I'm inclined to think that the simpler I make the cards, the better I like them.
It's not that I don't like lots of layers -- it's just that unless I have just the right materials, I don't think I do them so well.
So, as they say -- "KISS" -- Keep it Simple, Stupid!
These are a few of my new valentines. You saw this one unadorned...
And finished. Just a few buttons. I thought about lace and words. It didn't work for me.
I do find music makes a beautiful background and I was lucky to have a songbook with some romantic tunes.
But I really liked what happened when I added the tea-bag hearts and some antique trim I found at a French flea market a couple of years ago.
The same with this little girl -- here she is plain.
All she really needed were a few buttons and a shiny rhinestone heart (which for some reason looks yellow here -- it must have picked up the light oddly). Too much would have been -- too much.
I do like "before and after" shots!
I've also been doing some watercolor valentines -- just setting them off with ribbon and elevating with pop dots.
I have a few more Valentines to share with you that are much different. They're very simple, and some incorporate tags. Coming soon!(Speaking of love, don't forget to check out Diane Keaton's memoir on Chopsticks and Strings. I loved this one!)
Jeanie: Your cards are fabulous! Thanks for your nice comment on my blog. You can find the heart tins at CVS and I've heard they are at Krogers, which I beleive you have in Michigan. Good luck! ~Marti
ReplyDeleteI like simple too, Jeanie. It's one of the reasons why I'm not a huge fan of anything Victorian. Seems cluttered and dark. Just made some Victorian Valentines for friends but only because I know they love that. I prefer 50's or maybe 20's or cleaner looking designs, especially anything red and aqua. I know, you'd never know from my current blog design that I like red and aqua, but those used to be my blog colors and still are my favorite two colors.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, nice seeing you and Gypsy and your cards are lovely.
Jeanie, "LESS IS MORE" your cards look fabulous xxx
ReplyDeleteAnd no the weather is not terrific, well not here, I hate snow :)
Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteThe before and after shots are fun. Anyone would love to find one of your valentines in their mailbox. They're all beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy tastes seem to go toward simpler and less cluttered and I think all of these are wonderful. I especially like the watercolor valentine.
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting
ReplyDeletethat you say that
about keeping it simple.
I was just thinking the same
thing as I looked over my old
valentines from the past few years.
I'm liking more space,
more simplicity,
more soothing lines
than I used to use.
Funny, that.
Yours are gorgeous!
What a clever creative you are:)
Happy love month,
Jen
I agree. On these beautiful Valentines, less is more.
ReplyDeleteYou have just the right touch.
I often find I like the simple ones too. Really like the watercolor one with the ribbon.
ReplyDeleteI prefer simple too. I love the cards with the musical backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThese are all sooo, soooo PRETTY, Jeanie! I really like all the embellishments and mixed media. I made some very different cards myself this year--it was fun to find ways to express love but not necessarily all with hearts, red, etc. ;o) Very fun to see your! Happy Week ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteYour cards are all beautful!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas.
Maybe we can swap eastercards again!?!
♥
Stefanie
I love them all, jeanie! If you'll have me choose my fave, I'd say those with the music background... esp. the two with the 'tea bag hearts'. Are you going to sell these cards now? And, I used to make tags too. Look forward to seeing yours!
ReplyDeleteI like them all, but I especially like the watercolor. And I'm with you re: the keep it simple philosophy.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned from my china collection is that however beautiful each item is, if I display too many of them together, the effect is actually lessened. It's a learning that's made simplification of life easier, for sure!
Your valentine cards are so creative and fun! I like the one with lace and the white bird, but I like them all. Where do you find your buttons? I am going to crochet tops to kitchen towels – so that they can be attached to kitchen drawers – and I need medium size buttons. I went to the fabric store and they are quite expensive. Tomorrow is the big Atlanta flea market, so I hope to find some old buttons there.
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are delightful - but BINGO wins my heart!
ReplyDeleteOh fun! I especially love the ones with the music background. Because I love music and loving playing piano, I love the look of the notes on that card. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, all are lovely!
ReplyDelete