This is Danielle with a quick and inexpensive gift for classmates, teachers, friends and neighbors for Valentine’s Day. These Valentine Crackers are so easy to make that my 6 year old is actually making them for her class herself in a simpler version. A bonus to this project is that you get to recycle at the same time!

First, collect some empty paper towel tubes. You can make two of these candy holders out of a paper towel tube by cutting it in half.

Cover the empty cardboard tubes with a paper of your choice. I’ve used 2 of the new Spring Jubilee papers on mine. Fill the tubes with candy.

Now we get to decorate! I’ve tucked in some doilies and tissue paper on the ends. Adhere them along the inside edge with glue dots or repositionable adhesive that would make the tissue easy to take out, so the recipient can remove the candy.

You can hang little punched hearts to add the name of the recipient to the Valentine cracker with twine. You can also decorate these tubes with Vintage Vogue die cuts. There are a lot of cute “love” die cuts in that line! On the dark pink cracker, I added some Vintage Vogue ribbon and hot glued onto the edges.

To make the ruffled ribbon, I machine stitched along the edge and then pulled on the string to start gathering the ribbon. Keep pulling the string and gathering until you get the desired look.

Now hot glue the ruffles onto the ends. Insert tissue paper and decorate the tops!

You can make these as simple or as extravagant as you’d like. A bowl of these on the counter would be a pretty decoration as well!

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to check back each day this week for more Valentine/love project and layout ideas.

Danielle

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Supplies used:

NEW Spring Jubilee papers (Party and Celebration), Nantucket papers (Crab Cakes) by Pink Paislee

Vintage Vogue Ephemera (die cuts) by Pink Paislee

Soiree twine by Pink Paislee

Soiree flags by Pink Paislee

Other: doilies and tissue paper from craft supply store, cardstock for punched hearts, heart punch by McGill, hot glue gun, assorted candy.

I chose to scrapbook this recent photo of my hubby and I.

What I really love is how I was able to use papers and elements from the Snow Day range to make a “love” layout – without a hint of snow! The chevron paper makes my heart beat just a little faster – it is divine and I just had to make it a feature.

To jazz up the pink paper that I used on the left side, I sprayed the Mistables misting mask with a darker pink mist which gives a lovely subtle addition to the layout.

I created a cluster of elements on a large kraft tag – kraft works perfectly with this range – as does the raw elements of the calico from the Mistables range and the wood from the Wood Shop range. I was very excited to be able to incorporate in the little metal happy sign from the Vintage Vogue range – it was perfect!

I felt that I needed to incorporate some darker colour on the right of the page so punched a variety of circle shapes from a red and pink polka dot paper and randomly spread them over the chevron. A large circle at the top right of the photo grounds the title. Circles are becoming a favourite element of mine at the moment – either solid punched circles or larger hollow circles using my circle cutter.

I hope that you have enjoyed my first post and that you are inspired to start scrapping your love!

Cheers, Kim x

A little about Danielle:

Hi! I am originally a small town, midwest girl from South Dakota, but currently live in upstate New York with my husband of 13 years and my daughters, Taylor, age 12 and Kati, age 6. I have two degrees, one in Speech Therapy/Audiology and a teaching certificate in grades K-8. However, I’m happily staying home now, taking care of my family, and working for a few scrapbooking manufacturers in my spare time, making ART like I’ve always dreamed of!

About 4 years ago, I began blogging and creating for Pink Paislee. Since then, I’ve designed for several companies and have been published in many different magazines and idea books, and have taught scrapbooking classes around the United States. I love to share my ideas and passion for art!

How did you get started in paper crafting?

Like some of the others, I began when my first daughter was born 12 years ago. I really wanted to make a baby book for her and keep those memories fresh in my mind! It was such a special time for me, and I wanted to get it all down on paper.

What inspires you to create?

Inspiration really strikes me anywhere, anytime! Whether it’s a color combination I want to try, a new technique, a saying I’d like to use on a card, or even a fashion trend, I tend to look at everything and think…how can I use that in my paper crafting? New products always tend to inspire me as well, and I like to try and think of new uses for them.

Do you prefer layouts, altered projects, cards…or all of the above?

Lately, my passion seems to be cards and mini albums. The smaller palette is easier for me to work with.

How would you describe your style?

I think I might call my style “fresh vintage”. I love the look of older things like vintage book paper and girly elements, such as swirls and doilies. But I also love brighter colors to update the vintage look. “Modern meets vintage”, I guess you could say!

A fun fact about you?

I know how to work a few tools in my husband’s garage, including the table saw! We just finished putting hard wood floors in our house ourselves, and I cut all of the pieces myself for the floors while my husband nailed them in.

Any other hobbies?

A few years ago, I learned how to make quilts through a community class that I took, and I just love it!  I’ve always been a drawer and painter as well. I used to cut my own shapes out of wood with a jig saw myself, paint them and sell them at craft fairs.

What is your favorite Pink Paislee product?

I am ridiculously in love with the Nantucket line. I love the colors. The Spool Buttons from the Vintage Vogue line are one of my favorite products as well!

Here are a couple of samples of Danielle’s favorite Pink Paislee projects!

To see more of Danielle’s work, visit her blog: Homespun With Heart.

A little about Vicki:

With a background in Graphic Design and Fine Arts, Vicki is always on a mission to learn something new and then find a way to share it!  Her motto is “Give it a try!  You won’t know if it’s your style unless you try it!”  Vicki’s work is currently published in Scrapbooks, Etc and she writes a quarterly article for Scrapbooks and Cards, Today magazine, as well as teaching workshops around the world.  Make sure to check out Vicki’s new book Creative Foundations, released in January 2012!  She is so excited to be a part of the Pink Paislee team and looks forward to a year of new creative endeavors!!!

How did you get started in paper crafting?

Like a lot of crafters, I started scrapbooking after the birth of my first child.  I had always played around with being creative but my new baby meant LOTS of photos and I found a way to enjoy photography and art through scrapbooking!

What inspires you to create?

Everything!!  I really like to find a way to “create” everyday.  I love product, I love the Internet and blogs and I love idea books and magazines.  The inspiration is really everywhere, you just have to open your eyes to it.

Do you prefer layouts, altered projects, cards…or all of the above?

Definitely all of the above!  I play with all papercrafting mediums and mixed media stuff, too.  If it tickles your fancy, my motto is GIVE IT A TRY!!!

How would you describe your style?

Ready??  Linear Funk.  I made it up.  I like control and I like to make a mess.  So I make “contained” messes with a ton of color!!

A fun fact about you?

I like to laugh…a lot.  I am a little crazy, too.  Life is too short not to enjoy living it.

Any other hobbies?

Who has time?!?!?  I love photography.  I love decorating and organizing, too.

What is your favorite current Pink Paislee product?

ALL of the wood stuff!  Endless possibilities!!!!

Take a look at these beautiful layouts and a mini album by Vicki…

Stunning, right?!

You can see more of Vicki’s wonderful work here on her blog: www.vickiboutin.typepad.com.

Danielle

A little about Valerie:

Valerie was introduced to scrapbooking in 2000 when she was invited to a workshop. Being no stranger to the arts and crafts, Valerie was instantly hooked to the hobby. Her work was first published in 2002. Since then, hundreds of her works have appeared in the most popular scrapbook magazines and in idea books. She has been involved with various manufacturer design teams; with work ranging from creating artwork for product packaging, to tradeshow exhibits, catalogs, class projects, publications, and QVC & HSN television network features.

She is a frequent contributor to the BHG Scrapbooks etc. magazine since becoming part of their creative team in 2008.  Other achievements include being Paper Crafts’ 1st Gallery Idol, a 2006 Memory Makers Master, and a 2005 PaperKuts Power Team member.

For almost 5 years, she has been inspiring paper crafters with sketch ideas from her Got Sketch? blog, which provides sketches for scrapbook layouts and cards.  She also conducts various sketch-based online classes and downloadable content.

Valerie currently resides in Indiana with her husband  and their two children Lauren and Ian. Her kids are her main source of inspiration and also happen to be her favorite photography & scrapbooking subjects.

How did you get started in paper crafting?

Shortly after becoming a mom in 2000, I suddenly found myself with hundreds of photos of my baby and wanted to showcase them in a creative way.  I was invited to a Creative Memories workshop and was instantly hooked to scrapbooking.

What inspires you to create?

Fresh new scrapbooking products, a set of new photos, and a clean scrapbook room!

Do you prefer layouts, altered projects, cards…or all of the above?

Although I create all types of projects, I prefer layouts and cards.

How would you describe your style?

Clean, linear, and detail-oriented.

A fun fact about you?

I was a shoe designer for several years prior to having kids.  Shoes continue to be one of my passions.

Any other hobbies?

Some of my other hobbies include photography, sewing, crocheting, reading, and baking.

What is your favorite Pink Paislee product?

I am ribbon fanatic, so I’d have to say ribbons & trims.

Here are some beautiful samples of Valerie’s work!

You can see more of her work on her blog: www.valeriesalmon.typepad.com and don’t forget to visit her Got Sketch? site as well.

Danielle