February Paper Smooches Challenge ~ Heartfelt Gratitude Card!! =)

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HELLO!!
I'm SO EXCITED to be here today!! This is the First Paper Smooches Challenge I've been able to play along with since the END of my Chemo/Radiation/Surgery!! It's left me with NO energy and just doing my normal everyday activities, plus keeping up with my Design Team commitments has left me NO time/energy to create anything else for my FAVORITE Challenges!! So I'm SO EXCITED to say that I actually have some energy coming back and was able to make a Couple Projects to share for this Months AWESOME February Paper Smooches Challenge!!
This month's challenge is... LOVE!! 
I had SO MANY Ideas in my head, but alas had to narrow it down to just a Few!!

 

                                         

For my first Card I was INSPIRED by the idea of having something layered in a Heart!! So I decided to use the Heart Frame Die as my Focal Image!! Instead of using the Frame I just cut it away so I use just the Row of Hearts!! I Die Cut several from some White Cardstock and then several from some Simple Stories Blooms and Grow Patterned Paper!! I wanted the Heart to be Wood Grained and I Die Cut it using a Hero Arts Layering Die Set (using the 3 largest Heart in the Set) I also knew I wanted a Stamped background to play off of the Folk Art Feel!! So I used the Pocket Swirl Detail Stamp from the Denim & Daisies Stamp Set and stamped it in Light Blue Hero Arts Chalk Ink!! Then I took some Small Hearts from both the Love-Struck Stamp Set and the Needle Little Love Stamp Set!! I wanted some Dots too so I used a couple Tri Dot Images from both the Lovely Thoughts Stamp Set and the Blossoming Buds Stamp Set then a Single Dot Image from the Holly Jolly Stamp Set!! I also Stamped, Embossed my Sentiment and an Arrow from the Love-Struck Stamp Set and used the Coordinating Love-Struck Die Set to Die Cut the Arrow out!! After Stamping the background I decided to add a Piece of Vellum to Mute it a little and then I thought I needed something so I decided to add some Black Acrylic Paint Splatters on top of the Vellum and I LOVE the way it looks!! So much Dimension without a lot of bulk!! I added the Heart Focal Image on top with some Foam Tape!! Then added the Stamped and Embossed Sentiment Strip!! I added a Burlap Twined Button to the Center of the Arrow and my Card was done!! SQUEAL!! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it turned out and hope you do too!!??  =)
THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!
I'm also linking up to the

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes!!  =)
COUNTRY HUGS-N-KISSES
LARISSA   =)

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog ~ Picture Perfect ~ Apple Projects!! =)

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Hello!!
Welcome to a New Week for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge!! This week its Picture Perfect Time and I LOVE this Sweet Apple Pillow!!  =) Back To School time is just around the corner so I thought it would be FUN to create some Gift Tags/Bags and a Card with that in mind and I just LOVE the way they turned out!! For my First Tag I thought it would be FUN to use the Paper Smooches Paper Die, Tooth Fairy Dies, Foliage 1 Dies, Reflections Leaves Dies, and the Denim & Daisies Stamp Set!!  I wanted to make a FUN Stuffed Apple Clip/Magnet so the Teacher can use it however she wants!!  I added it to the Tag Base that I created by Die Cutting the Paper Die from some Cardstock!! I used a Mini Clothes Pin to help attach it to the Gift Bag!! I used some Hand Dyed and Printed 100% Wool Felt that I found at a Fabric Store and then I backed it with some Cotton Batting and I used the Tooth Die as my Guide as I Cut around it with my Pinking Shears to get that Little Border around the Edge!! I wanted to add a Pocket for a Little Tag Note!! So I Die Cut that from some Crate Paper Patterned Paper and then I stitched it to the Felt Die Cut Piece!! Once the Pocket was Stitched on I Stitched around the outside edges of the Apple (Felt Tooth Die Cut) leaving the Top open and then Stuffed it with some Stuffing to make it Plump!! I Stitched up the Top and my Apple was done!! I Free Hand Cut a Stem from some Kraft Cardstock and then used a Couple different Die Sets to Die Cut the Leaves from both Felt and Kraft Cardstock layering them together for more stability!! I added a Vintage Wooden Button and some Burlap Twine and I just LOVE the way I turned out!! For the Back I added a Clip and a Magnet so the Teacher can use it however she want/needs!!??

For my next Project I've made a Sweet Card!! I used almost all of the same Products so that they would coordinate only I Switched things up alittle and I LOVE the way it turned up!! I added the same Stitching and instead of a Pocket for the front of the Apple I created a Layered 3-D filling for the Apple!! I used the Apple Die from the Fruit People Die Set along with the Little Apple Die from the School Icons Dies Set!! SO FUN!!  I made the Whole Apple a Pocket on the Front of the Card Front and then I can add a Gift Card for his Teacher inside!! I used the Paper Die to create the FUN Paper Card Design and I LOVE how it LOOKS!! =) I Stamped the Sentiment from the Smarty Pants Stamp Set in Deep Sea Ink from Lawn Fawn and Embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder!!

My Next Two Tags were made using the Paper Smooches Gift Tags 2 Die Set!! I LOVE this Die!! Then I used the Apple Die from the Fruit People Die Set!! Along with the Leaf and the Stem!! I used some Yellow Burlap Paper from Canvas Corp. and made a FUN 3-D Element by having it come up through the Die Cut opening in the Tag!! I backed it with a Yellow Polka Dot Patterned Paper Scrap and then added a Felt Die Cut Leaf and a Kraft Stem!! I Tied a Bow on and added a Mini Black Button!! The Sentiment is from the Smarty Pants Stamp Set and I Stamped and Embossed it at the Bottom of the Tag!! I added the Ribbon and its ready for a Gift Bag!! =)

I've used EVERYTHING from the Tag above except for this on I created a Square Window in the Tag Front using the Largest of the Stitched Square Dies in the Stitched Frames Die Set!! I used some Speckled Red Felt to create the 3-D Apple and then I used the Flag Banner from the Flag Tags Die Set!!

I HOPE you're feeling INSPIRED!!?? Don't forget to Visit the rest of the AMAZING Paper Smooches SPARKS Designer Blogs to see what they have created!!
                                             Karin Åkesdotter

Larissa Heskett ~ you're here!!

Lori Tecler

Lynn Mangan

Savannah O'Gwynn

You have until Saturday, August 15th at 11:59pm PST to Play along!! You can stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS Blog for more details!! I CAN'T WAIT to see what you create!!
THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!!
COUNTRY HUGS-N-KISSES
LARISSA   =)