Valentine...

I'm running later than planned with posting this year's valentines, but better late than never, I suppose. A few unexpected occurrences the week of Valentine's Day (our refrigerator, already on its last leg, decided to completely fizzle three days before the new one was due to arrive) and a cold/flu last week that sent me scurrying beneath the covers for three days of solid nothingness (such an unusual occurrence here!) has meant that I'm just now playing catch up.

My friend requested I make a gift bag for her nephew for Christmas with an elephant on it. I used one of the cute elephants from WPlus9, "Unforgettable" and added a Santa hat diecut to make it a bit more festive. It was quite sparkly in real life with Diamond Stickles added to each of the snowflakes and the white trim on the hat. The "merry" was cut from DCWV green glitter paper.

I am sharing this bag because when it came time to think about Valentines, I knew just what I wanted to make for her.  I admit I do have a soft spot for cute animals, and when Birdie Brown's "Adorable Elephants" was finally in stock, it was destined to have a home in the Attic. Every now and then I design a valentine that has lots of layers and is specifically a "love" type of card. Usually I tend to gravitate toward valentine designs that can be remade for other occasions, often times with a simple sentiment. This is one such design, that by simply leaving off "valentine," could be sent for all types of reasons:

And inside, quite simply:

That she does. Every day. On all types of occasions, in all ways, and always! And she is loved!

Hugs,

Materials:

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White; SSS Sea Glass; Ranger Distress Watercolor Paper

Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants"

Dies: MFT "Stacked Cloud Edges"; TE "Frame in Frame"; ME "Happy Valentine's Day", "All Prettied Up"

        SSS "Stacked Hearts"

Ink: Peacock Feathers; Broken China; Versafine Onyx Black

Other: Prismacolor Pencils; Wink of Stella; Glossy Accents; SSS Asst'd Moonshine Sequins

Can't Make Just One!

Pretty Pink Posh is hosting a Valentine Challenge to create a card or project inspired by one of their designers. I am relatively new to this line, but really fell for their products during their second birthday celebration as I saw the lovely things their designers had created for the festivities. And, of course, I ordered some new things, too!

My project was inspired by Liz' card; I love red and white crispness for Valentine's Day and I couldn't resist those sweet animals. As an added bonus, dh just so happened to give me the set, "Holiday Pals" for Christmas, one he carefully selected from the quite lengthy wish list I provided so whatever I received would be a surprise. I admire that he really does review the entire list to select his favorite (he does go for cute, like me), what he thinks is my most wished for item, or in most cases as his rational mind dictates, what he feels I will use the most...

Since I have been participating in a local scrapbooking group, I have wanted to make favors for the different holidays, but for one reason or another, never managed to complete them in time. I had watercolored several of the images from the new stamp set for the first couple of days of Kathy's 30 Day Coloring Challenge, and while doing so, thought about Valentine treats for the girls. Once I saw the above challenge, I knew just what I wanted to make!

The Lawn Fawn "Milk Carton" and Penny Black "Love Always" dies, teamed up with some gingham checks and a cute animal, and they're perfect for some Valentine M&M's and Dove chocolate hearts. The SSS "Small Heart Doily" created a great accent for the sweet animals. I first made one, and then it turned into six! Each carton featured a different animal with added spots of Diamond Stickles to the bird tummies, bunny tails, and the hat brims and pompoms for a bit of Valentine's sparkle. 

And here they are all lined up, just before being delivered to the girls at our monthly gathering.

These were so much fun to make that I decided to give them to friends also. So, lots more die cutting and assembly, and here are seven more already delivered to loved ones.

I am also entering this project in the Simon Says Flickr Challenge #38, Lots of Love.

Thanks for stopping by the Attic today; I so appreciate your visit. Wishing each of you a very Happy Valentine's Day surrounded by those you love!

Hugs,

Materials Used:

Paper: Recollections cardstock; Hobby Lobby Gingham Check; Red cardstock from the scrap basket

          Memory Box B&W check and red & white dots; Strathmore Watercolor Paper

Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh - "Holiday Pals"

Dies: Lawn Fawn "Milk Carton"; Penny Black "Love Always"; Simon Says Stamp "Small Heart Doily"

Ink: Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens; Versafine Black

Other: Heart Confetti; Lawn Fawn Trimmings "Red Sparkle"; Twinery Twine; Recollections Binder Clips