Hi everyone! I feel like we need to get caught up! The past week or so has gone by so quickly! How are you?? I spent alllllll weekend in my studio cleaning, sorting, organizing and decluttering (again) and now I think I'm done for a while. Everything was a total mess since Christmas – just stuff everywhere. I had some organizing projects I wanted to do with my stamps for a long time. I finally did them! All of my clear stamps are now sorted by company and housed in bins that are super easy for me to flip through and find what I want. It makes me really happy to know I will be able to grab something easily and quickly. Sometimes in here I swear I want to give up! But not now… It's my happy place again! Yippeeeee! So, with that in mind, yesterday I spent ALL day crafting! It's time to get serious about Valentine Crafting! Valentine's Day is in two weeks! EEEK! I have so many ideas, but not enough time! I'm gonna run out of time for sure this year.
Today's super fun project is made with products from Mama Elephant Stamps. I made Panda Valentine Treat Bags!! I have had the bear dies foreveeerrrrr and finally used them! Yay! I bought some red/cream gingham at my local stamp store on Monday and it was the perfect compliment to the cute black and white panda bears. Did I mention how fun this project is?? Well, it is! You should make some! Last year I made THESE TREAT BAGS for Easter with the same Favor Bag Die. It's really versatile and the perfect size for treats. Perfect for holidays, birthdays or any celebration. You can get one favor bag from a sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper.
These came together very quickly. To make them, you die cut two of the favor bag dies and glue them together on the sides and the bottom. I use liquid glue for this part to get a nice seal so the treats don't fall out! Then it's just a matter of decorating them. The dies cut like a dream and it's easy to glue them together. Once the bear is assembled, I glued it to the front of the favor bag.
I die cut some red hearts for the top and attached them with a pin (from my stash)…. The little banner die comes with the Favor Bag Die. I stamped the sentiments from two Mama Elephant stamp sets. Kiss Kiss I Love You! So cute for Valentines! The banners are attached with foam tape. And, don't get me started on those top hats!!! EEK. I added cute tiny red hearts on their hats.
This is what the dies look like! From the bear die set you can make a panda bear or a squishy teddy bear…or even a polar bear!
Here are my pieces all cut out. I like to die cut everything all at once and then sit down to make my project. I think it's more fun like that – you don't have to stop and go die cut more! My die cut machine is not on my desk so I would be up and down too many times.
Here are the Favor Bags before decorating!
Have you started working on Valentines yet?? Or are you already done?? Yikes. I need to get bizzzzzzzzzy. It's such a nice switch from all the Winter crafting. I'm so ready for bright colors and flowers and all that good stuff. Have an awesome day friends! XOXO 
