VALENTINE SURPRISES

 

Our cat loves to be part of any activity

Do you have a special memory of Valentine's Day?

One Valentine's Day long ago turned into a marriage proposal from Bill. That's the end of the story. The story started early in the evening after a hard day of skiing at what is now Palisades Tahoe. We waited in line for two hours for a coveted table at a local, old-style Italian restaurant on the North shore that didn't take reservations and was hopping with other skiers ready to consume some hardy food and drink.

Once seated, we got into a heated discussion about the roles of a husband and a wife, differing in our opinions. In the end, though, Bill asked me to marry him, and I said, "Yes." After many years of marriage with all of its challenges and joys, I would still say, "Yes," to his question.

We will exchange cards on Valentine's Day. Sometimes, I make one from material I have on hand with the help of our cat. Other times I rely on store-bought ones. I've received in return a few handmade cards back from Bill.

Valentine's Day card from Bill

If you need some ideas, here are some quick Valentine's Day cards to make. 

All you need for the three designs are postcard-sized paper, small heart-shaped and square doilies, a collection of plain and patterned papers, raffia, glue, and some embellishments. For hearts, you can use a heart-shaped punch, your die-cut machine, or cut out the hearts yourself.

For each postcard, cut out a sheet of paper the size of your postcard. Glue it down to the postcard surface.

From your collection of papers, cut out 4-5 layers of paper, each one smaller than the last. Glue them down on the first paper. On postcard #2 (top right), make sure the last paper is plain. Set your postcards under a book to help the glue adhere securely.

Once the postcards are dry: 

Postcard 1 (top left):  Write what you would like to say inside a doily and glue it to the layers of paper. Tie raffia into a bow and glue it to the heart.

Postcard 2: Cut out the inside heart of the doily. Glue doily down on the plain piece of paper. Write your message on the plain piece of paper underneath the doily. Glue on a raffia bow and embellishment. 

Postcard 3: Cut out two small same-size rectangles. Cut out a heart from the metallic piece. Cut out a half-circle from a patterned paper and glue it to the other plain rectangle. Glue the plain piece to the background layers. Glue the metallic piece on top. Put under a book to dry. Attach a rectangular doily on top. Write your message on the center heart.

Place your postcards in an envelope to mail to your sweetheart or to someone who could use a little love. And remember whatever you do: