Valentines for the Castle...

I have blissfully been creating Valentines for the Castle the last couple of days. The romantic that I am, Valentines has always been my favorite holiday. As a child and teen, I spent hours putting together complicated and involved cards for everyone that I loved. As I reached my 20's though, I was always sad that few seemed to appreciate them. Perhaps it was the birth of my daughter, or more likely, the "I am going to make whatever I want to make" attitude that comes later in life - I now set aside time each year to make Valentines again. This batch (of 50) had to retail for $5.00 each, and be "Victorian" in theme and inspiration. I made lots of photocopies from my ephemera collection, and bought Doilies, base paper and envelopes. Here's a few for you to see.
Last year I made my Husband a 'fold-out' Valentine, using my favorite Moleskine 'Japanese Journal' (we have them at the Castle!). I illustrated in collage a 'found poem' using words cut out from a old trashy Romance novel that I found at the thrift store. (Romance novels are great for finding wonderful words!) Needless to say, he loved it.
The last photo, a green Valentine's collage for my parents, is dated 1980. Thats me as a child... Enjoy...