Tuesday, February 7, 2017

My Valentine... A Valentine's Day Memory

Valentine's Day has always been my favorite holiday - mostly because the weekend before was always spent with my Grandma Mead, cutting up sparkly bits of pink and red and creating cards, laughing and gabbing away the hours. 


My grandma loved all 22 of her grandchildren and managed to take time for each of them in unique ways. Valentine's cardmaking weekend was "our" time and I looked forward to it every year.

I'd always buy the basics - cardstock and V-day papers, but I cringe now to think about the expense she incurred in embellishments, ribbons, stamps, inks, embossing powders and specialty tools she kept at the ready for her young granddaughter.

She'd patiently show me the latest cardmaking techniques, let me mess up her kitchen for two days, and then put it all back together again once my whir of valentine's energy subsided. My favorite part, though, was when our creative retreat came to a close. I'd line up my collection of creations on her kitchen counter and we'd carefully vote on the order of best cards. She always pretended like there wasn't a bad one in the bunch, but hey - I'm sure in my 10-11-12-year-old cardmaking infancy that she was a big ol' lovable liar.

I can't remember when or how or why this tradition started... but I miss it terribly. Her patience and love created the foundation for the papercrafting artist I am today. She's been gone now for 3 years. 

 


In the years since she's been gone, I haven't really done much of V-day crafting (at least not on the scale that I used to). No pun intended, but my heart just wasn't in it. This year, though, I'm starting a new tradition. I am teaching a Valentine's Day card class and following it up with a crafty crop. I'm excited to share my love of all things red and pink and sparkly with new crafters.

Would you all send some extra good vibes my way this weekend? They would definitely be joyously accepted! 



Now that storytime is over, I suppose I'd better share one of the designs I'll be teaching.


inkagold_card_background_dry_embossing_techniques

Check out that metallic goodness, loved up with some InkaGold paste. 

valentines_day_card_with_inkagold_background

My card was derived from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch:

Image may contain: text

That scrawly "love you" comes from Verve's Stronger Love sentiment set, which has theee most beautiful sentiments. <3 <3 Seriously! Go check it out!

I also want to play along in the following awesome challenges:

Simon Say Stamp Monday - Young at Heart
Crafty Cardmakers - Love Love Love

Paper Players - Will You Be My Valentine

Thank you for stopping by and reading my memories! <3 <3


27 comments:

  1. You are Vday cardmaking prolific! She done taught you well!

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  2. Sending you good vibes, not that I think you need them Becca! I would love to be able to join your crafty session and learn from a mixed media expert! I'm sure they are going to love your card - I do!
    Elaine

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  3. A lovely card. Thank you for sharing it with us at Crafty Cardmakers.
    Mary

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  4. Sweet post Becca! Your Grandmother surely has been a very talented, lovely and strong lady! I think you are as she was, isn't it? This card is pure delight! Congrats to your class! Sending you good vibes, but I'm sure that you are already FULL of them! :)
    Hugs

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  5. What lovely memories! I wish I could come and make pretty things with you! I hope the class goes well:)

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  6. Such a beautiful Valentine's card, but even better is the sweet memory you shared about your grandma! Good luck with your class, although I don't think you will need it, you are so talented!

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  7. Oh I love the story behind your Valentine card. This is a way you can honor your grandmother Becca!! Your card is so pretty with the metallic and the way you used the touches of gold. Stunning design!

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  8. What sweet memories....I am sure that your grandmother would be proud that you're going to follow in her footsteps and do a V-day class! Your creation is certainly one she would be proud of, too! Thanks for sharing this at the Paper Players this week!

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  9. Love the metal look you achieved Becca, this is fabulous!! Your grandmother would love it as well!

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  10. What an amazing card Becca- and I loved your story - how wonderful to spend time like that with your Grandma, and such a rich heritage. Good on you for starting new traditions.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  11. I remember when you lost your grand mom because you had just started your blog, I believe. This card you created is magical with the red and gold and I know your grand mom loves it.

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  12. Awesome card Becca! Love that background!

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  13. I loved your sharing of the time spent with your Grandmother, how wonderful to have such memories. Also thanks for sharing your Valentine's card with us at Crafty Cardmakers. It is quite beautiful and love the background.
    Glenda - DT

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  14. What a fabulous card (and delightful backstory)! I love the shimmery background panel and the gold spotted delicate doily you used. Thanks for sharing it with us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week--please join us again soon!
    :) Marie

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  15. Oh, I would have loved to join in at your class, Becca, but seeing that that is impossible I'll go with sending good vibes your way!!!! Have fun!!!! Your card is simply stunning!!!! Love that fabulous red and gold bg and the doily!!!! The fun rhinestone and glitter hearts add lovely finishing touches to your beautiful card!!!!!
    Have a great day!!!!!!
    Hugz

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  16. Gorgeous card Becca! Love all the shimmery gold detail!

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  17. Becca, what wonderful memories you have of your time with your grandmother! I know she is so happy to see the love of papercrafting she fostered, continue as you freely share that love and joy with others. I will be praying for you and your class! Have a wonderful time spreading love and joy in your grandmother's honor. Blessings to you my crafty friend.

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  18. Absolutely lovely background. I like the colors and Inka effect. Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

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  19. Becca, this is so gprgeous! I love the background you created! I loved reading about the lovely memories you have of Valentine's with your Grandmother! So happy you joined my challenge at The Paper Players this week! XX

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  20. So glad you have such sweet memories of time spent with your grandma. Memories to cherish, to pass down, and to build on. Grandma's know, they just do - it's kind of a secret magic grandma thing - how to make each grandchild feel extra special, but I'm guessing she didn't tell one lie about how cool your cards were back when you were little. We grandmas know - more grandma magic - real talent when we see it. And she saw yours. Good for you, too, for teaching this year. It's like passing her love along. And speaking of love...I love this card. It's rich and beautiful my friend. Wish I could be at your class.... Bev

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  21. Becca, grandma would be very proud of you and now you can share the love of vday card making with others as an extension of grandma. Thank you for taking the time to show Julie and I how to make your awesome valentine's day cards. We had so much fun spending time and crafting with you. Wish we could have stayed one more day!! Everyone at the retreat will love your cards and learning how to make them and hopefully that will be your special valentine menory going forward~

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  22. Fabulous card, beautifully designed. Love background. Thanks for playing along with Crafty Cardmakers

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  23. Becca! So cool to see you here! This card is soooo delicious! I do love the inka gold! How cool that you made cards with your grandma....did she know what she'd started?...lol? I love this. So happy you played along at Atlantic hearts this week!

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  24. Far too long since I've stopped in for a visit. Spotted this stunning creation and had to pop by and tell you I LOVE IT! Fantastic off the edge card design, edge and cool. Utterly gorgeous hun. Hugs, Wends xoxo

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  25. Beautiful card, I love it! Great job! Thanks for playing along with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge (AHSC)!

    Brandi R
    DT member AHSC
    crzy4scrapbooking.blogspot.ca

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  26. Ohh, all that gold embossing and red...beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us at Atlantic Hearts.

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