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Friday 1 February 2013

Love Is Everywhere

There was a time, oooo let's say about a decade ago, when I hated Valentine's Day.  In fact, it triggered a huge pity party with all it's jewellery store, perfume and roses ads.  The whole world was full of happy, smiling, oh so deeply in love couples and I wasn't one of them.


I was only four months into the divorce thing and quite convinced that no one suffered like I did.  I'm a firm believer that you are legally insane for the first twelve months of divorce and NOTHING CAN BE HELD AGAINST YOU from that time.

Fast forward a few years and I look forward to February and the chance to show everyone how much love is in my world!

I'm starting my decorating with some hand made Valentines for my grandkids.  If any of you are in need of unconditional love, I'll loan you these seven sweethearts for a day.  From the eldest, who promised to be my boyfriend forever and sent me a Valentine every year until he was in his teens, to the youngest who mail me drawings to hang on my fridge, they are love personified.

I took some scraps of dropcloth and dollar store tulle left over from Christmas decorating and set in to make a heart banner.  Each heart has a child's name and a cupid with bow and arrow.  I scanned a blank piece of paper and sent it to Picmonkey.  In Picmonkey I added the script and the cupids, inverted the images and printed it out on a laser printer.  A little rub with Citrosolv and I had customized fabric.  Click here to find out how to do the transfer.

The girl's hearts have a tulle tutu. ~


The boy's hearts have a zig zag stitch. ~


I frayed the edges of the fabric and added a tulle loop at the top of each heart.  Some twine from a hay bale was braided and used to hang the hearts. ~



One of the gifts I'm trying to give my grandkids is a clean and healthy world, so I wanted these Valentines to have some use after the holiday.  They are stuffed with lavender and can be hung in their closets or tucked in a drawer to deter moths.

For now, they hang on my chippy door.  A little closer to Valentine's day, I'll package them up and mail them off to the kids.  They love to get mail and the little ones love anything with their names on it.  Oh heck, don't we all! ~


Bring on the month of love!

Come on over to the parties at Saturday Nite SpecialSimply Creations Link PartyOld Time Party And GiveawayA Favorite thingSilver Pennies SundaysWildy Original Link PartyThat DIY PartyMore The Merrier Monday,Valentine's Day Link PartySunday's Best Par.tayCreative Bloggers' Party & HopMonday Funday Link PartyClever Chicks Blog HopMake It Pretty MondayThe Creative HomeAcre HopSalt Tree SocialKnick Of Time TuesdayNifty Thrifty TuesdayBudget Decorating PartyTransformed TuesdaysTweak It Tuesday

43 comments:

  1. I absolutely love it, Maureen- what a great little banner for the holiday-I love the idea of the kids names on hearts. I think I am gonna have to copy that. I love the corner windows with the inside window across it- GREAT idea! xo Diana

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  2. What a beautiful idea Maureen - unique one of a kind reminder of how loved you are!
    ( you're also loved by a whole bunch of bloggers by the way - but that banner would be
    too big )
    Thanks for sharing - there's going to be a lot of copying going around the blogmoshere most
    definitely!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  3. What a neat way to celebrate Valentine's Day. The story about your grandson being your boyfriend forever is so sweet. I saw those cupids on Picmonkey and love them! I wouldn't have thought to do that with fabric- what a great idea. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Hi Maureen! Those hearts are just too cute! I'm sure that your grandchildren will just love them (even the teenager). Thanks so much for the tip about how to get a blank page to put text on over at Pic Monkey...I would have never thought of that. I was very sad after my divorce too and thought I would never get over it but it's true that time helps to heal broken hearts. I'm glad you are liking Valentine's again...so many folks love you.

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  5. Those heart are so sweet! Love that you filled them with lavender so they can be used after Valentine's Day. Fabulous idea!

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  6. The grandkids will love those - names are huge. They are very pretty and I love me some lavender, so this is right up my alley!

    No one loves you more than a child who gives you their heart and unconditionally too.

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  7. adorable, maureen! and they look great on the fabulous chippy door! the blank page for picmonkey--so creative!

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  8. Maureen I love your banner! I only have one Grandson but he is the love of my life! I know what you mean for sure! hugs, Linda

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  9. Maureen, Those are great hearts. Love what you've done here.
    The fringe makes them very special too.
    Have a good week.
    Pat

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  10. That's so cute I'm pinning it and secretly hoping you get a Valentine from that oldest boyfriend even more special because he's grown.

    Bliss

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  11. Wow! Maureen you are a virtual vault full of amazingingly creative ideas, and even with your bum knee, you put out the effort to make them a reality. I know your grandkids will love those hearts and cherish them until the lavender has lost its scent and the fabric falls apart...that is forever! Who needs an unfaithful man's pretend love when the real thing calls us "Mom" and "Grandma"???

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  12. Okay, that is the best banner I have ever seen. I love it!! I have to pin this Maureen.

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  13. Awww...what a sweet post from beginning to end. Thanks for boot scootin' on over to join in at the Old Time Party!
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  14. Really cute. I love the different textiles.

    Lynn

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  15. Maureen ... that is the nicest Valentine banner that I have seen. I do not do much for Valentine, but I may have to copy this and that would be a big effort because I have to get out my sewing machine. Love that you shared this really cute and original idea.
    Hope you knee is better.
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z.
    Timeless Treasures

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  16. Love your banner with the grandkids names on them...so cute!! I have 2 grandchildren...isn't being a grandma just the best thing ever!!
    I'm visiting you from the Old Time Party.
    ~Cindy

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  17. I agree the first year after a divorce nothing should be held against you. I know I was loopy! Love the banner and glad your heart is filled with love!

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  18. Oh, these are fabulous! What a loving grandmother you are!

    Thanks so much for joining in this week!

    xo
    Claudia

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  19. Maureen, The hearts are so adorable and great gifts. Aren't grandkids the best? I have five of my own. xx, Sherry

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  20. The hearts are so happy . They made me smile.
    Dottie

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  21. Maureen what a fun and thoughtful banner! I love the idea that they are actually useable...filled with lavender! You're so smart..and creative! I've never tried the citrosolve. Don't think I've even seen it before, but I've heard of it. Yep...give me the unconditional love of a child any day!

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  22. Maureen, they sweet individually but strung together as a banner they are splendid. xo, olive

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  23. When you have made it over a divorce? That's when you really know what love is all about...true love..what it is and what it isn't. Just love that you are sharing all your love! It's a good thing!

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  24. So cute! I have no little ones (yet) to shower love on. I might take you up on one of your seven. But, not the teenager. I teach middle school. Actually, I shower my love on those kids.

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  25. What a darling garland! What a wonderful grandma you are. :-)

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  26. Yes, there is always love in the world for those that choose to seek it. Lovely creations!

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  27. You are such a good grandma! I just bought store Valentines for my little ones but I ran across my very 1st Valentine given to me when I was just 2 months old. I found it when I was redoing and repacking Christmas decorations. I am mailing it to my brand new grand-son. Maybe it will be preserved for another 65 years. Have a great week Maureen. xo

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  28. I can well remember how painful and lonely that first year of divorce is, when all the world seems to be coupled and in love. Thankfully time does heal and we move forward.

    I love the hearts you've made! I'm so intrigued by your comment that you used citrasolv - I'll look forward to trying that.

    Happy week to you!

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  29. Oh, this is darling! would love to have you share this at What to Do Weekends Party! Take care, Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/01/sweet-and-wonderful-friends-its-time.html

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  30. Your heart garland is gorgeous and perfect for the upcoming holiday. Thank you for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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  31. How cute! I found you on the Clever Chicks Hop and I would love to have you join the fun on my Creative HomeAcre Hop!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop.html

    Hope to see you there!

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  32. Hi Maureen, I love this idea! Granted, I am not a huge Valentine fan, your former (10+yr) self and I would have gotten on swimmingly well concerning all things heart and cupids, but I have to tell ya this garland is super cute <3

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  33. They are all so beautiful and I know you enjoyed making them...with love!

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  34. Your hearts are adorable!!! Your grandkids are going to love them :)

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  35. :D These are so flippin' adorable! I love these! You did a great job making them.

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  36. Those are the prettiest hearts, Maureen! And obviously filled with such love. I'm sure all your grandchildren will love them, and what they represent.

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  37. Love your drop cloth hearts and so glad it's a happy holiday now for you!

    Thanks so much for linking up,
    <3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!

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  38. Oh, how I like these hearts! Sweet ;-)

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  39. Congratulations on the feature at Old Time Farmhouse! A great post!
    Blessings from the Farmhouse,
    Dru

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  40. Thanks for sharing on The Creative HomeAcre!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop.html

    Hope to see you again on Sunday!

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  41. Maureen I love your hearts and that you can use them later! Great idea. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy

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    1. PS I'm featuring you tonight on Transformed Tuesday. Thanks for linking up and hope you are okay up there. Hugs, Peggy

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  42. These are soooo beautiful Maureen! I'm finally catching up on some comments on your blog. I love that they are dual purpose and I'm sure your grandchildren will hang onto these for years and think of you often. They are extremely lucky to have such an ingenious, crafty, thoughtful Gramma. xo wendy

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