"LOVE IS A 4 LEGGED WORD" - VALENTINE THEMED POCKET LETTER

You know I love and adore all Graphic 45,  had to, I just had to do a Pocket Letter using papers from their "It's Raining Cats and Dogs".

I used one of the "feature" pages for the front and as this is going to a cat loving pal I focused on cats. The envelope contains a letter and extra die cut (see the back).

The plaid kitty is a die from Cottage Cutz, the vintage button poem and envelope and the two vintage kitty valentines are all digital files from The Chocolate Rabbit Graphics.

"SPARKLE 'N SHINE" VALENTINE POCKET LETTER

As the name implies, it is all about the sparkle and shine!

Close up of the focal piece;

The back;

"LOVE IS A THREE RING CIRCUS" VALENTINE POCKET LETTER

I have had this set of dimensional stickers for quite awhile, perfect for a fun and funky Pocket Letter. I used a subway style poster printed wallet size for the background.

The back;

RETRO CAFE ART VALENTINE'S CONTEST

Click on the title of this post to go directly to the details!  Every participant receives a free digi file from Kristin!  Yahoo!   Bad day for pictures...too wet and dark..and though the piece has an easel back I couldn't get a usable upright picture..sigh!

I used Kristin's "Hello Dollie Valentine" collage sheet for both images. The pp and diecut covering it are from Martha Stewart, Dresden white paper trim, which I have chalked to soften the look from ArtChix Studio, Platinum, Pink and Red Stickles, Prima leaves, miscl flowers and Glossy Accents on the hearts.

VALENTINE SHADOW BOX AND VINTAGE IMAGE

Most holidays I try to craft something for the grands or at least a special project for each of the four families.  I started on these the week after Christmas knowing I had limited time once January came.

I had saved the boxes ( 6.5 long x 1 deep) sometime ago thinking they were perfect for a small shadow box.  I used a lightweight paper (not card stock) to cover the box.  If I get a decent side picture I will add that later.  I used a striped paper from the same line to cover the sides and back.  A MS scalloped lace with hearts border punch to create the trim along the sides and the frame around the top in red heavy cardstock, this is one piece scored to fit around the edges.  Felt hearts from Michaels, MS heart sequins glued into the inside seams, punched leaves and a bit of a berry stem to create the branch.  Lots of Platinum Stickles for glitter, it is more glittery than you can tell by the picture.  And of course faux stitching, this time in white.

I printed this vintage image 4 to a letter sized sheet to get the size used here.  I do think these candy Valentine cards are adorable and I will post more for you later.

VINTAGE VALENTINE SCRAP

I will try to get a good selection of images posted well ahead of Valentine's Day!  Again this selection is from my own collection and is Victorian Scrap.

SOCK MONKEY INSPIRED VALENTINE

The sock monkey, timeless don't you think?  The inspiration for this came from my daughter Allison, who has made a sock monkey for each of her own children's first Christmas.  What fun McLean and I had creating a sock monkey tea party!   I designed this paper-pieced card a couple of years ago but haven't shared it here.   If you e-mail me (button on the right) I will send you the pattern  (finally Cathy!)

VALENTINE CARDS - BUTTON BOUQUET

While I am not typically a card maker these look much better IRL!   I have had a go at a few Valentine crafts this week preparing for a Valentine crafting afternoon with two young friends.  I will put together a few "kits" for them so that they go away with good haul of finished crafts.

I have done a Christmas banner this week also, crafting this far ahead makes me feel quite on top of things! LOL  It will go to my daughter but she couldn't help but confess she had been looking to see if I posted it...with a baby due in just a couple of weeks, I thought she might be distracted.

VALENTINE FOR A PRINCESS - GINGERSNAP CREATIONS VISITING ARTIST SUBMISSION

The overall theme this month at Gingersnap Creations is Royalty, the supply challenge this week is charms.

The picture is of (then) Princess Elizabeth in 1938 with her beloved dogs at their Welsh cottage, clipped from a 1953 Coronation publication of the Illustrated London News.  This project is in memory of my mother-in-law Jean McLean.  She was an English war bride from Horsham who married her Canadian soldier Wally.   My American upbringing was never more obvious than when Jean and her sister Betty would have a good long chat about Mum (the Queen Mother), Liz and all the goings on - it was awhile before I figured out they weren't talking about a soap or some family friends!

The substrate is a Victorian photo album page, this is in amazing condition with the gold embossing quite vivid still, I used my favorite Platinum Stickles around the border to build more sparkle.   I cut around a Tattered Angels Bingo Board to fit it and the photo together.  The ``garden theme`` of this Bingo Board was perfect for what I had in mind. These are triple matted on black, bronze and gold.  A coat of Rocky Candy Distress Paint on the photo - ha! it just  wasn`t looking old enough to suit me.  I touched some of the border elements with Distress Inks and a bit of matching Stickles on top of that.

The crown and bird charms (TH) I colored with Alcohol Inks and more Stickles!  The little gold butterfly charm was perfect as is.  A mix of flowers from my stash complete the ``cottage garden``.  These two are swiped with more Stickles.  It is my photography that doesn`t pick up all the sparkly good bits!

The layered heart is composed of some wrinkly rich gold paper on the bottom, topped with a gold painted chipboard heart and then two vintage Scrabble Tiles - all of which is touched with some Distress Ink and more Stickles.  These are ``real`` Scrabble Tiles some of the original ones made from Vermont Maple.  It really bugs me that they are now produced overseas.

The fun dangly trim is from my stash - some I picked up in a thrift store.   If you know me, you will know that I adore ``hangy things``!   I did post scans of the Victorian photo album frame a few days ago, the details do come out quite good.  I hope you will give this a whirl and send me a picture!

VINTAGE STYLE VALENTINE MINI ALBUM

We have a Valentine Mini Album Swap underway at Bella Creations   I knew right away I wanted my mini to look like something from my childhood i.e. valentine pockets and little themed chocolate boxes. I have used copies out of a book of Valentines circa 1950's to create my mini (psst that is not really my circa!).

My cover is much more successful in real life (IRL)!  The red crepe fringe is made from my precious stash of REALLY REAL vintage crepe paper (1939 Royal Bunting from King Edward's visit to Canada).  A set of double rosettes sits in the center, the bottom made from the old valentines and the top from tissue - sprayed to look aged.  There is another set of pages but you get the idea.  I've left one side of the frames open so that small pictures can be slipped in.  The black rick rack denotes the top of the pocket, intended to hold small pictures or valentines.  Now to just get it in the mail soon!

Do come and check out Bella Creations - lots of fun going on there!  Still time to join the embellishlment swap!  Join soon you and earn a Founding Member's Badge (on the right)  for your blog.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART - A VALENTINE COLLAGE PROJECT

As part of the "Impressionists" (collage) group activities at Bella Creations   Bella member Heather Hudson provided a step by step for us on this simple project meant for beginners in collage.  Click on the title of this post to visit Heather's blog and check out her project but do also come and join us at Bella Creations

I have done this on a 6x6x2 inch canvass, the bird, scrolls, sentiment and frame are all from a Tim Holtz stamp set. The cardboard heart I freehand drew, ripped the top layer off and spritzed with several reddish mists, then copper and then dabbed with gold paint and gilt pen.  A Prima flower, some metal charms and vintage slip edge (lace).  Simple, sweet and fairly quick!  Thanks Heather for a great little project!