Saturday, February 12, 2011

Hearts are pretty in any cOlOr!



Look around.  Those in love are happy.  But should February make only those in love happy?!  Of course not...  Think about how much you enjoy your friendships and your family.

When was the last time you made a card for someone you cared for?  TRY IT.

Use colors!  Pinks.  Reds.  Oranges.  Yellows.  Greens.  Blues.  Purples.

Use beads.  Use lace.  Use ribbon.  Use candy. 

Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?

Did you know…

The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Isn’t this legend much more romantic?

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.


a HAPPY how to makes homemade Valentine cards

You will need:

                         Card Stock (of any color)!
                         See through vinyl
                         Scissors
                         Shears (of any color)!
                         Hole puncher
                         Ribbon (of any color)!
                         Candy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Step 1:

Draw a heart on card stock that measures about 5 ½ inches across.  Place a sheet of see-through vinyl over the card stock and cut along your outline so you end up with two hearts, one vinyl and one card stock.

Step 2:

Write a message on the back of the card stock heart.  Trim the edge of the vinyl one with shears.

Step 3:

Lay the vinyl heart atop the card stock one and punch an even number of holes around the edges.

Step 4:

Lace the 2 hearts most of the way together with a yard of 3/8-inches-wide ribbon.  Put a few pieces of candy inside, then finish lacing the hearts and tie the ribbon in a bow.

Recipients of this valentine need only look into their hearts to find something truly sweet!

HAPPY valentine’s Day!

What’s your favorite color?  Post different iterations of it.  
– The Happy Book

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