Here is a cute, quick and easy box I made that will hold my Valentine treats for my co-workers and family.  It's very easy to make. . . Check it out.

Start with a 5 x 5 inch piece of cardstock.  Using the diagonal score plate (a freebie during Sale-a-Bration!), score on each side at 1 5/8 and 2 3/8. 

Cut on inside score line to second line on all 4 sides.  This creates the flaps that go inside the box. 

Here is a close up so that you can see the score lines.  If you look closely, you can see the flaps on the top and bottom.  You also need to cut out the triangles made by the overlapping score lines.  If you look at the right side of this picture, I have cut out the two triangles. You are cutting on the score lines – and any score line that intersects with another and creates a triangle needs to be cut out.

Here you can see all the triangles cut out.  Plus, I stamped the Hello Doily stamp on the outside of the box for additional interest. 

Score all of the folds.  Add some chocolates – yum!

I added a belly band to close.  6 1/2" x 1/2"  I layered on 2 hearts from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits – oh and just a little bling!  The greeting is form the Ciao! Baby stamp set from the Spring Mini Catalog.  Notice it is punched out with the petite label punch.  I added a small heart from silver glimmer paper.  This heart is from the Owl punch (I know – I use it all the time!). 

I learned how to make this box at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference.  The box they showed was bigger but, I resized it so that I could get several on a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock.  When you use the diagonal score plate for this, you actually use much less cardstock!  Try it and you'll see!

Blessings!

A couple of weeks ago, Jim and I went to visit my dad for Father's Day.  It was a great weekend – lots of driving but, still fun.  On the way home my honey was gracious enough to let me spend a bit of time at one of my favorite craft stores in St. Cloud.  He told me I could take my time but, of course I was respectful of him sitting in the car.  And my bill was actually fairly modest (there's a first time for everything!).   Hehe

One of the things I bought was this blank frame.  I knew that I wanted to put a picture of my sweetie and I in it and have it for display an my upcoming events. 

This picture is from Jim and I in Hawaii a couple of years ago (a Stampin' Up! incentive trip).  If you recall, Jim had been really sick and in the hospital up until a couple of days before we left.  The whole trip was in jeopardy.  However, with God's help, we were able to go and over the course of our 8 day trip, Jim grew stronger and healthier every day.  This picture was taken on our last night.  He looks great!  Since today is Independance Day and we think about heros, I wanted to post this today in honor of my hero – my best friend and husband. 

OK, so the frame.  I used the Floral District DSP.  I love the many colors of this DSP – and in my opinion it is a must have.  (you'll be even more thrilled when you see more of my upcoming projects!). 

The flower accent on the frame was made using several layers of crumpled paper from the Blossom Punch.  I added some Daffocil Delight scallop circles in the middle – along with a dahlia.   What's the dahlia you say?   Well – check these cute little babies out!

The saying is from the Field Flowers stamp set and is cut out using the Apothecary Accents Framelits. 

So, don't limit your paper crafting to cards and scrapbooking – this frame would make a great gift! and a very memorable one! 

Hope you enjoyed this post – Blessings to you!

On Oprah today: joining a club where you have to show up once a month increases happiness. Solution? Join my Hostess Club and you'll be happy, happy, happy!   Don't worry – you'll be happy!   (sing it!)  So, are you ready to "get the party started?"  (sing this song too!)   PLUS, you can GET HAPPY!!! by doing this during the BIGGEST sale of the year!  Don't you love it when the stars all align!   Here's another example of happiness made with a FREE set available during SALE-a-Bration! 

This is Sweet Summer a freebie from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Same set as yesterday with a totally different look.  Do you have your Sale-a-Bration catalog?  Download it here or give me a call and I will send you one!

The colors on this card come right from the Color Coach (a great tool!)  Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze and So Saffron. 

So back to the happy place – Hostess Club is Feb 1 or 2 and my monthly card class (Chicks, Chocolate & Cards) is February 10.  Which one will you attend?   Oh, you want a private class for you and your girlfriends?  I think that could be a happy place too!    Let's get goin!
  Call me!

Had a fantastic meeting yesterday with my downline.  We celebrated, stamped, laughed and challenged ourselves to a +One in 2011.  The key message was inspired by Susan Rusch – focusing on our intentions so we get better at something.  I love spending time with my downline – they are sooo awesome!  Here are 3 of my favorite cards from our event.

This card was created by the awesome Jan Ledman who shared with us her ideas for the Build a Blossom stamp set (W 121923 C 121994) and punch (121808).  She had phenomenal ideas (as always)!  This card is in Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait, Whisper White and Pear Pizzaz.  The combination with the Blossom party stamp set and lattice die (115958) is amazing!  I can tell you that I think this stamp set and coordinating punch are a MUST HAVE!

This card is made by Joan Spevak (way to go Joan!)  Joan had fun making these cards from the Take a Spin stamp set (122015 clear) from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The spinners had such fun to the card!

Tatiana Keene is the demo who created this one.  It uses one of my new favorite color combinations;  Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso.  The Elegant Lines embossing folder (ooohhh lala!) really enhances this card.  The stamp set used is a FREEBIE!!!  Yep it's called Punch Bunch and is in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  The biggest sale of the year starts this week – get your orders ready – and your show lined up!  Of course the Victoria ribbon (118481) and pearls (119247) really enhance this card.  I also love how she layered the 2 sizes of scallop circle punches. 

Way to go ladies!  If you'd love to join us – we'd love to have you!  Sale-a-Bration is the PERFECT time to get started. . . AND the starter kit is 15% off!  Get your kit – valued at $400 (during Sale-a-Bration) for about $150!!!!  Watch my blog for more details later this week. 

See ya friends!

Here's my first video!  Enjoy!  Leave a comment and let me know how I did.

I'm tempting you with the nugget first (aka the first pic).  Haha – this Valentine treat holder holds 3 nuggets and is oh so cute!  The Top Note die (113463 p 207) is used to make this nugget holder that your family and friends will love for Valentines treats.  Simple to make and very easy on the eyes!  Notice the touch of bling on the small heart on the front – (a girls best friend you know!)   Here's the specifics of what I used;

• Top note die cut from cardstock and designer series paper – I used the pretty in pink paper that is part of the "Filled with Love" special. 
• I wrapped the nuggets in real red designer series paper that comes from the same special (1" x 3").  These are secured onto the cardstock with just a bit of snail adhesive
• The belly band is 1/2" x 8 1/2"
• The pretty in pink heart on the front is from the Filled with Love stamp set (part of the Filled with Love special) and punched with the Full heart punch (119883 p 202).  The real red scalloped outline you see behind the heart is the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslet (117332 p 215).  The small red heart is from the Owl punch

Enjoy!