To get into the spirit, I thought I'd make Valentine's Day cards this year...and did I ever have a wonderful time doing it. I got most all of my supplies at Cherry Blossom Paperie which can be found at: http://cherryblossompaper.com/
What interested me the most was their old fashioned honeycomb sheets. I couldn't wait to touch the paper, to cut it into hearts and create, create, create!
Here's some of the cards I came up with for my family and friends.
This is the inside of a card signed by all the fur-balls for Butler Vet Clinic
The honeycomb I was talking about! I used alpaca rovings for the tails' on these critters.
This one will go to my little friends who are very special to me.
This was for my cousin...the fun part of it was using glitter paint! I even put glitter paint on the lace edging and you can see the rainbow colors. Cancelled Love stamps are great fun too!
Nothing like a little banner and a crepe paper streamer flower right in the middle. I was experimenting with this one and used rub on metallic highlights.
On the inside of this card, I used the honeycomb which came in white and this festive pink color.
The card stock is an opaline that I got at Valentine Midland News.
My sister is a no fuss, no clutter kind of gal...so her card looks simple on the outside. But the heart opens on the outside and reveals the white honeycomb and a little bling inside of it. The red and white thread is called bakers twine.
The inside of my sisters card is left plain to add my message and declaration of love! The paper on the left side is actually fabric purchased and photocopied on the opaline paper.
I'm pretty blessed to have the job I have. I want my employers to know that!!
So it's Cherubs for them and a shiny silk ribbon bow.
Glitter paint, and metallic rubbings on the front of this one add a little bit of age - which doesn't translate exactly with flash photography. Tiny little "diamonds" were put on the doily,
and a big one in the middle of LOVE.
My friend saw the card I'd made for my son with a music theme...she loved it...which was helpful when it came time to make her card! Not the same, a little softer, like her music. To hear her play the piano, you know where her gift of music comes from!
There have been times when it's brought tears to my eyes.
Simple. Elegant. And conveys love!!!!
The heart opens to that wonderful honeycomb!
The inside is left blank for my declaration of love and a little bit of alpaca rovings for the
bunny's tail were used. Again simple and a little manly!
For my drummer who is self taught and doesn't know how to read music.
(To the very best of my knowledge.)
To him I say, "Rock ON." A person who feels the music.
He's taught himself to play piano, mandolin, guitar, bass, and his passion, the drums.
Thank God for your gift of music! Some folks can play...some folks just plain have it in them!
You are one of them Sunshine!
Three baby hearts for my baby, baby, baby, sister. One for her and two for her daughters!
The inside has the photocopied fabric, only this time, I bunched it up just to see how it would look. Which looked like it was bunched up. A large space for messages of love.
Velvet!?! What could be more luxurious? Velvet ribbon gathered for a flower along with a velvet leaf...buttons for buds, and more "diamonds" on this one for my beloved parents.
Extra bling letters inside make the message very clear!!!! I love you ma and pa!
For fun, I used the metallic rub-on over the edges of the honeycomb for a very different look. Because the honeycomb is only so wide you have a couple choices.
1. Make small hearts that will open all the way.
2. Make two of the same sized hearts, glue together, for the larger heart. If you look closely, you'll see that I didn't discover that until I'd glued everything together and the card wouldn't open. I had to try and trace another heart which didn't turn out the same size.
A little noticeable once it's pointed out, but doesn't change the message of love inside.
A little imperfection never hurt anyone.
BUT...if you KNOW you want a large inside heart, cut them out together, at the same time,
to have the same size. Lessons learned.
This is the first card I made for my friend and buddy. The square opens up to reveal the honeycomb heart inside, along with the doilies and a song of love!
How the honeycomb looks all nestled inside.
We both love our critters, and it wouldn't be normal for something to occur without their help and involvement. If you look closely, you'll notice that after this fabric was photocopied using an ink jet printer, some furry companion had to walk all over it, leaving behind footprints of love as well.
For the softer side....
A little metallic pen highlights and a few buttons to embellish the inside of the heart on
the outside of the card...but look what's inside...
What's on our inside is always more important that what's packaged on the outside!
It's so important to be YOU. The YOU God made you to be!
This card is for my cousin who is a fabulous knitter, so I included a little lock of alpaca fiber.
We all have a friend...the one who is a rare bird indeed. Who is herself no matter what.
I made other cards, but didn't post them all. In the end, I'm just so very, very blessed, to have the family and friends I do.
So if you are one of those who dread Valentine's Day, share your love...instead of hoping someone will share theirs with you. It's amazing how full your heart can feel when you think
of each and everyone of your loved ones.
It helps to keep in mind that we're to love our neighbors as ourselves.
No family? No friends? You have neighbors. You have soldiers keeping you free.
You have a nursing home down the street, up the block, or a hospital that has
residents or patients that would appreciate your love.
Someone is dying a little inside each day because no one has shown them love.
Give them the gift of your love. A simple note, a phone call, a text or email, it doesn't
have to be elaborate. Just let them know you're thinking of them.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Share yours!!!
Here it is, Holy Week and that should have you feeling pretty ducky! 