a lot of them actually! ;) I know Valentine's is past (even I've taken them down & put them away!) but I wanted to share a few projects w/ y'all.
This is my first solo-collage. I've done them before in tuts & workshops but this wood heart is the first piece I've done completely on my own. I'm very thankful for tips that I have learned.... like don't glue anything down until you're sure you're happy w/ it. I thought about it & messed w/ it for 2 days. Yep...2 days! And I thought I couldn't be happier w/ it but now that it's done, I think it could still use somethin' somethin'. Some more layers of papers as a base probably. But hubby says he likes it the way it is...what do you think? Anyhow, I really struggled w/ the design...had no clue where I was going or what I was using except that I wanted to make over a thrift store wooden heart. A very dated,
very country'ish wood heart. Think mauve & blue w/ "Welcome Friends" stenciled on it. ;)
It's funny how the ideas are stepping stones for the eventual design, isn't it? The first thing I thought of; was to use a small frame, then I popped a frozen charlotte inside the frame & fell in love with it.
(click on any picture & then click again to enlarge for details)
But while on a search for an appropriate Valentine's poem in one of those old Ideals publications, I came across one entitled Lifetime Valentines & knew that I needed to put a picture of hubby & I in the frame so out w/ the charlotte idea.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1cKjg1R5jPymP4fMuE5uNqV77oP7GMEFJTdtPcNccqv_ichUXDIPuSbB42HyCRBJ0yXv_OyxOviznAecgUMqDcQfgawppXevYR7c7tHaJqN8pxg01QVYoT4W1qXLZNOHPm5EZ3dISig/s400/misc+008.jpg)
I chose a favored photo of hubby & I, taken year before last on my birthday, & printed it out in greyscale.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pTAxGY3TIiL_GDuNrlypSrYYDc_KxFyBn-FbK_skfXDUUtsdreC-08vnZNK61lO5609fFlyh1L6A_Scb7uzXxE2Htl09msccPwsJ8YCNrTILNfA3R8lt-uAQEiIwVdLobKEp9tkzrWY/s400/misc+025.jpg)
I really struggled w/ the pointy bottom of the heart & what to put there...tried a blossom, lace scrap, chandelier prism etc but then I thought of the rhinestone buckle (a recent find from the cattle barns flea)...a strip of tea-dyed velvet ribbon & wallla!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4NQ4cBSKXrGEDdL4iuV6OaG77_QfGfDg-Op4taphGJ7M7fHbbzZLnNnPU-_XimU8krOhsbX9zTtvKWsHLqGz5SiuyJXxydQLe_nPYYU7Hgsp2ak7MZTnfnkZzgVCb5cewkIaXZgK-TM/s400/misc+029.jpg)
This next project was a direct copy from the Red Shed Antiques blog. *blushes* But I fell in love w/ the cupid's arrow they shared & had to have one...how sweet!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4A_jnZMIiZ_htURys45mf2u1qbrNX4IWF__aE684RANS0HLyNp07BQ9rlioJVKTXqp7Q9k9GQIQFuiKzHbPUE9ARekw-sHZJc7q5QFe-N2Vthbg-YzRvVvLj9hWecCnHTsflEkSvcaQ/s400/misc+082.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZwLeRIbHR3h-EXvC1JVAHoFnuVtripICSa5x4fTHSfZxmxG4nOaB3TDu_KLFmUgeHJ12IwwdOt-MGBx0ybGFBy6GftaNZ7Q_nOrRbEGuYmhM8X4EihoRKaPRqhjTJx4LaAZYYewLubA/s400/misc+078.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tLX2bSqlTm9boOdmTMqKGRX9yM9OkS2dTc67D42a-EMHvQceXwV95j4dZphvZZa4NMfg09kybG5BPH-t1L0o2EEAx8YlGqRH_pska1bvNfmDZCKc1g3xbtjf-SEDsXQCbbzb8sp_kYw/s400/misc+088.jpg)
My little Love Fairy....(image of charlotte doll can be found
here)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHGB5UyQDkHTWi9h3IH58w8Zx3wT9Zt7qMdfOMMxqauJKRkxTZMVsywAo67AT-h07OY7PVLc6k1_lXFDlaEp7hMkuEh8svn5wsdfPFXRkhGRUK8WqKDWZfg5YLzVE6oyNgw2F5jAtvRM/s400/misc+075.jpg)
This tag was inspired by a tag in my inspiration files but it's been in there for years & I don't remember who to give credit for it....sorry!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrnyUQwjdZjfjjgGy8hBK3mx28Y14UXDGH0VXUrX4I6bPLwXLqhPtmf4j0QhCMiZT2Ifarbn_oIMEz850gqc4drI5DDT2hUiXg2G1imzjuuB6EjdX27G9e1OATPKalihcf52gchyM6l0/s400/misc+052.jpg)
before you go, I'd like to share a few of the hearts that were hanging around my house. This little vignette is in a candy dish under an old, brass & copper magnifying glass that I got while thrifting (for under $5!) The grands love this display & are always eager to see if it's changed & what it contains.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SB4iAESaBi7RLZmwNxMGt84C6rSFoWo5G5aLAK_cxLaEWgaCmmP3geXsVxevMNW1D6cnwOs3ehovFJmK0dP2J7GfkokvphPhZ_nBQHztIIQzWlGprIfffr2EMa3gmfiiPj2Z8HrlOJU/s400/misc+097.jpg)
A tiny perfume bottle & rhinestone heart pin, under glass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5nDPtsMhdfqoXKI64oqpq6NM9GlCDISAtpLlVoMoKlPjgClSz8noSKis9IVr8IPa_fZgUbTcZo9d65iW7CusKkMyIUY1Lkbka481zIwDAyKN2QnbGTC1atJHHY8P-OdkB_3LWASXAoU/s400/misc+009.jpg)
This was hubby's father's Valentine from when he was a boy. It's dated 1945.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYV_Gjf3xf8hgE8wue3hlaRF8f9sJTPPOQQo3S4IbxQLRFfTHtuoJqkfFCDuBmTei52GZQml8nJ-0cLtcXsRM-adsnGagaE1ihHasaMP_lfmAmNBgNHXcwRbfUPjzjbEr5hewO6PcHmQ8/s400/misc+002.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFEt9Z9gOykYoL0aJX1Ac-t16VSu25uiXL7s4j3uzReEX7RJiFRLK3s5DBimX6oYKdIImuXtGUpdXN-RwNLircDJWHPIWJofqSF2pUEgdzwago7r3Zgo-ccWCU8AMrzT6HmHvCcAOss4/s400/misc+014.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavwq3at6-n9awBsZBO421wY-GQgljtAJfR6AQgPwl5p0AEiO3ZD5pxhzZ4OmIBdiDmdx0jr4tfpUoUmdg8msthbURTp1S70EKKvv3YnzY3o0YdpfXXy4qErbUFkk520T8UjSMC67q66s/s400/misc+036.jpg)
LOVE this vintage Valentine's card! Wish the glitter, it's covered in, showed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR82MRDQLyVnOxD88C5H4Ipettr1jrvH7wt9gkcsLqS4xq_Vh5kMrEJwJ0pgjxQVgfOsv1xhpYm4TneIs0kAJuc2bjUsrKCauqU4eaWJezTHPUA_uyGC2bnO-q57WFQpwVCz2fNXwQ1I/s400/misc+050.jpg)
Vignette inside an apothecary jar.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuB9HH6MHUapzLW0QN1Oi4aplU13wI836eIJgOMQLx0Gs93dcyaGox9p8uBZthfmSEL6hyblCELuRUX9gWffxEY8mr9JlFL7SIdQRyJ77PE2wggWMiVeDxFQQpBNK8KP9HqlM64aSkxs/s400/misc+053.jpg)
I am constantly asked how I can keep so much stuff around all the grands. I've had at least one grandbaby or toddler around for the past 12 years, yet I haven't baby'fied any of my house. They just don't mess w/ anything they're not supposed to. None of them (even Coleson AKA Mr Grabby) ever have. I know! I can't believe it either!!!! *grins*
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdueN1XCYXoU_3DgmCqZGjR3E-YKGPD9F3yI2U5r68FcK80y2zcY3GAcpFaQ9odlgkNWaabvAqwSztFxx1qiV8rUFw1bYHIUoXcfJcQZWZTyNlqn-z4V3Uc-Nw9ra4WBIxW3gaML-K_aw/s400/misc+060.jpg)
LOVE this hand painted milk glass heart dish!
I'm in the midst of painting a bow-front china cabinet for my studio so I haven't started on Easter decor. I'm not even pulling the bins out of storage until my studio is all clean & organized. Good thing Easter comes late this year!
Hope you're all doing well. I'm still having mega-puter issues (as those of you who are on email list are aware) & only log on when I have to so I'm missing visiting w/ you all. I'll come by & see you when I can.