Valentines Notes with Ruby Rock-It |Alicia Barry|

It's almost Valentine's Day and while we really don't celebrate it in schools back in Australia, they sure do here in the States, and this year will be my first time on class on this holiday so I couldn't resist making something a little bit cute for it. I like to give my kids an opportunity to write me notes if they want to report something to me, or just want to chat but don't want to do it out loud, so this will stay on my desk even after Valentines day.

I've always loved these American style mailboxes. Just my luck we don't have one at our current house. I envy the ones I see around the neighbourhood. I found the base at my local Target. It's quite a large one, just made of heavy card, but I have seen lots of metal ones around the place too. 

I've used the Faded Empire for this projects, as the colours suited the theme perfectly. I could go with the pink tones but also keep a vintage feel to it.

I used lots of doilies and bling to embellish, plus some Bella! florals of course.  For the doilies, I almost always cut them into two sections so I can make them go a bit further, since I almost always tuck them under something else anyway. I only used two doilies on this entire project, even though it looks like far more. 

Some glittery chipboard letters to finish it off.

This was actually a pretty quick and easy project to put together, surprisingly. I do however want to come back and adda  stand to it. It doesn't quite look right just sitting on the desk. I'll probably hit up Home Depot (Bunnings) for a timber chair leg, and just paint it and hot glue it on. 

Supplies used:

Faded Empire paper collection

Bella! Florals

Bella! bling

Fundamentals doilies

Happy Dayz chipboard alphabet

Dogwood Flowers with Heartfelt Creations

This week for Heartfelt Creations I decided to create a layout rathe than a card, as I wanted a chance to show off both the beautiful background paper as well as giving me some space to work with pretty dogwood flowers.

I started with fussy cut dove images from one background paper and used the two halves to frame my photo. I used some stamped vine images to start to build up the frame then lots of handmade dogwood flowers to add dimension.

I added some plastic green stamens to the flower centres, and sprinkled everything with glitter. 

Have a look over at the blog at all the different projects from the design team. I especially love the variation in the colours that everyone has chosen to make their flowers this week.

There is still time to apply for the Design Team call if you are interested. All the details are on the blog here!

Last week I posted about the public voting for the returning Design Team members but I am told that the link was not working correctly, so I am asking again for everyone to go and vote. You can vote for 5 members you would like to see invited back. I would  love to be one of your votes if you enjoy seeing my work on the blog. All you need to do is go to this blog post. Scroll to the bottom of the text right before the project photos start and look for the paragraph that says Vote for your favorite design team members. The correct link is right there.  I'd be very grateful for your vote.

Celebrating every day with Ruby Rock-It |Alicia Barry

This month I decided to create a couple of cards using some of the new embellishments from Ruby Rock-it. I deliberately made the two cards as a matching set. I used the same set of materials and a similar general concept to create to co-ordinating but separate cards.

Here's what I started with: 

I liked the coral colour of the flowers in the background paper and decided to make that a subtle focus on the cards. One of the new sentiment tags had a similar coloured tag. I then added some twine. I also pulled out some distress ink in a similar colour that I could used to colour tags, doilies and flowers.

I don't often work with black as a base, but thought it worked nicely with these papers, especially with the black doilies.  I also added some dots of black paint as a finishing touch.

For this one, I created a belly band card. I love making these. 

Supplies used:

Fundamentals cardstock

Fundamentals doilies

Fundamentals tags

Fundamentals Butterflies

Fundamentals sentiment toppers

Raw and Rustic paper collection

Bella! florals

Heartfelt Creations...a new release and a DT call.

This week from Heartfelt Creations we have both a brand new product collection release as well as news of the next DT call. It's a big week!

First of all,  let me share with you the Flowering Dogwood collection, which is awesome. This is an Easter themed release, but can be used for so much more. The new flower stamps and dies are perfect. 

Here's a little more about the collection:

Heartfelt Creations invites you to usher in the spring season with the new Flowering Dogwood Collection!  Immerse yourself in this newest springtime assembling of designer papers, divinely detailed cling stamps and coordinating dies steeped with beautiful meanings and symbolism perfect for the Easter Season!  The dogwood tree is surrounded by a mesmerizing legend within the Christian faith…once the size of a mighty oak tree it was chosen to be used to construct the cross on which Jesus was to be crucified.  The tree became unhappy with its purpose and would never again grow large enough to ever build another cross.  Its branches would become narrow and crooked and no longer suitable for construction.  The delicate dogwood flower itself is a wonderful symbol of the Easter season…four petals that resemble the shape of a cross, the center laid as a crown of thorns, at the tip of each petal an indent resembling nail punctures, and a reddish hue around those indents resembling the blood of Jesus.  Soft and pastel in coloring, this newest paper collection reveals beautiful springtime shades of pinks, peaches, and greens which set stunning backdrops for scripted lettering and graceful swirls, while darker hints of blues and blacks bring out the gorgeous detail and coloring of the showy dogwood florals.  Bountiful blossom filled branches, peaceful white doves and hillside chapels are just a few of the beautiful illustrations found within the cling stamp sets!  Assemble the perfect dimensional dogwood flower using the varying sized petals within the Flowering Dogwood Cling Stamps Set and die cut using the coordinating dies.  The ideal collection to send out springtime and Easter wishes to friends and family!

Here is my first project with this collection. Sadly it does not look as pink and pretty as it is in real life thanks to the seemingly endless rain here at the moment.

Now for the other big news. It is time for another DT call for Heartfelt Creations. The last year has gone by so quickly. Sadly some of the current members of the team are stepping away for various reasons, plus Heartfelt always like to have new people join the team each year. If you love Heartfelt and think you have something to offer the team, be sure to submit an application. You can get all the details here! You have until the 17th of February to submit. 

In the meantime, Heartfelt also run a public vote to get input on which of the current designers will be staying on for another term. I am very lucky to have served on this team for 3 years already, and selfish as it may sound, I really would love to stay for another year.  If you would like to keep seeing my work each week, I ask that you go and vote for me and 4 of your other favourites here.

Heartfelt Creations news

It's time for another Heartfelt Creations share. This week I decided to focus on the lovely wildwood cottage flowers that are part of the collection. They are so soft and pretty.

The time of year has come for Heartfelt Creations to hold the next Design Team call. I hear some people have been waiting for months for this call to become open. I've been with the company for more than 3 years now and just love it. I can't wait to see who throws their hat in the ring. 

Be sure to check out the blog for all the details of the call on the blog as well as some inspiration from the current team to get your ideas flowing.