These toads are for my princes and princess this Valentines day. Cuz when you think of V-Day, you think of toads, right?

They’re not exactly toads; I’m thinking they’re frogs. Most first graders (at least their teachers) know the difference. But “Frogs of Love” doesn’t have the same ring. Besides, Toads of Love metamorphisized from Loads of Love so easily with my friend, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig.

The little frogs are filled with surprises. To start, I pulled my most-used Sizzix die, Top Note, off the shelf. It never gets dusty. (I think every Big Shot owner NEEDS this die.) I love the Bigz dies because they’re so versatile. They cut all sorts of stuff. Card stock being one. But also textiles. The two outside frogs are cut from card stock and designer paper, while the center frog is cut from fabric and stuffed. All three frogs hold hidden message when you pull their “teeth” from the pouch. My son’s, the one on the left that features the big sparkling heart and a tag that says “Toads of Love,” just says “Happy Valentine’s Day.” The DH’s, features a message as it unfolds. First reveal is “SMACK!”— cuz that’s what you do to a frog.

Next step, you see the visual: sparkly big lips.

Once the insert card is out completely, it unfolds to reveal the story’s ending.

I think it’s perfect for my frog that turned into my prince. Hey, I just realized that the same sentiment (...and they lived happily ever after ...) has hung over my kitchen entry door for over 10 years. Coinky-dinky, huh?

The third frog is for the daughter. It’s a Top Note stuffed frog cut from funky fabric that also bears the greeting in the pouch, but her frog is gift card holder. My elementary sewing skills are highly visible. The ends are frayed (intentionally!) and the big heart was hand-stitched. The frog legs are Old Olive ribbon scraps.

Here’s the recipe for the toads:

Stamp Set: Loads of Love, Once Upon a Time, A Happy Heart
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Basic Black and Very Vanilla CS, Cottage Wall DP
Ink: Soft Suede
Tools: Top Note, Billboard alphabet, Buttons #5 and Scallop Oval dies; Pinking Hearts Border, Modern Label, 1 Inch Circle, Heart to Heart and Full Heart Punches
Final Touches: Chunky and Fine Cosmo Glitter, Playground Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals

Clues: To create the lips, I ran Real Red card shock through the Big Shot using the Ovals die (medium oval). Next, I placed the oval on the Top Note die below bottom. This cut creates the lips that were then glittered with Fine Cosmo glitter. To create the faux button eyes with black pupils, I created black “thread” with thin snips of Basic Black CS.

Happy Stamping!