I Did Promise a Crafty Blog!
Well, I did say that some of these posts would also be about crafting, and today I make good on that promise and want to talk about making Valentines. Making a Valentine is a lot like baking someone a birthday cake or sending hand written correspondence. It's a great way to take a little extra time to show a lot of extra care. I think one of the largest and longest running misconceptions about Valentine's Day is that it is strictly a romantic holiday for some "normative" couple; conjuring thoughts of commercialism, societal stereotypes about relationships, and conversely, exclusion there from.
I was raised in a home where Valentine's Day was a very special day to tell the important people in your life that you love them. To ensure that even if it's something you might say to them every day, you take a little extra time to really let them know on Valentine's Day. Your mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, pets, friends, or significant other--makes no difference.
Anyone who makes you feel loved, special, and appreciated in your daily life. It is this mentality that I try to perpetuate and express to my loved ones every year and I encourage you to do the same. Take back this day from corporations or Hollywood and spend it spreading love and happiness. My favorite way to do this is to hand make Valentines. It can be a bit time consuming so out of the many people in my life that I absolutely love and reach out to, I generally only make and send four or five valentines for my core support system!
The making of them is only as complicated as you like it. Which is my way of saying, there's really no wrong way to make a valentine, so just start playing around with materials until you see something that you like!
My kit usually includes paper doilies, ribbon, stickers, some fake flowers, origami paper, and some colorful markers or pens. Also as important are items like a good craft glue, and some double sided tape.
You can find a lot of these things at Target, or a Michaels, or Jo-Ann Fabrics. You can find some pretty great deals searching the "sale" and "clearance" areas as breaking the bank is 100% unnecessary to tell someone you care.
One of the best parts about this process is, if it's something you decide to do every year, you really start to build a cache of supplies as you're unlikely to use an entire pack of doilies or spool of ribbon in one go. So buy a couple things every year and you'll start building up a kit, as it were, that you can return to every year to create with.
Specialty items: I like to include just a couple special pieces every year and it's entirely up to you to choose whether or not you wish to do the same, but I think it helps me to create a theme or color palette. And, well, it's just kinda fun. If you live somewhere near a store that makes items, cards, papers, ribbons, that you love and want to incorporate, that's awesome. Personally, my favorite store is Southern California based 32° North. They're a small business that imports a lot of beautiful handmade items for lots of different holidays (with a specialization in Victoriana.) They are a really prompt and personal company and I have ordered from them probably half a dozen times now without a single complaint. They're pretty sweet.
The Process: Doesn't have to get done in one sitting. I think you'll hate it if you just try to sit down and bang 'em all out. Luckily, for many of us, this year the weather is very cold, so, PERFECT for indoor crafting! Spend a little time in the evenings, put on some music/TV/movies and spread your craft items out and let them inspire you.
OR have a get together! If you feel like you really want to do this, and you have a really crafty/artisitc friend that could help get you started, host a little valentine making shin-dig! Reclaim this holiday for friendship and celebrate as a group!
The Inspiration: Repeat this to yourself when you're stuck, "My lack of current creativity is not a reflection of my love." Frankly I think it's when we care the most that we get stuck because we want everything to be perfect for the people we care deeply about. So here is a list of my personal favorite music and DVD choices for feeling valenspired!
Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney & Wings, Al Green, ABBA, The Association, George Harrison, John Lennon, Gloria Estefan-- to name a few
As far as TV or DVD, skip anything super romantic or absorbing, we're crafting here! I like things like old 80's TV shows ala Full House, Moonlighting, or Murder She Wrote. Something that feels like putting on a fluffy pair of slippers for your soul. And you haven't lived until you've watched the animated Alvin & The Chipmunks Valentine's Day specials from the 1980's. It's to be experienced!!!!!!!!
So feel the love! To quote the great Stevie Wonder:
"Did you know that true love asks for nothing?
Her acceptance is the way we pay.
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee,
To last through forever, and another day?
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning,
And the seasons know exactly when to change,
Just as kindness knows no shame,
Know through all your joy and pain,
That I'll be loving you always "
So put some love out into the universe this Valentine's Day! Pay it forward, and feel the amazingness of when it comes back to you!
BKBTY
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