Heart Swap #1

Back in early January, my friend Jennifer posted she was going to host a Winter White Heart Swap.  The rules were only that the heart should be in some shade of Winter White, and they should be approximately the size of our hand.  They could be any medium of our choosing.   I couldn't wait to get started!

This was my contribution for this swap:

   Look at this beautiful heart by Lonnie Jenck:

I love this fabric heart with embellishments.  I'm not sure who the creator is since the packaging got separated from the hearts.  If you recognize who made it - let me know!

 This is a lovely paper heart with beautiful lace embellishment - again, I don't know who created this one.

This pretty heart has chunky glitter and multi-colored pearls and was made by Jill Sibbald:

I'm not sure who was the creator of this heart as there was no name attached but it is a paper and chenile heart with a fun "love" tag.

My friend Jennifer Barnes made this beautiful heart with so many layers and textures:

 Patty Cross came up with this pretty fabric heart adorned with glittered clay wings:

Another sweet fabric heart, I'm not sure who made this one either~!

This heart came all the way from Germany!  Our friend Wanda created this precious heart with a fun glittered heart in the little pocket on front.

This was a really fun swap to participate in and came at the perfect time after the holidays.

Next up, I'll post about the  3 inchey swap I took place in, so check back!

Valentine Soiree

Yesterday was Bobbie's Valentine Soiree at the Paper Crown.  It's always such a great time creating beautiful projects and just spending time with friends.  Of course, Bobbie made us these cute name tags:

Look how adorable this treat station is!  We never go hungry at these events that is for sure - and do you see all the sweet gift bags?  Every single person in class went home with a door prize.  We were all  in love with the banner adorning the booth and one lucky person got to take it home.  

These were our kits.  Inside the frame were all the components for making our main project, and the small bag to the left contained materials for making a little party favor.  

Here's a few of the ladies with their completed projects.

Me and Shelley:

It's always a good time crafting at the Paper Crown.  Also yesterday we found out the details (and signed up for) the Spring Retreat!  Click here for more details.  Space is limited to 30 so if you think you might want to go - sign up now.  Believe me, classes fill up very quickly.

Valentine Crown Class

I am just *in love* with my Valentine Crown!  You must check out Jackie's blog to see all the variety on each person's crown.  Each one came out so beautiful, but aside from my own, my second favorite is Lisa's crown with the sweet pig on it.  (I'm not meaning to BRAG, but I'm so happy about how my crown turned out)
      
A special surprise was that one of my friends that I haven't seen in a long while was there to take the class too.  Hope to see you again soon Terri!
Oh! and I won another one of Jackie's paper dolls. :)

As I've said before, there are so many fabulous classes coming up!  I wish I could take them all, and I'm signing up for as many as I can.  Wait until you see...

Valentine Swap

This year seemed to be a slow one for Valentine Swaps.  I didn't see very many being hosted and I knew that I just didn't have the time or the energy this time around to host or participate.  

Chris from  Perfectly Printed decided to have a one to one Valentine swap and I signed up. This is the Valentine I received from her, along with a couple other vintage valentines:

This was the Valentine I created for her.  I'm not sure where the image of the little girl came from, I just thought she was absolutely adorable.

What have you been creating for Valentine's Day?

Valentine spool

Another fabulous class with Jackie at the Paper Crown last night!  We made these fun Valentine spools.

 I was the lucky winner of the door prize ~ one of Jackie's fabulous  paper dolls made from the Character Construction stamps. Yay me!

I wish I could take every single class that is offered at the Paper Crown.  The talent of the teachers, as I've said before, is just amazing.  In the next two months, there are so many beautiful classes coming up and I plan to take as many as possible.
Happy February!

Spun Cotton Doll

Ann-Denise was at the Paper Crown this weekend and taught this adorable spun cotton Valentine doll.

Ann-Denise will be back at the Paper Crown in March on the 2nd and the 30th.  We got to sneak a peek at what she will be teaching on those dates, and trust me, if you are ANYWHERE within driving distance, you are not going to want to miss!

Valentine Cone Class

Jackie had another one of her fun classes over at the Paper Crown in OKC on Thursday night.  Click on the link to see Jackie's post and more fun pictures.  Jackie always brings delicious sweet treats for us and this week she made marshmallows.  They were out of this world, melt in your mouth, unbelievably Mmmmm!

I've signed up for several fun classes coming up and I'm so excited!  The Paper Crown has *the best* teachers and classes.  It's totally worth the hour and a half drive each way just to take a class there.  Plus, the store itself is so beautiful. Cindy, the owner, just launched The Paper Crown online store, so if you can't make it there in person, you can check out some of what she carries in the store.

Have a great Sunday!

A Valentine Makery at Ann-Denise's House

I almost didn't get to attend the Valentine Makery at Ann-Denise's house. As is usual for Ann-Denise's events, the event sold out before I could register. Fortunately for me, I took a class with Ann-Denise and told her if anyone couldn't make it for any reason to let me know and I would definitely be there. If I remember right, I stomped my foot and pouted like a little baby when I initially found out there was no more room. But, someone was looking out for me and almost the very next day I found out there actually *was* room now that someone else could not make it. I'm sorry for her, but as you'll see by the pictures below this was an event NOT to be missed!

Ann-Denise made beautiful Valentine boxes for all of the participants.  We all made Valentine's for each other.  I felt like a little kid again, writing out my Valentines and passing them out.  I waited until I got home to go through each and every beautiful handmade creation.

This sweet Valentine canvas was made by Sandra Feazel and I was the lucky winner since I drove the farthest to attend the event. Yay Me!  Sitting next to the canvas is the little Valentine dollie I made in Ann-Denise's class.  Everyone's dollie came out so different but each one so cute!

Above is the encaustic art piece that I made in a class taught by Sandra.  She generously shared tons of gorgeous trims and embellishments for use in creating our piece.  I should have taken pictures of everyone's finished art, but I'm so happy with how mine came out.
This is how she packaged our kits. Just beautiful!

Click on this picture so you can see how beautiful this crepe paper canopy is.

Look at the cute straws in our glasses next to bottled water and Italian soda's.

All the girls passing out their Valentines.

I just can't get over the attention to detail Ann-Denise puts into every single event she does.

Handmade paper pompoms. Amazing...

As I stepped inside the front door I knew I was in for an unbelievable treat when I saw how beautifully the front room was decorated.

For lunch, Ann-Denise made a fabulous salad with pink dressing that was delicious, followed by Chicken Marsala and garlic mashed potatoes.  Oh my gosh.  The second I got home I went to her board on pinterest to find the Marsala recipe so I can try it myself.

To see more, click over to Ann-Denise's blog, Whim and Fancy Designs.  Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Last week I came home to a happy surprise. My friend Terri from The Junque Seeker sent me this sweet Valentine along with some vintage die cuts.

She knows how much I love dogs and thought I would like these. She was right!

Thanks Terri!
Do you remember the tag swap I participated in? Well, here are the tags I received and they are awesome! I'll come back and edit this post later with the credits of who sent each one.
Below is the tag from Tami at vintageconnections.blogspot.com

Look at this beautiful tag full of cool techniques by Maija at www.maigirlz.typepad.com

Sweet Laurie at indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com made this sweet tag:

Pretty in pink by Jeanne Maples:

Junebug Creations made this cool valentine with the floating embellishments:

I could tell just by looking at it that my sweet friend Dawn from Idaho made this one!

I just love the red bird and the painted pink scallops on this tag by Jeanelle Ricca.

This picture doesn't do this tag justice since the flower has so much dimension.  Jonnelle created it.

Jackye hosted this awesome swap and she made this festive Valentine tag for us.

This is so cute but I don't know who to give credit to.

Jane has been the hostess for our Christmas tags in the past.  Here is her Valentine creation:

This last one didn't have any information on it but both sides are decorated so beautifully.

Over the weekend, I went to Texas to participate in Ann-Denise's Valentine Makery. Check back because you will want to see how amazing this event was!

My Valentines for Kim

The benefit of doing a bunch of Valentine swaps at one time is that when inspiration strikes, I can make extras of one project and send them along too. It takes me so long to be inspired and then to finally bring my idea to fruition.
As seen in my last post, I originally thought about making this ornament for Laurie's Ornament Swap but I thought maybe Kim would like one too.

I thought this one turned out pretty.

I read on Kim's blog that she liked owls (well at least at Halloween) so I thought I'd make her a Valentine Owl. She almost lost this little bird to Doug but I wrestled it back with the promise to make him one too.

This fun little heart was made from some Laura Ashley fabric I had in my stash.  So pretty and feminine.

This little heart was made from organza that I cut in heart shapes and was inspired by the flower that Ann-Denise made.

Don't you love this sweet little doggie Valentine? While I was at it, I made 14 more for a tag swap I participated in.

I included some embroidered kitchen towels.  I don't know about you but I can never have enough towels for my kitchen.

Valentine note pads:

Some bling to create with:

Oops - another sideways picture.  A "Love" ornament.

Happy Valentine's Day Kim!  Hope you enjoy.  :)