Valentine Making Marathon ~

I haven't made so many Valentine's since I was in grade school. And let's just say that was a "few" years ago! ;)

Last week, while recuperating and keeping my foot elevated, I sat and colored several of these darling little huggable Changito Valentine images. They are from an acrylic set by Stampendous that I bought at Archivers last month. It says "Archiver's Exclusive" on the package. Does that mean that's the only place you can get them? I didn't ask them, but I assume that's what it means. I stamped the images with Versafine Onyx Black and colored them with prismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol. Each one is just a little bit different coloring as I tried almost all of my pink, red and brown pencils! :)

The cards are all a little different too as I used whatever paper I had in my stash. This layout was "cased" from LeAnne at Wee Inklings. She sent me a *love*ly get well card with this layout and I had to try it! The base of the card is one layer of cardstock cut the standard 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 with the bottom corners rounded. The top layer should be approx 4 x 8" or so. If you scallop the edge, you'll have to allow for that too. If you have double sided paper, it works perfectly for the top layer as you just fold it and away you go! In my case, I did some piecing together of two different papers. Just cut an extra inch or so for the top layer and fold it over the bottom layer. Once it's glued down, you cant tell. ; )

Another really COOL feature of this card is the way LeAnne tied on the ribbon. Maybe you've all been doing it this way, but it was NEW to me! I'll try to explain it the best I can: There is a hole punched in my cardstock. I cut approx a 13" piece of ribbon and wrapped it around the front of the card to the back and put the ends up through the punched hole. Once they are through (one end on top, one end on bottom of ribbon that's across the front of the card), tighten the ribbon and tie your bow! Easy Peasy and it stays in place on it's own so you don't have to tape it down. Who was the genious that thought of this?! LeAnne, was it YOU?! I love it and will use this often now!

Ok, I would love to know which one of these is your favorite? Can you tell I had FUN with them? What a wonderful way to get back into stamping again!

Now, I better get them addressed and in the mail! Don't forget that Valentine's Day is this Saturday already!

This morning I had a dental appointment and a funeral to attend. It was my second venture driving on my own since my surgery. It went well, except that it's RAINING and windy today and you can't really hurry when you've got a walker! :) This afternoon I'm going to make "Barnyard ATC's" for a swap I've joined at the Stamp Shack. Then tomorrow morning, it's back to WORK for me! My life of leisure is nearly over...and just when I was beginning to feel like stamping all day!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a *LOVE*ly Valentine's week dear friends!

Hugs & Smiles,

Quote for Today ~

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown