese but prefers sweets.  For the cheese I used the Whimsy die to cut yellow foam sheets, one thick and one thin on top.  The thicker foam made great cavities for the heart confetti (from HM Ben Franklin Crafts).  It was difficult to cut the thicker foam but I was successful after several passes through the Big Shot.  A sheet of clear acetate was glued behind the top thinner sheet of yellow foam.  The whole block of yellow foam cheese was glued onto a red card blank.  I like the Whimsy 'Sweet' die cuts because it makes the script word really pop and can be used on many different cards.  This die, the cheese one and the printed paper pad came from the February Whimsy Paper Door pack.  The rat and sweets were colored with Copic pens and embellished with Scribbles white sugar, Bo Bunny chocolate pearlescent paint and Crystal Lacquer. ...the photo doesn't show the yummy glossy-ness.  I think I'll catalog this card into my all occasion file as whatever I decide to write inside will determine its use.  Have a SWEET Valentine's Day and Year of the Rat!