Love Birds - Blog Hop - Blog Candy

Hello everyone! You may have arrived here from Julie's blog if you are following the BBTB2 blog hop. Either way, welcome!

I am finally back to blogging.  I was busy most of last week with one thing or another and the week finally reached its pinnacle on Saturday when Doug and I moved our younger son into his first non-university housing apartment.... On the third floor... With no elevator! (But mom, the rent is cheaper on the third floor!).  :-D  We manged to survive and Ian's apartment is adorable!!!  Far better than my first apartment!

So now that you know where I have been, let's move on to BBTB2!  It is time for the monthly blog hop and this week's challenge was selected by our wonderful Design Team sister, Maria, who asked us to use one or more of the lovely hearts from the Love Struck cartridge.  I chose the love birds.

I created a fold out card using Just Because Cartridge.  I cut an envelop, then used my trimmer to remove the side flaps.  I scored the two fold lines created a half circle fold down flap (see the photo above), a center 4 x 4 area, and an oblong oval flap (see the photo below). 

For the front of the card I cut the love birds heart from Love Struck in pale pink.  I cut the shadow in white. I used copic marks and highlighted random hearts and the birds.  I added satin hearts and a crystallized Prima rose to the front of the card.  I wrapped the lower flap with a dotted one inch ribbon and added an additional satin heart and heart stick pin. 

I added a white circle stamped with a simple sentiment to the inside of the flip down flap.

Inside the card I used Lacey Labels and cut a scalloped square, the trim for the square, and the old school Love Story style LOVE. 

I liked that this card was not my usual single fold card.  I enjoyed the more creative folds and style.  Now let's get on to the good stuff!  I have wonderful BLOG CANDY!  Thanks to Custom Crops I have a $25.00 gift voucher for one lucky winner.  Just leave a comment below before you hop on and you will be registered for the blog candy.

It is now time for you to continue along on the BBTB2 blog hop!  Your next stop is at the blog of our amazing Design Team sister, Penny.  I had the pleasure of meeting Penny in person last summer and I so enjoyed meeting Penny and her daughter, Krista.  Both are lovely and delightful!

I will be back tomorrow when I have a snowy layout to share.

Last Minute Valentine Card with Cut File

You still have four more days in which to craft a fabulous card for your Valentine(s).  My project at Custom Crops this week, Love Stamp Valentine, will make you a Valentine's Day superstar.  Follow this LINK for complete instructions and the cut file at Custom Crops. This card is actually easy to cut and assemble, but will look like you spent HOURS slaving over the craft table!!

Gypsy Spot Mini Mailbox Challenge

Happy Gypsy Spot Tuesday!  This week's challenge at the Gypsy Spot is to decorate a Target-like mini-mailbox.  As you can see, the mailbox matchs yesterday's BBTB2 card.  I will admit that the mailbox came first, then the card.

I began by covering the mailbox with a 4 x 12 inch strip of pink polk-a-dot cardstock.  I knew I wanted to use the Pink Paislee Cupid paper in some way, but I was not certain about how to incorporate the large flower print.  And then I remembered circle punches!!  I cut several of the flowers from the Pink Paislee paper using 1.25 inch and .75 inch circle punches.  I then raided my Prima floral and gem brad stashes and then I cut two mailbox door covers from the Pink Paislee paper.

I used cricut magnet material and cut two hearts, one for each end of the mailbox.  I cut two decorative hearts in pink cardstock and covered the magnet material.  I then cut the xoxo layers in cardstock.

I attached the xoxo's to the mailbox lower side egdges.  I created layered flowers using the prima flowers, circle punch flowers and centers, and gem brads.  Using large glue dots I affixed the flowers to the sides of the mailbox and the flag. 

I am really pleased with the end result of this set.  It is fun, sassy, and feminine!

Valentine Layout and Cut File - New Custom Crops Project

My l-o-n-g holiday break (December and January) officially ended last week.  I am back to submitting projects to both design teams AND to Custom Crops.  My latest Custom Crops project, complete with cut file, is titled Valentine Love Layout.  I truly like this layout and cannot wait to use it!!! 

For complete assembly directions and the cut file, please visit my page at Custom Crops.  In addition to the directions and the cut file, I also added links to the paper used in the project.  I just love this new line of SEI paper -  Juliette!!!

BBTB2 Love Stamp Cut

I am running a bit late today on getting my BBTB2 project loaded to both the BBTB2 site and to my blog.  The challenge this week was to use the Love Stamp cut from the Sweethearts cartridge.  I made this sweet valentine which includes cuts from five different cartridge:  Sweethearts, Calligraphy, Love Struck, Easter 2010 and Tie the Knot.

I used Bazzill pink bling cardstock, smooth white cardstock, one sheet of Basic Grey Sugared cardstock and two prints from SEI's Juliette line.  I love the shimmer in the SEI paper!!!

I finished off the front of the card with Prima flowers and American Crafts ribbon.  Inside I added the phrase "Be My Valentine" from the Calligraphy cartridge.  I also cut a an extra heart from Sweethearts and sweet border from Easter 2010. 

I love this couple on Love Struck.  Speaking of Love Struck, WHAT A GREAT CARTRIDGE!!!!  I am so enjoying the 2010 seasonal mini carts.  Be sure and get your before they are gone!!