Designer Craft Connection Hop - February 2013 - Handmade with Love

A new month and a new DCC hop addition.  This month the theme is "Handmade with Love". Hopefully we can find any moment for making and sharing any type of handmade love.  With Valentine's Day only ten days away this certainly a very good time though.

Once again I went to my favorite tools to make something to share.  My Sizzix Big Shot and dies came to the rescue.  I combined my love of the heart shape with papers and felt to create a simple collection of wearable jewelry pieces.  Plus a little heart gift box for presenting any number of small gift ideas.

For the necklace, pin and bracelet I used the Flower Layers with Heart Petals (#658053) die from the "From the Heart 2013" collection by Eileen Hull. A printed paper of choice, with a coordinating felt, and  a "Steam a Seam" sheet to layer them before die-cutting into shapes. The layering of the paper with the felt makes the shapes malleable and sturdy.  Green felt was layered using "steam-a-seam" also, and then leaf shapes were die-cut with another die (Leaves #657119) from an earlier collection by Eileen Hull.

To make the heart shaped gift box, use Scoreboard XL, Heart Box (#658057).  Instead of using scoreboard, I layered two different fabrics and a heavy card stock with "steam-a-seam".  NOTE: This will not be as thick as scoreboard, but it can still be shaped into a sweet, simple box.  I die cut two extra heart shapes from card stock for gluing inside the box lid and bottom. NOTE: These hearts may need a slight trim to fit the inside.  Trim the top edge of the heart with a narrow trim or ribbon. Glue a very narrow trim or rick-rack around the bottom edge of the lower box.  Add a bow or desired decorative element to the top.

Fill the heart with sweet treats, either purchased or homemade, or any other small special gift to give a loved one.