Feb 10, 2013

Esther Howland, The Mother of the American Valentine's Day Card

Hi Everyone!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I did some research into this holiday and found some interesting information about a lady by the name of Ms. Esther Howland.  She is considered the Mother of the American Valentine's Day Card.  I thought it would be good to do a video report about her since so many of us scrappers are now making Cards for Valentine's Day.


This is Esther Howland and one of her many Valentine's Day Cards that she created.  

Esther Howland was born 1828 in Worcester Massachusetts Her father was a store owner who sold books and writing stationary. She attended Mount Holyoke College and graduated in 1847.  Shortly after that, one of her father's business associates gave her an English Valentine's Day card.  She really liked the card and decided to try and make some on her own.   She ordered the paper, lace, and roses from England and made a few sample Valentine's Day Cards and sold them through her brother who was a salesman.  She also ran an ad in the local newspaper.  She received $5000 in orders!  People loved her cards and her business took off in no time.   She named her company "The New England Valentine Company".  By the time she retired in 1881, her company was grossing $100,000 a year.

I made a replica card from the picture above.  I used dollies and lace with some paper roses and seam binding to replicate her design.


I used white dollies and lace on the envelope.  I also added pearl bling. 

I put a large pink paper rose on the envelope in place of the emblem used on Esther Howland's Card

The Pink Scrapbook paper came from  the Le Tres Chic Stack put out by DCWV
Here on the back I used a rose pink handmade flower that I had in my stash.  


Happy Valentines Day!!  


Jan 30, 2013

Valentine's Day Card




Hi Everyone!

This project was made out of a paper bag that I folded in half.  Paper bags make great cards because you can use the open end for extra storage of tags or letters.

For the front cover I made a cardboard heart with a button and string enclosure.  A also added some fabric wine colored rosettes that I had in my stash.  
 
   Happy Valentine's Day!

   God bless, Chan

This card was made with Glitz Paper Pack "Pretty in Pink".  It has a lovely array of pinks, creams, and browns. 


Rose Pink seam binding was used to cover the seam in the middle.  


Here are the three tags that I made.  I also made three heart charms for the tags.  

Happy Valentine's Day!



Jan 26, 2013

Valentine's Day Crafts



Hello!

Would you like to be creative and save a little money on your gifts for Valentine's Day?  If so, here's an idea.   I was inspired by a blog post by Studio Crescendoh. The title of the blog post was "Crocheted & Altered Cardboard Panel Tutorial."  It was very creative.  I was not able to do it exactly like the one they did because of the crocheted edge.  I used white lace to mimic the crocheted edge they had.

Jan 23, 2013

Craft Haul

Hi Everyone!

It's been a very long time since I did a craft haul video.  I ordered some valentines day scrapbook paper on eBay.  It's called "Love Story" and its put out by a company called Echo Park.  The doubled-sided papers are lovely and they also include 2 pages of tags and a page of letters.  I just love, love, love double-side papers.  It makes things so much easier!








I also got a a small paper pad put out by K & Company.  This one is Brenda Walton's Madeline Mat Pad #625495.  A lovely set of papers with a vintage floral look.  I really like the color selections for this set.  The pinks, browns, creams, and greens work together very well.  They are also double-sided as well.





I also went to the dollar tree today and picked up a few things.  When I first walked in the door, these lovely cream bunches trimmed in a vibrant fuchsia caught my eye.  I picked them up right away!!


While I was there, I also got two rolls of pink and white polka dot wire ribbon.  This will be perfect for Valentine's Day projects.


A 13 inch wreath, the perfect size for my cream and fuchsia flowers!


Jan 21, 2013

Craft Ideas Easy Craft Ideas Altered Picture Frame



Hi Everyone!

I wanted to make a sign for my Youtube channel.  Everyone seemed to have one but me so this is why I decided to finally make one.  This is what I came up with.  I actually decided to make it easy on myself and just alter a wooden frame that I had around the house.







Dec 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

I just finished my Christmas Tree.  I made some of my own ornaments this year and I made my very own Angel for the top of my Tree.  I used the colors of cream, gold, and silver.  Next year, I will use other colors.  I think I will try to make more tree ornaments also next year.  I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and God bless all of you.

Merry, Merry Christmas, Chan


This is the Angel I made for the top of my Tree



Here are the Christmas Hearts.  I used paper from a Christmas stack and added paper roses, wooden buttons, and swirl roses that I made.


I made this to put on my tree because I didn't have any religious ornaments.



This was a 4 ft tree with the lights already attached to it.  This made it very easy to put together. 


Here's a closeup of my handmade Christmas Hearts.


My Christmas Tree Angel.

Have a Very Merry Christmas.  God bless, Chan 




Dec 20, 2012

Christmas Wreath

Happy Holidays!!

I needed a wreath for my door but I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  Off to the dollar tree!  My Christmas theme this year is White, Silver, and Gold.  I found a nice large Santa Claus Christmas tree ornament and I brought 2 of them.  It was the perfect size for my wreath.  I also picked up two bunches of white poinsettia flowers.

I wrapped the twig wreath with some 2 inch gold ribbon I had around the house.  Then I put my Santa Claus on there with two white poinsettia flowers and then I had my Christmas Wreath.  Very inexpensive and cost effective.  Proving that you don't have to spend a fortune on Christmas decorations!

God bless, Chan



Dollar Tree Crafts!!  The wreath, Santa Claus, and White Poinsettia flowers all purchased for $1.00.  Christmas wreaths this size are selling for $15.00 - $20.00 in local dept stores.  I was able to save $$$ by making my own.
I added a strip of ribbon in the back to support Santa Claus and to keep him from falling through the wreath hole.  I also used kite string to fashion a hook to hang this on a nail.  


Santa Says "Merry Christmas!"