Penni & Lyssa’s Real-Life Valentine Crafting Adventures: Tiny Totes & Dainty Details

Happy Friday and the final day of the Real-Life Valentine Crafting Adventures of Penni & Lyssa! My crafty BFF and I hope you had a ton of fun learning a bunch of pretty and practical tips for your holiday projects. I've even got a video for you today!

The week sure went fast, didn't it? Don't forget to leave a comment on any post in this series to be entered to win a free pack of 12×12 Glimmer Paper AND a selection of the projects we featured this week! U.S. residents only, sorry. Enter once per post for a max of five chances to win!

I am a huge fan of little tote bags–just check out the 100% Free Tutorial Library for evidence of that!–so I took on this Tiny Tote & Notes assignment. The tote is SO easy to make! Here's the quick steps:

1. Half-sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock (8.5 x 5.5 inches).
2. Score the short way (portrait) at 1 inch and 4.5 inches.
3. Score the long way (landscape) at 3.5 and 5 inches.
4. Slice on the scores to form flaps and fold into open-ended box.
5. Use Tear N Tape or Liquid Multi to adhere.
6. Use 1/2-inch wide strips of patterned paper for the handles and trim.

Real-Life Tips & Tricks #1: The tote bag is the perfect size for 8-10 little 3×3 cards and envelopes! What a fun little gift for someone to receive. Use the Envelope Punch Board to make envelopes that are the perfect size. Make sure you deliver it to them in time to use the little cards for their friends, if you are giving it to them for Valentine's Day.

Or, if you don't have time to create mini cards and envelopes, just make the easy totes and fill them with candy or a hot cocoa packet and some cookie sticks or something fun like that. I had a lot of fun, though, making up a bunch of different designs and using up all my odds and ends of scraps. Here's some closeups of the details…

I am happy to say I finally purchased and taught myself a new video editing software (my ancient one finally went kah-flooey with the last Windows 10 update), so I am back in the business of making tutorials for your viewing enjoyment! Here's a quick how-to on the tote with some tips along the way.

Another quick valentine project for home decor or a party decoration we came up with was to transform a chalkboard into a cute banner clothesline. We made easy pennants with the Banner Triple Punch and 2-inch wide strips of patterned paper, adding some burlap and doilies in there for textural contrast. We added a few Sweetheart Punches and some fun pom-pom trim clipped to a few of the clothespins. The photos are printed in sepia tone and backed with Early Espresso cardstock. Cute and EASY!

Real-Life Tips & Tricks #2: You can use any alphabet set to create a message to clip to your twine. We used the Layered Letters Alphabet with Smoky Slate and Real Red inks for my "Love You More" sentiment. If you don't have an alphabet set, try cutting out individual letters from magazines and newspapers and go for a fun "ransom note" look instead! Or just hand-cut some larger hearts and place them randomly to break up the pennants for more visual interest.

And last but not least… for when you need a Valentine that is neither formal nor funny but just a little bit flirty…we have the Crossover Card from Cheat Sheets Colleciton #10 with just a teensy-bit-naughty of "French maid" flavor! 

Real-Life Tips & Tricks #3: Turn almost any peek-a-boo style card into something saucy using black cardstock and white lace! Corset lacing, satin ribbons, rounded edges and tiny bows also help play up the lingerie feel. This is going to be his FAVORITE card ever! In fact, he'll probably love it so much he will hand you his credit cards and beg you to order some more Stampin' Up! : )

WOW! I think we did it–we crammed our entire Crafting Adventure in, in just five days! Did you love it? I know you did! Please leave Penni a comment below and thank her for joining me on the blog this week.

The fun is not over, though–if you sign up for blog updates, you'll continue to see all of the fun projects here at Song of My Heart. Or, subscribe to my once-a-week eNewsletter and you'll get not only all the news but also a weekly exclusive sneak peek for my subscribers, plus a free set of Cheat Sheets Collection #1 as a signup gift from me.

There's so many reasons to stay in touch! See you soon!

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