For Love of Paper

Whatever Wednesday: Masculine Valentine

Creating a masculine Valentine is extra difficult because Valentine's is all about non-masculine things like hearts and pink. Thinking a little outside the box I remembered the Totally Tool stamp set and viola, a masculine Valentine was born. This stamp set allowed me to capture the feeling of Valentine's Day without the traditional fru-fru stuff.

Supply List:

Stamps: Totally Tool and Love You Much

Inks: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Going Gray and Pretty in Pink

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Taken with Teal and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Tearing Edge Ruler, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and a Stamping Sponge

Cutting:

• Chocolate Chip Card Base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Sweet Pea DSP 3" x 5 1/2", tear 1/2" off
• Taken with Teal 2 7/8" x 2 1/4"
• Whisper White 2 5/8" x 2" and 5 1/4" x 4" (card liner)

If you're always in need of masculine cards check out the Totally Tool stamp set.

Totally Tool (113256) $25.95 

Click the online ordering button at the top right of this page or contact me via phone 512-259-5575 or email chris@forloveofpaper.com to order this awesome stamp set today!

Also be sure to stop back tomorrow and I'll show you a way to get even more use from this terrific stamp set.

Two different looks, one great card

Yesterday I promised I would show an example of how changing just the colors of a project can give it an entirely different look and feel. We all know different colors evoke different feelings and emotions.

As an example of this I took yesterdays Make Over Monday card and changed it from Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo to Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White (one of my favorite new color combos).

Supply List:

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Soft Suede (115318) and Pretty in Pink (100459)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332), Full Heart Punch (113693), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402 ask me how you can get this for FREE), Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (115612) and Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (110755)

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Tip: When trying to adhere anything with a texture, like the hearts and background of this card with the polka dot texture, try using the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive instead of SNAIL (tape runner). Sometimes the regular adhesives have trouble getting hold of the dots but there isn't anything the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive won't stick to. It's also great for papers with glitter on them. Check it out on page 192 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

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The next time you make a card you really like, give it another go around with different colors. This is a great way to stretch your creativity. If you've spent the time to create a card your really happy with use it again with different colors.

Cute Valentine CASE

At times we all find ourselves in a creative rut. When I first got the new Sweetheart stamp set (used in the card above) I was having trouble coming up with a design that I liked and still able to reach the area that needed to be punched out. Hmm, did that make any sense? You get my drift anyway, I was stuck.

I came to the conclusion I didn't need to reinvent the wheel so I CASED (copy and share everything) this cute little Valentine from Melissa Stout. The only thing I changed was the paper.

I tell you this because I want you to know it is MORE than okay to copy projects. Or start with someone else's project and make a few changes to give it your personal touch. You don't have to start from scratch.

I challenge you to take any project you can find on my blog and CASE it outright or make a few changes. If you take my challenge please email me a photo of your project. I'd love to see it!

chris@forloveofpaper.com

Heartfelt and Handmade Valentine Class Rescheduled

The Heartfelt and Handmade Valentine's Class originally scheduled for last Friday has been rescheduled. Get all the details below.

Tuesday, February 2nd

Heartfelt and Handmade Valentine's

7 to 9 pm

My House in Leander, Texas

Nothing says, "I Love You" like a handmade Valentine.

If you'd like to let that someone special know just how much they mean to you join us on Tuesday, February 2nd to create three handmade Valentine's with some of Stampin' Ups! newest products. Not only will you leave class with three Valentine's ready to go, they will all be filled with gourmet Dove chocolates. And we wouldn't want to leave you out of the fun so Dove Chocalatier, Celine Windwillow, will be on hand with lots of chocolaty ideas and plenty of Dove Chocolate fondue for everyone.

Class cost $20

To register click the button below.

Makeover Monday: Valentine's Treat Bag Cover

Today's makeover project was originally created by Kristie Lee. Her little Valentine bag cover is quite cute so I decided to make it over using only the Stampin' Up! products I had on hand.

I began with Pretty in Pink CS and added strips of Whisper White punched with the new Scallop Trim Border Punch, (only available in the Sale-a-bration Mini Catalog through March 31st.) Then for the heart I used the Heart of Hearts Embosslit with Melon Mambo Cardstock and then added one of the flowers and leaves from the new Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. I am so in love with the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. Check them out on page 32 of the Occasions Mini Catalog. I've found the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive works best with any of the felt pieces. Being that it is a liquid glue you do have to set your project aside to let it dry, but once it's dry it's there to stay. Once I added the felt leaves to the back of the heart I then adhered it to the bag cover using Pop Up Glue Dots. These make the bottom even/level with the felt. Then finished it off with the Polka Dot Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon. Inside are the candy hearts that come in the little box. I poured them into a medium cello bag, stapled it closed and then adhered the bag below the ribbon holes using a little Sticky Strip.

 

Original

Perhaps when you see my version or the original a totally different idea pops into your head.

Give Makeover Monday a try and see what you can come up with. 

Card Makers Start Your Engines . . .

I know everyone is just now catching their breath from the holidays but believe it or not if you plan to make Valentine's it is time to put on your thinking caps and start your engines.

If you pick up any of the current Stampin' Up! catalogs there are plenty of stamp sets to choose from just for Valentine's Day. There are also several non-Valentine's stamp sets you might not think of that would make great Valentine's so here are a few ideas. Be sure to check your stampin' stash. You might have some of these sets already.

Current Hostess Sets:

• Out of the Box (p. 12) - make the heart spring from the Jack In A Box
• Love Bug (p. 12)
• Holiday Best (p. 13)
• Admit It (p. 15)
• The More the Merrier (p. 17) - The heart, birds with hearts and maybe even the cupcakes

Idea Book & Catalog Set:

• Things I Love (p. 54)
• Loads of Love (p. 58)
• Build-a-Roo (p. 63)
• Totally Tool (p. 66)
• Just Jawing (p. 83)
• Bugs & Kisses (p. 88) - check out my last blog post for an example
• Under the Stars (p. 89) - the bear holds a string of hearts very well
• Sock Monkey (p. 90)
• Fifth Avenue Floral (p. 98) - roses, need I say more
• A Rose is a Rose (p. 99) - ditto
• Season of Friendship (p. 114) - click here to see an example from last year
• Full of Life (p. 147)

Occasions Mini Sets:

• Well Scripted (p. 19)
• Something Sweet (p. 20) - the gumball machine with candy hearts would be very cute
• Beary Best Friends (p. 83) with Beary Best Times (p. 40)
• Tote-ally Tess (p. 41) - you can put a heart in her hand

Bugs and Kisses Valentine

This is a card I originally CASED about three years ago. I updated it using the new Scallop Trim Border Punch and Mellon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon. To give the caterpillar a little more color I used a Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker after I stamped her in Chocolate Chip.

This card would make a great Valentine for little girls. I think I'll make some up for my nieces.

Stamps: Cute As A Bug

Inks: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink

Other: Vintage Brads, Mat Pack and Piercer, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Mellon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon and Mini Glue Dots.

Terrific Trees!

Every now and then I’ll come across a stamp set through a new catalog or mini and think to myself, “what were they thinking when they decided to make that into a stamp set?” Of course it usually ends up that the stamp set is quite good, I just couldn’t envision the possibilities.  The Season of Friendship stamp set is the perfect example of this and now that I’ve seen some of the possibilities that exist with stamp set I am so sad to go.  I was really hoping this set would make it into the new Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog, but no such luck.

If you fall in love with this set like I have be sure to order it quickly.  It’s only available for two more days!  After January 18^th the Season of Friendship ends.  Call, email or go online to order yours asap!

Here are two of my favorite examples using the tree from Season of Friendship.

 

 

Tree of Love Card Recipe (one per page)

Tree of Love Card Recipe (four per page)

 

 

Sweet Tire Swing Recipe Card (one per page)

Sweet Tire Swing Recipe Card (four per page) 

 

January Technique Club Recipe Cards

So I have been trying to add links to the January Technique Club Cards since I did the post weeks ago and to no avail everytime I try the whole window goes crazy.  I decided I would just do another post and attach the card recipes here. 

So here are the three cards we did at the January Technique Club Meetings.

 

Seaside Stair Step Card Recipe (one per page)

Seaside Stair Step Card Recipe (four per page) 

 

Criss Cross Pennant Die Valentine Card Recipe (one per page)

Criss Cross Pennant Die Valentine Card Recipe (four per page) 

 

Bundle of Joy Scallop Bib Card Recipe (one per page)

Bundle of Joy Scallop Bib Card Recipe (four per page) 

Hugs & Kisses Valentine's Treat Box with Instructions

 

Two things you'll notice I talk about a lot are versatility and CASE'ing.  This little treat box is the perfect example of both.  I have been making cards and projects using things from the Love You Much Bundle for weeks and still more ideas keep appearing.  The versitility found in this bundle is amazing. I'm certain I could create something new everyday between now and Valentine's and not even make a dent in the possibilities.

Often times people wonder where my inspiration comes from.  Generally when I get a new stamp set or just need inspiration I turn to the galleries over at Splitcoast Stampers.  Here I can see cards and such made by other stampers.  From here I get layout ideas, notice new color combos and different ways to use the same supplies. 

The pizza style box is not anything new, but combining it with a new stamp set and a terrific layout make this creation into something fresh and fun. 

I'd like to thank SCS Users LLINNYC3 and Stampingmommaof4 for the pizza box instructions and Linda McClain for the layout and color combination.

Here is a look at the inside of the box.

If you're loving this little project as much as I am check out the Quickie Tutorial below. 

Hugs & Kisses Valentine Mini Pizza Box Quickie Instructions