Thursday

The Magic of Three Forgotten Doilies and a Twist on Garlands

Creating Tokens of Affection Under Flickering Lights


Do do you use ...

the "movie watching technique"

to get things done??


~~~~~~


I do!! In fact...

I was rummaging through my vintage Valentine collection the other day

(you can see them HERE)

and was inspired to create my own Valentines this year...

using some paper doilies that had long lingered in our re~Use~it bin.


There were just three left in the package...

which put me to wondering.

Three... three... three.

Three Wishes...

Three times a charm...

Three Charming Valentines !



In my paper drawer I found a few sheets of card stock and proceeded to create..


on my computer...


a page of paper hearts...filled with good thoughts and love.



I used a pair of scalloped scissors from our craft box to cut them out


while watching Audrey Hepburn , yet again,

in "Sabrina"
("Yes, we have no bananas today.")


I then glued one heart atop the doily and slipped it inside an orphan envelope!


They were a simple little token at that point...quite charming.


Even still...


the movie had only half~way finished


...perhaps this little heart could use a little more attention???


I thought of the boxwood garland I had


tucked away in my Ribbon~Keeper Apothecary jar...



and pulled it out to play.



I cannot express how incredibly easy it was to

shape these little hearts from the wired garland.

Just bend... and twist!!

(Much easier than "the bend and snap" ;)

I thought they needed a little color...

so I plucked a few pepper berries

leftover from the garlands and wreaths I made at Christmas...

(you can read about them HERE and scroll to the 12/13 post)

and glued them atop the garland using tiny little dabs of glue from the glue stick.


I made a few extra

as I watched Sabrina and Linus board the plane to Paris ... together!!

I printed out a few tiny tags...


on an ordinary sheet of computer paper

(cutting them out with the same scalloped scissors).

I will use these for future Token~Gift~Giving!

Hint: They store beautifully in a little envelope.

In case you were wondering...

I attached them together using a two~inch piece of this sparkly heart garland!


By that time I was very much appreciating

the shiny, sparkly pop of the red garland...thus...

I decided to use it to add a tag to the paper~only Valentine as well!


As you probably know, I am always one to work ahead of need...

(and, of course, several projects with only one clean~up is like being given the gift of time)

so I decided to make several more tiny, "Be Loved" tags...

and store them in my smallest (and, I believe, my prettiest)

Valentine Tin...for future use!

As I was already working ahead of need...
I decided to slip a few extra boxwood and berry hearts

inside cellophane bags we had left over from our holiday baking.

...and close it with a shiny golden seal!



I then tucked it all inside the tower of vintage tins

and set them back atop their shelf in the craft pantry...

where they'll be waiting for me

when I pull them out again this week and next

to make a few more tokens of affection before

Valentine's Day on the fourteenth!

~~~
How do you use the "movie watching technique" to get things done??

I must confess,
these Valentines only exist because of guilt! I needed to justify sitting down to watch a movie I've already seen a half~dozen times!!
I would love, LOVE, love to hear/see

what YOU'VE made while watching a favorite show or movie!!

Warmly,
Tracey
xOx

10 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

You have got to be one of the most creative friends I know. I love what you did. Gives me some incentive to get busy and make my own valentines too. I love how you used those paper lace doilies. Hugs

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

So glad you're feeling better Audra!! Thank you for the generous words...I was definitely inspired by the doily Valentines in my vintage paper "collection". ("Vintage Paper Collection" is just a nice way to say "all my old paper stuff"! ;) And these little tokens were (obviously) the easiest things in the world to put together!!!

Warmly,
Tracey
x0x

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

I'm not so sure about that Carol...when you work your magic on those tiny little scraps of fabric your creativity and craftsmanship is truly transformational...and so useful!!
That being said, your very kind words are always an encouragement to hear/read. :)
Love,
Tracey
x0x

Linda said...

Tracey you are very talented and just seeing those lovely creations put me in a happy mood!

I love Valentines!

Have A good Saturday!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Jan Morrison said...

oh, I'm with ya! I knit usually. And it is especially good if there is a movie that I kind of want to see but perhaps some scary or gory bits. No problem - I pay attention to my knitting. Doesn't work with movies that have subtitles though.
Love the hearts. love them.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

LOL such a clever idea Jan...to use the activity as a diversion from the bad bits in movies! I'll keep that in mind when making future movie choices. Last autumn I watched the entire mini~series of "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" while putting up jam for my Christmas Gift Pantry! It was a wonderful story and a productive day!
Warmly,
Tracey

P.S. So glad you like the hearts!!

June said...

Tracey this post was just what I needed to read today. I was at Walmart today getting some needful things and went over to look at the Valentine cards and decided to make my own this year. Thank you for your perfect intstructions to help me on my way. It's so funny that you would mention the fact that you have to justify watching a movie by creating too. I do that same thing. Last night while watching the new 'Emma' on Masterpiecr Theater, I made frayed flowers. I must have made about seven or so for a pillow I am making.
Thank you dear for coming over and saying hi. I LOVE your blog, and while I don't comment much, I want you to know how much you inspire me to create.
hugs

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Thank you so much for your kind words June!! They mean a lot to me... especially since they come from your artistic soul. Your blog is such an inspiration...so charming, pretty and always a pleasure to visit!!
Warmly,
Tracey
P.S.
I loved your pillows...and your cabinet of pretty imperfections!!

Angie, Catladyland said...

Dang, girl! Your creativity cup runneth over! I LOVE these ideas :)

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

LOL, I was on a bit of a roll that day Angie!! I did even more but haven't posted the pics yet.

I am lovin' your 40 before 40 list and posts!! Those skirts you made look amazing on you!!

Love,
Tracey
x0x

The original "FRUGAL LUXURIES" ~ Based on the books by Tracey McBride ~ Established 1993

A warm Thank You to all kind souls and kindred spirits who generously take the time to leave a comment...your encouragement, trust and support are deeply appreciated...please know that we read each and every message and will respond as time allows.

~~~

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~~~


"FRUGAL LUXURIES: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul" was written by Tracey McBride and published by Bantam Books, NY, in 1997. It was the first of its genre to synergize the elements of simplicity, frugality and gracious living.

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