Valentine Countdown: A Valentine Surprise!

Hi All! Welcome once again to Violet & Sunshine's Countdown to Valentine's Day. I can't believe there's just three more days left! Looks like it's time to press my kiddos into service so that we can get all the class and friend Valentines made. Luckily, the weatherman says they'll be at home tomorrow! ;-)

So I've been wanting to make today's project since I saw the tutorial for it on the SplitcoastStampers Blog. It's a surprise card that goes from this...

…to this….

…to this:

Love it! This one is being used as a little Valentine's Day decoration, but since it folds flat I could mail it to a friend (for a little extra postage, I'm sure).

Here's the ingredients list:

Pear Cardstock

White Daisy Cardstock

Lagoon Cardstock

Lollydoodle Pattern Paper

Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set

Wild About Love Stamp Set 

Lollydoodle Card Kit Stamp Set

Purple Glitter Gems

Sequins (Lollydoodle Card Kit)

Lagoon Exclusive Ink

Gypsy Exclusive Ink

Cotton Candy Exclusive Ink

Pear Exclusive Ink

Favorite Adhesives

Dimensional Adhesive

SplitcoastStampers did a really good tutorial, so rather than explain it all, I thought I'd show you some close-ups of the embellishments:

(This is my favorite!)

Isn't this fun?! It would be great for a birthday or other special greeting. (Hmmm…nieces' graduations perhaps….) It also works as a nice centerpiece for a little celebration.

Well it's time to go batten down the hatches and stoke up the fire. Stay warm! We'll see you tomorrow as the countdown continues….

Valentine Countdown: Match Made In…the Craft Room?

Bonjour Tout le Monde! (Yep, just thought I'd mix it up a bit. Loose translation: Hi All!) Welcome to Violet & Sunshine's Valentine Countdown. Just 8 more days…. Woo HOO!

Today's little treat is the simplest project yet. You can find a fantastic video tutorial for it at SplitcoastStampers.

 These little matchbook candy holders are fantastic for class treats. They really are that easy. I have to say though, all my matchbook-inspired puns were completely lost on my teen and tween. Oh the sadness! No "Match Made in Heaven"…. No "You Light My Fire"…. My son informed me that kids might get it if I made a lighter instead. UGH!  Still, even without the cheesy puns, it's a stinkin' cute candy holder. I added Airheads (there's irony in there somewhere, I think) instead of chocolates just for fun.

Our Project Ingredients List:

Kraft Cardstock

Sky Cardstock

Ponderosa Pine Cardstock

White Daisy Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

Lollydoodle Paper

Timberline Paper

Small Brads (or Staples)

Favorite Stamp Set

Sky Exclusive Ink

Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink

Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Liquid Glass

Dimensional Adhesive

 I followed the tutorial to make candy holder itself. I then added patterned paper and cardstock to the front, back and inside of the holder. I used my Artiste cartridge to cut the speech bubbles and letters. "Girl" is a layer cut on Artiste as well. I wanted to give my letters a plastic look, so I covered them with Liquid Glass and let it dry. (I suggest putting them somewhere out of sight so you aren't tempted to touch them and check if they're dry….it might happen….just sayin'….)

The inside pocket works with Ghirardelli chocolates (that aren't filled) as well as Airheads and Laffy-Taffy. You could also probably fit a gift card in it as well.

These sentiments are from the retired Whoo's Your Valentine stamp set. "Love U Lots" is stamped on White Daisy cardstock in Sky Exclusive Ink, fussy cut, and popped up with dimensional adhesive. "You totally rock!" is stamped on Colonial White cardstock in Outdoor Denim Ink. I fussy cut it to look like a speech bubble and popped it up with dimensional adhesive.

Well I'm off to harangue my teen and tween with more matchbook puns. I hope you enjoyed today's project. We'll see you tomorrow as the countdown continues….

Owl-ways a little somethin'....

INTRODUCING.......

WHOOO'S YOUR VALENTINE

For a limited time, you can get this cute little kit (a $40 value) for just $10 with a $35 purchase. Oh my goodness, but it's a cutie!

The kit includes:

• A D-size stamp set, created just for this kit
• 12 die-cut and scored boxes, ready for you to put together
• 12 treat tubes (a little sneak peek of what's coming in the new Spring/Summer 2013 idea book)
• 1 sheet of glitter paper (another little sneak peek)
• 3 sheets of coordinating cardstock

And don't forget, that with a $50 purchase you can not only buy this lovely kit for $10, but you can also purchase the December Stamp of The Month, Year-Round Cheer, for just $5!

That's $15 for 2 D-size stamp sets, 12 die-cut boxes, 12 treat tubes, 1 sheet of glitter paper, and 3 sheets of cardstock!

If you have any questions or wish to purchase these fun sets, just click the "Shop With Me" button in the right-hand column of the page.