Vintage Valentines

Crepe paper hearts, construction paper lace and little cards tucked inside tiny white envelopes invoke a memory in most of us that never seems to grow old. The wonderful feeling of opening something addressed to you and seeing the red hearts, the handwriting and reading the sentiment, lets you know that love isn't just something people sing about on the radio. Family and friends may really agonize over Christmas presents, but Valentines give everyone the giggles and warm fuzzies as we read and select which little card goes to which person.

Grade school children will make little boxes or decorate sacks to hold all their cards and they will rush home to read them over and over again. One day at just the oddest time that box will be discovered and the memories of 3rd grade will come flooding back. It's from those little boxes put into the attic that vintage collectors will find the treasures of vintage Valentines. It seems as though the Valentines for children of the 21st century are based on the latest trend, but those cards from long ago were all about the friendship and love found in a simple statement and a bright colored image.

Imagine a watch drawn on a card with a bright shiny face and hearts floating past its eyes. The sentiment reads, "I hope you have the time, to be my Valentine." Simple and direct and so much fun.

From the love affair people have with vintage ephemera, there has sprung the love affair with vintage valentines not only being collected but being used in works of art. Altered Art, Collages and Scrap-booking have all begun to re-claim those vintage cards and give them a second life to be admired.

Rhonda Van Pelt an artist in Colorado has a love affair going with Victorian Valentines and she creates wonderful pieces based on the cards and their themes. She isn't selfish with her collection as she scans each one and puts those images online for others to enjoy.

Hammock Days is on an old embroidery hoop and is 23 x 23 inches. She utilizes not only the Valentines but vintage remnants she finds in antique shops.

Rhonda has also created covered boxes using her talents and the vintage images she has collected. She doesn't actually use her cards, but scans them and then works from her scanned images, printing them to the size she needs. The 4 x 4 box gives the effect of a patchwork quilt and shows the time consuming effort she puts into her works.

If you want to find more of Rhonda’s images and work, visit her on-line gallery. She is working on quilts from the scanned images and plans to one day have a gallery show of her work. Rhonda's collection is growing and with each vintage Valentine she collects, she adds depth to her art. She is a perfect example of how an artist can not only be a vintage collector but can also use that collection to promote bodies of work.

Another use of vintage pieces within art is exemplified in a fantastic on-line etsy shop, Blue Sky Pottery. Deb is another Colorado artist and her etsy shop shows her love of vintage and her expertise in working with vintage items to enhance her work.

According to Deb, she made a few of these heart dishes, impressing some vintage lace into the clay while it was soft. Each one is different due to the placement of the lace, how the glaze pools into the impressions, and because they are made by hand. The lacy design shows through on both sides of this very pretty dish.

She has even put vintage lace to work in her jewelry pieces. This little pendant will look fantastic on a silk cord and worn not only on the holiday but anytime of the year.

Putting your heart into your work takes on a whole new meaning when you actually put a heart in your work ! Valentines Day is about sharing your love and friendship with those around you. What better way to share the love of vintage items than to actually put something vintage into artwork.

While it may only be cutting out a heart with a pair of scissors and some construction paper to make a little sentiment a handmade Valentine speaks volumes about the care and attention you are giving to those around you each day.

Over the next few months, I hope to introduce you to many artists utilizing vintage finds in their works, wonderful vintage shops with unique items for artists and also some tips and hints on how to get vintage into your work.

Written by Vanessa of SalvageNation

Has the Credit Crunch eaten you Valentines Day plans?

I know there are lots of people out there having to tighten their belts and spend less due to the credit crunch, so I thought I'd take a look around for a few Valentines Day gifts you can get for your loved one without spending a fortune. The little, well thought out gestures and gifts always mean more to a loved one that the big grand gestures that may have cost a fortune but were not really thought out at all. Spend a little time planning out a fabulous day on a tight budget is well worth it. Remember it's not a day about a dozen expensive roses and bank busting diamonds. It's a day about love.

Firstly remember to get that special someone the perfect card. Creative Apples has this beautiful card in her Artfire shop. Take some time to write a personal message inside it that expresses something about why you love them so much, oh but stick with tradition, just sign it with a ? mark.

The lovely Sassy Cat has made these romantic stickers and you get 30 for the in a pack so you could set up a sticker hunt. Write some clues to where the stickers can be found and let your partner find the first one stuck to their pillow with one of them. At the end of the sticker trail let them find you with nothing more on than a smile on your face.

How about writing the clues for your Valentines day treasure trail on Plaidfuzz Designs pretty little "sealed with a Kiss" cards. They come in a batch of 12, so you'll have enough to write clues in. After all we don't want to make the trail too long do we.

Dippy Lulu's take on valentines day gifts just made me giggle so much. These are anti stink matches, so if you and your partner are going out for a curry to celebrate maybe these would be a good investment. They are sure to make the person getting them laugh out loud and what better than to cement a relationship together than the ability to laugh with each other.

At the end of a long sticker trail hunt what better than having a hot bath with your partner? Bubble tub soaps has pretty little tins filled with heart shaped tub truffles. She even allows you to choose your own scents. I'd have the chocolate and orange ones to was Jons back with.


Why not end the day by presenting the love of your life with a personalised portrait by My Magic Me. Is your lady the Queen of your heart? Then show her with this card. Maybe My Magic Me would make a King of hearts if you want to give it to a male partner.

You don't have to spend large sums of money to show someone that you love them. Plan out a fun day and make it unique for your partner. The memories you have will last so much longer than a bunch of Roses.

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and PiratePixieCrew

Valentines day is coming!

It is only just over a month until Valentines Day, so I have gathered together a few items that you might like to buy as a present for your loved one. Be sure not to forget, or you will end up in the dog house. Valentines Day also happens to be my Birthday, so that another good reason to go out and buy presents (Hint, hint, Jon). If you don't have a one special person, how about treating yourself and reminding yourself just how special you are.

On Valentines day everyone wants to have a gorgeous aroma and what better way to get that than with these beautiful hear shaped soaps from Shine your hiney soap. Scented with mango and margaritas this one is sure to set the mood. The bright red colour is so eye catching, to bathe with it would make me smile.

Now before you go on that all important Valentines Day date be sure to get those lips as soft as they can be. Seasprite Soaps has just the thing to help you with that, rose lip balm. Now I'm not just talking to the girls here. Remember that there is nothing more off putting than bad breath or chapped lips when it comes to kissing. Get balming now so that in a month you have luscious lips.

It is traditional to give flowers on this day, but for those that know me they would never do that, as I hate cut flowers. I just feel like you sit and watch their beauty fade and die. Jeweled Ambrosia offers a way to give flowers to someone like me in there beautiful vintage rose earrings. So simple, yet very elegant.

When we were kids we used to make each other pasta cards for special occasions like Birthdays. It was great fun and meant that the card you gave was unique and personal. This fabulous print from Sweetness & Light brought all those memories of PVA glue, card, paint, glitter and love flooding back. What a perfect gift to give a loved one to hang on their wall to remind them just how much they mean to you.

This pretty, colourful heart from Half an Acre is perfect for hanging on your loved ones front door, so that when they come home from school, college or work they won't be able to miss the fact that you adore them. Little gestures mean so much, so maybe attaching a little love note to the back would fan the flames of amour.

Have you decided that Valentines Day is the day you want to get down on one knee and demonstrate just how special that certain someone is to you? If you have Eidel Precious has the perfect ring for you. What says "I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you" better than a stunningly hand crafted ring of white gold, diamond and sapphire? The Sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity, and faithfulness and diamonds symbolise purity. Perfect for saying you are the one for me, there is no doubt.

Being that Valentines Day is my Birthday I will probably be spending the day eating cake, being very silly, trying to convince the postman I'm not a hussy with lots of suitors sending me cards and kissing Jon a lot. I hope you all have a very special day too. Plan ahead for it and make sure you have lots of lovely surprises ready for all those you love. Oh and don't forget, you mustn't sign those cards. Leave them guessing who their secret admire is.

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and Pirate Pixie Crew