{capture the moment}: 3

If you are familiar with my blog, then you know that I am almost as passionate about cooking as I am stamping. I really enjoy being able to delight two senses at the same time, both in the visual presentation of the food and of course the taste.

Today's project began with THIS super-easy recipe I found on the Pillsbury website. I thought it was SO adorable, and I want to be able to make them for my children to give their teacher's & friends at school for Valentine's Day this year. I haven't decided what type of fruit I will use yet, but I know they'll be yummy!

I will be using disposable tin tartlet pans, rather than the custard cup used in the recipe, to save on expense. I found these Nesting Heart Cookie Cutters that ought to be able to add the beautiful heart detail in the crust. I think these cut-outs add the perfect finishing touch to the pie, similar to the way a brad can be a perfect compliment to a paper crafting project. (See how similar these to hobbies are?!?!? *wink*)

I also found an incredible circular set that includes scalloped edged cutters. They should be perfect for cutting out the dough for the upper crust. (Once again, it's all in the details!)

After I had established all these details about what I was going to use to make the pies, it occurred to me that I needed an equally impressive way to package them! I did some measuring and found that the pies would fit perfectly in our small gable boxes (the boxes measure 4 x 3 inches).

I decided to use some of the images from our new punny valentine set. What could be more appropriate than "Sweetie Pie"? (This sentiment is courtesy of "karenannj" of SCS, another winner of our punny valentine contest!)The pie image is 2-step, with the pie separate from the plate. I curved the "Sweetie Pie" sentiment slightly to follow the curve of the top of the pie (one of the many benefits of clear stamps!). The tiny "xoxo" image underneath the pie is from the yet-to-be-released scrolled set used in my Reese's project HERE.

I did something a little unique for the pie plate in the project. I stamped the pie plate image with versamark onto a scrap of the patterned paper used for the background of the project.

I then heat-embossed it with clear powder. (It is a little hard to see in this photo).

I easily cut the plate out and adhered it under the pie on my label. The glossiness of the embossing really adds a nice touch. I think that these little projects will communicate so well how much we love the special people in our lives! And in the end, isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about?!?!?