Today’s project is a quick and easy box I designed to hold the Hershey Marshmallow Hearts. This is a gift I plan on giving my kids this Valentine’s.  I’ve decided that this year instead of only celebrating Valentine’s on the day itself, I’m going to do a countdown to Valentine’s and surprise my kids with a variety of treats and Valentine’s related activities….some crafts, we’ll bake together….and whatever else I can think of.  If you have any ideas, please leave them in the comments section.  I’d love to come up with 14 different things.  Actually, here’s a challenge for you all, give me 14 different ideas that can be used with kids for a countdown to Valentine’s, and I’ll design and post a modified “advent” calendar type idea for a countdown to Valentine’s day.  Now don’t feel like you each have to come up with all 14 ideas – a handful from each of you would be fine – what I’m hoping is that between ALL my readers, I’ll be able to get a list of at least 14 ideas.  Sound good?

You can download the pdf handout HERE.  It has a full supply list, template & step-by-step written directions.

You can watch a video of how today’s project was made below. 

Directions:

1. Take a 2 ¾” x 5” piece of Kraft CS and a 2 ⅝” x 2 ¾” piece of Kraft CS and randomly stamp the “tic, tac, toe” pattern all over both pieces in Very Vanilla Craft ink.  Fill in any empty spaces with the small heart from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.  Set these pieces aside to dry.
2. Score, crease & cut your 4 ½” x 6 ½” and your 3 ¼” x 11 ¾” pieces of Chocolate Chip CS as indicated by the templates on the handout.
3. Place some sticky strip along the outer side and center bottom flaps of the 4 ½” x 6 ⅛” piece, and on the small bottom flaps. Remove the backing from the Sticky strip on the small bottom flaps and stick them to the inside of the side center panels.
   Remove the Sticky Strip from the bottom center flap and stick the outer side flaps to the bottom center flap.
4. Remove the backing from the Sticky Strip on the side flaps and then stick your pocket onto one panel of the 3 ¼” x 11 ¾” piece of Chocolate Chip CS, making sure the bottom of the pocket is aligned with the bottom of the panel.  Your box is now assembled. Set aside for a moment.
5. Stamp the scalloped greeting image onto a scrap of Very Vanilla CS in Basic Brown Classic ink.  Color in where desired using a blender pen and Real Red Classic ink.
6. Punch out the image with the Scallop Circle Punch.   Using your 2-way glue pen, add Dazzling Diamonds glitter where desired. 
   Clip a small silver library clip to the scalloped greeting and set aside for a moment.
7. Dry emboss a scrap of Real Red CS using your Big Shot and the Polka dot Textured Impressions folder. Punch out two sets of hearts using the Heart to Heart punch.  Set the hearts aside for a moment.
8. Center and stick the 2 ¾” x 5” piece of Kraft CS onto a 3” x 5 ¼” piece of Real Red CS.  Lay a 7” piece of ¾” Real Red Polka dot ribbon (with the polka dot side down) across the Kraft CS (from top to bottom), about a ¼” from the left edge of the Kraft CS.  Bring the ends of the ribbon around to the back of the Real Red CS and stick down using Snail adhesive.
9. Stick the matted Kraft CS to the front panel of your box with Sticky Strip.
10. Stick the scalloped oval greeting with the clip to the box front with 3 Stampin’ Dimensionals.
11. Stick the two hearts to the box front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The box front is now decorated.
12. Center and stick the 2 ⅝” x 2 ¾” piece of Kraft CS to a 2 ¾” x 2 ⅞” piece of Real Red CS.  Stick two of the embossed hearts to the bottom right corner of the Kraft CS piece using Snail adhesive.
13. Center and stick the matted Kraft CS piece to the pocket front.  You’re done!

I hope you enjoyed today’s project!

P.S.  I had a few people leave a comment asking me where I got the candy for yesterday’s project – it was from Bulk Barn, a chain of bulk food stores.

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