To My Dear One Vintage Valentine Card & Sneak Peeks

The first year we stayed at the condo in Harrisonburg, Virginia, we took a side jaunt into Richmond to visit the Museum of the Confederacy. Back in the day when I had my Civil War book business, we would work in the Richmond area several times a year, so we were quite familiar with all the wonders to behold there. I was anxious to revisit this particular museum as I remembered some of the fascinating artifacts they had on display. As I wandered though the rooms, always behind the Penmaker's pace, I came across a Civil War era Valentine. I included it my post back in 2012 here, after our return home. It was a beauty, and I was amazed that it was handmade with papers not unlike what we are still creating.

Today my valentine card is a combination of old and new. Not as old as that Civil War one, but still vintage. It pops up to form a 3-D card and has that old-time romantic look about it. 

I love the smudges and stains.

I added my old valentine onto a new card base and gave it some modern embellishments. 

I adore this card!

It truly takes me back to another time and some great memories.

Now, Idea-ology Sneak Peeks...

Aren't these items fabulous? I can hardly wait until they start shipping them out.

Thanks for stopping by!

With All My Heart Valentine Card & Sneak Peeks from Alterations

If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever. -

Alfred Lord Tennyson

I am a true romantic. There's something in my soul that makes me want to say "I love you" over and over to my sweetheart grandchildren, kids, and and my husband. What sheer joy to hand them a Valentine card that says it in writing! A written expression of my love for them!

I'm having a ball making Valentine cards this year. What is it about this year? Maybe the fact that I'm older and want to express my love even more. I'm not sure. I'm really enjoying the whole process, though, and I love sharing them with you.

This 4" x 5.5" ivory based card is made mostly with scraps of leftover papers of various collections... some Cosmo Cricket, Echo Park, My Mind's Eye, and one text pattern I'm not sure about. I think the ribbon came in an old Cupcards To Go kit. The with all my heart 3-D sticker and red glittered Love ephemera piece are MME Record It Heirloom. The two-tone rose is from I Am Roses. The lace is from my stash. I cut the hearts with Spellbinders Classic Hearts die set.

Now, how about some sneak peeks!

Sizzix Alterations

As I said the other day, I'm only previewing the new product that I've added to my want list. You can check out the entire new line at Tim's blog. I can tell you, there's really some cool new stuff coming. If you want some creative inspiration for the new year? Here it is!

Happy viewing!

And by the way... CHA/Creativation starts today!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Valentine Wall Hanging & Some Sneak Peeks

How about a bit of decor today?

My daughter asked me to create a piece of hanging paper art for her. Using the specs she gave me, I made her this Valentine wall hanging. Not totally paper though. The base is a thin piece of 6x9 chipboard covered with Warm & Natural needled cotton batting.

This is great stuff... as you can see by the label it's an ideal batting for quilt making, as I know so many of you do. I bought my package of W&N a couple of years ago for a sewing project, but have used the bulk of the package mixed with patterned paper for mini albums, cards, etc. I love the look it adds to an otherwise plain paper project. It gives some wonderful texture and warmth. If you Google it, you can find it nearly anywhere. I bought mine from our nearby Joann's store.

I made the banner from it as well, adding on the LOVE letters cut with Alterations Vintage Market Alphabet Strip, and tied with pink May Arts burlap string. (Side note: As per the sneak peeks at the end of this post... there are some fabulous new alpha dies coming soon.)

She wanted a Song of Solomon verse and I chose 2:4. 

The paper collection is My Mind's Eye Record It Heirloom with some bits of various other scraps from my Valentine stash. I cut the doily with Tim Holtz Thinlits Doily die.

My image is a digi. The frame was cut with Tim's Ornate Frame 2.

The florals are a combination of I Am Roses, Recollections roses from Michaels (These came in the Michael's round tins just loaded with a variety of sizes and shades as well as a stash of beautiful green leaves. I got them on clearance and bought all they had), foliage cut with Thinlits Garden Greens, and a bow of the pink burlap string.

Beside them along the left edge of the hanging, is a strip of white tulle and pearl trim. I added a couple half pearls to the frame to match.

The silver heart key is from my stash and might be from Linda's shop The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I finished the wall hanging with eyelets in the top corners and threaded through some pink Celebrate It ribbon from Michaels.

You are all probably aware of Tim's Sneak Peeks on his blog these last two weeks. In case you missed them, I want to show you a couple of my favorites from the Stampers Anonymous line that have been moved to my want list.

Stampers Anonymous

This is just a start. I'd like to show you more of what's coming in the next few months. Please check back.
Only one more day to CHA/Creativation 2017! I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Valentine

I'm off and running... Valentine card season has begun. "Already?", you say. Well, consider we have nine grandchildren, four children with spouses, a parent, and numerous other family and friends... yeah, I really needed to start already.

My new paper stock just arrived on Friday, so you won't see anything made with that until later this week. I began with whatever I had left from last year which is an older collection from My Mind's Eye that I simply adore called Heirloom from their Lost & Found Record It series. I had some from a pervious year and hunted all over until I finally found someone still selling the 12x12 sheets. Now I'm nearly out again. I wonder if I can find more. I'm not ready at all to give this collection up.

I altered a layered sticker from the collection, added some vintage lace from my stash and topped it with a border strip I cut with Alterations Thinlits Stitched Rectangles set in white glittered paper.

The little girl is fussy cut from a piece from the ephemera pack. The doily was cut with Sizzix Vintage Doily. The gorgeous pink ribbon is from Michaels and the flowers are by I Am Roses.

"Sweet" is another ephemera piece layered with a scrap (popped up with 3-D foam adhesive) of the text paper from the 6x6 paper pad that I used as my base mat.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy 2017 Card

Oops! One more wintery card to show you. Here I thought I was all done with the Bo Bunny Whiteout... but I guess not! I created this one for our friends, the Matzkes, a father and son team that partner with our son on some of his movie and podcast ventures.

"Happy" was cut with Alterations Thinlits Celebrations Words and 2017 with Vintage Market Alphabet Strip die using Tim's Kraft-Core Metallic paper.

The white card base is 4" x 5.5" and the blue cardstock is from Echo Park. The blue rhinestone in the center of my fussy cut mug is by TPC Studio. 

Now I'm positive I'm done with this collection for this year as it's all neatly packed away!

 I had the opportunity to work with Andy (the son of the famous duo) at one of our son's events this last year. Can you tell... I love kids!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Snowy Thank You Card

Hello, friends! Happy Monday!

Just 9 days until "Creativation" (formally CHA) begins. I love this time of year when all the new product is showcased and I'm pushed to my limit of not ordering every single paper collection, die, and ink pad that dances before my eyes. I eagerly wait for each and every video to go live so I can be inspired and challenged. I'm counting down the days!!!

I'm definitely desiring some new papers right now. I've put away my winter collections and have pulled out my "Love" stuff for Valentine cards. Unfortunately I have very little left from 2016. Good excuse to shop, right?

This is the last of my Christmas gift thank you cards made with Kaisercraft's Frosted and Bo Bunny's Whiteout. I have truly enjoyed working with these two collections, and I have enough to put by for next year.

Thanks for stopping by!