In light of Valentine's Day barreling down upon us I figured it was high time I got off my
tookas (as my Grandfather says) and finally have a Giveaway. It's something I've wanted to do for quite some time and I've started making things for just such an occasion but I always end up letting the little voice in my head convince me that the things I've made aren't good enough because they inevitably turn out less than perfect.
This time is no different and I've half a mind to not do this...that half of me is cringing with every second that brings me closer to hitting the "publish post" button.
But here's the deal...
Valentine's Day has it's share of naysayers, just like Christmas, with people that say it's nothing but commercialism and
boohooeyness for those that care. I had my years of lamenting that there was no handsome fellow to exchange Valentines with (we are human and we want to be loved...it's really that simple) but my Mum always made Valentine's Day about just loving....anyone, family, whomever! Even to this day she always has a wee little gift for each of us girls.
(Mum, should you read this, this is not a ploy or hint that you'd better not forget this year.... 1. I know you won't forget. 2. You are under no obligations to continue the tradition. 3. You enjoy it just as much as we do so that brings me back to #1. ;-))
We've had years where we had a big Valentine's dinner party just for our friends because we love love and we love them and why in the name of all that is love must Valentine's Day be this day of pressure about having a boyfriend or husband or something!??!
(We weren't allowed to date growing up...The Mr. was my first boyfriend and we didn't start courting till I was 22 (first kiss was 3 months shy of my 23rd
b'day) I've had my share in many a
boyfriendless Valentine's Day and there were years I made myself miserable over it...
more's the pity. Bitterness is so pointless and just makes one feel ugly and at times behave ugly.)
So, I beseech you, don't give in to the commercialization but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater either. Enjoy the coming 14
th as a day to show love to anyone and everyone!
It doesn't mean you get to be mean the rest of the year, obviously, but
dangit isn't it fun to sit down and think of a list of little notes and such that you can hand out to the people that mean something to you!?!?!? Set aside the cynicism, just as I am having to do with myself and my giveaway and just enjoy the joy.
For your consideration I have made a set of 6 Valentine's.
They are not perfect.
There was a
kidlet hanging over my shoulder and bouncing (though trying so hard not to) on the bed next to me as I made these.
As a result I include the disclaimer...they look like someone was jumping on the bed while I made them. There are smudges, there are some crookedly spots, they may be a bit wonky...but doesn't that just take you back to being 5 and making Valentines (and eating paste) I know this sounds like a cop out but honestly, whilst I hate that mine turned out this way, I have to remind myself how much I personally enjoy receiving home made Valentines.
(6 Handle With Care Cards, left blank inside)
Also, I made them out of what I had and as what I had was grocery bags (I used all my brown wrapping paper for Christmas) the insides of the envelopes have Trader Joe's or New Frontier's printing on them....let's just call them re purposed (which we all know is a fancy name for, "I made do with what I had")
To enter the giveaway please post the giveaway on your blog and link it back to me in the comments for this post. Enter by Noon (PST) Friday so I can get them out before the weekend.
Lovies and Loving,
-K
UPDATE: If you would like to participate and do not have a blog you can still enter by posting the giveaway on your FB or whatever other social network you use and post the link back here into my comments. Hope that helps! :-)
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