Love Notes: Easy Valentine decor

While the instant gratification of a text or email has it's place for practical purposes, when it comes to expressions of love, the time honored classic Valentine still holds it's own in our increasingly "paperless" world. 
This most romantic of holidays is said to be named for a 3rd century priest, later St. Valentine, who secretly married young couples against the emperors wishes. Imprisoned for his actions, some say he fell in love with the jailers daughter, penning his last letter to her signed "your Valentine"
Others credit these expressions of love to the amorous notes of the imprisoned Duke d'Orleans to his adored wife in the 1400's, one still in existence today today with the words "my very gentle valentine"

Letter from Duke of Orleans to his wife 1415
History by Zim

Centuries later the 1800's saw increased printing technology and decreased postage costs, contributing to the Valentine sending frenzy still in evidence today. In fact sources estimate that in 2015, over 145 million Valentines were sent in the U.S. alone.

For some fascinating facts about the holiday visit the fun and informative 
 History of the Card

Valentine cards are lots of fun to send to others but they can also add a little whimsy and romance to your own home holiday decor. 
While dimensional cards and delightful paper creations have been around for ages, I thought I'd share my quick and easy version that can be made in a snap with printouts and supplies you most likely have on hand. 

  I chose vintage images for their over the top romantic sentiment, (after all it's only once a year) but any era or style Valentine will do.
   
Vintage Valentine Dioramas

I used

vintage Valentine images from 
the graphics fairy

card stock or sturdy paper

weather stripping 

(since I needed such a small amount, I just snipped a bit off a roll, 
still plenty of r the windows)

craft knife and scissors

craft glue

glitter, accents and craft odds and ends

sweet images from the Graphics fairy site

I started by making three identical copies of each image on sturdy paper or card stock, adjusting to desired size.

Cut out image, leaving large sections on either side to fold back as stand later

One image will serve as the background and support, one the mid ground and one the foreground

The background will remain intact, then simply choose elements you want cut away from mid ground and foreground copies, the foreground the smallest having the most cut away to reveal layers behind.

Once your happy with your design, add any glitter, trim or accents. It's easier at this step

 

Then discreetly adhere a small bit of weather stripping at various points, some glue and press carefully but firmly between layers

(you can easily double stripping up for more dimension)

Place on a mantel

or under a cloche with romantic accents

Fun Facts
 In the 1800's "vinegar" Valentines with sometimes funny but often snarky comments were sent, usually and unfairly to spinsters, but also to pretentious or unlikeable acquaintances. In the late 1800's, 25,000 of these were seen as "unfit" to deliver and rejected by the US postal service

In the Middle Ages, people believed birds found their mates on February 14th, thus the dove and feathered friends in general, became popular symbols the holiday

A single rose represents love at first sight
*********

Wishing Everyone the Happiest of Valentine's Days