just helen

Doodle-icious!

I got my hands on some of the new Doodlebug "Sweet Cakes" Valentine collection.  I have been a fan of Doodlebug Design since I met Cynthea Sandoval when she was a new exhibitor at (and my memory is not my strength) CHA when it was still HIA...what was it?  Ten years ago?  Anyway, I love that her colors are strong, bright and that they have remained constant over all these years.  It makes it so that I can use the "vintage" Doodlebug in my collection right along with the latest releases.

I used this design a while ago, but I still love it in the pinks and reds.

I kept this one blank so that I can pick an appropriate sentiment when I decide who I will give it to.  I love the embossed design on the doily!

The baker's twine is from The Twinery; the button is Doodlebug - old-school!

I love to make my own 3-D embellishments, and a little glitter glue (Stickles) makes it fun.

There's more...

I love it when I get a sketch that I like enough to use over and over again...

Yep...another Doodlebug button.  Isn't it nice how they still coordinate?

Here's a little card with some scraps...

And here's the last one I've done...so far, of course!

Remember that heart I crocheted in yesterday's post?  Well, it put a bee in my bonnet and I found out how to make this flower on...where else?  YouTube!  You can check out the tutorial here.

The mini gingham fabric tape is from e2DAILY.  You can find the twine here.

Now I've got some tags and some cards.  I'd better start thinking about packaging and then I can start with the sweets and treats.

Have A Heart

Out with the old, in with the new!  I must admit it...I'm ready to leave the tinsel and pine behind and to move on to hearts and roses!  Do I sound a bit  fickle?  Not at all - I am simply anxious to get ready for Valentine's Day, and if you have a lot of people that you love, there's no time like the present to get started.  I am on the move to making things cute, sweet, red and pink...all things "lover-ly"!

I remember seeing, some time ago, a cute little circle garland that had been crocheted out of baker's twine; I tucked the idea away, somewhere in the recesses of my mind...it randomly popped up again last week.  I made my way to the hooks and knitting needles aisle of Joann's and picked up a small 2.75mm hook that I thought would work with the thin twine.  Mind you, I haven't crocheted anything for about 30 years; but, ah...the wonderful Internet!  It took me less than a minute to find a YouTube video of how to crochet a heart...thank you, Teresa, for the super easy instructions.  (Since I am a total novice, I suggest you go check out Teresa's video!)

My first hearts were made with the Blossom and Pink Sorbet colored twine from The Twinery, along with some thinner twine I got from Crate and Barrel last Christmas.  It only requires 2 or so yards of baker's twine.  There are different ply sizes, but both twines works fine with the 2.75 hook.

Can you tell the difference?  The Twinery on the left; Crate and Barrel on the right.  My little pile of hearts is beginning to grow!

The paper is from Crate Paper, the alphabet letters from Jillibean Soup.

After I made a few hearts, I got out some DMC Perle Coton.  It was a little slippery to work with, so it was a little harder to keep the shape of the heart, but I really like the finished look. 

The paper is from the My Mind's Eye "Love Me" 6" X 6" mini pad...I know!  I haven't done a mini Monday for ages, but I still love them, especially for my cards and tags.  The kraft-colored paper is EcoCraft deli paper...a box of 500 was $4.61 at Costco Business - I'm sure that I'll find something to do with the rest of the box, maybe even food related.

Patterned papers are from October Afternoon; button and Memo Notebook Paper by Jenni Bowlin.

It takes a few minutes to make one of these hearts.  It takes a little practice to keep the stitches even, which balances the sides.  I like to practice a few times and toss my early attempts on something like this, but I only had to toss a couple; now that I've got the pattern down, I'll be able to do these while watching TV.  I need to be careful or I'll have a big old jar full of them before I stop...actually, I think that might be a good thing!