Crafty: Handmade Valentines

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My friend hosts a yearly Valentine’s exchange that’s amazing. I did leather bobby pins last year, so I had to do something at least as cool this year. And in true Melissa fashion, I wait until the night before to construct all 12 of them.

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Since I did everything at the last minute, I didn’t have enough supplies to do the same thing 12 times, so I had to get creative. I had originally planned on painting 12 paintings, but that obviously didn’t happen, so I opted for earrings. Then I realized I didn’t have enough earring posts to make 12 pairs of earrings. Thankfully I had enough rings and pins to make up for my lack of planning.

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Here’s what I did, I busted out my letterpress machine (for the second time), used two plates I had on hand and the paper I had on hand. It worked out perfectly. I had tiny envelopes and fold over cards that I ended up cutting in half. I printed the little details in no time (clean up was another story, but lessons learned). I hand-lettered Be Mine on the envelopes; again for lack of any other clever phrase.

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I had a lot of this grey stretchy elastic, so I made 12 elastic hair ties. These things are cute and effortless to make (tutorials: 1, 2, 3 or purchase: 1, 2, 3, 4)

I also have a TON of pretty grey patent leather (like 1/3 of a cow’s worth), so I made a few accessories with it. Above, I made a little bow tie or pin.

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I made a set of “jewel” earrings.

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And I made a couple of rings.

They were really easy. I just cut out jagged shapes , then connected the corners with black sharpie marker. Ghetto, maybe. Adorable, definitely. I made sure I had extras so I could keep them for myself. Felix will look dapper with his bow tie on Sunday.

In other news, a couple of days ago, my sister texted me asking what my Valentine’s plans were. Then she offered to come to my house and watch my kids so Chris and I could go out and have a special night. Of course I promptly texted Chris: “Emily is watching the kids for Valentine’s day. You better plan a hot date, expectations will be high.” So they’re really not that high, but I sure hope he gets me a flower or two and makes me a Valentine. I love his Valentines: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

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    1. Mina says:

      Love this! So creative. : ) That bow tie rocks! And I would totally rock that ring!

    2. Joy says:

      Oooh, I love these! No red or pink! I don’t have anything against red and pink of course, but this is a fresh twist!

    3. I love your text. My husband asked me what I wanted for Valentine’s Day and I said that I wanted the car detailed. He doesn’t think I am serious….but I totally am.

    4. so cute!

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    5. Rach says:

      Haha…I so totally craft at the last minute too! This is adorable.

    6. Heidi says:

      Oh my goodness, loved Chris’s Valentines. I’m pretty sure Jeff won’t be doing anything, but I plan to leave little loves notes all over for him tomorrow. We have a tendency to get boring, it’s time to spice it up a bit!

    7. […] Crafty: Handmade Valentines – 1 freebie(s)? […]

    8. amy h says:

      Those are some pretty awesome valentines! We make our valentines, too. (It started when we met working at a greeting card company, and it was just weird to give cards when you knew the artist/writer.)

    9. […] This particular wall has had me stumped. This frame fits the wall perfectly, but I don’t want to collage artwork inside it like I’ve done in the past. I’m thinking of doing vinyl lettering (calligraphy, of course!) with a neat phrase. Neat phrases are my weak point. I can letter things beautifully, but figuring out what to letter is really the hard part. That’s why my work is usually so simple (this year’s Valentine is the perfect example of that). […]

    10. Kate B says:

      Ok. Your husbands Valentines are the so great, I can’t even type this, because I can’t stop laughing. I used to think my husband was funny, I hope you still think yours’ is.

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