Okay,
FIRST… you guys SERIOUSLY ROCK!!!!!!! and I am NOT even exaggerating one bit!
I went to dinner Friday night with my hubby (gotta love having a live in babysitter aka 14 yr old daughter :)… and I checked my email on my phone and saw all the comments coming in from my Paris post! We had the BEST time at dinner reading everyone’s comments and talking about what we want to do in Paris. My hubby was very flattered you all thought he was “cool”… and even more than that, so interested that you all gave us such great advice!
I wasn’t sure if I was going to blog about the trip here but after the great response I’ll have to make sure I give you guys a great recap when we get back! Besides, I totally think it “fits” as Paris seems like a very creative and inspiring place!
Now, onto todays craft!!
I’ve still got a bit o’Valentines goodness to share with you all!
Do you want one of these??? If so, keep reading I’m giving it away!!
I LOVED the believe banner that I made for Christmas this year, and thought that it would be fun to make one for Valentines day! It was quick and easy and I’m happy to share a tutorial with you of how to make it.
For this banner I used a cricut. If you don’t have one, it’s okay. You will need to go to the craft store and buy an Alphabet, and find a heart to trace. In the place of the silhouettes, you could use vintage images, or more hearts etc…
You will also need to “destroy” a book.. I know I know… don’t freak out.. I love books and the first time I tore a page out of one, I felt more than a little guilty.
Just find a book you can dismantle. Look in your closet, thrift store, Half Price Books, etc. I found an old dictionary at a thrift store and that is what I have been using.
I found out the hard way that a cricut does not cut this thin of paper. It STUCK to the mat (ruined the mat, could never get it off). I, being lazy, did not want to hand cut all of the hearts. So what I did was 1st adhere the book pages to a sheet of 12×12 cardstock. To do this, cover the back of the book page with UHU glue stick, then attach to you cardstock. You want to “think” about where the hearts will be cut, so that you don’t get a heart cut with a seam of paper down the middle.
We cut 4 6×6 book pages to cover the 12×12 cardstock sheet. After you glue it, roll a brayer (or a rolling pin) over it to make sure your glue is evenly distributed. Set aside and let dry (we had a bit of trouble, because we didn’t let the glue dry all the way).
** btw… I must thank Vicki for helping me with this, she’s the hands you see in all the photos, and kept telling me “Melissa, don’t you need to take a picture of this???” She should come over for all of my tutorial photo sessions… she totally kept me on track!**
After the glue has dried, run the paper through your cricut and cut out your hearts. Mine were from the George and Basic shapes cartridge, but there are lots of hearts on different cartridges.
Next, we used Walnut Distress ink and lightly inked the edges of each heart.
Then take Modge Podge for paper and spread a little bead around all the edges. Then dip the edges in glitter. I used Martha Stewart glitter that I WON from her website !!! (very cool huh!!).
This step will also help you if your hearts tore at all during the cutting process. You can cover up any tears with glitter.
Cut “Be Mine” out onto red cardstock (Simply Sweet cartridge). Adhere to your hearts.
The silhouettes are from the Child’s Year cartridge.
Next to hang..
You know those ornament hangers that DRIVE YOU CRAZY at Christmas????? Well break ‘em out, because they are perfect for this!
Punch a small hole in the center of each heart.
Get a piece of tinsel (like you hang on your Christmas tree, mine came from IKEA)…
Use the ornament hooks to attach the hearts to the tinsel (or ric rac would be super cute if you can’t find any tinsel).
You’re done!
*** another note, I was not compensated in any way by any of the companies mentioned to write this post, I simply shared the brand names of things I used to help you out if you want to make a similar banner***
Okay… NOW for the giveaway!!!
You can win THIS banner! (I mean I already have one upstairs and I don’t need TWO!)…
To enter:
Do one, or all of the following, for each thing you do leave a separate comment so that it counts!
-Visit my etsy shop, May and Mae and let me know what your favorite item is.
-Let me know what kind of pattern or other item, you would like to see for sale in the shop! (i.e., I’d love a backpack pattern, etc…)
-Leave a suggestion for an image to use on one of the Soldered Pendants (Traci makes those, and does an AMAZING job!)
-If you don’t already, subscribe, or follow this blog.
-Mention this giveaway somewhere else in cyberspace (blog, facebook, twitter)!
The giveaway will ONLY be open until Tuesday 9th at midnight Eastern time! (I’ve got to get it mailed to you before the big day!)…
I bought your valentine pouch pattern. I love the way it looks. I just hope mine turns out to look like yours. Of course when I told my 7 yr old boy waht XOXO meant he said, “Mom, PLEASE don’t put that on mine.”
i love the banner!! and i love your love pouch pattern on your etsy site. so creative!!
for another pattern i’d like to see… i’d have to say i would love to see a little girls purse/bag of some sort. my daughter loves carrying a little bag and i really want to make her one!
oh and i subscribe to your blog via google reader :) love it! thanks
Boy stuff would be great to see! I love all the girly skirts & bags, but as the mom of 2 boys I don’t have much use for them.
I love the June Bag. It is on my “when I get around to it” list.
I’d like to see the image of a shamrock on one of the Soldered Pendants.
I subscribe to the blog already :)
Hmmm, I love the custom photo pendants and would adore the banner if I shoudld be lucky enough to win it. I really must get a cricut!
I have already bought 3 soldered pendants, two V-day ones and one custom photo. One for me and two for gifts. I love them.
I love the Love Pouch! I actually bought your pattern for it, and finished 6 of them last night! My kids love them!
I’m also a follower!
I think vintage holiday images would be super cute on the pendants. (I’m thinking about Easter bunnies right now since I’m ready for spring!)
I’d love to win the banner! I like the soldered pendants. Like many people, though, I can’t wear metal against my skin because of allergic reaction. So I would like to see pendants with sterling silver chains.
I would like to see a pattern for a diaper bag. Everybody I know seems to be having babies right now…
I tweeted about your giveaway!
I love the XO pillow in your shop! It is my fav!
I am a follower!
Melissa- SO cute.
I totally forgot to put your shirts on my post on 30days. I’ll have to add both of these. Thanks so much for sharing. ;) Love all you do!
xoxo Mique
You know I’m not going to make this myself……..
And I love you’re Sunday bag on your etsy shop. Love it!
Love your Valentine pillow – so cute.
I follow you on google reader:)
I would love to see an Easter banner although I bet you are already planning one.
My favorite item in your shop right now is the T pendant with the bluebird on the reverse. Although I really think I’d like to make one of the Valentine pouches too; that pattern is cute!
I love your banners! The glitter is so cute. I’ll be linking.
Thank you for the giveaway! I love the The Sunday Bag, Handbag purse in you etsy shop!
I would love to see some “Summer” bags,in you shop to take to the beach or swimming pool.
On your pendents I would like to see a picture with a cupcake on it!
I’m a follower of your blog!
My favorite item from your Etsy shop is the fabric scrapbook kit. And I loved the tutorial on the blog!
I would love to see a pattern for a table runner. :)
My suggestion for the Soldered Pendant would be a whisk (like you use in the kitchen), and it could even say, “whisk me away!!” :)
I am now a follower of your blog!!
I just tweeted too!!!
http://twitter.com/ashlanclements
I’m not sure if you can see because my tweets are protected, but I promise that I did!
I sure hope I win. :)
Hi there!
I love your banner!! And would totally have the perfect spot for that, right on my fireplace mantel!
I really like your Kiss Me pillow cover as well!
h_freund@hotmail.com
I love your cross my heart pillow. So cute! I would love to win the banner.
I subscribe to your blog.
Very cute! I’d love to include this in a post I have planned for my blog http://www.thematernallens.blogspot.com/ if that’s ok with you!
that banner is awesome! i love your Soldered Glass Initial Charm with the T and bluebird.
I love your banner. I am already a follower.
Love the banner! I am a follower!
I love your soldered charms in the shop.
I really like the soldered initial S charm….so cute!
~Stacey
csfish@roadrunner.com
Love this – it is so cute! I subscribe to your blog on Bloglines.
In your shop I love the June bag pattern best – love how it can be worn cross body.
An idea for a soldered charm would be a pressed dried flower, or a curly lock of baby’s hair (for a mother).
I would like to see you offer more banners like this Valentine’s one because it is so cute and I’d LOVE to have some to hang on my fireplace mantle and switch them around!
~Stacey
csfish@roadrunner.com
I have your blog under my favorites because I love to see your different creations (and my daughter is interested in sewing & tutorials). I really enjoy visiting it a few times a week to see what it “new”…..thanks for sharing!
My favorite thing in your Etsy shop is the Sunday bag pattern. Once I have a few bucks scraped up, I’m definitely getting it … I think it would make an awesome library tote.
I’d love to see your paintings in your shop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of your artwork there … maybe you have it somewhere else??
For the soldered pendants, I think it would be great if we could get them customized with portraits of our kids! Sort of like a locket without the cover.
I am now an official follower of your blog. I could’ve sworn that I was already, I visit almost everyday, but I guess I never officially hit the follow button.
haha… you want me to pick just one! Im gonna have to narrow it down. I love the Sunday bag and the June bag. I’d love to see a book bag/backpack for my daughters to carry their stuff to school. Im a follower (daily) and my blog is pokeymacandjack.blogspot.com Have a blast in Paris!
I’m a follower now yeah!
The Sunday bag SOunds great for all my stuff
I would love to see some more pillow covers! I just love changing up my pillows.
I would love to see some temples or norman rockwell images on some pendants.
i’m following you! :) happy v-day
Fabric Scrapbooking Kit, Tula Pink Fabric Kit No. 1
I have boys but love the pink in this kit :)
love the cross my heart pillow in your etsy shop–and all the pendants.
And, now I’ve subscribed to your blog!
The photo and initial pendants are great! alusco@centurytel.net
I follow you! alusco@centurytel.net
I’m always looking for new big shoulder bag patterns. alusco@centurytel.net
I’d like to see a crown pendant for my princesses. alusco@centurytel.net
The Valentine pillows are my faves-probably because I have a daughter that was born on Valentine’s Day.
For a pattern that I would like to see-how about a scripture tote for church:)
For a soldered pendant I would love to see a fleur de lis-my fave:)
I follow your blog via google reader:)
I really like the “Kiss Me” pillow cover!
oh. my. goodness. I ADORE this banner! I LOVE silhouettes, and this is just gorgeous! What an awesome giveaway!
Your Etsy shop is great…I really like the Sunday bag pattern!
For images to use on the beautiful soldered pendants, the black silhouettes would be super! Also vintage cookbook/apron art!
I’m already a subscriber to your blog…what fun! I’m still working on mine, but pop on over for a visit sometime!
That valentine banner is so darn cute! Very creative!
My favorite item in your shop is the custom soldered initial & photo squares. So cute!
Claudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
I’ve added a post to my blog about your giveaway, which will also post to Facebook! Again, what a fabu giveaway…thank you!
I like all of the stuff you make, so whatever you put up in your shop would surely be a hit.
But if I had to say…cute bags are always great patterns to have. And all the pillows you make are so cute, so cute pillows…
Claudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
A silhouette image would be adorable for the soldered tiles…can you get them that small??
Claudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
I’ve subscribed in my Google Reader and become a follower. I’m glad I found your blog!
Claudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
I love everything in the etsy shop but my fav is the Sunday Bag!!!
I love the Kiss Me Pillow! So cute!
I’d love to see more pillow covers in the shop. I love the style you have with the print, so different versions would be great!
As for the soldered pendants, maybe a fleur de lis or bee?
On your Etsy shop, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the June Bag!!! So cute!!
I would love to see a maxi dress pattern! I’ve been searching for a cute one!
A cross or vintage flowers (possibly dried flowers?) would be a cute idea for the pendants!
I’ve subscribed as a follower to your blog!! Thanks! Love your ideas!
Fabric kit for the Sunday Bag – but I love your banners!!!! I wanted the halloween one you had too.
So I made a comment and linked your blog on my blog! :) Thanks!
oooh yay, i found your blog just in time for this giveaway :) i subscribed to your blog!
Wow-wee!!! Your fabric scrapbook kit is so cool! How original!!!
Smiles,
~nance
I love the love box, so cute. I love a lot that you do!! you are so creative. Thank you for sharing it all with us!!
would love to win–still haven’t even made my own banner. love to see what you are doing–it’s one of the few I check almost daily :)
I love the fabric scrapbook kit! I’ve never even heard of such a thing, but the pictures look AWESOME.
augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I love silhouettes – is it possible to stick a silhouette in the soldered pendants? I have no idea if it would look ok that small, but I think that would be really neat.
augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com
oh, and I’m subscribed to your blog now through my iGoogle page. yay!
augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Those Valentine pillows are adorable! You are very talented!
Hi, your site is adorable!
Thank you for the giveaway!
Xoxo and Love,
Lila
I am a new subscriber to your blog, thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for the chance to win! I’m now following your blog.