This will be the first year since my daughter got married that I will not be going to visit her by myself this winter. Every year I have always taken a winter break and either flew by myself to Florida, or drove myself to Illinois or Indiana, depending on where she lived at that time. I always got so nervous before the trip, during the trip, and usually the whole week I'm with her, I worried about driving home by myself. I finally decided now that I'm sixty, I will stay home and save myself all the anxiety. I also felt that since my oldest grandchild is now in school, she would not like it if she had to go to school instead of staying home and playing with Grandma like her two younger brothers can.
When I did visit, I always brought them a Valentine and lots of inexpensive treats and toys in a gift bag. This year, since postage is getting quite costly, and my daughter doesn't want the kids to have too many treats, I decided to just send Valentine cards with a restaurant gift card in each card.
Because I have two grandsons and one granddaughter, I decided that instead of the usual pink and red colors/cards for Valentine's Day, that I would use normal stamps and colors but add a little Valentine touch to each card.
My first card I made for my grandson Atticus. I thought he'd like the koala bear image. All the stamps I used for all three cards are old and retired, but if I can remember the names, I'll let you know. This koala bear stamp is from Gina K. Designs. I don't think she's even in business anymore. You can also google koala bear images on line and print them out. The background was created with Stampin' Up! "Bamboo" background stamp. I painstakingly colored the stamp with Stampin' Up! water based markers, huffed on the rubber, and stamped it on white card stock. I love the way it turned out and it made me wonder why I didn't use this background stamp more often.
The koala's were stamped on a separate sheet of card stock, colored in, cut out, and then popped up on dimensionals.
The sentiment is from the same set. I thought it was perfect for Valentine's Day. I cut the sentiment out using an MFT banner die, then I adhered it with a pink heart brad...my only pink on this boy card. I think the little heart made the card more appropriate for Valentine's Day.
On the inside, I stamped a Valentine's Day sentiment.
My next Valentine card is for my granddaughter Alethea, so I let this one be pink. The image is not an image solely meant for Valentine's Day, but can be used for any occasion. It's from My Favorite Things and is called "Cool Beans". I chose it because I thought it would work very well for Valentine's Day and that my granddaughter would love it.
I stamped the image directly onto the white card stock. Then I stamped a sentiment from the same set onto a pink heart that I cut out with an MFT die. The little hearts were made from a heart paper punch, then glued randomly onto the white card stock. I put a little yellow glitter on the girl's flower hair bow.
On the inside, I stamped a true Valentine sentiment and some red hearts.
For baby Elisha's card I chose this sweet penguin image from "Sweet and Sassy Stamps". I loved the sentiment, especially for a winter holiday.
I stamped both the main image and the sentiment directly onto the white card stock. Then I punched a few snowflakes out of glitter paper using a Cuttlebug die and randomly glued them to the card.
On the inside, I stamped two sentiments: one was from the same stamp set as the penguin and the other is a traditional Valentine stamp.
I hope I've given you some ideas of how to create your own Valentines without buying special stamps for the holiday.
Have a Great Day! Amy
Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!
These are totally adorable using non traditional Valentines stamps. Love them! Sorry you don't get to see the grandbabies this year for Valentines day but it's understandable why.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Gina K is still very much active and in business. They just had a new release a couple of weeks ago. They have a new release video on youtube. It seems like a lot of companies have quit blogging and just do other social media which I'm not a fan of. Don't have time or patients to watch you tube or follow much on social media so I usually just skip them.
Thanks so much Ellie. Easter is really early this year, so I won't have to wait to much longer to see the grand babies again. I had no idea Gina K. was still in business. I will have to look her up. I agree with you. I DETEST videos. They are so time consuming. I only watch them if I really, really, really want to learn how to do something new, otherwise I prefer the written word and photos...so much faster. I don't know why videos are trending so much. I'm spending less and less time on social media because it's all videos now. I so much prefer pictures.
DeleteLove the cards. Your grandbabies are going to have great memories someday when they look back at all the cards you made for them. Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 139 for All Things Love and Valentine’s Day. Shared.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm not sure their mom keeps the cards as she is not a saver, but hopefully they'll still have the memories.
DeleteVisiting again to say thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 99. Shared again.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
DeleteThese are such cute Valentine's Day cards -- my favorites are the ones with the koala bears and the penguins. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 51.
ReplyDeleteCarol
www.scribblingboomer.com
Those Carol, those are my favs too!
DeleteBeautiful cards Amy. I hope they treasure these gorgeous creations. Thanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail!
Deletelovely cards and I am sure they will enjoy the restaurant voucher. Enjoy your weekend ahead and thankyou for visiting my blog last week.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, and you're welcome!
DeleteGorgeous!! #FriendshipFriday
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAmy, CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 140 for Tablescapes from the previous linkup for All Things Love and Valentine’s Day.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! How exciting! Thank you!
DeleteThese are all so cute! I tend to use animals-- still! for my boys' Valentine cards as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Yes, animals seem so fitting for boys.
DeleteOh so cute.. they will love their cards.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThank you! I hope so.
DeleteWow! Very cute cards :) I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deleteoh these are beauties, Amy. a pleasure to receive ... and it looks like a pleasure to create.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda!
DeleteAmy, these are beautiful! What a special keepsake from grandma.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate that you shared these special cards with Sweet Tea & Friends February Link up.
Thanks Paula!
DeleteSuch sweet cards - I especially love the Koala one!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's my favorite too!
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