Handmake Your Valentines
Posted on February 10, 2010 | Category: Blog
Wow. I had a busy and stressful week. I had to hand make a book, and it was way harder than I thought it would be. I also visited the Anstey Book Binding company in Toronto. It was great to have a tour, get a taste of professional book making, and hear stories about how chaotic it can get with one simple spelling mistake. Printing and binding a book is truly a tedious process that requires a lot of attention to details and measurements. However, the end result was worth it. I’ve realized the intense labour that book designers go through, and I appreciate them for making good book designs because it’s not easy to achieve that at all. I’m also currently reading Handmade Graphics. I liked how the book mentioned that handmade graphics can provide the happy accidents, materiality and texture that is so instant and tangible. Despite some pixelated images (maybe it’s intentional), it’s an overall great book with artist reviews and fun tutorials.
I think I’ve been really captivated and motivated by all these handmade projects I see in books and blogs. So, I thought I’d encourage others to join me. I’m saying this is because, of course, Valentine’s Day’s coming up (The above drawing’s I drew last year,2009, for my moo bear). I’ve compiled a small list of possible handmade ideas that I really want to do, as well as unique handmade items that you can purchase online for your other half.
[Make & Customize Your Own]:
Wonders of Bleach & Packing Tape
DIY Non-corny V-Day Coupons Book
Moleskin “Top 10″ Photo Album
Heartshaped Pancakes
Polymer Gift Tags
Fabric Flowers
Thrift Ceramic Mug
Polarid Phone Case
MakeUp Pouch
DIY Goodies Bag
Cookie Paper Brown Bag
Bear Felt Plush
Printable All You Need Is Love Cards
Felt Owl Brooch
[Non-Cliche Items You Can Buy]:
Tea Cup Cozies
Oh Me So Horny Cards
I Need To Say I Love You More Often
Little Gold Envelop
Stained Glass Elephant
I Love You More Than Yesterday, Less Than Tomorrow
Cherry Blossoms and Hearts
Eskimo Kiss T-Shirt
Gold Feather Necklace
Give the Gift of A Song: Singing Valentines
Mac Love Vinyl Decal
I Love You Calligraphic Stamp
Some of you out there might think that this list is useless, because you don’t plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with anyone. Not necessarily so. A lot of the projects and sales items can be customized for other special events and dates that you think is more important than Feb. 14th. I, too, think that Valentine’s Day’s can be a little bit overrated, especially with all those horrendous pink and magenta teddy bears and inflating heart-shaped balloons that you see in every store. This is why I shared with you all these handmade gift ideas so to make your Valentine’s Day a little more personal and exciting. No worries if you don’t have time or confidence in craft. Buy something lovely (like what I’ve suggested above) that doesn’t limit to just a box of chocolate and a hallmark card.
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