A Valentine for Nathaniel

   I have finally finished the Valentine I have been making for my son, Nathaniel. I've been dying to use the side step card I saw on Jackie Topa's blog. She gives excellent written directions and a tutorial on her card. She's on youtube,too. http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addicted_to_stamping/2010/07/side-step-dresser-tutorial.html

Worth all the work!!

   She is right.. the actual making of the card is easy. It's the design that took me forever. I loved her bureau idea, but I put it in a different place. I just purchased a new SU stamp set, Window Dressing,  from my friend, Cindy. Thanks, Cindy because I used the window and the little kitty stamps. The window is actually an outside window, but I made it an inside window. The little boy is a Matilda stamp,but I just can't seem to help myself .. I need for him to have a mouth...just a little one..
   The tree is from Stampin Up's Branching Out. The bike outside, which I know every kid leaves there, is from Tim Holt'z collection. I also used his distress inks to make things a little more realistic. I absolutely love Tim's Rock Candy Crackle paint. It give the banner a nice patina.
   Martha's Stewart's border punch is used on the bed coverlet. Sizzix die cuts were used from the ball, bat, and glove.
  It took alot of thinking, cutting,and arranging to get the card just right. I think Nathaniel will think it's cute. He's 29 years old, but he will always be my baby.