Thanks to everyone who participated in my first Valentine card challenge! I learn so much doing these challenges. Here's what I learned this time:
- Be brave. Many (most?) of the participants do not normally work with paper, but they gamely agreed to try. It's hard enough to try a new medium alone in your studio, but to do it on a public stage like this? That takes some serious guts!
- It takes time to get good. My experience with my own card reminded me of this bit from NPR's Ira Glass on beginners and creativity. It takes a lot of work to get good at something and it can be discouraging to have a vision in your head that you can't replicate in real life. It's good to remember what it feels like to be a beginner at something, especially if you want to teach other beginners.
- When you're blocked, ask a child. Two of the participants asked their children to design their cards, which I loved. Children never seem to be stumped for creative ideas!
You can read more about the challenge on my earlier blog post.
The Winner
I held a random drawing among everyone who submitted their cards by the deadline. The winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is . . . Cat! Congratulations, Cat! Please email me about your prize!
The Cards
After viewing the cards here, please visit the blogs, websites, or
shops of the participants and see the other kinds of work they do! Some of them will also be blogging about their cards, so you may be able to get more details about their inspiration or their techniques.
The Leaf Card - View the plain card.
Beth used some stitching to add a focal element to her simple card. Blog: Stories by Indigo Heart Etsy Shops: Two Sisters Beadwork, Blue Cat on Venus |
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Kay cut the card apart with fancy scissors, leaving enough to
still have a note card. She cleverly made the extra part into a matching bookmark with some leaves and
beads on it, plus a braided macramé cord marker. Blog: Kayz Kreationz Etsy Shop: Kayz Kreationz |
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Kristina added tissue paper flowers on her romantic card. The text says "Älska för att leva. Lev för att älska", which means "Love [in order] to live. Live [in order] to love." Blog: Wild Roses and Blackberries |
Maryanne added some sparkly hearts to celebrate love. Blog: Zingala's Workshop |
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My card is a Valentine for you, dear blog reader: "Do what you love / Love what you do!" The paper flowers are attached with star-shaped brads. Did you know you can buy brads in almost every imaginable shape? I turned into a zombie in my local craft store. Must . . . have . . . Brad . . . I mean, brads! Blog: Beads & Books (you're here) Etsy Shop: Michelle Mach Jewelry & Gifts |
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Sarah gave her card to her daughter Molly to paint. Molly practiced for two days to get the sunset colors just right before attempting the card. Blog: Blog by Salla Etsy Shops: Jewelry by Salla, 8 Bit Rings |
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Pam drew her own free form design and added, "You Give My Heart Wings!" Blog: The Crazy Creative Corner Etsy Shop: Crazy Creative Corner |
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Shannon decorated every inch of her card, including the inside and the envelope. She says, "I used colored pencils, a black pigma pen, a (copyright free) vintage
photo, some stamps for the flowers and butterflies on the cover which I
colored and inked over. I used some ribbon lace, some little paper
flowers and I crocheted the little heart from a pattern I adapted to
size it WAY down. For the envelope, I used the pen and colored pencils,
but I free-handed the flower. For the inside, I used some hot pink
tissue, confetti, and a little text block I made with a gradient fill
and some clip art teeny flowers." Blog: Falling into the Sky Facebook Pinterest:Gypsy Moon Dancer |
The Alphabet Card - View the plain card.
Ambra proved that you can find love anywhere, even in a jumble of random letters. Blog: Chic & Frog |
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April also found love among the letters, adding a series of bright red hearts. Websites/blogs: Folsoms 93, Epicurean Vegan |
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Donna added a bit of edgy black to her pink painted card, along with some ribbon with the words "Your Love." Blog: Soaking in Mustard |
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Kate turned her card into a colorful quilted wall hanging for her kitchen by adding fabric, stitching (including some handspun yarn), and vintage buttons. Blog: We Can Make That at Home |
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Lola also found hidden messages in the random mix of letters and highlighted "Hi" and "U" on her friendly card. Blog: Bead Lola Bead Etsy Shop: Bead Lola Bead |
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Shannon created a romantic card with layered flowers, buttons, and even a pair of earrings inside. Lots of cottage chic style! Blog: For My Sweet Daughter Etsy Shop: For My Sweet Daughter |
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The Hearts & Flowers Card - View the plain card.
Amy created a sweet card by using a muted tone for the background and highlighting some of the hearts in red. Blog: Amybeads Etsy shop: Amybeads |
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Cat became swamped with custom orders for Valentine jewelry and asked her daughter to finish this glittery card. Every mom needs a daughter like that! Blog: Boo Beads Etsy Shop: Boo Beads Jewelry |
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Charlie used her card to display a necklace, cleverly running the ribbon through the front of the card. The inside of the card has a pop-up "love" cutout, while the envelope shows a peek of matching flowered paper. Website/blog: Clay Space |
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Cyndi used multiple layers of walnut inks (4 shades) and three colors of PearlEx to create her card. She noted, "Not a bead anywhere!" Blogs: Beading Arts, Mixed Media Artist |
Patty added the sweetest bird to her card, surrounded by a lovely heart of flowers. Blog: My Life Under the Bus Etsy Shop: The Junquerie |
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Shellie used lots of colors and a bit of sparkle to create her card. |
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Shirley added sweet pastels and buttons to her card. Blog: Beads and Bread |
Today Only (February 14, 2012)
Inspired after seeing all these wonderful cards? See the cards in my Etsy shop and let me know which one design you'd like either in the comments or by sending me an email. Cost for one card and U.S. shipping combined is $1. (International shipping will be an additional $1.) Limited to one card per person. Today only!
Happy Valentine's Day!