Valentine’s is one of my fave holidays. I thought I would pull together some of the favorite photos I’ve taken of hearts and love to share with you. It’s kinda my online valentine for you! If I could put it in your glittered shoebox valentine box (remember those??), I totally would if I could be with you in person!
Until next time Swellions and lots of XOXO!
So, I went back to the good ol’ day job tonight (well, not really, but by day, I am a graphic designer) and whipped up a few fun valentines for you to print out and enjoy! I love the color combination of turquoise and red together! All you have to do is download the image BELOW by clicking and then dragging or copying it to your computer. Then print it out onto an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. If you are wanting nicer Valentine’s, I’d go with a bright white cardstock, but it’s totally up to you! Then cut and hand out to family and friends. How much easier can you get?
Hope you enjoy this fun download! Until next time Swellions!
Tonight I decided to create swell valentine’s utilizing trash (literally, not smutty images like you were probably thinking…ha ha) that I had on hand. I took the flyers and coupons I got in the mailbox and cardboard packaging that I would have normally thrown away and made one-of-a-kind Valentine’s (along with some stuff from my existing craft stash) that I hope to give to someone special.
Here’s a little rundown of how I made it happen…
First off, these were my basic materials! Nothing fancy at all…just trash!
I cut into the box the shapes I wanted my valentine’s to be. Then I cut out words and images from the sales flyers (plenty of Valentine related words and products could be found in that trashy stash). I then used a foam brush to cover my cardboard and cut out images with Aleene’s Instant Decoupage from Duncan.
In the one shown above, I just collaged them into place (I found some fun images like stuffed animals, chocolates, and wine bottles). In the other rectangle valentine, I did a weave design of strips of cutout blocks of colors from the ads.
For the heart design, I decopauged it onto a newspaper article, then cut out a scallop edge all around. For the rectangle version, I layered it on other interesting trashy papers.
I finished it off by adding touches of Duncan’s Soft paint around the edges and glamming it up with Glam it Up Crystals that I applied with the Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool. It was my first time using that tool and I was super excited with the results. It’s really neat to add a little bling to projects using those crystals!
This idea doesn’t have to be just for Valentine’s. You can use your trash to make custom postcards, ACEO cards, tags, and much more. Even if it did come from the trash, most people will be really touched when you give them something you made custom just for them. I just don’t recommend throwing the papers in the trash, then getting them out to use after coffee grounds and other grossness got on them. That wouldn’t be a “Trashy” Valentine, that would be an “Icky” one.
Hope you enjoyed this project!!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa
Hello all. In this new installation for Ornament Thursday (yep, it’s still going on, just not ornaments and it is bigger and better than ever!), I made some funny Valentine’s.
Admittedly, I’ve been making Valentine’s like this for years. If you didn’t know this already about me, I love celebrity gossip and puns, so mixing the two together is one of my favorite things. I think these Valentine’s are a lot more personal of a gift than a lot out there. You can find images that relate to people (I mean, who out there doesn’t have a celebrity crush or fave tv show?) It’s also a really quick craft – something you can embellish as little or as much as you want.
I am dog tired, so I don’t have the energy right now to type out step by step detailed instructions. Here’s the basic rundown…
1. Make a simple heart pattern (mine was about 6″ inches wide) and trace your hearts onto posterboard, scrapbook paper, or construction paper.
2. Find images in magazines that fit the basic shape of your heart and cut out.
3. Paint on your paper designs, stripes, dots, etc. I actually painted my hearts entirely with DecoArt Americana Acrylics on posterboard, cause it has a nice weight that you don’t get with cardstock, but it’s totally up to you.
4. Use craft glue or glue stick to mount images on your hearts.
5. Embellish around images using glitter (I used DecoArt Craft Twinkles Writer), rhinestones, buttons, etc.
6. Write a funny/punny phrase on your card using markers, rubons, and stickers, whatever tickles your fancy.
At a local ad club meeting a few years ago, Michael Osbourne, a renowned creative director, speak on branding and marketing for his design firm. His company sends out Valentine cards instead of Christmas cards each year. I think this an incredibly ingenious way to market yourself or company! Think about it…how many Christmas cards do we toss or not give a second glance to? A LOT! A Valentine card is a nice welcome, and it doesn’t have to be uber mushy or meant just for a loved one. It’s a nice little statement that can truly make someone’s day (especially those single folks who would like to nix it all together). Oh,check out the stamps at the bottom of the Micheal Osbourne bio…he designed them for the postal service…how cool is that? Now that’s one awesome gig! Everyone gets to see your work!!!
Check out the other cool OT ladies here
Hali’s Flowers of LOVE in Ancient Bulgarian 2 paintings in stylized Cyrillic spell out L-U-V
Art Bead Scene The designers at Art Bead Scene have two jewelry love stories for you! Elaine Ray links together a little love with her ceramic heart components while Melanie Brooks Lukacs tells a little tale of romance in a Gothic Garden
Cindy Gimbrone Beads Cindy’s Love Story is about a hook and beads
Earthenwood Studio Bead Blog What is sweeter than a mix CD for your Valentine? A yummy gift box in which to present it, filled with candy themed decorations, including a cute bracelet and cell phone charm!
Heart mobile Jenny’s painted paper pulp hearts.
Humblebeads Heather shares her favorite bracelet design in a Valentine inspired color scheme.
Jennifer Heynen of Jangles Jennifer has made a fun “Ornament” for her neck that looks good enought to eat.
Joolz by Lisa This “Love Story” will last all year long! Lisa shares how beads and books work together.
Katie’s Beading Blog Here’s a happy little heart project for you – use it to embellish a bag or your jeans, or as inspiration for a necklace or bracelet.
Kriss Cramer – Art Interrupted Grow Love! Nurture and care for your loved ones every day. Use this heartfelt book, you can make yourself, to remind you of all the love you have to give.
Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine Linda’s love story project is a dress she embellished by stenciling dancers and a big band along the hem. Read why and learn how to do it yourself on the Make It Mine blog.
Michelle’s Love Story… The band is getting back together again! Ornament Thursday celebrates the story of love…
Ornament Thursday Blog January is coming to an end and Valentine’s Day is looming on the horizon. Whether you wish to shower the people you love with love or show yourself a little well deserved affection, the Ornament Thursday Gang has a bevy of beautiful ideas to inspire you!
Savvy Crafter Candie’s love affair with big rings continue…she’s making her own now! Love Stories and more over at the Savvy Crafter! XOXO!
Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done! Ah, Love ! This satirical creation of Jean’s immortalizes certain women’s profound affecton for their … handbags!!!
Strands of Beads Love speaks many languages. Learn how to say “I Love You” in an untraditional way with Melissa Lee’s whimsical jewelry project.
SwellDesigner Alexa shares with you her truly swell and punny Valentines!
The Impatient Blogger Love is in the air at The Impatient Blogger! Margot shares two vintage inspired jewelry designs that are oozing with romance…in a good way!
I made a new cupcake discovery. If you dip the iced cupcakes into the sprinkles they go on much, much better. I always “sprinkled” the sprinkles on and they fell off and wouldn’t stick.
That’s one I’m going to have to keep up in noggin for further use.
I plan on displaying them on my cupcake tower, which I have yet to get out along with the other decorations I plan on putting out on the tables at our work luncheon. Ugh. There are not enough hours in the day!
