A Valentine's Gift For You!

From me to you.

The little heart stitching angel (from Google free clip-art images) was combined with four images from Dezinaworld (the background, the upper left corner lace design, the button, and the spool of thread under the chair) and I added one other graphic (the chair) from the Graphics Fairy. With the assistance of my Photoshop Elements software I merged and blended them together and added a text message to create an image for my ATC Valentine. I reduced the image to 2 1/2"  by 3 1/2", printed it out and glued it to a decorative piece of card stock of the same size. I added two real buttons trimmed in ribbon and lace next to the button image. I outlined the edge of the heart in red glitter and finished it with a gold glitter frame. You may print out my ATC image and decorate it as you wish for you own ATC to keep or give. To do that just right click on the image and save it to your computer.

I would love to trade my ATC with one of you for one of your ATC creations. It doesn't have to be from my image or even a Valentine design. I will trade with the first person to e-mail me telling me you want to exchange ATC's. 

My next gift came from post comments and email requests asking, "How did you make that"? A few people noticed my lace envelope in a previous post. I made the envelope for a Valentine that I sent to a special friend. I won't be able to make all of you an envelope but I can show and tell how I did it. My second gift is an easy tutorial on how to make a paper doily envelope. 

Paper Doily Envelope Tutorial

Supplies:

10" by 10" paper doilies (a standard 4 1/4" by  5 1/2 " card fits inside nicely)

Scissors

Bone Folder (optional)

Glue

Position the doily in a diamond with the wrong side facing you. 

 The center of the doily will become the front of your envelope. Fold the left and right side triangle sections towards the center. Gently crease the edges with a bone folder or your finger tip. Take care not to tear the doily. 

Fold the top and bottom triangles toward the center.

 Unfold the flaps and trim the corners where the triangles overlap.

 Apply glue to a few areas in the right triangle. Place a small sheet of wax paper inside the flaps to keep the glue from sealing the envelope closed.

Fold the right and left sides together.

Apply glue to the bottom flap, fold up, allow to dry. Check inside to make sure glue isn't sticking to the opposite side. 

Insert your card and use a pretty sticker to seal. 

This doily envelope is very delicate and should be hand delivered or sent in an sturdy mailing envelope.  There is a technique using freezer paper to make the doily sturdier for regular mail delivery. 

Paper Doily Envelope With Freezer Wrap Tutorial. 

Supplies:

10" by 10" paper doilies (a standard 4 1/4" by  5 1/2 " card fits inside nicely)

Scissors

Bone Folder (optional)

Glue

 Cut a 9 1/4" by 9 1/4 " sheet of freezer paper. Place the shiny plastic coated side of the freezer paper to the wrong side of the doily.

 Use a hot dry iron setting to melt the freezer paper (plastic coated sided down) to the doily. To protect your iron you may want to use another sheet of plain paper or fabric between the iron and the freezer paper. 

 The photo above shows the doilies with and without freezer paper. 

 Fold, trim, and glue the triangles as suggested in the tutorial without the  freezer paper. 

 As you can see the freezer paper isn't as delicate looking but it is more durable. 

If you plan to send it you may want to tack down all the scalloped edges to prevent it being torn in the postal machines.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm linking to:

Woman's Thing

Tuit Tuesday

Knick Of Time

White Wednesday
Made U Look