Happy almost Valentine’s Day! To celebrate one of my favorite holidays, I just had to create and share these treat toppers with you that I made using Honey Bee Stamps! I made a handful of these for my boys’ class Valentine’s Day party this week. Pretty simple to do!

I started by cutting the bases out of Soft Stone card stock, folded them in half, then ran it through my Big Shot with the stitched scalloped border die. I rounded the corners, and stamped the hat first. I created a mask of the hat so that I could stamp the penguin (More Flakey Friends) right on top to make it look as though he’s wearing it! Then I stamped all the hearts with red and black ink (some from Brush Grunge Alpha, and the others from Flakey Friends). I die cut the red hearts and banner, stamped the sentiment on the banner, and attached both to the base. That’s it! Very fun and cute. Oh, and the toppers are attached to the treat bags with some Scor-Tape.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I hope I’ve inspired you with ideas for this holiday or any future holidays!

Nicki
my instagram

Honey Bee Stamps - Let's Snuggle!

Good morning! Today I have a totally cool CAS card to share with you. I'm loving working with Honey Bee stamps....such fun stuff! ;)  I started with the sentiment. Isn't the word "Baby" just fabulous?! Love it. Underneath that, I stamped the scarf, and then the "let's snuggle up". It's from the Flakey Sentiments set, but I had to get creative and put the "let" in front of "snuggle up", then ink up just the "s" in "snuggle" to add it at the end of "let". Then I just drew in the apostrophe. I think it's such a cute sentiment! The scarf was colored in using some ink and a waterbrush.

Using several hearts from different stamp sets, I randomly stamped them, using both blue and red inks. A few snowflakes were added as well. For some finishing touches, I added Glossy Accents to the red hearts, and some Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins! The main panel is mounted to the base with foam tape.

I used the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch! Love it!

I hope you have enjoyed my creation today, and thanks for popping in to see me!

Nicki

Honey Bee Stamps Love You Card

Good morning! I'm thrilled to be sharing a Valentine's card with you using Honey Bee Stamps! This upcoming holiday is my favorite holiday to create cards for. Hearts always make me happy. They are so fun to work with!

I started by using a circle stencil and blending a light pink ink over it on watercolor paper. Then I flicked some water over the whole panel and let sit for a few minutes. Then, using a paper towel, I blotted the water droplets. Finally, the stamping happens! I used several different hearts from a few sets: Brush Grunge Alpha, Wonderland, and Flakey Friends. I stamped inside each circle with a heart or two using the same ink color for the blended background. To add some shimmer, I used Heidi Swapp's gold shimmer mist.

A strip of black and cream striped paper and gold foil card stock was layered and attached to the left side. I die cut the tag twice, once with watercolor paper, and once in the gold foil card stock. "Love you" was heat embossed using black embossing powder. The tags are adhered using foam tape.

I hope you LOVE my card and are inspired today! Happy crafting!

Nicki

Top Dog Dies Love Bird Card

Welcome back to another Top Dog Dies weekly post! I have an awesome Valentine's card to share with you.

This card uses a lot of different dies (see supplies list below for names/links)! The bird is from the brand new TDD release last week, Little Birds die set. The love banner and note is being 'carried' by the bird with the silver cord. The bird and envelope is popped up with foam tape for dimension. Hope you enjoy!!

Supplies:
Dies: Top Dog Dies - Little Birds, Signature Emerson Die, Vintage Alphabet Die, Heart Mini Album Finishers Die Set
Patterned Paper: Amy Tangerine - Plus One; Lawn Fawn - Let's Polka; Echo Park - Be Mine collection

Uniko Studio Challenge #17

Hi! Welcome to the first Uniko Studio Challenge of 2015!! To start our year, we've revamped the challenges to bring more variety and make it possible for everyone to participate. Yay! Here's the deets:

• Challenges will run for 2 weeks only and will begin on the 3rd Friday of each month
• You can use ANY stamps in the challenges
• You can enter as many times as you want and enter as many other challenges as you want combined with ours!

We are happy that we have some very creative Guest Designers joining us for this challenge! Just click on their names to take a browse around their amazing blogs.

Lynn
Lucy
Kitty

So this month our theme is Love and Friendship

Isn't is fun to create Valentine's Day cards?! I just can't get enough of hearts, hearts, hearts! I created the background pattern with the hollow heart and randomly stamped inside some of them with a smaller solid heart. Then, all the sentiments are embossed using black EP.

You have until Friday, January 30th, 2:00am CST, to link your card up on the Uniko Blog. 

How to WIN some Uniko gift vouchers!!

• The DT will choose a winner who will get a £20 Gift Voucher for Uniko Studio plus be invited to be a Guest Designer for our next challenge
• Our DT will also choose a top 3 and they will each get a £5 Gift Voucher
• If you do use a Uniko product we will do a random selected prize to win a £10 gift voucher

Supplies:
Stamps: Uniko Studio - All Occasions Sentiments #5, Always & Forever, Flower Power #3
Cardstock: PTI - White
Ink: PTI - Hibiscus Burst
Other: Black Embossing Powder

Top Dog Dies Love You Card

Hey there! I've got a giant-sized card to share today, LOL! (it measures 7.5" x 5.25")

As part of my DT duties for Top Dog Dies, I will be posting a card/project every Thursday here on my blog! I know it's Saturday today, but let's just say it slipped my mind! I hope you will stop by for a visit every week and let me know what you think!

I used the Top Dog Dies Lace Heart Border die and die cut it three times using different shades of pink. Next, I mounted them to a dark grey card stock base.

The large heart was die cut twice using vellum. I stamped the "Love You" sentiment on one of them, adhered dark grey sequins around it, then attached the piece to the other vellum piece. The panel was adhered to the base using foam tape.

Thanks for stopping by! Are you creating any fun things for the upcoming Valentine's holiday??

Supplies:
Stamps: Uniko Studio - Always & Forever
Cardstock: PTI - Smokey Shadow; Stampin' Up - Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red; Vellum.
Dies: Top Dog Dies - Heart Border Die, Heart Doily Die
Miscellaneous: Sequins, Foam Tape

Top Dog Dies Tutorial - Valentine's Day Banner

So for all these years that I've been blogging about my cards, I've never done a tutorial. I love watching video tutorials and reading other people's tutorials, but I thought I could never do that! Well, now that I'm on the Top Dog Dies design team, I am required to do one tutorial a month! So, my first one was posted the other day on the TDD blog. Be sure to check it out! I'm very proud of the project and the photos. Thanks to my hubby and his awesome camera for helping me out! ;)

Top Dog Dies V-day Banner Tutorial

Here's a few shots!!

 

Uniko Studio Revisited Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to the Uniko Studio Revisited blog hop using Accent Essentials: Arrows. See the image below for the full stamp set.

I'm so glad you came by for this awesome hop! I've been having a blast stamping some Valentine cards using the Accent Essentials: Arrows set, combined with the December release stamps!

This first card is actually pretty simple to make. The background is sprayed with Glimmer Mist. Once that was dry, I stamped the arrows in a pattern using black ink. The heart is also stamped in black, and popped up with foam tape. I absolutely LOVE how this turned out! I wish you could see the detail of the glimmer mist...it has such a pretty shimmer to it when the light hits it just the right way. Couldn't capture that with the camera unfortunately.

My second card has lots going on, LOL! This is totally not my usual style, and I'm really not too crazy about it, but thought I would share it with you anyway.

The pattern on the right side was created using the solid arrow shape from the set. The tiny hearts are from the Flower Power #3 set. Valentine and the arrows are heat embossed with white powder. I colored on top of the arrows with pink colored pencils. The vertical strip is silver glitter tape.

I hope I inspired you in some way today! Enjoy hopping along! Your next stop is Ren-Yi. Be sure to comment on each stop because one lucky winner will receive the Accent Essentials: Arrows stamp set, AND a £5 gift certificate to Uniko Studio!! You have until midnight Tues, Jan 14th to enter for a chance to win.

BLOG HOP LIST:

Beverley (Uniko Studio)
Amber

Erika

Gayatri
Nicki - THAT'S ME!!
Ren-Yi

Stacey

Taheerah

Supplies: 
Love You card:
Stamps: Uniko Studio - Accent Essentials: Arrows, Always & Forever
Cardstock: PTI - Soft Stone
Ink: Staz-on - Black
Other: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Scarlet; Foam Dimensionals

Valentine card:
Stamps: Uniko Studio - Accent Essentials: Arrows, All Occasion Sentiments #5, Always & Forever, Flower Power #3
Cardstock: PTI - White; SU - grey from my stash!
Ink: PTI - Smokey Shadow; SU - Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Other: Sweet Stamps - white embossing powder; Glitter Ribbon - Recollections; Colored Pencils

Uniko Studio December Release!!

The day is HERE! It's the Uniko Studio December Release & Reveal. Are you ready to see the NEW products that are NOW available to purchase on the Uniko website?!?!

All Occasion Sentiments #5 £4.95

Copyright Uniko Studio 2013

www.unikostudio.co.uk

First up is All Occasion Sentiments #5. This series has been very popular and so it would have been rude not to have a LOVE themed set in the series! As you can see from the image above it features 8 stamps in lovely trendy & modern fonts. It is also suitable for other occasions such as weddings, engagements & anniversary cards as well as Valentine's Day. The size of the sentiments are perfectly sized to work with sentiments contained in the 4 preceding All Occasion Sentiment sets in the series.

Next we have another mini set called Always & Forever...

Always & Forever £4.95

Copyright Uniko Studio 2013

www.unikostudio.co.uk

As you can see the set features two focal image hearts AND one of the hearts coordinates with the flower from the previously released & VERY popular Beautiful Blooms 1 clear stamp set. The set also contains an accent heart & variety of Love themed sentiments.

So what do you think?! Aren't they just FANTASTIC!! :D

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts.....I LOVE THEM! I've always been drawn to hearts, and I never get tired of using them on cards. So, I took full advantage of Uniko's awesome set, Always & Forever. I stamped both large heart images twice, in two different colors, fussy cut them, and popped them up with foam tape. The sentiment is stamped on white cardstock, cut out, silver Stickles added to the edge, and popped up. Finally, the bottom corners are rounded with a punch. That's it!

Couple more things you don't want to miss:

Don't forget to comment along the hop as one lucky commenter will win the entire release along with a little Christmas surprise! You have until midnight Friday, Dec 13th to comment for a chance to win & Beverley at Uniko Studio will announce the winner on the blog & the Facebook page.

One last little thing for all you Release Day Uniko Studio Fans:
 

BLOG HOP LIST:

Beverley (Uniko Studio)

Aimes

Gayatri
Nicki - THAT'S ME!!

Stacey

Taheerah

Gillian

Supplies: 
Stamps: Uniko Studio - All Occasion Sentiments #5, Always & Forever
Cardstock: PTI - White
Ink: SU - Almost Amethyst; PTI - Royal Velvet
Other: Stickles - Silver, Foam Tape

Uniko Studio December Intro - Always & Forever

Welcome back for another product intro for Uniko Studio's December Release!

This stamp set is called "Always & Forever" and is another LOVE theme, which like yesterday's set can be used all year round for a variety of occasions and not just Valentine's Day. It also features a flower from a previously released & VERY popular set which will add SO many more possibilities.

I have another simple card to share with you today. I absolutely LOVE this stamp set, and wanted to feature the "love YOU" on this card. It is embossed with gold embossing powder and popped up with foam tape. I used one of the small sentiments and stamped it over and over to form a square frame around the heart. The last finishing touch is a bow using grosgrain ribbon :)

I'm so glad you stopped in today! Be sure to check out the other design team members' projects!!

Beverley (Uniko Studio)

Aimes

Gayatri
Nicki - THAT'S ME!!

Stacey

Taheerah

Gillian (Dec guest designer)

Supplies: 
Stamps: Uniko Studio Always & Forever
Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream; DCWV - Textured Pink
Ink: PTI - Smoky Shadow
Other: Gold Embossing Powder (Stampendous), PTI Grosgrain Ribbon, Foam Tape

Uniko Studio December Intro - All Occasion Sentiments #5

I'm SO happy you've stopped by today! Uniko Studio is in full swing and counting down the days to the December Release, which is the 11th at 9am GMT (3am Central), where both the products you've seen Sneak Peeks for and those being introduced today and tomorrow will be available for purchase HERE.

Today's introduction is #5 in the All Occasion Sentiment series. This set is all about LOVE but not just Valentine's. It'll work for occasions all year round!

One of my favorite color combos is kraft, red, and black. It seems to be popular with Valentine/Love themes, so I decided to use it on today's card.

It's a very simple, one layer CAS card. I started by stamping "LOVE" in the vertical center of the card, then stamped it again on either side. I did the same with the arrows, and the red hearts below. The arrow was taken from the Accent Essentials: Arrows stamp set---such a great match to use with this new set!! The red heart is from another December new release set (you'll see more tomorrow!). Finally, the small black heart is from the Flower Power #3 stamp set.

A few members of the Design Team also have projects to share with you today, along with the Guest Designer for December, Gillian from Made With Sparkle. For lots more peeks at this set and fabulous inspiration, be sure to visit the blogs listed below!

Beverley (Uniko Studio)

Aimes

Gayatri
Nicki - THAT'S ME!!

Stacey

Taheerah

Gillian

Supplies: 
Stamps: Uniko Studio All Occasion Sentiments #5, Accent Essentials: Arrows, Flower Power #3 (small heart)
Cardstock: SU: Kraft
Ink: SU - Real Red; Staz-On - Black

Uniko Studio December Sneak Peek 2

Welcome back for Uniko Studio December Sneak Peek 2! I just can't wait for you guys to see this entire set! I absolutely LOVE it! It's been so much fun to play with...

This little set has SO many possibilities just on its own, but pair it with yesterday's peek for even more. PLUS this little set breathes new life into a previously released and popular clear stamp set - any guesses to what set that might be?

Schedule....

Sat, Dec 7th - Sneak Peek 1

Sun, Dec 8th - Sneak Peek 2

Mon, Dec 9th - Introduction 1

Tues, Dec 10th - Introduction 2

Wed, Dec 11th - Release & Reveal Design Team Blog Hop!!!

Uniko Studio December Sneak Peek 1

Hello crafty peeps! It's that time again for a countdown to the Uniko Studio December Release!

I think this Sneak Peek indicates the next set in a popular series, this time it features some LOVE themed sentiments perfect for a variety of occasions & not just Valentine's Day. Pair them with sentiments from the previously released sets in the series for even MORE possibilities! Can't wait to introduce this little set, not long to wait!

Be sure to stop here again tomorrow for another sneak peek. Below is the schedule....

Sat, Dec 7th - Sneak Peek 1

Sun, Dec 8th - Sneak Peek 2

Mon, Dec 9th - Introduction 1

Tues, Dec 10th - Introduction 2

Wed, Dec 11th - Release & Reveal Design Team Blog Hop!!!

Valentine's Cards and More Valentine's Cards

I have a few more Valentine's Day cards to share with you. Like I said in my previous post, I could make Valentine's/heart cards all year long!

I decided to make some cards to send to Grandparents and an Aunt. No, I'm not talking about MY Grandparents or MY Aunt, but to my unborn babies' grandparents and aunt!! I haven't made this news public here on the blog yet, so I thought this would be a good chance to do so. My husband and I are expecting twin boys this spring! So I thought it would be cute to send V-day cards from them to our family (this explains the 'be my valentine' stamped twice)!

For all of these, I used the Papertrey Ink set Heart 2 Heart #3, and the sentiment is from the Fillable Frames #11 set. Enjoy, and hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

All You Need is Love - Valentine's Card

Just popping in real quick to share a lovey dovey Valentine's card. This is my FAVORITE holiday to create cards for....I can't get enough of hearts ;)

I used a PTI set called Heart 2 Heart #3, and the sentiment is from the Fillable Frames #11 set. I hope you can find some inspiration from my CAS card!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI - Heart 2 Heart #3, Fillable Frames #11 (sentiment)
Cardstock: PTI - White; Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler, Kraft
Ink: Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler; PTI - Classic Kraft
Other: Button - PTI; Sew Easy Tool & Embroidery Floss

I Just Can't Live Without You...

Hey there! I need to share this Valentine-y card with you! I created this for my submission to the 2012 Spellbinders Design Team, but unfortunately I was not chosen to continue to the next round :(

I then submitted it to one of Paper Crafts magazine calls, but it wasn't chosen for that either.

So, can I get some LOVE for this card?! hehe. Anyway--I still really like this one, and it's fun to create my own little sentiments to fit just right on the Spellbinders banner dies.

Wanna know a little secret about the heart??

Well...I created it using just two of the stamps from the Papertrey Ink stamp set, Modern Basics! One is the cluster of three solid shapes (used for the two points of the heart), and the other is just one solid shape, that I easily rotated to fill in the curved left and right sides of the heart.

Can you see what I'm talking about?? I know...it's hard to explain with just words. If you need more explanation, just let me know in the comments section and I'll do my best to assist you! I dabbed some Liquid Pearls on the heart to give it some shine, and finished it off with a Prima Flower in the center.

Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream; Stampin Up-Cherry Cobbler.
Stamps: PTI Modern Basics
Ink: Stampin Up-Cherry Cobbler
Other: Flower-Prima; Ranger Industries: Liquid Pearls - Platinum Pearl
Dies: Spellbinders

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Hey! It's time for a Papertrey Blog Hop! I'm excited to be participating in this one because it's been quite a while since I joined in on all the fun.

The challenge this time is to pick your favorite project from 2011 and share it. To take it a step further, you are also challenged to create a second card that is inspired by the favorite project you select.

Pretty fun, huh?! I had a tough time choosing just ONE project...there are several that I really love, but decided on this (See original blog post with additional photos)

For my new card, I used the same concept of the square card with a die cut from the center, and another die-cut used as a frame. This time the card is larger, measuring 5.5" x 5.5". I used the Delightful Doilies set, which is one I should really use more often because I just love it! Also used the coordinating doilies dies.

The main doily was stamped with VersaMark ink on PTI white cardstock, then embossed with white ep. I used two Tim Holtz Distress Inks to apply color with the ink blending tool, alternating between pink and red. The doily is popped up with some dimensionals.

The small center element is from the DD set as well. It's die-cut, and then stamped using the "Love" sentiment from Gracious Vases, and popped up with dimensionals. To make it complete, I scored about 1/4" along each edge of the card front!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my project today...thanks for stoppin' by!!

Stamps: PTI - Delightful Doilies, Gracious Vases
Cardstock: PTI - White
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress - Fired Brick, Victorian Velvet
Dies: PTI - Delightful Doilies
Embossing Powder: Sweet Stamps (white)

DeNami Valentine Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the next stop on the DeNami Valentine Blog Hop!

If you're arriving from Michele's fabulous blog, then you're right on track. If you stumbled over here or are lost and want to start at the beginning, you can start by heading over to the DeNami Blog!

If you'd like a chance to win one of THREE $20 gift certificates to the DeNami website, BE SURE to leave a comment on every blog! DeNami will be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant, and they'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop! You have until Monday, January 9th, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs to be eligible for a prize.

Ok, on to the Craftiness! I will make this short and sweet because I know you have a lot of blogs to visit!

I made a card set with a matching envelope using this tutorial by Amber. If you are not familiar with Amber's work, I highly encourage you to check out her blog. Two words to describe her: CREATIVE GENIUS

I also am entering this in the Young Crafters Unite Challenge #5 - Clean & Simple.

Stamps

DeNami

Hearts Petit Fours Stamp Set

Zigzag Stitch Border

Thoughtful Greetings Petit Fours Stamp Set (You're special)

Mini Heart

Papertrey Ink

Fillable Frames #11 (be my valentine sentiment)

Diecut - Banner Builder Collection

White Cardstock 

Black Buttons

Stampin' Up

Rose Red, Basic Black, and Going Gray Cardstock

Silver Embossing Powder

Rose Red Ink

Silver Cord

Other

Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder

StazOn Jet Black Ink

Tsukineko Brilliance Pigment Ink - Starlite Silver

I hope you got some inspiration from my Valentine project!

I had such a great time working on these, I want to make more! ;-)

Now, on to your next wonderful creation at

Pam Wendt's Blog!

Paper Therapy Challenge #20 - Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!

***If you're here for the DeNami Blog Hop, please scroll down to the previous post***

...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!...

Whatever your day might bring, I hope you have some extra special time to spend with your Valentine and those you love. Dave and I celebrated on Saturday night and went to a new restaurant. It was great food and it was just nice to go out for a lovely dinner together since we haven't done that for awhile.

How appropriate is it that this week's Paper Therapy Challenge is to make a Valentine?! I put together this card last week right after I spent a few hours mosying through Hobby Lobby. I tend to forget to shop there! They really have some good stuff! I had a list of things I needed (ok ok....Wanted), and I was able to get a lot of it! So, this is my Valentine's card. I am so proud that I 'put aside' my perfectionistic ways on this one, and was able to layer some paper on an angle, in no specific, 'just straight on' way. Does that make ANY sense at all?!?! I really had so much fun making this card. I love trying out new techniques and supplies. :) I hope you enjoy it and have gotten some inspiration from it!

I am so glad you stopped by today! Let me know what you think!

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - French Script

Cardstock: SU - Pink Passion
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!

Ink: SU - Whisper White. Tsukineko Versa Magic - Jumbo Java

Other: Hobby Lobby- Doily, Ribbon, Pearl Brad. Liquid Pearls - Platinum Pearl

Paper Therapy Challenge #19 - Color

Good morning blog followers! I have another card to share with you today for the next Paper Therapy Challenge! It's a color challenge, and in my opinion, a GREAT combo of colors,

especially for this time of year!!

So of course I had to do a Valentine card. It's one of my favorite holidays to make cards for. I have

been on a clean and simple kick lately, and I am just loving this card! I stamped the heart three times, and cut them out. I die cut 3 squares using SB Nesties, and then ran them through the Wizard again with embossing folders. Then, I used a Tim Holtz Ink Blending Tool to apply ink to the raised part

of the embossed pieces. So fun! Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "from the bottom of my heart"

in a straight line across the middle of the card!

I really appreciate you taking the time to visit me today!

I would love to know what you think about my card! Any feedback is greatly appreciated ;-)

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Hearts: Love It; from the bottom of my heart: A Light Heart

Cardstock: SU - Whisper White

Ink: SU - Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace

Other: Nesties Squares, Just My Type CB Emb. Folder Border, Tiny Mosaic CB Emb. Folder, Ink Blending Tool, Button, Twine, Dimensionals