Special handicap class Valentine cards

I received a panicked phone call asking if I could help out the Community Education handicap class. They wanted me to prepare 2 different cards for 16 adults for that evening's at 5 pm class. 

Here's the two cards I designed for them:

I used retired DSP for these projects. There was a lot of pre-work involved in their projects. The cards were embossed and pre-punched. I also had the hearts already stamped, pre-punched, and stuck on glue dots so all they had to do was peal and stick. They also stamped matching envelopes. For the brocade blue card they stamped matching envelopes with the SAB polka dot hearts. I ended up giving my sample envelope to one of the students. (I'm always running out of the white envelopes.)

It was wonderful seeing them so proud of their projects. When they finished the cards, they sat and asked what card they could make next. Sadly, 2 cards were all I was asked to prepare for them.

Valentine projects, SCCSC3=Easel card

I thought I was off to a good start when the stampers arrived, however I soon found myself laying things down and then not being able to find them. I couldn't believe it when I mislaid the cut card stock for their easel card; I had to re-cut ALL the pieces while the club members worked on their first two projects.

Then when it finally was time to make that card I also mislaid my mat packs . One minute I was taking my mat packs out of my drawer and the next I found myself at the table holding only the piecing tools. Thankfully we quickly found the mis-laid packs and everyone had a good chuckle. It was just one of those days where a good long scream could have helped. 'Know what I mean?

This little gem was a case of ______'s card. I found the directions on her blog, and thought I saved her address. See it really was a day of losing things.  I loved the idea of using the slit punch to hold the card closed.

If this is yours or you know who's card it is,
please let me know so they can get credit for it.

I try to remember to ask my hostesses to pick one of my sample cards that they want to make for their project. It makes planning so much easier when I know what they want to learn. Here's a peak at my "Berry Pine Stamping" display wall.

The hostess picked the black & red card from a SAB swap made by Mary Hophner. Her simple design lends to the card's elegance and the classic colors of black & white with red accents really pop and catch your eye. It's versatile enough that it can be used as a Valentine's Day card or a wedding card depending on the sentiment you stamp inside. Great design Mary, thanks for letting me post your card.

Now for THAT easel card that gave me so much trouble.
For the front / stand up part of the card, I used Stampin' Connections card sketch challenge tagged as SCCSC3. It was created by Diane Nobel who is part of the Design team for Stampin' Connection AND is one of my sister demonstrators from Patsy Waggoner's downline team.

Everyone really enjoy making this card. It was putzy, but that's my speciality even when I try to be simple. Several of the club members talked about bringing it to work the following day to show it off to their office mates. I sometimes think there's an unspoken contest happening between them.

Here's close up  so you can see the details a little better:

My wish for you is your heart is filled with love this Valentine's.
Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day. 

Valentine Cards for "A Place to Belong"

I spent a delightful afternoon at "A Place to Belong" helping 10 women created these 2 valentine cards with matching envelopes. I think it is safe to say the highlight of the class was when they each took a turn at the Big Shot embossing their card fronts. It is now on their wish list for their organization to purchase once grant monies can be found.

The first card was designed by Mary Hophner, I received the card as a SAB swap. The second card used retired Raspberry Tart paper.

They were so excited about their projects that by the time I had left, they had convinced their coordinators to schedule another class to do Easter cards.

I've been cased - How cool is that!

My little lambie card has been copied. What an honor!  Michelle from down under in Australia has copied my card. She has an adorable story about the changes she made in creating her little lamb cards.

My card was also posted on Patsy Waggoner's blog, my second-up-line. When I shared the card in the Definitely Divas shoe-box swap, we were suppose to include an embellishment, so that little lamb is feeling all fancy with a little bow on her head.

I've just gotten home from babysitting my youngest sister's little 6 month old boy who is sick with RSV. Please include all children who are suffering from an illness in you prayers. Thank you.

So glad we are friends

Every weekend my hubby and I look forward to spending time with our friends playing cards or dominoes. We joke that we are in withdrawal if we are unable to get together and it's been more than a week since we last played. I felt the saying "Live with Passion", that comes in this stamp set, was calling out to be used in a Valentine card and it was perfect for the inside of the card for our newlywed friends. 

I love the stamp set "Inspired by Nature"; remember I used it on my little lambie card. I cased this card that Patsy, my 2nd-up-line made. It's crisp clean simplicity glows with elegance and style. 

So when you change the colors of the paper and ink, and the stamped saying, can you still call it a CASED card? Whatever it's called; you can certainly see that my card was directly inspired by her card. 

Triangular Gift Bags

The first time I made a 3-sided gift bag was for a Home Business Christmas  fair. But now trying to fill my new empty shelves, I decided to make a new triangle bag to display for Valentine's. 

While making it, I thought I should submit it in the SoShelli challenge. As I was setting it up to take a picture, I felt it was missing something. I literally only had minutes left before the deadline and I decided to quickly stick a bottle of wine in it. Rip went the bottom corners, and that was the end of trying to do a last minute entry. 

After letting it sit for a while, I decided to try and salvage it. I added the bands at the bottom to hold in and cover up the rips. 

I think that was the finishing touch it needed from the start. 

I'm planning to make an other 
triangle gift bag for Easter. 
I would love to see your 
triangle bags creations. 
Check back next month for 
my post and in the comments
leave a link to your gift bag.