Chocolate Boquet

I love this darling Chocolate Boquet from Wendy at Wickedly Wonderful Creations:

The Black Frame

I like this black frame from Make & Take. They make a different item to go inside each month.

Ok, the bunny is a bit scary looking!

Valentine Advent

Found this advent on Things that eye love. She even gives the place where she buys her supplies

I purchase the tins and magnets from Widget Supply: http://www.widgetsupply.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WS&Category_Code=storage-metal-container TFL!

Heart Hands

I saw this on Lesson Plans Plus. I want to do them on dish towels.

I want to share a very easy Valentine idea. To make a hand print heart: paint on your child's hand in his/her choice of color(s). Once the hand is painted, instruct them to close their fingers and then press their hand onto a piece of white construction paper at a sideways slant. Paint the other hand in the chosen paint color and press that hand onto the paper slightly overlapping the fingers of the print already on the page. This is a very easy project but rather difficult to explain so I'm going to add pictures of my own children's hand print hearts so that you can actually see the project. I think this will make it much easier for you to do the project at home or school.

Once the hand print hearts are dry, you could add a clever Valentine message and give the card to a parent, a grandparent or special friend as a gift. A couple of Valentine phrases that I have used in the past:

~You're the best Valentine, hand's down!

~I've got to hand it to you, you're the best!

You could also do this project with feet. You could make foot stamped hearts or trace the children's feet and help them glue their foot cut-outs into a heart shape.

Word Banners

Valentine Banner From Crafting Chicks:

Made this banner the same way I made my HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner. Just with the words "BE MINE" and a few hearts.


This is the Birthday Banner from Jamie's Digital Designs:

I wanted to make a little birthday banner this month . I was going to sew one, but since that would be too tricky and time consuming, I thought I would digi scrap one. I used the cookie cutter tool in photoshop to cut out the rounded corner squares and circles. I just made one of each and used them as a template to finish the words.
I printed them 5x5 and then mounted them on card stock. I used scalloped scissors to make the cute edge. I strung the letters together and added cute ribbon in between each letter.

I also used the Autumn Medley kit from Shabby Princess for this project.

I am thinking of making a Halloween one now. It was a fun and quick project.

Candy Bar Boquet

Need a last minute Vday treat for your loved one? Make this candy bar bouquet found at Homemaking Fun.


Here is one I found on It's all in my head:

Candy Bouquet for Ted

Cupcake Take Along

Love this idea from Capture the Moment.

I have one final project that I thought I would leave you with today as we wrap up the January countdown. It is another Thrifty Gifting idea that was inspired by Lauren's newest template to be released this month, the Take Along Tote.

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If you are anything like me, I always enjoy giving thoughtful gifts to people rather than just picking up something from a big box store. Especially when it comes to gifts for children. Really, how many Barbies can a girl have? So I thought I would show you a fun alternative that I designed for a birthday party we are going to next weekend. I call it the Cupcake Take Along. I gathered a few inexpensive items from the store to create my kit.

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To begin, I wrapped my cake mix box with red cardstock. This required two sheets cut to measure 5-5/8" wide and 11 inches long. I scored the top and bottom of these two pieces at 1.5", creating top and bottom flaps. I then just adhered the two pieces together lengthwise to create a large wrap.
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Next, I cut out the two main pieces for the body of the tote template using red cardstock. I wanted to create a special area for all of the different sprinkles to be kept. So I cut a 1 x 11" strip of white cardstock and scored it @ 1.25" from either end, followed by 3/4" increments in the remaining center portion. Use my photo here as a visual to create your mountain and valley folds. A little piece of scor-tape at the base of each section will help to make the piece secure.
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When you peel away the tape backing and adhere the strip to the interior of your tote, you are left with something that looks like this.
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Now that the tube strip is adhered to the inside, the tote can be adhered to the front of the cake mix wrap with scor-tape.
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I wanted ribbon handles to go all the way around both the cake mix box and cardstock tote that I adhered together, so I laid the entire piece on its side and ran two pieces of scor-tape down, around the bottom and back up the other side.
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I then started applying my ribbon at the bottom and went up a side over the top creating the handle, and back down the other side. I repeated these steps on the opposite end.
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Now that the handles are done, all that's left for the inside of this cute little cupcake tote is a few of our Trendy Tubes filled with the various sprinkles that I picked up at the store. The easy tube strip I created from white cardstock holds the tubes in place securely.
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For the outside, I printed the Take Along Tote Pocket template onto Raspberry Fizz cardstock and assembled it. I adhered it to the front of my tote.
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I created the catchy "Hey, cupcake" sentiment with Fresh Alphabet & Simple Alphabet. The felt flower is from American Crafts and the epoxy brad is from Making Memories.
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Notice the little birthday tag made with Heather's new Around & about Sentiments. It is clipped in place with a bright pink mini clothespin that I have been hoarding for quite some time now. I love it when things like that work out!
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This tote pocket holds a glassine bag which I filled with the decorative heart candies. The top of the bag is folded over and tied shut with raspberry fizz satin ribbon.
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Here is a side view of the tote. Notice how the tubes are a perfect fit for the width of the Take Along Tote template.
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And as one last final detail, I used a Basic Grey magnetic closure along with a patterned paper flap to help keep the tote closed.










Another take on this idea from Inking Idaho

I ordered the bags and the test tubes from Nichole's store and they were here in like 3 days!!! She is super fast!

Gift Basket

Another Great one from Life Frosting:

We are not talking about a gift basket from Artichoke & Co (which is beautiful and if money permits and time doesnt, it is a great choice)...I am talking about a VERY personalized gift basket for your Valentine.

1. Future Plans Basket: Every item represents something you are looking forward to in the future. (Pineapple or Macademias...for the trip to Hawaii you want to take, Guidebook...for hikes or trails, Golf balls...for the hobby you want to learn, lincoln logs...for the cabin you are hoping for, baby bottle full of a favorite treats...for a future child, etc. )

2. Things you love about him basket: things that represent all of the things that make him special to you.

3. His favorite things basket: you get the idea

I think I sometimes overuse these. For Rob's First Father's day I did "things that I cant wait for my Daddy to teach me" I love them because they are thoughtful and as long as the things are useful...they are a good alternative to one gift.

Valentine Shovel

From It's All in my Head:



I found these fun little shovels at Michaels Crafts for .59 cents each. I thought that was a great deal. So Tia and I will be making these for her friends for Valentines Day. As you can see in the top picture the shovels say "I Dig You". I used the "Happy Heart Day" set from Stampin Up!

Love Blocks

From It's All in my head:

Tootsie Pop Flower Valentine

I found on It's A Girl Thing:

U Create AKA You Can Make It (on my Sidebar) posted these DARLING Valentine's! I am SOOOO gonna make these for my students this year! Thank you for the fabulous idea!!

She found this idea at the site Skip to my Lou.
The Flower Print-Out is here.
The Leaf Print-Out is here.

ENJOY!!

Cute Cards & Valentine

I love these cards from From Fab 5:

She has a way cute kids valentine idea there too.

U Create found this on Skip to My Lou.....FUN printables for Valentine's Day!

U Create found this on Skip to My Lou.....FUN printables for Valentine's Day!

Sour Cream Containers

Heartland Paper

Another approach at Split Coast Stampers:

Are you looking for a easy but fun project to work on this weekend? Try these cute Sour Cream Containers.

Here are the step by step instructions.

1. Start with a rectangle piece of printed heavy weight paper. ( I used some scraps from My Minds Eye and cut it 6"x7".) You will also need two pieces of solid Scraps and a tape runner. (A glue stick will not work.)

2. Run the tape on the back side of the paper down three sides. Roll the paper into a tube.

3. Pinch the top together. The tape should hold it. If not use some staples to close it. At this point, fill the tube with candy or a small treat.

4. Now pinch the other end together but this time in the opposite direction. Once again the tape should hold it but if not you can use staples.

5. Fold the two pieces of card stock in half and place on each end of the container.

To finish it you can punch a whole in the top and place a ribbon or tag.

That's all there is to it. Simple and fun. So while the Big Game is on this weekend, why not sit down and make a bunch of these. You will be all ready for your kids Valentine's Parties! (or birthday parties, showers or anything else you might think of.)

More Valentine Gift Box Ideas

More from Heartland Paper

Hey all you Studio 5 fans, here are the pictures and instructions for the simple boxes Kelly showed today on the show. Each of these boxes was created using the Scor-Pal Board, which makes folding on specific dimensions a breeze! For more ideas, you can also visit the Scor-Pal site at www.scor-pal.com.

*Remember to mention Studio 5 when you are purchasing your scor-pal for 20% off this awesome tool!

Cupcake Box:

Supplies Needed:

1-12X12 Cardstock for box base

Decorative patterned paper for dressing up finished box

Pieced cupcake (made freehand from cardstocks)

Die-cuts or sticker letters for “Sweet Thing” Title.

Cardstock for band

Adhesive

Scor-Pal tool or other Scoring system

Scissors or craft knife

Instructions:

1. Follow the detailed instructions for the “Origami Box” that can be found by following this link to the scor-pal site:

http://www.scor-pal.com/dec2_magazine/index_files/Page1187.htm

You can click and print the tutorial that will walk you through each step to make the box base. Don’t get overwhelmed when you first read the instructions. It is very simple to make if you just take it one step at a time.

2. Once you have completed the box base, decorate the box with patterned paper, cutouts, and letters.

3. Make a band for the box by cutting a 1 ½” strip of cardstock or decorative paper and wrapping it around the box seam.

4. Place a cupcake inside the box and give to someone you love!

Purse Box:

Supplies Needed:

Cardstock for box base

Paper for dressing up finished box

Heart Die-Cut for decorating

Button

Eyelets for attaching handle

Ribbon to tie on handle

Cardstock for handle

Adhesive

Scor-Pal tool or other Scoring system

Scissors or craft knife

Instructions:

1. Follow the detailed instructions for the “Batty Boo Box” that can be found by following this link to the scor-pal site:

http://www.scor-pal.com/oct_magazine/index_files/Page640.htm

You can click and print the tutorial that will walk you through each step to make the box base. Don’t get overwhelmed when you first read the instructions. It is very simple to make if you just take it one step at a time.

2. Once you have completed the box base, fold a small strip of paper along the same vertical dimensions as you did the box base. This paper will wrap around the top of the box to create a band of color. I border punched the edge of this strip to give it a lacy effect.

3. Make a handle for the box by cutting a 1” strip of cardstock or decorative paper and attaching it with eyelets to the sides of the box.

4. Add buttons, hearts, ribbon or other embellishments to decorate the box.

5. Fill with a yummy treat and give to a friend or loved one.

Pyramid Box:

Supplies Needed:

Cardstock for box base

Paper for dressing up finished box

Eyelets for attaching ribbon

Ribbon to tie on handle

Adhesive

Scor-Pal tool or other Scoring system

Scissors or craft knife

Instructions:

1. Follow the detailed instructions for the “Exploding Pyramid Box” that can be found by following this link to the scor-pal site:

http://www.scor-pal.com/dec2_magazine/index_files/Page325.htm

You can click and print the tutorial that will walk you through each step to make the box base. Don’t get overwhelmed when you first read the instructions. It is very simple to make if you just take it one step at a time. *It is not necessary to build all of the layers of the exploding box unless you want to.

2. Once you have completed the box base, you can cut patterned paper to decorate the outside of the box.

3. Fill with a yummy treat and give to a friend or loved one.

Candy Nugget Box:

Supplies Needed:

Cardstock for box base

Paper for dressing up finished box and nuggets

Ribbon

Adhesive

Scor-Pal tool or other Scoring system

Scissors or craft knife

Instructions:

1. Follow the detailed instructions for the “Candy Nugget Boxes” that can be found by following this link to the scor-pal site:

http://www.scor-pal.com/basics/index_files/Page406.htm

You can click and print the tutorial that will walk you through each step to make the box base. Don’t get overwhelmed when you first read the instructions. It is very simple to make if you just take it one step at a time.

2. Once you have completed the box base, you can cut patterned paper and ribbon to decorate the outside of the box. I also decorated each nugget with patterned paper to match.

3. Fill box with nuggets and give to someone sweet!