Sharing a quick mini-tutorial on a fun little 4.25 square Valentine from the Chocolate Lovers' Stamp Camp last week. To begin, you'll need the Heart Shaped Sweet Treat Cups (just $2.95 for a pack of 12), some Confetti White or Naturals White carstock trimmed to 8.5 square and then cut at 4.25, a coordinating color of cardstock for the mat and backing, small candies such as M&M's, and ink and stamps. The Sweet Treat cups also come in round, if you are making something non-Valentine-y.
Start with a small handful of M&M's to get you going. Stamp your card base–I used Real Red ink and the Love You Much stamp set. Next, use your Big Shot to cut the larger of the scalloped squares on the Scallop Squares Duo die. While you've got the machine out, run the square through with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder as well.
You can take an M&M break here as needed. Next, take your Full Heart Punch and punch directly in the center of the scalloped square. Some genius at Stampin' Up designed the treat cups so that they fit EXACTLY in this punch shape. It is just pure awesomeness.The circular Sweet Treat Cups fit exactly inside the 1.75 inch circle punch, too.
Next, you'll want to punch the new giant 2.5 inch circle punch out of your scrap cardstock and adhere the filled treat cup to it. Did you know they are backed with Sticky Strip? They are! So they'll stick to just about anything, but good.
Make sure your M&M's are just even with the top of the cup, or the cardstock won't seal well and you might have leakage. So you'd better eat the extra ones, since you already touched them.
The treat cup and circle are now a separate piece, and they just rest inside the punched-out scalloped square with no adhesive. You attach the scalloped square to the cardfront with a mini glue dot in each corner. So when the recipient wants to eat the candy, they just pull up a corner of the scalloped square and out slides the treat cup. Fun!
Be sure to check out both kinds of Treat Cups here and don't forget some of the new Padded Envelopes if you want to send them through the mail. You can find them in the 2010-11 Idea Book & Catalog on page 170. And it's not too late to order them and make your Valentine's! Shipping to most parts of the country takes just 7 days or less. While you're waiting, you can pick up an extra bag of M&M's… you know, to replace the one you ate while you were reading this.
Love having the chocolate instructions included! Thought I was the only one!
Thank you for sharing such a great tutorial–I’ve already saved it to my favorites.