This post makes me smile! I must admit…when I 1st saw these "Monster Hugs" that Stampin' Up! came out with for Valentines this year…..I was not very thrilled – I didn't quite get why the little goober man only had 1 eye….I felt sorry for him!!!
Naturally, I did purchase them as I feel the need to show a variety of products and knowing that my son teaches children at a Montessori School in Boston, I knew that I would find a way to put them to use for him and his kids!
What I ended up finding is…I actually really like them!!!
Actually so much, I bought another pack in each color! They are fun, fresh and can easily be used for other uses than valentines! I did a search on the internet and many ideas I found used the Summer Starfruit for the blue one….and that just didn't work for me….
Let's go and you can see how you like these little guys!
I have done them in 3 different ways….with nuggets and a box on the front…..with Giradelli Chocolates and the box in the back…..and a Birthday Card for a friend that actually is on Valentines Day and I always bring him a jug of milk and fresh baked Chocolate Chip Cookies to his office, so thought this would be perfect and will make him laugh!
- To make the box to the front like above…it is soooo easy you are going to want to whop up a bunch of these! I have these filled with "nuggets" (5) fit great!
- For the "boy's" one I used Marina Mist as my box color and to the "girls" I used the fresh Strawberry Slush!
- Take a piece of paper at 4" X 4 3/8" and pull out the Simple Scoring Tool or simply use your Stampin' Trimmer as you always have the scoring part! Starting with the 4" side – simply score at 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" – next turn it to the 4 3/8" side and score this side at 1" and 3 3/8"
- Fold in all of the score lines and I highly recommend using the bone folder for crisp and professional looking edges! Look at the below picture and you will see that I cut up the score lines in the middle but then I do reccomend that you "cut in" on these edges….I think that this makes a "cleaner" project!
Put a piece of sticky strip on the outer edge of the small cut flap…see picture below! You fold up this 1st and adhere…..then the back side!
- Here is the important part….take your sticky strip and put it about 1/4" down from the edge of the "monster" and take it around but leaving a gap where the "hands" meet! I like it to be even to the bottom!
- Taking a scrap piece of white and using the heart from the Hearts a Flutter Framelits I cut out a simple heart and then popped out a real red heart with the small heart punch to make the "valentine a valentine"!!!
- I simply wrapped the "nuggets" in the coordinating colors of the Designer Series Papers…..use them ALL of the time!
I just think that these are just too darn cute! I adore the little eye….makes it super fun! Now let's get to the next one….the box in the back that will fill (3) Ghirardellii Chocolates!
This box uses the same principals! Here is the scoop! Take a piece of 4 1/4" X 5" piece (you can get 4 from a sheet of paper) and here are the score measurements!
On the 4 1/4" side…score at 1" and 3 1/4"
On the 5" side ….score at 2" and 3"
I know that if you do it this way you lose the back of the card but the Tags for You Stamp makes up for it! The heartsin real red are the added touch that makes the finale!
I think that this is a great option! The only downside is that you lose the "bum" of the "Monster" but you have the room to write who it goes to …….
Here is a quick and easy Birthday Card! Can you see that I scored each side….it is just 1/4" in on all sides – this is a quick and easy trick to jazz up a card!
I did wrap a nugget and he is holding it but the simple anf fun sentiment from Sassy Salutations was the perfect "Happy Birthday" for my friend!!! I think this is such a fun and fresh stamp set! This card was so easy…I just used the multipurpose glue to adhere the "Monster"….fast….DONE!
I hope that you have enjoyed these FUN monsters….but remember, these Valentines that Stampin' Up! are offering are only good thru the 27th….YIKES – that is tomorrow! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about these little guys!
Today's post is another example of how I needed to change my mind!!! I did not "fall in love" with these little guys at first but once I start playing with them…..I LOVED THEM!!!!
Tomorrow I will be showcasing more of the "SWAPS" I received at Leadership! I know that you love them and I want to show you all of the talent that is out there! I am trying to put my creative hat on as SALE-A-BRATION starts on Tuesday!!!!!
That is a huge woot-woot and I will be sharing some blog candy to kick off the party!!!
Here is to a great Sunday….unitl tomorrow!
I like your Monsters with the box in front and on the back.
Thank you for sharing how you made them.
Now I need to get my hands on some of these ‘cuties’
So adorably cute! I just ordered a couple extra sets. These guys just make me smile and I love them. Great project with the boxes Susan. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me daily.
Of course you are right again, these can be used for other occasions also:). Guess I’ll have to order some to have on hand. Like the card idea and the box. Thanks for all the sharing you do and inspiring us to think outside the box.
The card would look so fun with the backside of the little monster on the card either inside or on the back. Of course you would have to waste one that way. Maybe make him a little jacket to cover the to and from sign too. Could you just imagine this on one of the flipping turn around framelit thing? Maybe make it so the little ones are standing on the box and that way you could still use the happy heart day stamp which I had totally forgotten about! Now, do I splurge and quick buy them – of course I would have to have both sets…..that darn birthday card is just too cute and just may have to be the deciding factor!
This is the first blog that has showed these up close. I think they would be cuter if one other eye was added to give them two.
Hi Chris….how is Henry!?!? I agree with you…I actually made one with the the front and back and it is super cute but then I felt bad that I was wasting one…..it is cute!!!! Thanks for popping in…hugs!
I AGREE…I do not get the one eye thing!!!! I might just be a rebel and do it….he should have 2 eyes!!!! Thanks for thinking the way I do!!!!
All your projects are so cute! You have made me like the monsters! I, too, was not enamored of them at first. Cute, cute! Such great ideas!
I am sure there is a kids movie or something about the one eye but then you could always make the valentine and put “I only have an eye for you” or something punny! You would have the extra eye from the one you used poetic license on to create a front and back one. Even though I love him holding the sign saying Happy Birthday – one of these critters would look cute holding a birthday candle. A real candle or a paper one! Too bad the eyes are green then we would have a green eyed monster! Sorry, lack of sleep from Henry. His dex test is tomorrow.