More Valentine's

Well now that the grandbabies Valentine's projects are out of the way I can concentrate on the girls. They may be in their 20's but they still like to get handmade surprises from mum.




I saw this on a Christian website and loved how they used letters from the verse of scripture - John 3:16 - to spell out VALENTINE. I know this picture is quite pale so I hope it comes out ok in the wash (so to speak).

I kept the colours pale pink and girlie because I thought Vicky would like it that way. Again it's a very simple card. I re-created the play on words text on my computer (easy once you know how - and now I do), double mounted the block, added the 'me to you' bear cut from a tag, added some ribbon over a background paper and there you have it!


My inspiration came from these Belgian chocolates I bought for the girls last weekend in Sainsbury's. They already feature the 'me to you' bear so I simply combined this with the text idea. Since one of them is blue I shall do one exactly the same for Jessica in a pale blue colour scheme.

I was annoyed because I couldn't find my silver grey 'me to you' text ribbon for Vicky's but I managed to find the blue for Jess. These can be purchased in any quality card shop alongside the wrap and tags and are great for crafting. I just love to create a 'wrap' for boxes or bars of chocolate - it's such a nice way to give a simple but pretty gift.

TIP: Buy a tag and a card of 'me to you' ribbon and create your own handmade card for a fraction of a purchased one. You'll have plenty of ribbon left over for other projects.

If you buy a sheet of 'paper' and ribbon you can cut the design from scraps of paper so you get a handmade card, tag and still get to wrap your gift to match. Watch this space for a simple gift bag tutorial later this year and you'll be able to make a gift bag from the wrap as well! Gotta love a bargain girlies!!!!!

All I have to do now is finish Jessica's gift and then do one for my darling hubby.

1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Valentine's

I decided this morning to make some VERY quick and VERY simple Valentine's Day cards for my 3 grandchildren. I usually give them some kind of treat and they love opening the cards and pressies.

I simply used 4 stamps to stamp onto white cardstock and then cut them out roughly. Then I mounted these onto coloured cardstock and a further punched white cardstock to create an embellishment block. Once I had the basic block designed I just had to have fun adding it to each card and changing it around a bit.

I made a pink one - for our little Maddycakes obviously.

I made a blue one for my eldest grandson. I kept it almost the same - no arguments that way.

And I made the orange one for my youngest grandson. They should all look pretty cute lined up on the shelf once they open them. Since the front says 'love' I plan to put a liner inside thats says 'YOU!'.

I created a further card so I could tuck it into a basket of goodies to give away to someone or to take to work for Valentine's as well. I did this one horizontally so I could see how it worked that way.


As it happens I need a baby boy card for a colleague that's just had a little boy and with a bit of extra work this design might look cute. I love when I get inspired for something else as I create one thing.

Blue Doodlebug!

I am still playing with these papers but I wanted to share my creations so far.

Since I used pretty pink and orange doodlebug papers for Maddy's third b'day, I decided to do something for Zacheriah's eighth b'day next month. I know Doodlebug may be bright and a bit 'in your face' but they work really well for kids. I just loved the blue and green papers which were soooo perfect for a b'day boy!

I started with a recycled box. I am a bit of a 'pack rat' who collects anything I think might come in useful so I was thrilled when I stumbled across this box in a cupboard.

I had obviously flattened it out and saved it for a revamp!

I began by adding coloured panels over the existing (and somewhat tacky) decoration. Thankfully the background box was white otherwise this might not have worked so well!

Then I added some ribbon and used a sticker from a sheet to create an embellishment on the front.

Since it was for a b'day and I planned to fill it with all kinds of goodies - Maddy had great fun digging through her box - the presents sticker worked well. I plan to add a b'day rhyme to the top so I haven't quite finished it yet but you get the idea.

Then I decided I needed a birthday card to go with it. Zach always appreciates my handmade cards so hopefully he'll like this one.

Of course I couldn't stop there so I created a mini card and then a scrapbook page ready for a few b'day photos.

This is still a page in progress because I have brads, buttons and a few crystal words to add but I want to get photos in place before I do.

I purchased one stripey paper, 1 circled paper, 1 matching sticker sheet and used scraps from my stash to create all of these. I still have plenty left to create another card or two yet!

I even managed to find green and blue stripey wrapping paper to wrap his other presents in so the whole thing will be colour co-ordinated. I just love when things match!

Now all I have to do is find lots of little treats to fill this box and wait for 2 weeks until his b'day arrives and I can actually give it to him!!! Patience has NEVER been one of my strengths!

A Higher Love

Valentine's Day will shortly be upon us and while we don't need a special day to tell someone we love them, I wonder how many of us think of the many different kinds of love we each have in our lives?

There is of course a very special love like that of mother and child. There is the love between a husband and wife. And then of course the love of family and friends.

I am blessed enough to know a further kind of love; the one of a Heavenly Father for His precious child. This love is particularly dear to me, not only because of God's sacrifice even though I don't deserve it; but also because my father died a few months before I was born so I never got to know a Father's love growing up.

I saw this recently on the Dayspring website which is my favourite Christian site for e-cards and wanted to share it. It is entitled 'Your Divine Valentine' and can be found here: http://store.dayspring-store.com/yodivapr.html

Your Divine Valentine

A Valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe.

The Lord your God....will rejoice over you with gladness, He will keep you quiet with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

A Valentine may give you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all, Jesus.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1

A Valentine may take you out to dinner, but God has invited you to the most amazing feast ever given.

Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Revelation 19:9

A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

A Valentine may be far away, but God is always with you.

I am with you always. Matthew 28:20

A Valentine may give you something, but God has given you everything.

God gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born & will love you for all eternity!

Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love...with loving-kindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3

Written by: Hollie Gerth

Box (with Handle) Tutorial

Finally I am able to post this tutorial for those of you who have been patiently waiting. I am actually getting pretty adept at left (one) handed photography too!

This is what the finished box will look like.

Supplies we used in class:

1 12"x 12" cardstock plus 1 strip 1" x 12" to match

2 half sheets 12"x 12" patterned papers

1 2.5"x 12" strip patterned paper (stripe or spot design works well)

2 brads

2-3 ribbons 7" in length each

black permanent marker & inkpad (optional)

Begin by measuring in 4" from the left and scoring a line from top to bottom. Repeat working from the right side in to create 3 even columns.

Turn paper 90 degrees and repeat to produce a tic, tac, toe board (noughts and crosses), i.e. 3 rows of 3 squares.Working on the bottom row, cut up 4" on score line (to left of centre square in a row of 3). Turn paper 90 degrees and repeat.

Repeat until you have made 4 equal cuts and it looks like this.

Fold well along all score lines.

Turn over cardstock so that 'peak' folds are displayed and mark the centre square of each row of 3 with an 'X'. These are the squares to add paper to.

Test box by bringing up into the centre and tucking cut panels inside.

This gives the cardstock a 'memory' to follow and gives you a practise run of how the box comes together.

Trim a 3.75" (3 3/4") wide strip from the 2 patterned papers. I find it easier to mark one and cut 2 together for speed. Cut across this strip twice to create two 3.75" squares for the box panels - or 4 in total, 2 of each pattern.

Cut a strip .75" (3/4") x 12" from the 3rd piece of patterned paper for the handle.

OPTIONAL

Decorate squares as desired. I love penning on stitch lines to make the panels seem to 'pop' out.

I also love inking the edges which gives a matting effect without the extra mat and a nice distressed edge.

Adhere the squares alternating as shown using double sided sticky tape.

Create the handle as for panels and punch a small hole .5" (1/2") in from each end.

On the reverse of the handle mark a line lightly in pencil across at 1" as a placement guide.

Place handle on 'side' panels using the pencil line guide in the centre and mark for holes.

Punch holes through side panels - single layer only - so back of brads can be hidden when box is assembled.

Secure one end of handle with a brad.

Add adhesive tape in a 'backwards L' direction on each panel to left of centre squares as shown. This gives a good firm seal along the top and down the side of each front panel when in place for a neater box.

Begin securing box in place starting with the front panel, then the handled panel next, then the back panel and finally adding the handle to the last panel.

Tuck the last panel in behind and secure to create box.

Add a small amount of adhesive tape just inside the handle where you wish to place the ribbon. This helps keep the ribbon in place so you can tie it easier.

Tie ribbon into a knot and trim ends to finish. NOTE: if handle seems too floppy simply 'squeeze' brads to tighten up. Handle will still swivvel nicely out of the way to get at the goodies inside the box.

I created a decorated panel and added it to mine with foam pads for a 3D effect. There were enough scraps left over to do this (except for red cardstock).

These were just a few extra bits I created. The bookmark has the same quote on the reverse. I printed the quote using my computer and a coloured text. I added the dots to the text using a Papertrey monogram stamp. I stapled on the ribbon and then covered the staple on the reverse when I attached the quote.

This was the actual card we made in class with our scraps.

I'd love to hear how you get on if you try this box so let me know.

Crafty Women First Class

I taught the first class for Crafty Women on Monday this week and what a class we had! We had 17 altogether so it was quite full and alot of fun.

We made these cute little boxes with handles.

I made the box for the class simple but I added a bit more decoration to mine later.

The quote says 'a hug is a handshake from the heart'. We were supposed to be doing these for Valentine's Day but I couldn't get papers. I thought it could still be used for the event with the 'heart' quote and bright red cardstock. I got the papers from Capture the Magic (thanks Michelle for your help - what'd'ya think?) and I'm really excited that will be our first shopping trip for the group - COOL! - they're gonna love it. It's nice that they'll get to meet Michelle too since she's gonna teach for us in April - can't wait!!!!!!!!

I think I might line mine with tissue and fill it with some Valentine goodies for Vicky and the kids. I usually give them something for Valentine's Day so they'll love it.

It was so nice to see people join us for the first time. Here is Jackie deep in concentration - bless her!

It was nice to see people I hadn't seen in a long time. Helen (left) has been a strong supporter of our little group. Her and her friend (Debbie) have been supporting me since my classes for the West Suffolk College. It was lovely to see Debbie again and to see these two gals enjoying crafting together.

This is Teresa - she is the other half of the Esther and Teresa duo. Since I featured Esther concentrating on her crafting in a previous post I thought it was only fair to feature Teresa too. I have been very fond of these two (and their kids) for a long time now so I love seeing their smiling faces come through the door.

We made a quick card to go with the little box and despite a VERY late start I'm really glad everyone managed to get their card finished as well.

I might've been a bit GRUMPY (bossy more like) about getting an early start to class next time so I apologise. What many of you might not realise is that:

a. It's much harder to teach when trying to catch others up to speed

b. I work the next day so have to be up early

c. Dave has to wait up to bring me home (and we have to pack away the tables etc., before we can leave)

d. We usually give a lift to one or two girls which takes us even longer to get home.

I got home at 11.00 pm on Monday and was tired most of Tuesday as a result. I don't mean to moan again - WE JUST NEED TO START ON TIME OK!!!

NOW I can post the tutorial some of you have been waiting for.

If you didn't get the chance to share with me what you thought about our first project please do - I get an e-mail every time one of you posts a comment and I love that everyone can share in them.

Create Special Moments

A few years back I read a book by Joyce Meyers entitled 'Look Good, Feel Great' which has stayed with me (at least parts of it have). Joyce talks about treating yourself and making yourself feel special. This inevitably spills over to others.



I knew my friend Jill was coming to visit on my day off this week so I 'set the table' for us.

She was really pleased and we both felt very 'special' - how nice was that!

A couple of Christmases ago my sister Gillian surprised me with a Portmeirion teapot and a cup and saucer in this lovely Strawberry Fair design - wow how generous was she! I then felt really special to have received such a lovely gift. I have been trying to collect pieces ever since which is a real struggle since nobody stocks this design and I end up waiting months for an order.

I still have the creamer and sugar bowl on order - I cheated and used plain ones (hiding behind teapot) - but I finally have enough for tea with a friend. That's exactly what we did. In fact we decided that next time I go to Jilly's she's gonna get her 'best' out and treat us both again! Now I'm working towards enough of the set for 'lunch'.

Actually this Christmas I got my eldest daughter started with the Portmeirion 'Crazy daisy' design this year so we can both collect. It's very modern, funky, kinda retro and in a whole combination of beautiful colours.

I want to say just a couple of things:

1. Thanks so much Gillian for getting me starting collecting these.

2. If you haven't treated yourself as someone 'special' in a while - don't delay a moment longer

3. Treat someone else that could use the 'cheer me up'.

4. Slow down a while, make time for tea and enjoy life - Lord knows we work hard enough for it.

P.S Anyone else remember Sunday afternoon's as a child? After mum cooked a BIG Sunday roast dinner, teatime became plates of sandwiches, sliced cake and a full teapot surrounded by cups and saucers. I can still picture the tea service that Great Aunty Dolly gave my mother and that came out at her evey visit, along with Anchor butter and teacakes - yum! No wonder we all loved Aunty Dolly's visits.