Get The Technique
I've been thinking about Valentine's Day a bit earlier this year. It's been a special day for me the past nine years because, cheesy enough, it marked Ashley and my official anniversary. This year, it is even a little more special to me being that we are now engaged. Since I recently received my most cherished gift ever over Christmas, I thought I would give Ashley something extra special for V day. "It" arrived in the mail today and I ripped open the box to get a peek. In the mood to craft—when am I not?—I looked down at the cardboard box the gift was shipped in and decided to make it into an extra something to go with the real present. I was inspired by something Ashley did in the sidewalk seven years ago for me and wanted to emulate it...legally.
I took the cardboard from the box and made a faux-bois log container with our initials carved in. I haven't decided what will go inside, being that "the gift" is a bit too big, but I luckily have some time to fit the perfect thing.
As I sat at my desk upcycling my box, the others around me started to whip up their valentine cards too...
1 Hosanna layered paper in her favorite punching colors to create her valentine.
2 She used a variety of Martha Stewart Crafts border punches to get the perfect heart doily effect.
3 Chip Glynn, one of our TV set stylists, made an oversize stamp with an old photo of Grandma.
4 He plans to send it off to his mom—oh how cute!!
5 One of our TV art interns, Miya Chua, who studies at Bennington College, in Vermont, used tears from a vintage book to make a sweet card for her valentine. Maybe one day he will trot up on horseback and whisk her away!
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 1/18/11 at 10:50 am
This is beautiful! Love all the cards! Enjoying Martha's craft punches and craft book http://twitpic.com/37fup5
From: Eliza B. | 1/19/11 at 10:29 am
Beautiful! An excellent (and definitely legal) follow-up to the sidewalk-and-initial moment. Here's hoping whatever goes inside will be treasured as long as the container itself!
From: Laura O'Donnell | 1/21/11 at 4:23 am
your gift box is the sweetest thing. she'll love it!
From: PartyBabble.com | 1/24/11 at 7:27 am
Love the initials on the tree idea. I have this idea I'm working on for an organic birthday party for which this would be perfect. I want to use slices of branches, different thicknesses as my hot plates. Never thought of carving anything in them. I could do his name, special dates, a wish. Thanks for the inspiration!
From: liz | 1/29/11 at 10:30 pm
I love the multi-heart punch (the one on red paper), but can't find it anywhere! do you know where I could get one of those???
From: Blake Ramsey | 1/31/11 at 10:13 am
Hi Liz,
If I'm correct about the one you're speaking of, here is the link to buy.
Let us know what you make with it!