Mini Buntings for Valentine's day

At one point I had the intention of doing last years heart project again. Who knows where the time went? Did you know it was already february? I just realized it two days ago, when I received the most amazing Valentine's package. I'm still blown away by how beautiful and kind people are, so Julia if you are reading this, thank you so, so much! I am deeply touched by your thoughtful gift.

That package (you can see it at the end of this page), made me realize I have done nothing for my favorite holiday of all. I also realized that I haven't done many normal buntings (triangular ones), for the blog, and so I thought "now is the time."  You can read last year's Valentine's day manifesto here or take a look at the heart project here.

I made these little buntings in no time, so if you haven't done anything (like me), maybe this is the perfect craft for you.

As it is pretty straight forward I'll skip the instructions. But I do have one tip; fold the paper and then cut the triangles, don't cut 2 triangles and then paste, believe me, it is much easier the other way.

What I've used:

• old paper (from an old book I got in France)
• glue stick
• glitter (mine is this one)
• glue for glitter (I used this one)
• twine (I used this one)
• alphabet rubber stamps  (I've had mine for a really long time, but they have similar here)
• blank cards

I had to show you a fabric version as well. Tiny diamond shapes sewn together. They measure more or less 3 cms each. Obviously the paper ones are quicker, but these ones take just 10 more minutes to make.

Gather some blank cards in your preferred color and simply tie the bunting around it. This way you'll be sending a greeting with a little handmade gift.

Lately time passes through me so quickly that an entire month just goes away without me realizing that it did. I do hope that my Valentine's greeting reach their destination, if not by the 14th at least in February.

And this is the beautiful package that found it's way to my mailbox!

I wish you a lovely weekend ahead, filled with hearts, and all things crafty!
And if by any chance you want to see this movie thinking it will be a romantic one, as it says on the description, please don't. There is nothing romantic about it. Serves me well for not reading the whole synopsis.
Giova

#13 - Embroidered Heart

I have been working on this little heart (6x6 cms) since september. Adding little things here and there, not really knowing that it would end up having an underwater theme.

After seeing my friend Jone's heart, I wanted one for myself. This one is meant to be like hers, but I'm still working on that part! Some stitches were new for me. My friend Ute taught me the circle one and Becky the one that looks like a little star. So basically this little heart is a reminder of friendship and good times.

I wish you all a wonderful day.
Giova

#10- Heart in Love Note

This is one of those things where I imagined something and the result was the complete opposite of what I imagined. Did that ever happened to you?

It happens to me a lot. Now I'll show it to you, some other times I just throw what ever I don't like away. I do like her. I don't like the lettering. I like the heart around Dom Pedro.

The "note" is actually a poem Love Letter by Srinatha (1365-1441)

Have a happy day!
Giova

#2 - A Nostalgic Heart

This heart was made from beginning to end thinking about my grandfather.
It is based on the sacred heart milagros that I like so much.
His birthday was the 19th of January (not of 1884 obviously). I do miss him terribly, almost every day.

nos.tal.gi.a : A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.

Not too bad to feel nostalgic every once in a while huh? Or even more than once in a while? I don't want to forget, because that will mean he wasn't here.  That we didn't spend all that wonderful time together.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love,
Giova.

#1 - A Home with a Heart

This is my dream cottage, one with an English cottage "vibe."  One of these days I'll find it and be able to afford it. Until then, I simply dream about it.

For my first heart, I wanted to start with a little heart, but one that means quite a lot to me. A home with a heart. The sun and branches from here, have found the perfect home. Again I've used Jane Austen's words from the 2 pages that were given to me (I'm squeezing the bejesus out of those pages).


Home is all these wonderful things
Home is the place you develop wings
Home is the place that you’ll find one day
Home is the place where your heart will stay  - Aisha Patterson (Home)

Have a lovely day.
Giova

Happy Hearts Day!!

As we mentioned before, we both love this day! When we are together we usually celebrate it by going out to brunch, then afternoon tea (all those in-between meals we love), and exchange handmade presents. This year I'm in cold Amsterdam and my sister is in warm Colombia (with her sweetie).

I made this for her as a Valentine's present.

This was taken two years ago. She doesn't like this picture very much, but I like it because she looks like she is fighting her laughter. I used 3 apps to make the picture above really kitschy (just like Valentine's should be!)

Hopefully next year we'll be together for a Valentine's date!

Have a wonderful day!

Giova.

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas

I've always liked Valentine's Day, in fact it is one of our favorite days! I somehow find it refreshing...because I love all things hearts, flowers, candy, romantic cards, sweet gifts (especially handmade ones).
I decided to paint this time, instead of embroidering a heart doily to see if it would come out nicely. I liked the way it turned out! With hearts on my mind, I also found these two adorable leaves (see below) that needed to be together!

With watercolor and good paper you can always paint something sweet for your sweetie!

More simple ideas for you to paint and your cards. The embroidered hearts are from a cushion they sell at my sister's store...I want it!

This will be the gift for my Valentine! Hope it inspires you to go out and find cute things to give to your loved ones, and you don't have to spend too much money!

Have a great Friday!

Giannina.

Valentine's Day Craft

My father brought me from Latvia this giant spool (see below) of linen thread. I was thinking that if I wanted to share it for Valentine's day with my pen pals, I had to come up with something handmade, simple and that didn't add extra weight for my envelopes.

Gather:  washi-tape, in this case one with hearts and the color pink to keep in with the Valentine's day colors. Acrylic paint in your preferred hue (in my case is this very pink neon from the Amsterdam series), a heart shaped punch hole and add whichever thread you want to share.

Trace your template onto thick cardboard, cut and embellish how you prefer. I also made a tiny heart rubber stamp just because I learned how to make them and they're so much fun! Look here if you're curious.

Happy Crafting!
Giova.