a NO CHOCOLATE Valentine

www.RabbitHoleArt.etsy.com

I have a terrible allergy -

Chocolate

I LOVE chocolate.

Chocolate hates me.

(sob)

Chocolate gives me migraines.

sigh

Sometimes I can have a piece of chocolate,

just every now and then.

So....Valentine's Day without chocolate?

Yes! It can be done!!

Here are a few ideas for you:

a pattern for a beaded amulet, or necklace

A NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!

courtesy www.vintageholidaycrafts.com

Make up a nice little gift -

pick a pretty teacup and saucer,

fill with candy hearts, and specialty tea bags

and add a cute silver spoon.

Wrap in tulle, add a bow and you have a 

A NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!

http://www.sir-japan.com/cup.html

pinned on kkloberdans' pinterest board 'Tea for Two'

Even better,

add a few 'coupons' for tea-time with you!

www.collectibles.about.com

Another idea:

I love these garden decor flowers -

they are made from mis-matched and lonely glassware.

Wouldn't this be a lovely reminder all year of your

valentine thoughts?

both are from www.jarmfarm.com

A NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!

Want to give something personal?

Well, lingerie can work...

'tickled pink frou frou'

This was an entry in an auction held for breast cancer research.

To qualify, you had to make a bra 'art piece'.

definitely A NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!

Here's another fun 'lingerie' gift that will fit all sizes -

a corset boudoir pillow

www.pinkchicboutique.etsy.com

A NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!!

A lovely reminder that your heart belongs to your valentine..

hang it up in your office, or anywhere that you will see it

regularly-

www.TheRehatchery.etsy.com

copyright 1902 vintage song sheet cover

courtesy Indiana Music Library

www.vintageimagecraft.com

Here's another charming idea that uses tea cups-

a pincushion from www.wilhelmina.etsy.com

This company makes beautiful china jewelry trays,

and cookie tiers

and even lamps from china pieces -

a china jewelry tid bit tray

www.TeaTimesCreations.etsy.com

a many-tiered cupcake stand, or...

Want to try your hand at making your own?

They sell the parts too!!

www.TeaTimesCreations.etsy.com

www.vintageholidaycrafts.com

Well, that gives you at least 9 different ways to give your sweetie

a NO CHOCOLATE VALENTINE!

Send me pictures of YOUR Valentine gift!

:0)

until next time,

inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

and on pinterest -

kkloberdans

Valentine Iris Folding and Pop-Ups

"To send a letter

is a good way to go somewhere

without 
moving anything

but 

your heart."

- Phyllis Theroux

free poison dart frog Valentine courtesy the Denver Zoo

Dolly Dingle in the Pictorial Review, 1942

found on www.vintageimagecraft.com

Have you discovered Robert Sabuda yet?

He is my all-time favorite pop-up paper engineer!

He has a terrific website,

and he gives away LOTS of freebie patterns

to make your own pop-up cards!

He also has a store where you can purchase signed copies of his books,

and also limited run pop-up notecards.

After reading my blog, go check him out!!!

www.robertsabuda.com

tee hee

Here is a pop-up heart bear card from his site:

and here are the directions and patterns to print out:

For the exact directions, go to his site, and check out 'free patterns'.

He gives wonderful, detailed directions with lots of photos.

Here is a cute little bear card,

with a whole page of Valentine outfits!

I believe I got this from 

www.origamibears.com

Sticking with my theme of 

Paper Valentines

today, let's get some super Iris Folding going!

I find iris folding to be a great craft to do in front of the TV.

I can't just sit there, I always have to be doing something!

Here is a great, simple heart pattern:

from the Yahoo group Iris Folding

I would suggest that you pick 3 coordinating colors for the paper strips.

I usually mix solids and patterns,including dots.

Here is another, by Valerie Reynolds:

The blank heart in the corner is for you to use to cut the opening in your card

(sometimes called an 'aperture')

where the iris folding will show on front.
With this pattern I would choose 4 color groups, plus one for the arrow part.

Remember, you are laying your strips down on the

backside of the card!

For simple and easy iris folding directions, check out my blog on:

May 8, 2011

Here are a few more iris folding patterns that I have picked out

for Valentine's Day:

copyright by Elly de Rooy

Eiffel Tower pattern by Teri V.

please note the personal use only

These patterns are for enjoyment

NOT re-sale!

Here is a finished coach to go with a princess:

www.bergkaarten.nl

the finished coach with Cinderella

I think I would like to try it with an orange pumpkin coach,

with vine-y green wheels!

Here is a fun 'n easy pattern for an envelope.

Can't you just see rainbow hearts of all different sizes coming out of it?

pattern by Silvia Griffin, www.ifg@yahoo.com

free printable valentine courtesy of the Denver Zoo

In keeping with my 'paper' theme today,

here is another cute paper doll

for you to print and cut out with your favorite paper doll friend!

This is a paper doll set by Charles Ventura.

I found it at: 

www.marlendy.wordpress.com

I find it much easier to color before you cut it out!!

and another Robert Sabuda free pop-up card:

the finished card

the card base, and directions where to place glue and tabs

butterfly wings

:0)

Here's my last one for today -

another goodie from marlendy's site

See you later!
inkspired
www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com
www.inkspired.etsy.com
and now on pinterest too - kkloberdans!!

'Time for Red and Gold'
original Collage Art Doll by inkspired
made from all recycled junk mail

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

Valentine Crafts for All

"Blessed is the season

which engages the whole world

in a conspiracy of 

Love."

- Hamilton Wright Mabie

www.RubberStampAve.com

Today I'd like to explore crafts

with a Valentine theme.

Since I love a wide variety of crafting projects,

that's what I'll share today!

Enjoy....

a safety pin Pin Pattern by Sherri Osborn

Safety Pin Pins are so easy to make,

you can easily do enough for an entire classroom

in a short amount of time.

Why not pass out Valentines that are different this year

than the normal paper ones?

In fact, why not try your hand at making your own patterns?

You can find free graph paper at the UniqueBeadedJewelry web site,

or you can google 'blank loom beadweaving graph'

or check out all the free patterns (including graph paper) at

www.bead-patterns.com

Cut a piece of 8.5" x 11" piece of cardstock in fourths.

Punch in two holes, 

spaced so your safety pin can be pinned through the holes!

Pin on your Valentine pin,

and sign your name.

Add a clever Valentine saying if you wish.

For a fancier gift, cut your cardstock in half,

and then fold each half in half for a 'card' type Valentine.

You can pin your special pin on the front, or in the inside!

Get out those crayons, markers, colored pencils

and stickers!

Don't forget some glitter, scented markers and ribbons!

:0)

c.2007 Sherri Osborn

Have you tried the 'new' Yo Yo Maker templates yet?

They are super easy to follow,

and yo yos are fun craft embellishments for tons of things!

Here is one finished, ready-to-buy yo yo hair clip:

www.cookiefleur.etsy.com

Go to

www.etsy.com

and search for 'yo yo craft'.

You will find LOTS AND LOTS of wonderful items for sale,

all handmade,

and also the supplies needed to make your own yo yos,

and the finished yo yos for you to craft with!

www.OutaAfrica.etsy.com

from Tzaneen, South Africa

www.KrissyLuCrafts.etsy.com

www.AWorldtoEmbellish.etsy.com

from the USA

www.Adorabilities.etsy.com

from New York, USA

Another variation, with silk flowers, rhinestones and buttons!

www.thomassonlane.etsy.com

I get inspired just looking at the creative ways others have used the humble yo yo!

How about sending Valentines that the recipient gets to color themselves?

You can tweak the size of these to fit your card dimensions,

and print off as many as you want -

personal use only, you know.

No packaging them and selling them!

courtesy Dover Publications

copyright Jan Brett, from her wonderful web site!!

unknown source

from the Oakland Tribune, Feb. 9, 1930 issue

by Helen Maillard

found on: www.yesteryearsnews.wordpress.com

vintage valentine

"Nothing you do for children

is ever wasted.

They seem not to notice us,

hovering, averting our eyes;

and they seldom offer thanks,

but what we do for them

is never wasted."

- Garrison Keillor, author and radio show host

vintage Valentine

That's it for today!

tomorrow - iris folding patterns,

more Zoo Valentines,

and more Valentine paper dolls!

also upcoming:

easy Valentine dipped caramels

and Valentines with suckers!

inkspired

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

www.inkspired.etsy.com

and

also on pinterest: kkloberdans!!