Our Circle Journal Group decided to do a Valentine Swap! We were to make a Valentine for each person who participated......then mail them off for everyone to enjoy for Valentine's Day!!
Here's THE STONE RABBIT posing with the seven Valentines I made. . . .they were ready to go to the post office last Monday!
As bloggers, we are used to taking pictures of most everything that goes on in our lives....right? Well, this card making journey was no exception!
I started with one of my favorite kinds of card-stock. . .good old DICK'S gift boxes!!!
I cut out a heart for each lady, then added a "ruffle" trim from muffin cups I found in the health food section of our grocery store....they are a "natural" color. Mod Podge held the ruffle in place til it dried. However, I helped it stick by placing the hearts beneath heavy glass baking dishes....I utilized that "smashing" or "weighting" technique throughout the gluing processes of creating my cards.
Next, I added little ribbon hangers to the backs of the hearts (taped the ends to the card stock), then Mod Podged red paper to the fronts and black paper to the the backs of my Valentines!
Then I added a vintage key to each heart that I had embellished with red stones!!!
At the top of this photo you'll see the "layout" I decided on for the rest of the card. The sayings that will go on the hearts and the vintage images were been printed on lightweight card stock, then backed with the heavier card stock from the paper box.
I attached (with Mod Podge) the outer boarder of red foil hearts ...then glued the little girls in place.
After the foil borders and girls dried, I placed the saying and a glittery heart on some black paper background. Using double stick tape, they were attached to the cards.
A "pocket" to hold a pull out vintage rabbit image and "Be Mine" heart pick (cupcake pick from The Dollar Tree) were added to the backs of the cards.
The pockets were created from the hang tags (price tags) I use on the items I sell in local craft shows.
THE STONE RABBIT thoroughly enjoyed this Valentine project and so did I!!
I just had to show you the pile of stuff I'd assembled to create the seven heart cards! It's amazing how much it takes to end up with a smallish card!
One of the best parts of this project was seeing my cards all finished. However, the VERY BEST part has been receiving the amazing cards my fellow card making friends created! This is definitely a time when it's much better to receive!!! :)
Nancy's card (MY CRAFT LITTLE PAGE) came first!
Wow....she is such a papery artist! I LOVE the vintage Valentine pick she added to the heart...and of course, the Scotty dogs and cherry paper. . .a real Mary Engelbreit-ish look!! She is so great about "layering" her papers and images!!!
Here are the sweet touches on the back!!!
Thank you, Nancy, I LOVE it!!
The next one to arrive was Shelia's (of NOTESONGS).
It's a big heart FILLED with some of my favorite vintage images of bluebirds and sweet little girls and lots and lots of hearts and just the right amount of GLITZ!!
How PERFECT that she added a darling vintage Valentine image of a little girl playing the piano....I think it looks just like she did as a child!!
This is such a great card, Shelia...thank you so much!!
Beverly's card (HOW SWEET THE SOUND) arrived next!
LOOK at what she did!!! I had NO idea she was an artist! She drew this amazing picture then added a gorgeous silver heart charm necklace !
Beverly asked each of us our favorite color. I have two....yellow and pink! She used yellow for my card's background. What made it even more special was the design in the paper...daisies...one of my favorite flowers!
I love the punched detail she added to the corners and the trim of the card!
Here's the inside!!! :) Thank you, Beverly....I love your card!!
Jeanne's card (BACKYARD NEIGHBORS) also came on the same day as did Beverly's!
She used the cutest little Valentine girl and kitty image on it! Of course she knows my fondness for my own little cat. :) She also added a sparkly bow with a glittery heart button, then sprinkled hearts all around! Of course, she used awesome PINK paper!!!
Here's the inside of Jeanne's wonderful card. Another sweet heart and a wonderful poem!!!!. Thank you, Jeanne! This is such a special creation..I love it!
I thought LaVerne's card (RIVERSIDE STUDIOS) would never arrive since everyone had received theirs but me....and then it came! AND wow...what an amazing card she had created!
This is the front before you untie the red bow. . .
then it opens to this beautifulness!!! Just LOOK at all of the detail she added...the heart doilies, cupid with a crown, the vintage card and my initial!
Here's the back of the card....actually...it could be the front, too, because it's just as lovely as the other side!!!
Thank you, LaVerne. This is truly a work of art!! I love it!
As of Friday morning, Kathy's (WRITER'S REVERIE) and Grace's (PINK IN THE CITY) cards haven't arrived....I'm hoping they come in today's mail!! I'm really looking forward to seeing them and adding them to my Valentine tree! I will update this post and share them just as soon as they get here!
NOTE: The mailman just came by....NO cards for me today! :(
UPDATE!!! My gorgeous Valentine from Kathy of WRITER'S REVERIE came Saturday !! Isn't is somethin'?
Here's front! She created a papery tea cup and an amazing heart shaped tea bag (that was tucked inside the cup when it arrived!). Such a clever idea!!
Here's the back!! Wow...just as pretty as the front!
Grace's card will be placed with the others as soon as it arrives!! Aren't they an awesom group?
I hope all of you had a fantastic Valentine's Day!! I know these sweet cards added to the specialness of that day for me!
Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for lots of bloggers who are ready to share their pinks with you this weekend!
DANA
Dana - you are so good at describing your cards you received. I'm afraid I let the pictures do the talking for me since my writing is gibberish-y lately. See what I mean? Thanks for the tutorial on putting together your card - I was wondering how you had gotten your coffee filters so perfect! Cupcake liners - great idea. Your cards are so well made - mine from last year is still perfect and I love both of them. Loved seeing what LaVerne did, also. Mine was different but just as wonderful. This has been such a neat group to be part of and I'm glad we have a "next" project to look forward to. xo Nancy
PS My spelling is going, too! Had to look up how to spell Missouri! If I'm not writing as I spell it and I couldn't remember if it had a "U"!
Posted by: Nancy | February 15, 2013 at 11:57 AM
How fun! I love all the cute Valentines and the ones you made are just adorable!
I'm hosting my Homemaking Linkup Weekend and would love to have you join, if you haven't already!
HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Posted by: Mrs. Sarah Coller | February 15, 2013 at 01:28 PM
Hi Dana
What a wonderful Valentine card swap! All of you ladies are so talented. I loved your card, Dana -- the ruffle was such a nice touch and I never thought to use Mode Padge as a glue for a paper craft like this --brilliant idea!
Thank you for your best wishes on our new granddaughter! We have all bveen in baby bliss since she was born.
Happy Pink Saturday!
Hugs,
Pat
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | February 15, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Got a peek over at Jeannes .. all you ladies are so talented !
Posted by: Francie T | February 15, 2013 at 03:11 PM
Hi Dana! This was such a great post - so informative as a tutorial and very comprehensive showing off the Valentines. I fear I was not so complete in my coverage. You have captured everyone's work so perfectly! I'm sorry you hadn't received mine or Grace's at the time of your posting. And, I spent all that money to be sure it got to you on time!! Hope it's not lost - keep us informed!
Joy!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathryn Ross | February 15, 2013 at 06:48 PM
Hi Dana! Oh, I loved your post about your Valentine cards! Your tutorial about making yours was great. I've learned something from you - I've never used modge podge on a card. That would really make things stay in place!
Now, I loved my card from you and it is just so sweet. Thank you. I'm excited we're doing Easter! (I can see your pictures now. For over a year I would come to your blog and couldn't see your pictures. I don't have a clue what was wrong but it's good now) Hug Stone for me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Posted by: Shelia | February 15, 2013 at 06:57 PM
Dear Dana,
What a beautiful collection of valentine cards. Your friends are so creative! I love how you decorated your valentine cards! The ruffle trim and pocket that holds the rabbit is adorable! Love it! Thanks for sharing. Happy Pink Saturday!
hugs,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | February 16, 2013 at 05:43 AM
Happy Pink Saturday! I adore your Valentine it was so sweet so you! I am so bummed my card did not arrive yet. I promise to send out Easter super early!! All the cards were so adorable this was a fun swap. Grace xoox
Posted by: Grace | February 16, 2013 at 02:12 PM
I saw these on Jeanne and Note Songs blogs. They are just too adorable for words. How fun it would have been to recieve them in the mail.
Posted by: wendy | February 16, 2013 at 06:34 PM
Wow, wow, wow - you are part of a very talented bunch of ladies! Each one of those unique and thoughtful cards is a masterpiece and the stone rabbit looks adorable posing with them!
Happy Pink Saturday!
gena
Posted by: gena | February 16, 2013 at 07:20 PM
Good morning Dana, I am finally feeling better today and I love the way you did a tutorial on the valentine card. I didn't think of that. Your card was so adorable with so much detail. I loved it so much. When I did my post I was really sick and didn't feature each card. I wanted to but I didn't have the energy. Anyway, I feel so much better finally. Thank you for your get well wishes. It worked. HA!
Each card you featured was so special. I loved doing this swap so much. I added Grace's card this morning. It came on Sat. and I honestly didn't have the energy to post until this morning. It was worth the wait. So pretty.
Our dtr. and grands have been here since Thurs. from Florida. The skied on Friday and yesterday we had a good snow for them to enjoy. They are outside right now playing in the snow. Diana drove to my sister's home and when she came back last night her car didn't make it up our drive. They leave today and Bill will have to load our truck with all their suitcases etc. and drive down to her car and load it. Yikes.
It was 22 degrees here this morning. Brrr. I wish I felt up to going outside with them. Sigh!
Gotta get busy and visit our circle friends. I never opened my computer at all yesterday except for a few minutes in the morning. I went right back to bed for the day. Bummer!!! My grands are so happy I am up and feeling better today. Me too.
Love, Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | February 17, 2013 at 06:47 AM
Hi Dana, Is everything ok? I know you had an exhausting weekend and I haven't heard from you. Beverly hasn't been by either. I guess I am whining huh! HA! I miss your visits and I do not have any right to complain. My visiting has improved a bit but not enough. Sigh!
Today I feel like myself and I have some energy too. YAY! I just made enough chili for an army and cleaned up my kitchen. I might get Bill to help me hang my botanical prints. I know it will be a hard job and I expect lots of holes in my walls too. Yikes. When we do projects together, it isn't pretty. HA! I'll try to listen and keep my mouth shut. Boy, that's hard for me. For him too. Therein lies the problem.
I hope you rested up. Wishing you happy days my dear friend.
Love,
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | February 18, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Ooooo! So glad you're blessed! Thanks for adding me to the fray!!
Joy!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathryn Ross | February 18, 2013 at 01:29 PM
Ah, Dana. Thank you for your kind words. You are so good. Your post is a perfect account of our Valentine Swap. Wasn't it fun?! This is such a special group, and I learn from all of your skills. Thank you for my sweet Valentine, and thank you for all you do to make Pink Saturday special.
Happy Pink Saturday to you,and to TSR, too.
Posted by: Beverly | February 18, 2013 at 04:30 PM