Valentine Card Techniques / Get More From Your Dies

[@createwithmissjane]

Koalas 🐨 are so rare these days. Trees 🌲 are being cut down and they are losing their natural habitats. Your card is beautiful. We love seeing Koalas at the Zoo with their babies. I love the Slim line cards… so fancy

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Jane. I bet they are so cute to see with their babies, that is very sad about the loss of habitat.

[@denisejames855]

Hi Erin, love these cards and the ideas. Koala's are endangered here in Australia and where I live on the Queensland Gold Coast we have had a lot of trouble with their populations due to dog attacks, car strike, and general housing booms reducing their habitat. Our local council has just agreed to preserve a fairly large area of bush to link up with other areas, giving koalas and other native animals places to roam without danger. During mating season the koala moves around a lot and during the day even though they are nocturnal. They are found in weird and worrying situations such as up light poles, in back gardens, suburban road etc. I lived on acreage in the Gold Coast Hinterland for a few years and we had koalas around us, hearing the male bellowing at night is really scary when first heard. They mark their trees and territory by scratching the bark. Fascinating and endearing but very strong and able to scratch and bite when you pick up a wild one, so always use a blanket if necessary to save one.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

It is too bad they are losing their habitat. That is unfortunately occurring here in my area for different species. I'm glad to hear they are increasing the preserve area for them though! After reading your comment I had to go look up a koala mating noise on KZbin, that would be scary to hear at night!!!

[@marshamcmullen7845]

It’s rare to see koalas out and about as their habitat is very specific and they are nocturnal! Occasionally they move around during the day but not often. They are well camouflaged in the eucalyptus trees. Zoos are great places to see them! Love these cards!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Oh wow, I definitely didn't know they are nocturnal, that does make them tricky to spot. So glad you enjoyed the cards.

[@katistamps]

Adorable cards, and three great uses for the thin cut!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thanks so much Katy, it is fun to stretch our craft products! A little lightbulb just went off, would this count as a twist on a product? I always say thinking outside the box isn't my strong suit but maybe I'm overthinking it lol 😂

[@celalo0721]

Always great ideas and inspiration!!! You truly are amazing and so utterly creative!!!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much, these were very fun to make

[@jamiedunn8749]

Hi Erin, I live in Perth Western Australia and really we only see them in national parks or the zoo and even then they are hard to find/see. They sleep most of the day high up in a tree to keep out of the heat.ooh this is my husbands channel that I use. X Nicola

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Jamie, thank you for the input, I've been enjoying the koala comments and learning a little more about them. They seem like interesting little creatures!

[@rondaladuke6106]

Super cute cards!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you, it was so fun to go all pink and glittery!

[@terrylkasper8541]

So cute!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you, it was so fun to make them all pink and sparkly!

[@sarah-janebates1539]

Koalas only eat certain types of Eucalypt trees and with so much land clearing we are losing alot of their natural habitat. It really does depend on where you are in Australia as to if you are lucky enough to see them while your out and about on walks or hikes. They are also very hard to spot in the areas they are found. Your much more likely to see signs of Koalas or hear their calls than actually see a Koala. Love your cards.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Sara, that is too bad about the loss of their habitat. It sounds like spotting one is a special camera worthy moment then!

[@canoneyes]

I always learn something new from you! I live in Tucson AZ and we have coyotes, javalina, a fox and a bobcat in my neighborhood. We chose this house because it had a wildlife highway next to our property, and we love watching all of them. Of course, we only observe and never feed them or harass them so they'll continue going about their business. 😍

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

That is so awesome, it is enjoyable to watch the animals isn't it? I had to go look up what a javalina was because I had not heard of them before, they are interesting creatures. We recently had a bear get into our trash dumpster. That was fun to catch on the game camera!

[@rosegreen788]

Really cute cards!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Rose, so glad you like them!

[@cindyslater102]

So cute , I love all 3!!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Than you, love this little koala stamp!

[@JaymaMalme]

These are so adorable!!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you! It was fun to use the Wild Berry glitter paper 🤩

[@Ms.G.Creates]

How adorable is that koala?! Love the idea of adding the strings to the hearts to create a balloon cluster. So creative, as always xo

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Right? So adorable! I was having so much fun I decided to make a set of cards so I could keep using him. I was going to draw strings and then remembered the balloon stamp set and it worked out well. So glad you enjoyed the cards my friend!

[@eleanorhora8563]

Love all these cards, but the balloon one is my favorite. Colors are cheerful and happy for any occasion, not just valentine!!!!!! Great tutorial!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much, the balloon one was my son's favorite too. Hard not to love the Wild Berry Glitter paper!

[@jeanbuller437]

Thank you for sharing! Love your cards!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you, I'm so glad you like them!

[@jenniferoja9566]

These are so cute. Love the colour combo!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Jennifer, the Wild Berry glitter paper is so pretty!

[@stephaniek5433]

Great ideas! I need to pull mine out!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you, its a cute set, happy crafting!

[@rhondapurton-coles6250]

Hi Erin - seeing a Koala is not always easy, in the wild, they rest high up in the bough of Eucalyptus Trees. I have seen them in the wild when I have been Bush Walking. Some years ago, I was driving locally past a large Golf Course and a Baby Koala was on the road... I stopped my car to block the road, others got out of their cars, I had a large towel in my car, they have sharp claws to climb trees, so the towel helped to bundle him/her up and take it to a cluster of trees away from the road... that is my big Koala Rescue story... otherwise, we live not too far from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where they care for all Australian Wildlife, especially Koalas. We often go there for lunch & see Koalas who are being cared for safely, which is the nicest way to see them. It is more common, at the Gold Coast, to see wild Kangaroos... this is more usual. Yesterday, my Husband & I drove past a Golf Course & saw a large group (a mob is the formal term for a grouping of Kangaroos) all hanging out eating an early dinner, they are cute to see.. they also have large claws & are best admired from a distance. I have never seen a wild Dear, I have loved seeing them at an Animal Sanctuary but never wild... they are A LOT bigger than a Kangaroo! 🙏💞

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Rhonda, I really enjoyed reading your comment, what a cool baby koala rescue story, good thing you had a towel handy! Your lunch outings to the wildlife sanctuary sound like fun and a good place to visit.

[@JaniceGilhooley]

These are so totally adorable Erin - I love all three of them! You have loads of answers to your Koala question. I've been lucky enough to see them in the wild. Best sighting was a Mum and baby and we were quite close, so it was super cute. They are very hard to spot and definitely do not live local to me in suburbia.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you. How cool to have spotted a mom and her baby while out and about. I hope you snapped a few pictures!

[@JaniceGilhooley]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin Oh yes - we had a car full of scrapbookers on a girls weekend away - so plenty of photos taken.

[@janesherratt3990]

Hi Erin, love your pages. Unfortunately here in New Zealand we don't have Koalas, but they are very cute.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Jane, thank you, it sounds like I need to do a little research on New Zealand and Australia as I'm sure they are very different,

[@robinmadak2686]

Love these!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Robin, I am enjoying the slimline format these days.

[@tinasaucke4238]

Thanks, Erin.. love watching your videos. You have inspired me to try new things, for sure!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you! Happy crafting 😃

[@cindyalberts3095]

Goodness you are talented😯

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Oh thank you, I am glad you like the cards.

[@susanhiddleson1313]

I have just "found" you today! And I learned a few things....look forward to your upcoming videos. Thank you, great tutorial and inspiration!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Susan, welcome to my channel! I am so glad you like the cards. Do you enjoy scrapbooking also?

[@ala2721]

I really like the cards . I am going to make a order for close to my heart . we have a lot of deer here in Harrisburg ,PA USA .

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Cheryl, I am so glad you enjoyed the cards. The deer can be a bit crazy at times can't they?

[@louisebrislane6607]

Very cute cards, for your second one, you could also use a darker cardstock to emboss your image, eg raspberry, then sand the hearts lightly to let your white cardstock show through as I know that you love sanding. Or just lightly colour them with an ink pad to give a nice effect with a lighter or darker ink shade depending on the colour of the original heart shapes. As for Koala's we did have a large area of them on the mid north coast of NSW up around Port Macquarie but the fires in the summer before the plandemic burnt out their habitat so I am not sure how they are going these days. My son-in-law's mother lived at Lake Cathie & she used to complain of them eating the roses & generally making a nuisance in the gardens amongst the veggies etc. You also had to drive carefully as they would often cross the road in the early morning or late in the evening & of course at night as well as being quarrelsome especially the males at mating time. For the rest of us, you often see the signs on the side of the road but I have never encountered one. You are more likely to see a kangaroo or wallaby where I live in the west of Sydney. We now have blue tongue lizards in our yard which I like to feed snails to when I see them as well as green frogs. When I lived on the other side of the river we had brown frogs & the occasional snake as well as blue tongue lizards as that side bordered onto the mountains. In some places you do see the occasional deer which were imported to Australia from the northern hemisphere at some stage.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Louise, great suggestions. I have to laugh because you do know I like to sand the cardstock and fully intended to show this. I even had it done on my demo card and then completely forgot during the filming. I like your idea of swiping the color across too. Interesting notes on the koalas, I can imaging them eating her roses like the deer eat mine. It is hard to appreciate them when they are making a mess LOL. The local raccoons here squabble around and make a racket at night. We do have a terrible snail problem in the garden, I could use some of your blue tongue lizards!

[@louisebrislane6607]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin So I did guess right after all!! I just had the feeling at the time when you did it that you were going to sand it... 🤗

[@rowenamclean2187]

I dont see Koalas in my area of Australia Goulburn but I see Kangaroos most days when driving. They are more common.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

That is so interesting, it would be neat to see a kangaroo in its natural habitat. It sounds they are a common site for you like the deer are for me here.

[@Staceyintampa]

Hi Erin, I'm about to get my shipment and was wondering what tape runner you use? I have tried so many and can't seem to find a good one. You make it look so easy when you tape down your layouts. Thank you 💜

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Stacey, tape runners can be tricky. I keep going back to the Tombo. I really like it and it’s refillable. I use both it and the tombow liquid glue on my layouts. (Glue for letters and embellishments) erinjacobson.closetomyheart.com/retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=15579

[@Staceyintampa]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin thank you for the quick response! I will check it out!

[@janetdontworry9492]

Hi I'm new to stamping and making cards is there any way I can get a Catalog? would love to order some products thank you

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Janet, stamping is so fun and I love incorporating stamped images onto my cards and my scrapbook layouts. I will caution you, it is addictive LOL! You can see the catalog online (link below), I prefer the PDF view as its easier to see. When you place an order, Close to My Heart will give you one for free! Just be sure to add it when they prompt you at check out. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Happy crafting! erinjacobson.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/products/online-catalog.aspx

[@TheInkinGardenSpot]

Cute card, koalas aren't bears though, they are marsupials. 😉💕

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

LOL I totally knew that, I must have said Koala bear. It's funny because I've always called them that any never stopped to think about it. So glad you enjoyed the cards.

[@TheInkinGardenSpot]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin I used to volunteer at a zoo and part of our training related to Australian animals and so making sure we were educating our visitors correctly, we had to be very factual about the animals so we weren't providing incorrect information. It's so funny how so many people call them bears, even in stamp sets etc, I guess because they're so cute and cuddly.🐨❤

[@catherinejohnson6317]

Sorry Erin, koala bears are not in New Zealand...they are native to Australia only. We have kiwi's, kea's and Tui's instead.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I had to look up all the creatives you mentioned. Kiwi's were the only one I had heard of before. Such pretty birds!