Mixed Media Literary Valentine's Card
/It may feel like Christmas is only just over but Valentine's Day will be with us before we know it!
I've been trying something new, a little mixed media collage type craft, made using pages from an old book. I have a few old damaged books that I use for crafting. A good place to get books that are not worth saving to read are libraries. I don't know if they do this all over the world but here in the UK they sell off books once they have pages missing or too much damage - usually for about 20p - and they are perfect for crafts like this.
To make something similar you will need:
A couple of pages from an old book - mine was a copy of Pride and Prejudice
A 5" x 7" white card blank and envelope
Acrylic or watercolour paint in white, brown and red
Paint brushes
Glue - I used Pritt Stick and Anita's tacky PVA
Lace
Love stamp and ink
A tiny circle of red fabric
A button
First you want to rip the book page to size, just a bit smaller than your card blank. The easiest way to do this is to paint a line of water where you want to rip and then tear it quick before it dries.
Then glue the page to the front of the card blank.
Now paint a little of the brown and white paint over the book page and over a little onto the card. You don't want it too even, just add a little at a time until you think it looks about right.
Cut a heart shape from the other book page and paint it red.
Leave both elements to dry.
Stick the red heart to the upper right side (I used Pritt stick for this) and attach the lace to the left side with blobs of PVA.
Stamp with word LOVE (or any other message you fancy) underneath the heart.
The LOVE stamp I used wasn't as bold as I was hoping so I filled the letters in with pen.
Give the heart a bit of an outline and a twirly border.
Finish the card off by attaching the fabric circle and button, using pva glue for both.
You can add more stuff, more layers of book page, cut of phrases, more lace, buttons, sequins - what ever you like - or you could pare it right back and add less. There is no right or wrong here, just have fun! I enjoyed making this so much I made a few more. If you don't fancy making these yourself or if you don't have a suitable book then these are listed in my Etsy shop here.
As I was making these I was thinking about Pride and Prejudice and wondering if everyone is on Team Darcy, or if anyone is Team Bingley. I do see the attraction with Mr Darcy - all conflicted, honourable, moody an' all but Mr Bingley is so nice. He's friendly and polite, and even Miss Austen says he has a pleasant countenance. Surely there are some people out there that appreciate a pleasant countenance! I asked on Instagram but it seems from that in depth research that Mr Darcy is a clear winner.
I’ll be sharing this idea at these link ups
