Evidence of Love...and I Adore You...

Good morning!

I don't know about you, but I happen to love this time of year! The days leading up to Valentine's Day really keeps me thinking about how thankful I am to God to have a house full of children and a wonderful husband to love! They are my life, and it is a great blessing to be able to share so many moments together with them.

In fact, our family will be headed to the beach later this afternoon to visit Naomi, our exchange student from China, who has been camping at the Southern California coast enjoying the beach and our beautiful weather. We are looking forward to the fellowship with the other exchange students and their host families and the chance to have a barbeque dinner and a campfire in the evening with them. But before we head out, I wanted to share a new project with you...

This first project is a gift box that was inspired by the colors of the Moxie Fab Fancy Schmancy Tuesday Trigger, the You've Got Mail challenge at the City Crafter Challeng blog and the So Romantic theme challenge at the Kraft Journal blog. After creating the card I shared with you the other day, I couldn't get over the lovely color combination of the the inspiration photo:

Isn't that the yummiest and sweetest piece of dessert you've ever seen? I hope you'll forgive me for sharing it with you again! I just couldn't resist, and thankfully, it's only a photo so I don't get tempted to indulge myself in eating a few pieces! :D

Here are a few more views of the gift box:

I started with a paper mache box that I painted with cream acrylic paint. I used sketch #64 at Paper Take Weekly for the layout of the box top.  For the background, I adhered a piece of  My Mind's Eye patterned paper which I stitched along the edges. Layered on top of it is a Maya Road kraft colored envelope which holds a journaling card that can be used to send a message of love to someone special.

On top of the envelope is a Daisy D's tag which has been stamped with "Feb 14" from Making Memories and an epoxy sticker from K & Company. The top of box is also embellished with a Tim Holtz hinge die (cut from grunge paper, painted white, and roughed up and crackled for textured for Try it on Tuesday's altered art and textured themed challenge this week ), a gold foil bird from Making Memories (inspired by the Animal Antics challenge at Simon Says Stamps), a Melissa Frances glittered chipboard heart, Prima flowers, Creative Imaginations pearl brads, Recollections rhinestone swirls, cream lace, and pink seam binding ribbon.

Finally, along the edge of the lid, I used a Martha Stewart border punch to create a scalloped border from chocolate brown cardstock, and embellished it with a length of pink and tan vintage trim.

The next project is a card that somewhat took me out of my comfort zone...it's a masculine card! If you know me, masculine cards are a rare creation for me! Hehe! :) I have to confess that other than clean and simple cards, masculine themed projects are a challenge for me to create. :D

As I was thinking about my dear hubby, I decided to try my hand at creating a card that he would like...with no flowers, pearls, or rhinestone swirls as embellishments. Let me tell you, I really missed having those embellishments for this card... ;D

However, I did have the benefit of using the CPS Sketch #136, which is the first of the sketches they posted for their 5th anniversary celebration, as the inspiration for this card:

I started with a Bazzil chocolate brown card base, and chose a piece of Martha Stewart cream and grey text patterned paper which I stitched along the edges and then adhered to the card front.

Next, I adhered a Creative Imaginations journaling card on top of the patterned paper and then layered a Maya Road chipboard label on top of the journaling card which was embossed with the script Cuttlebug embossing folder, painted cream, and inked with creamy brown Colorbox stamping ink along the edges. I punched two holes on the chipboard label and threaded a length of wide brown satin ribbon.

Finally, inspired again by the Animal Antics challenge at Simon Says Stamps, I cut a label from a piece of My Mind's Eye patterned paper which included two sweet little birds. I used some Making Memories mini alpha stamps and a K & Company epoxy sticker for the sentiment to complete the card.

Well, that's all from me for today! I hope you all enjoy your Friday evening, and are looking forward to the weekend ahead of us!

 

Comments

[MariLynn]

Wowzers! I love how your box and card look. So super elegant. Thanks for sharing with the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.

[Lovely Linda]

Wow Christine - your projects are divine! I love the tin and all of the details - beautiful - along with your card - I am loving your style! Thank you for joning us at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge - we love to see you! {{{hugs}}}
Linda SSIC Design Team

[Marlena M]

Wow, your projects are incredible. I love the gift box and the ribbon treatment on that card-amazing!

[Beth Moore]

Absolutely Stunning! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Kraft Journal!

[Joy Taylor]

WOW! WOW! WOW! I am lost for words over these creations...stunning... http://creativejourney.typepad.com/creative_journey/2012/02/evidence-of-love.html

[Janet Perafan-Babar]

Hi Christine! Your work is simply amazing! I love it all. Please contact me, I would like to ask you something in private....thanks! Janet

[Melissa Bove]

Just gorgeous Christine! Amazing work as always!

Thank you for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!

hugs...
Melissa

[Michelle]

A wonderful altered box for the TioT challenge this week. Stunning! Thanks for joining us
x Michelle

[Janet]

thanks for joining us at TIOT alter it week your box is stunning - I do so love your collaged look x

[Linda R]

It was a joy to see both of your creations. They are both so beautiful..

Thanks so much for playing along with us at CCCB!

[cheryln]

Absolutely STUNNING work! Thanks so much for joining us this week at CCCB!

[Tami Mayberry]

Stunning!! Thanks for joining us for the CPS 5th Anniversary celebration