Valentine's 'Be Mine' Tags Tutorial and Cake Batter Blondies!

Hi and happy Friday!! My favorite day of the week has arrived again! I have a few Valentine's Day projects to share over the next few days. I'll kick off the weekend with my sweet  little 'Be Mine' tags.

These will be embellishing my gift boxes of homemade goodies that I'm baking for some of my family and friends.

They're so fun to make! If you need some last minute pretties for your packages you can whip these up in no time at all. Just follow the super easy directions below, and feel free to ask questions if I've left anything out. After the directions you'll find photos of the supplies I used along with links to where they can be found. If you don't have these products, don't worry about it ~ just substitute with whatever you have at home, and have fun!  

Directions

1. Use 'Love Me' patterned paper from MME (or any favorite pattern in your stash.)
2. Cut the tag using the Tag Sale # 5 die from Papertrey Ink. Cut one tag from the patterned paper and an additional one from plain heavy card stock. 
3. Die cut the circles and hearts using the Spellbinder's dies listed below, cutting each shape twice (one in patterned paper and another  plain heavy cardstock.) 
4. Ink the edges of all the die cut  pieces with Tim Holtz distress ink in vintage photo
5. Adhere plain cardstock die cuts to the back of the patterned paper die cuts using Glossy Accents. This will make your die cuts more durable. 
6. Stamp the sentiment using  Basic Grey's Two Scoops-Sweet Sentiments and Staz On ink in Timber Brown.
7. Stamp the little cherub using Inkadinkado's All About Love stamp set and Jenni Bowlin Ink in Cough Syrup. 
8. Adhere glitter to the circle die cuts with Essential Glue Pad (lends a bit of sparkle to the project.)
9. Punch a hole in the side of each heart. 
10. Use pop-up foam adhesive circles to attach the scallop circle and cherub to the heart.
11.  Layer your pieces and tie everything together with a bow made from seam binding (or ribbon of your choice.) 
12. Attach a paper rose to finish it all off.    

  

Supplies

My Minds Eye 6x6 Paper Pad

Papertrey Ink Tag Sale # 5 

Spellbinders Scallop Circles-Large and Small 

Spellbinders Standard Circles-Large

Spellbinders Classic Hearts

'be mine' sentiment from Basic Grey Two Scoops-Sweet Sentiments (even the name sounds yummy!)    

Inkadinkado Mini All About Love stamp set 

Martha Stewart Glitter

Jenni Bowlin Ink in Cough Syrup

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo 

Staz On ink in Timber Brown

Ranger Glossy Accents

Adhesive Foam Circles

Essential Glue Pad

Pink Cardstock, Seam Binding (hand dyed and scrunched), and Paper Flower from craft supply   

And now for the really sweet stuff! I'm talking moist, chewy, luscious perfection....

photo courtesy of sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

I happened upon this recipe for Cake Batter Blondies on six sister's stuff blog last week, and my grandaughter's visit today presented the perfect opportunity to try them out. My little angel helped me with the baking. We had so much fun, and oh my gosh, these are amazing! They're rich and moist and wonderful in every way. If you're one who loves to lick the cake batter out of the bowl, then these will be your new favorite. It's another quick and easy recipe using a cake mix as a base. Some people frown on using a mix, and there are times when  I'm one of those people, but there are times (like this!) when I throw caution to the wind and simply enjoy.The white chocolate chips are optional but I highly recommend them. My only suggestion would be to leave off the frosting. It's pretty, but they don't need it. We ended up scraping the frosting off because they're even better without it. I've attached the link to the recipe so you can try them out if you're in the mood for a little Valentine's goodness.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Your visit has added sunshine to my day! I wish you happy baking and crafting! Hugs,