It's In The Bag // PI Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Issues blog hop, "It's In The Bag," sponsored by Whisker Graphics - home to Bitty Bags and Divine Twine! They are giving away 2 spools of twine and a pack of 20 bitty bags - find the details on how to win below.

This is your first stop, so no need to do any backtracking if you happened upon this post by sheer luck :) But do be sure to check out the rest of the hop for some beautiful inspiration from our talented group of gals! Here's the whole list.

Sabrina: http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/ 

Patricia: http://roebuck-adventures.blogspot.com/ 

Kelly: http://www.wannabeescrapper.blogspot.com/ 

Jess: http://www.scrapgoo.blogspot.com/ 

Jen: http://www.mrschez.typepad.com/ 

Aimee: http://aimeesarmoire.typepad.com/ 

Whisker Graphics: http://whiskergraphics.com/blog/

I put together this sweet little valentine's mini album using some glassine baggies from Whisker Graphics, the You & Me collection from Elle's Studio, Design Adhesives and Foil from Clearsnap ribbon from 3GirlJam and some badges from A Flair for Buttons. And I just love how it turned out!

Let's take a peek inside, shall we?

The glassine lends a certain romantic feel to it I think. There's lot of tags for journaling and a piece of kraft paper inside with space for a wallet sized photo.

And that's all from me! The next stop is Patricia.

To be entered to win please visit the Whisker Graphics blog and leave a comment on their blog letting them know your favorite color of divine twine or what kind of itty bitty bag you like best! Like Whisker Graphics Facebook page, also don’t forget to tell them we sent you.

Thanks for hopping with us today!

1. Like Whisker Graphics on Facebook {tell them we sent you} 

2. Like Paper Issues http://www.facebook.com/PaperIssueson Facebook

3. Leave a comment

Linking to the following challenges:
- Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger
- Studio Calico - Weekly Challenge
- 3 Girl Jam - Challenge #11
- Simon Says Stamp - Have a Heart

Classroom Valentines Tutorial

Hello! I have another project to share today for the Pink by Design blog and our "Have A Heart?" theme. These boy valentine's for the classroom were created using the Rockstar stamp set. This set is so perfect for boys - lots of cool sayings (hope your day rocks!, you rock!, you're a superstar!) that are not at all mushy or sappy.

I left the images blank so he can color them in and on the right side, under the candy, he signed his name.

The front is pretty simple (between the 3 kids, I'll be making 70 of these!) - just a patterned paper panel, a heart and a rhinestone. They are also pretty quick to make once you get going in assembly line style.

Since we are sharing our rhinestone tips today on the blog, I'll put it down here too -

If you use a lot of bling or have to make a project in multiples, it can be much cheaper to purchase the loose rhinestones in the kiddie craft aisle rather than the pre-adhesived scrapbook specific kind. Had I bought the latter, it would have cost around $15 just for bling, while the loose rhinestones were $5 and there are still lots left over. A pop dot or just some score tape is an easy way to adhere them down. Chances are the kids will peel them off anyway. 

In case you are interested, I'll share the dimensions for creating these:

1. Cut cardstock panel to 8 1/2" wide by 3 3/4" tall.

2. Score the width of the cardstock at the following inch marks: 2.75, 3.00, 5.75, 6.00.

3. Stamp sentiment/photo on lefthand panel of cardstock. Have child color.

4. Adhere wallet size photo (2.5" x 3.5") to center panel.

5. Flip cardstock over and adhere patterned paper (2.5" x 3.5") and heart to rightside panel.

6. Flip cardstock back over and have child sign name on righthand panel. Staple candy to top of panel. 

7. Fold score lines and fold valentine together. The patterned paper should be on the top.

8. Glue down rhinestone to heart to complete. 

And that's all! Link up your projects that have a heart for the chance to win a stamp set from Pink by Design!

Conversation Hearts

Was doing a little digging through the computer files this morning and realized I've never shared this card that was made way back last summer. It was from a Paper Crafts sketch and I was practicing my dye ink watercoloring.

It's think it's kinda cute ;)

So what are you working on? I seriously need to clean up my scrap space so I can get back to creating!

Valentine's Mantel

I just love Valentine's Day!! All the hearts and pink and sweetness is just what my girly heart lives for. The kids helped me put together some decorations for our makeshift mantel and even though it took a couple weeks it's finally mostly complete.

(Please don't judge my dirty walls! There are 6 sticky little hands running around here at all times and spring cleaning is still months away :))

Silhouettes in some Hobby Lobby frames. There are lots of fancy ways to make these in Photoshop and what-not, but we simply cut and traced profile photos onto brown cardstock. They look exactly like the kids too!

14 little handcut hearts hanging on the perfect, wispy little branch. Dipped in aqua paint for an extra shot of color.

The glittered wooden letters are my favorite!! Except I don't think there's any way to keep all that glitter from spreading all.over.the.house. Spray-on Mod Podge almost helped. : /

And of course we have to have some tissue paper pom-poms and lanterns. They were transfer nicely to the girls' room when the holiday is over. The kids cut out the whole banner using my Big Shot, some Sizziz dies and a heart punch. So simple.

So are you decorating and/or crafting for Valentine's? Be sure to link up your paper projects at Paper Issues - open til the 14th.

Bye!

DIY: Sweetheart Crop Top

Hello! I have a little refashion/DIY toddler top to share with you today! It's been forever since I've done one of these and am really hoping to get back in to doing clothing tutorials, after all that was one of the main reasons I started this blog :)

As you can tell, my own little sweetheart wasn't much in the mood for posing and modeling this morning, but her and her sister both adore their new tops for Valentine's Day. The heart ribbon was made from a die intended for cutting paper but those hearts are just too cute to stay tucked away in the pages of a scrapbook!

(I'm also giving away some felt heart ribbon - more on that below).

This top has such a cute shape and the best part is you hardly have to stitch any seams since it's refashioned from a ladies button-up top. I never ever buy new material for a project like this that will likely be outgrown or just plain abandoned within a few months - or let's be realistic, a few wears -it is white after all :)

Okay, ready to make one yourself?!!

You will need just a couple things -
*adult white button-up shirt
*5 shades of ribbon -> any will do, I cut felt to make mine (from Felt On The Fly - amazing quality, made from 100% merino wool)
*1/4" elastic
*sewing machine and thread
*pattern to make the top or draft your own

To get started -

1. Cut out your pattern. I just had 2 pieces - the body and the sleeve. Shorten the body to make the cropped shape.You can use a smock top pattern you already have or create your own by tracing the outline of a shirt - remember to leave a little room for seams! I like to use that shipping paper that comes in boxes for making patterns. It's just the right weight and you can iron it flat too (and it's free).

2. Trace your pattern onto material and cut out. I placed the pattern directly in the middle of the shirt, with the bottom of the hem at the bottom edge of the pattern. You should end up with:
- 1 front piece (cut from back of shirt)
- 1 back piece (cut from front of shirt)
- 2 sleeves (cut from extra body material)
- 1 long length of trim for bias tape around neckline

3. Position your ribbon across the front where you want it to stay and cut to measure.

4. Attach ribbon in place with vertical pins and stitch on. Use a lot of pins so it stays in place. If you want you can switch out the thread with each color of ribbon but I thought the white looked just fine - ie. I'm not that ambitious :)

5. Now stitch the garment together. (right sides together!) This is the order that works best for me...
- shoulders
- sleeves to bodice
- sides
- bottom hem if needed
- bias tape around neckline

Serge or pink your seams.

6. Figure where your child's waistline hits on the shirt and sew the elastic in there. Pin it in the middle to start with and stretch to edges to ensure even gathering. Sew in place with a zig zag stitch.

That's it! Your all done. It looks extra cute with a matching tank underneath - otherwise you could see her tummy!

If you're still reading and if your interested, I cut a little extra ribbon from all 7 colors of my felt and I'd like to send it to one of my followers so you can create your own top or just whatever you'd like. :) Just leave a comment letting me know your interested (and please follow me if you don't already) and I'll choose a winner in a week or so.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Love is All We Need

And all we need is love themed paper projects to link up at Paper Issues! You have a full month to add in your Valentine's projects new and old. I created this trio of cards using the new Crate Love line, stamps from PTI and of course - Colorbox inks. Have a lovely Sunday evening!

Cozy Cups - CFC33

Okay just another quick post today!

This will be my first time participating in CAS-ual Fridays and can I just say how much I'm loving card making lately?! Instant gratification!

I used kraft paper, cappuccino twine from the Twiney and those cutie mugs are a free download from Market Street Stamps to make this mini valentines card perfect for giving away with a travel mug and maybe a tasty coffee blend.

The mugs were colored in with Colorbox chalk inks and a q-tip, then smooched with the new Smooch Glitz for a hint of glitter.

Link up to CFC33 here.

PS. Did you know that all Colorbox Queue Inks are 25% off right now at TwoPeas?!

InLinkz.com