The Un-Valentine's Day Card

I love Valentine's Day.  And not in an ooey gooey lovey dovey way (because I can't remember the last time I had a boyfriend over V-Day), but in a love my family, love my friends, life is good way.  I send Valentine's Day cards every year, so I was thrilled that my favorite website du jour, Design Sponge, had a few posts on crafty Valentine's Day projects.  I loved this sophisticated pink ombre card they made with watercolors, and I am in no way shape or form a pink person, but it just looked so cool and modern.  So, last weekend I headed to the art supply store and for about $30 I created truly unique handmade Valentines.  If that doesn't say love, then I don't know what does.

 

Materials: Watercolors, one wide brush, one thinner brush, watercolor postcards, gold paint marker

 

Use the wide brush to give the post card a good coating with water.

 

Load up the brush with red and draw a line across the top.

 

The water helps the paint travel down the card.

 

I found it better to help the paint along towards the bottom with the watery wide brush.

 

Let dry then repeat on the other side.  The cards curled up from the water then flattened out once dry.

 

Use the paint marker to draw a gold border along the edges.  This was a perfect finishing touch.  Use the gold for writing in a little message and the name & address.

Here's how Design Sponge pulled it off.  But, I though switching to postcards and the paint marker really simplified things.  Happy Valentines Day!! xo

Send Your Valentine Sweet Nothings Via Paperless Post

Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers.  Think of all the people you love: family, friends, pets, frenemies (whom you love to hate), bosses, roommates, etc.  The past two years I have sent Valentine's Day cards to my friends and fam, but this year I decided to get with the times and use PaperlessPost.com.  Don't tell anyone I procrastinated and missed the V-Day window, but I actually sent a ton of Christmas cards this year so I don't feel too incredibly horrible.  Either way....who doesn't love to get a little love on Feb. 14th!  I sent 25 e-cards (first 25 'stamps' are free with signing up), and had to purchase about $10 worth of 'custom coins'.  They had lovey dovey, modern, and fun cards (oh the choices!), and once I got started the process was very easy: Pick a card, write a message, type your peeps' email addresses, and you're off!  They also have tons of options for birthday's, thank you's, invites, save the date cards, and even wedding invitations.  I also love how the envelope 'opens' so there is a tiny bit of suspense. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone, and be sure to eat a cupcake today!  I will definitely be hitting up Magnolia or Billy's. ;-)

xo- 

Babs

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  I just love Google's Parisian Love ad that was shown during the Super Bowl.  Of course, I didn't watch the Super Bowl (I went to the movies as my usual anti-Super Bowl ritual), but my best friend sent me the link the next day.  Enjoy and spread some love today!

Be Mine Valentine!--Great Cards for Lovers, Fighters, Friends and Fam

I was just remembering the good ole days of elementary school when we decorated paper bags for our 'mailbox' and made little Valentine's Day cards for all of our classmates. I think Ninja Turtles, Barbie, and whatever Disney movie had just come out were the most popular, and you always hoped your secret crush would write you a little message or slip you an extra piece of candy. Ah, love and longing at the ripe old age of ten.

I still enjoy sending Valentine's Day cards. I am not too into the ooey gooey presents, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and flowers gig, but I do love to send cards to my family and best friends. I always look for funny, witty cards without all the sap and romance of traditional greeting cards. This year I found the most wonderful cards by a company called Egg Press. I also have a bunch of blank red cards with matching envelopes that I am rubber stamping with curly-cues to give it a little V-Day flair. Remember: bros before hos and sistas before mistas. Don't forget your friends and fam this Valentine's Day!

Some of my favorite Valentine's Day cards from Egg Press
Find Egg Press near you!

PS: If you are a complete procrastinator there is a great selection of Valentine e-stationary on iomoi.com