Will You Be My Valentine?

I have been reminiscing about all of the Valentine’s that I made last year…

because this year I haven’t made

one

stinkin’

thing.

Maybe this will put me in the mood? 

Maybe not.

It’s worth a shot!!

{Just click on the picture if you want to see the actual post}

Here’s the little heart that I made with Finley’s handprint.  His hand won’t even fit on that heart now!

[sniff, sniff… waahhhh]

Wooden hearts I made for teachers and friends.

 

Valentine’s made for my kids’ classes.

AND, my personal favorite:

The Valentine I made for my husband.

Linking up with

I LOVE reading all the posts that are linked up each week. 

And also to a few of these parties.

It’s time for me to get off my butt now.

It seems to be glued to the couch though.

I Love You Enough to Let You Go… 14 Days Of Love Event

I am very excited to be participating in Ashley’s

 

14 Days of Love

event…  14 Days of amazing projects via 14 different bloggers followed by a ginormous giveaway!!

 

My project is a love tribute of sorts.   Since my grandmother passed in April, I haven’t been able to cope with my grief all that well.  Every time I think I’m ok,

 

WHAM… it hits me    

 all                

over         

again. 

 

 

So, I’m going to share with you a multi media LOVE project today.  I call it

 

I Love You Enough to Let You Go.

 

Not to forget, but to let go of the sadness that paralyzes my every effort and live my life in a manner that brings honor to what she taught me.

 

I started out filling my mind with as much inspiration as I could possibly absorb.  Check out  Sew Somerset magazine (I love all of the Somerset magazines!!) for some amazing ideas.  I also read Delight in the Details by Lisa M. Pace cover to cover about 10 times.  I outlined and sketched my ideas over the course of about a week.  I identified the components I wanted in my project (to represent my feelings) and scoured ebay, antique shops, and craft stores to find them.

 

I used a quilting hoop, but you can use canvas, cardstock, or whatever medium you want!  There is absolutely

NO WRONG WAY

to complete this project… that’s what I love about it.

 

 

I grabbed an old feed sack, hooped it, and arranged my components.  This process took a day or so while I rearranged things about 20 times until it “flowed.”  My poor sister probably has pictures of all 20 different arrangements as I asked for her input along the way.

 

Layers are good.

Texture is better.

Variety is vital.

Details are KEY.

 

After everything is arranged, take a picture so you can remember exact details and spacing.

 

 

I outlined the perimeter of my hoop with a water soluble pen so I knew my exact work space after I unhooped the feed sack. 

 

 

I then sewed my components on one layer at a time using a variety of stitches, stitch lengths, and neutral thread colors.  This is part of an old quilt top found in my grandmother’s sewing room.

 

 

Here is her birthday stamped in metal.  I stamped it, colored over it with a black sharpie, and then wiped the excess off with a damp cloth.

 

 

A copy of a picture with my grandmother holding my mom and uncle.

 

 

“Love Lifted Me” sheet music, trim, lace…

 

 

BINGO and Bling…  (as far as my grandmother was concerned, the more the merrier on both accounts!)

 

 

1938 Sheet Music, antique button, tulle, ric rac

 

 

Chiffon and pearl flowers

 

 

Cherub clipart courtesy of The Graphics Fairy with a vintage handmade doily and jewelry charm.

 

 

The one thing I didn’t get a chance to tell her before she passed from this life to the next…

 

Never pass up an opportunity to share your love!!

 

If you missed Kim from The Sasse Life yesterday, go check out her upcycled love picture frame!  Don’t forget to come back to tomorrow and see what Aimee at It’s Overflowing has planned.

 

Thanks Ashley from Cherished Bliss for coordinating this fabulous event!!

 

I’m also linking this project with a few of these ladies this week!  Check them out.

 

 

This event is sponsored by…

   

   

  

14 Days of Love

I’m beyond excited to be partnering with all of these fabulous ladies to bring you the 14 Days of Love!  Ashley over at Cherished Bliss has been diligently working and coordinating to make this event an amazing one.  This series will begin on January 25 with each blog posting a love themed project and of course,

there will be giveaways!! 

I have taken a sabbatical with creating/selling coffee cozies as of late, but I have been working feverishly on a “new line” in support of Ashley’s love efforts.

Here’s a sneak peek of the new look (not to mention the very cozy you can win during this event):

So, stay tuned!!!

D-O-N-E Just in Time!

I actually finished all of the kids’ school valentines BEFORE midnight!!  I’m patting myself on the back. :) 

Those wooden hearts that jumped into my cart sure came in handy this year.  I used them to make Finley’s class valentines with a super cute “I Love You” printable I found on someone’s blog.  I can’t remember whose though… so, if you know, PLEASE leave a comment or email me so I can give proper credit!! 

I used the “Peace, Love, Rock” digital art from Urban Threads , a little card stock, and spray adhesive for Max this year.  It’s his LAST year to exchange love notes as a class.  Man, I feel OLD!

Jack’s goody bag definitely evolved as the evening progressed.  I had all the fun things for the bag, but didn’t know quite how to present it.  I was originally going to make little felt bags for everyone, but ran out of time.  Then, I was just going to do felt name tags.  They ended up as bookmarks!  I think they turned out super cute, so I’m going to do a tutorial on how to make them. :)

Emily had hers planned out for about a month.  She came up with the phrase, “I think you’re a smartie” so she could give out her FAV candy.  She rocked the low temp glue gun, btw.

The wooden hearts ALSO turned into teacher Valentine’s this year.  I tried to incorporate each teacher’s personality into their heart.  It’s amazing how paint, burlap, mod podge, and scrapbooking supplies can transform plain wooden shapes. 

I really had fun this year for Valentine’s Day!!  I’m a wee bit sad that it will be over in 24 hours.  I guess I can always start planning for next year. ;)

Linking up here…. check out these awesome parties!

ADULT Valentine :)

Kristen over at Make the Best of Everything totally inspired this goody for hubs.  She made the cutest puzzle with puffy paint!  I knew I could Mod Podge this bad boy and so I gave it a try…

I came up with a really original saying for my puzzle… You Complete Me.  I know, I know, but nothing else came to me!!  A little bit of stamp action, some freehand painting (which I know better than to attempt), and a tish of stenciling yielded me the result I was aiming for.  I topped it off with a “love knot” out of jute in the lower left corner and a little jewelry embellishment in the upper corner.
Now, for the fun part…
 
the tag!  “If you want a piece, solve the puzzle.” (Thus, the adult disclaimer in the title.)  I thought this idea was just TOO STINKIN’ CUTE to pass up. 
After you complete your puzzle, place on your significant other’s pillow Valentine’s Day Night:

and  you never know what might happen … :)

Linked up Here: