Two of Hearts

Hello!! Happy Friday everyone. I'm here today with a quick little Valentine project inspired by these amazing Heart Playing Cards from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. The instant I saw them I envisioned them all rusty as a frame for some antique photos. Although this was a super easy project I am so pleased with the outcome.

The frames come in a 2 pack and there are 4 pieces total with the fronts and backs. 

Run the frame backs thru your Xyron and apply short hand book text. Trace around the frame opening and then paint the outer edges of the back gold. This gold accent will pop thru once the frame is put together. 

 

For the top of the frame pieces I used my favorite faux rust treatment. 

 Using a cosmetics sponge apply brown paint and then dip directly into cinnamon. Pounce on more brown paint and heat set. If you have a heat gun that runs hot you can burn the cinnamon for that great crusty effect. But be careful!! 

Photo copy your vintage images. Heat emboss using Baked Texture Vintage Beeswax. Die cut with Stitched Oval die. I heat embossed my images before die cutting so that the die cut details would stand out. 

Cut a length of vintage patterned seam binding and adhere down the center of the frame backs. Adhere the photos centered in the cutout area. 

Adhere frame to the back. And voila you have a super easy antique inspired Valentine in just a few minutes. 

Although its a quick and simple project I love the way these Heart Playing Card frames take the main stage. And be sure to stay tuned on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Blog this coming Monday Jess from Two Mad Dahlias has a tutorial using these amazing frames as well!!

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Love Letters

Hello and happy Friday!! I'm here today with a Valentine inspired make. The Flourished Heart Frame made me think of valentines that a couple would have exchanged in the Victorian days. And of course what Valentine's Day is complete without a love letter?

Heat emboss both frame pieces using an embossing dauber and gold embossing powder. 

Create a collage using vintage photos, dictionary pages and postage stamps. Add some detail with mail themed rubber stamps. Adhere collage to back of the  Flourished Heart Frame. Cut out a heart to back your mini collages. This extra backing will help protect against the adhesive used to attach the heart to the envelope from seeping thru. 

For envelope cut a piece of linen, muslin and two-sided interfacing approximately 10 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches. Layer interfacing between the linen and muslin and adhere with iron. 

Cut ribbon and lace to size. Pin the ribbon and layered lace onto linen and top stitch with sewing machine. 

Fold up bottom third of fabric. Place the House Pocket die on top and stabilize with washi. Make sure to put fold above the bottom of the die. If the die does cut thru the fold don't worry it can be stitched together in the next step. 

Top stitch around the edges of the envelope. Make sure to leave the pocket of the envelope unstitched. Adhere heart frame to envelope flap using adhesive of choice. 

This little envelope is the perfect size for gifting a gift card or a love letter to that special someone. I hope you have a month full of love and get showered with lots of chocolate!! Thanks for stopping by today. Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Valentine Doll House

Hello and happy Friday!! I love Valentine's crafting, the pink and red make my heart happy. This project doesn't have any pink in it but the bold red and black were fun to experiment with.

I started with the Mini House Shadow Box 3. I thought it would be fun to make a "doll house" and have the house be the doll's body and contain a heart full of love.

I started by painting all pieces of the Mini House Shadow Box 3 with black gesso. 

I then cut a template out for the main wall of the shadow box. I cut out a piece of white cardstock slightly larger than my template. Using a black sharpie and a messy cursive strip I wrote out 'I Love You' repeatedly across the paper. I also did this for strips to cover the outer roof of the shadow box. It was a nice meditative exercise to write out such sweet words. 

I then cut strips of black and white polka dot scrapbook paper to cover the rest of the shadow box walls. I ran all the pieces thru my Xyron. It makes for super easy application. 

To finish off the inside of the house I heat embossed the floor with a red glitter embossing powder before assembling the Mini House Shadow Box 3. Using foam dots I attached a red glitter heart in the middle of the shadow box. I stamped and colored a paper doll and attached to the back of the house. I will admit this project took on a life of its own as I went, but sometimes the process of making is the more fun than the end result. 

I hope you all find some creative time this weekend!! Happy Creating ~Jennalee