Robot Valentines

I got this idea from Family Fun Magazine and just tweeked it to suit my needs. For the base, I used a box of candy hearts. I printed out the saying using the computer onto colored cardstock. The eyes are lifesavers and the arms are paperclips. Then I used mints as the feet. To attach everything, I used glue dots. After awhile, the robots would fall over. So I had to reinforce the mints with a glue gun. It was Connor's idea to add the googly eyes. I found the upc codes on the back of some cardstock that I had bought from Archiver's a long time ago. I just peeled them off, trimmed them to size, and glued them onto the robots. I like the way they turned out, but they were not cheap to make. All that candy started to add up!!!

Tuxedo and Dress Wedding Card

I had a horrible time coming up with a wedding card that I liked. All my stamps or cutting files were old-fashioned----intricate wedding cakes, bouquets, wedding rings, bells, doves, etc. I wanted something more contemporary. I found the perfect solution on a blog by Lori Stamps. Lori even has provided a template that you can download and use! Thank you, Lori, for sharing your template and design with us. To see Lori's card and to get the free template, go here:

http://www.loristamps.com/lori_stamps/2009/09/bride-and-groom-card.html

For the tuxedo, I used some subtle striped black scrapbooking paper I found at Archiver's. I was tempted to buy some really fancy, glittery paper for the bridal dress, but I remembered that I am on a mission to use what I already have this year. So I just used plain white cardstock and embossed it with my cuttlebug with a swirl pattern and a daisy pattern. Then I added some pearls and prima flowers for the finishing touch.

I DIG U!

I made these adorable Valentine's for my son's preschool class last year. Since many of us are doing our Valentine planning right now, I thought I would share them with you again. I got the original idea from Family Fun Magazine, but then I tweeked it! Here's the example from Family Fun:

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/a-sweet-shovel-669977/

Materials: plastic shovels, ribbon, designer paper, cardstock, plastic bags, candy, stamps, ink

****You may have trouble finding plastic shovels in the stores at this time of year. Check out Oriental Trading Co. or Ebay. I bought mine on Ebay last year.

I cut out tags and glued patterned heart paper on them. To add some dimension, I cut out a few heart off of the patterned paper and added them to the tag with some pop dots. The "I Dig U!" was stamped with Stampin' Up's Crayon Fun Alphabet, but you can also print out the phrase on your computer. I attached the baggies to the shovels with string and then attached the tag. I used multiple colors and patterns of ribbon to give it some extra flair.

Holiday Shoebox Swap

by Holly

by Chris

by Yoo-rah

by Tammy

by Letitia

by Shelley

by Rae Anne

by Michelle C.

by Michelle B.

by Mary

by Liz

by Lisa

by Kristy

by Kirsten

by Katrina

by Jen

by Julie

by Denise

by Dee

by Christy F.

by Joan

by Celina

This past weekend, I was the organizer of a Christmas-themed Shoebox Swap. We held the event at Lone Star Retreat and Event Center in Georgetown. It is a great place and I highly recommend their facilities. We had 24 stations set up---one for each participant. Each participant designed a card and cut up all the pieces for the others to make it. Then we rotated from spot to spot and made one anothers' cards. It's like centers in school, but for adults!!! If you ever have a chance to participate in one of these events, I highly recommend it. If you are interested in attending one in the future, let me know because plans are already in the making for another one.

Goldfish Soap In A Bag

Remember winning goldfish at the carnival "back in the day"? My son is having a carnival themed birthday party and I made these as prizes for the goldfish booth. The kids have to throw ping pong balls in little water-filled fish bowls. When they win, they get their own fish for a prize. I think it's a more animal-friendly prize because those poor goldfish would always die as soon as you got home. Now they can peel off the plastic wrapping and take a bath with it! Stay tuned for more party creations!

Austin Shoebox Swap Doorprize

Here is my doorprize for the Austin Area Shoebox Swap that was held this weekend. I used a Lauren Meader template for the stationery box. I got the clear paint can from Archiver's and added some designer paper (K & Company), a belly band, and ribbon to give it some extra pizazz. I filled the paint can with fun ivory/black embelllishments from Archiver's.

Big Top Invitations

Here are the invitations I made for my son's circus/carnival themed birthday party. I really wanted to use red and white striped paper for the tent, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I think I like the mulit-colored striped paper better after all. For the clown, I used the Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge. I love that cartridge because it's so versatile. The peanut on the inside of the card was made from a bikini top on the Cricut. I just cut off the straps to the bikini, drew some lines, and sponged it with brown ink. You probably can't tell from the photo, but the balloons are shiny. I made them shiny by adding crystal effects. I made 30 invitations and it took me 3 weeks. I am so glad to finally get to work on something else!