Saturday, January 12, 2013

"You look so cute from behind!"


I love to be in my craft room late at night. I find the stillness soothing and the cast of shadows beautiful. A chance to finish my Valentine's Garland. Oh how I love the way it turned out.


PREPARATION:
Remove all decoration from a vintage plastic Christmas garland (Etsy) and THREAD WITH FISHING LINE to support weight, (or use plastic chain from hardware store). The figure eight links allow items to hang in front or behind each other creating movement instead of straight in a line. Hot glue floral decoration at intervals.


REPETITIVE FOCAL POINTS:
MAIN FOCAL POINT: Divide garland into equal visual sections. There should be one main focal point for each section. Mine are large paper Valentines I have made featuring the faces of the children.

  
SECONDARY FOCAL POINT:
I have hung one school Valentine from the same line in each section. This cute little rabbit is from Hallmark. They each feature a distinctive large red heart.


SOMETHING RED:
In each section I have hung the sweetest little playing cards that are both red and CUTE with their Dutch figures.


CUTE FROM BEHIND:
I love the backs of Valentines almost as much as the front! There are the most wonderfully printed images in RED that absolutely make me giddy with joy. I have backed them with red card stock. My husband will say to me, "Don't you think we have enough RED in this house?" to which my reply is, "You can NEVER have too much RED!"


MORE RED:
I found shiny red cupids to hang at JoAnn Fabrics, small sized Christmas ornaments from my crafting stash; and I hung back on my garland red reindeer that came with the garland. This is after all a Side by Side Holiday!

SOMETHING SMALL:
I have cut from Valentines from the 1940's called A-meri-Cards, (or letters cAc) the sweet little children that can be found. Their faces are very distinctive. They are my very favorite Valentines of all! Straight hangers created from wire instead of rings are used to allow them to hang at varying lengths to fill in spots where needed.


Yes, it took me awhile to purchase, make, and gather together the elements for this garland, but it is one I will love to use for years to come.  And because you might not recognize which Valentines to purchase that will be Cute from Behind, I have scanned some for you!

 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cute, cute garland, Elizabeth! (And I spy my garland, too!)

annemarie said...

This is a marvelous garland - love it.

the vanilla squirrel said...

this is adorable!x

Ina said...

I love your garland! ;p

Perfectly Printed said...

This is so sweet!! Such a lovely addition to your craft room!! And you are so right....NEVER too much red!!

chris

Debby said...

As usual.......so adorable.

Laura said...

Everything is full of cuteness!!! You are always coming up with something Grand!

Denise said...

Beautiful creations.Your craft room looks prettier than ever.Hugs Denise

Pieceful Bits said...

Cute as can be Garland...even from behind ;)

Tammy's in Love said...

I read that headline and thought, 'Oh, isn't that so cute; she's gonna tell how Pat sneaks up on her.' Mine pinches me 'from behind' and while he is my valentine, it has nothing to do with paper cards! Smile.

Unknown said...

Just adore this! But I have valentines to make for others....then me! :) I just can star at these photos multiple times....I see something new every time!
I guess that garland I sent came in handy finally...now I need to find some! lol

Musings from Kim K. said...

I have a plastic Christmas garland that I've been saving just for Valentines crafting. Thank you for all the darling images.

Tresa said...

Darling! Thank you for providing the scans.

Tresa

Tina said...

Hi there - I just stumbled upon your blog via Free pretty things and can I say I have literally been scrolling through your entire blog the whole day and went crazy PINNING all your goodness.


I went all the way back to nov. 2011 - I just couldn't get enough. You have some amazing crafting skills to say the least.

If you don't mind - I am curious - do you sell your treasures? I mean really I could make my own since you offer so many fun patterns but just wondering if you make so many things for sale or just for the sheer pleasure of it. Did not notice an etsy shop link on your blog so just curious.

I have added you to my favorites and will be back again real soon.

thanks for all the wonderful inspiration.

Also, where do you find all the fun pipe cleaners in all those fun colors???

ok - here's wishing you a good night sleep

a new fan
tina@
one crafty mess

Shirley Hatfield said...

I'm with Tammy...I thought you were gonna say your Valentine Sweety declared you were "cute from behind"...lol! Never, never, never can there be too much red!

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Elizabeth what a cute and stunning garland!! Its so very pretty! You will be enjoying that for many happy years! :) xox Holly

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

What precious, fun and creative ideas-truly love the garland!!

RetroSandie said...

E-your garland is just perfect! And it also has such a cute little behind!!! *tee hee* I also love your Valentine wreath. They look wonderful together along with Holly's garland. One of these ol days I'll order one from her!! I love seeing your decor - Red is so cheery, and pink, well, pink is perfect!!
Hugs, Sandie

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I'm with Tammy and Shirley about the "behind" LOL!!!!
Very nice collection and perfect way to display all the "love"!!
Warmly,
deb

Judi Miller said...

Dear Elizabeth, I just had to tell you how much I adore your blog. I know that you must hear this so often but I just can't help but repeat it. I came across your blog quite by accident and what a wonderful world you have opened up for me. My daughter and I have done some of your little Pom animals and are now working on the Vintage Valentine wreath. Thank you so much for your creative and inspiring blog. Sincerely, Judi

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