No, I know it's not Valentine's Day yet...

but I'm going to upload a Valentine's scrapping project anyway :)

I made this as my October design team assignment for CreativeXpress.com. This mini-book with pages and accents created using the Cricut Expressions and Cuttlebug machines, is a fun way for the kids to tuck a way their treasured valentine cards exchanged with their lil' "friends -n- crushes"...

Valentine Cards-Keeper Mini Book w/ Handmade Valentines (Oct.2008 CX dt assignment).

Even though I myself do not have school-age kids, I really enjoyed creating this Valentine Card memory book for young ones to display their treasured card exchanges! This book is very simple to replicate and utilizes a 7" scallop square design for the bases of the entire mini-book, cut from the Cricut Expressions machine. Each page I designed as a "pocket" format for which the Valentine cards can be tucked into.

- I first cut out my front, back and book inserts using a 7" scallop square from the Accent Essentials cartridge. I wanted the front and back covers to be a little more substantial in weight so I also cut out extra pieces from a weighter cardstock, then sandwiched and adhered them between 2 other cut scallop squares of cardstock.

- I then chose the patterned papers that I wanted to use from the Figgy Pudding BasicGrey collection. These papers are typically Christmas theme but I thought they lended very well for a Valentine oriented book! I also cut these papers into 7" scallop squares. These pieces are used for the page inserts and I cut them to alternate in the book as pockets, diagonally and horizontally. After cutting the pieces, I faux-stitched and inked around the edges and adhered to the cardstock page inserts.

- Creating the embellishments for this mini-book was probably the most fun part of this project. I used the clear product packaging that some of my Cricut cartridges were shipped in, and cut out clear acrylic heart and flower embellishments. For these, I used images from the Accent Essential cartridge once again. The heart pieces I even ran through the "Swiss Dots" embossing folder for added texture. Buttons, trim and ribbon, along with some other Cuttlebug die-cut and embossed hearts and stamped images were used to accent the book further...

- I also created two "homemade" Valentine cards using my supplies to show how adorable cards look displayed in this unique Valentine memoir.

Supplies from the CX store:

• 36-8240 - Pomegranate Trio by Bazzill • 03-0122 - Figgy Pudding Collection Pack by Basic Grey • 37-1604 - Swiss Dots Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug • 37-1540 - Deocrative Hearts Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug • 37-1115 - Hearts & Stamps Dies by Cuttlebug, 2 X 6 • 37-1092 - Heart #1 Two-Step Die Set by Cuttlebug, 2 X 2 • 37-1056 - Harmony Alphabet Die Set by Cuttlebug • 35-7638 - StazOn Opaque Cotton White • 03-0304 - Journal Block Clear Stamp by Basic Grey • 03-0033 - Infuse Buttons by Basic Grey • 03-0058 - Recess Ribbon by Basic Grey • 36-5169 - Vintage Hip Trims Gracen by Making Memories • 36-0427 - Embellishment Distressing Kit • 73-3848 - Brown Medium Slick Writer • 24-3072 - Terifically Tacky Tape® by Provo Craft, 1/2" • 31-1002 - 2-Way Glue Pen Fine Tip • 73-6937 - Extra Large Gromlet Cool Metals by We R Memory Keepers • 36-9552 - Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch by We R Memory Keepers • 29-0300 - Expression Machine by Cricut

Other supplies used:-ColorBox Chesnut Roan ink.-White Bazzill cardstock.-Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge (Offered with Expressions Machine).-Clear product packaging.-Generic cardboard.-Binder ring.

So there it is! Hope you enjoyed the lil' break from Christmas, lol!

As for Christmas, it's approaching quite fast and I suppose I should get myself in gear and get out to those stores to finish up the last of my shopping. Christmas dinner will be hosted here at our new house this year, so that's got me a tad excited! I don't do turkey though so I'll be making my signature specialty, "Mushroom Wine Chicken", and mom's bringing the Prime Rib!

I'm not sure I'll be making another post by Christmas, but I will try. If not though, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope that you really take effort in enjoying your time spent with your family and friends closeby! Make some special memories!