“How to Create a Valentine Message Board”
I amended this post shortly after it was written.
The purpose of this project hit me hard this afternoon.
I created this project so that my husband and I could leave each
other little messages to answer the age-old question
“I Love You Because…“
Fourteen little envelopes, fourteen simple messages.
Kind of a Valentine’s version of
“how do I love thee, let me count the ways.”
Today, I lost a very, dear and special friend very suddenly
to pneumonia. He was my first love in high school.
And, you know what they say about a gal’s first love.
We remained close friends through the years.
I just spoke to him five short days ago and he assured me
he would go see a doctor. Now, he is gone.
So this message board takes on even more meaning.
It will allow me and my hubby to tell each other what we should be
saying to each other every. single, day.
Because, there are no guarantees of how many days we have together.
And, no guarantees that we will be able to say the things tomorrow,
we should be saying today.
Rest in peace, Greg. I will miss your kind heart and cheery smile.
I am joining in the
All Things Home Tours:
“Share the Love” Showcase
Four Days – 20 Blogs
Lots of Love!
I created my Valentine Message Board on the large chalkboard
where Cleetus resides.
(See more on my Summer Home Tour)
I had most of the supplies on hand, and only had to spend less
than $10 to create this Message Board.
– Mini Envelopes
($2.49 pkg/20 @ Michaels)
– Mini Clothespins
($1.99 @ Michaels)
– Roll of Pink Ribbon
($1.99 @ Michaels)
Valentine Stamp
(Martha Stewart $1 – Michaels)
The other stamps, ink pads and ribbon I already had on hand.
I started by stamping the mini envelopes with my French Letter stamp,
very lightly, so it looked faded.
Next… I used three different stamps in red ink and pink ink to add
another design which created more depth and added color.
I used glue dots to attach four large clothespins to the chalkboard, where
I tied lengths of twine to each.
Two rows, to hold 7 envelopes each.
Mini clothespins were used to attach the envelopes to the twine.
I created a wreath to go around Cleetus, and attached more
mini envelopes as accents.
I will share more on how I created this simple and easy wreath
later in the week.
I thought it would be fun to save the messages, put them in a sealed
envelope, and pass them along to our grandkids.
Even if you do not have a chalkboard, you could create this same
project using a large mirror, an old window frame or – how about
sticking them on the front of your fridge?
I would love you forever if you would so kindly pin this project
to your favorite Pinterest Board….
(simply hover over each picture)
Please make sure you visit the following blogs
as they “Share the Love”…
The Everyday Home
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
AKA Design
Setting for Four
Create and Babble
Tuesday January 28:
White Lace Cottage
So Much Better with Age
Town and Country Living
Top This Top That
Vintage News Junkie
Wednesday January 29:
Marty Musings
Stone Gable
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Cupcakes and Crinolines
Hymns and Verses
Thursday January 30:
Worthing Court
The Tablescaper
Celebrating Everyday Life
Our Southern Home
A Stroll Thru Life
Thank you for joining me today!
I love this idea. my heart broke when i saw your fb about your friend. I know to well how very short life can be. The pain of losing someone suddenly and unexpectedly is so hard thats why we need to share our love for the one’s that are here all the more!
View CommentI am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I do love this project and it is a great way to “say” things that we sometimes don’t say out loud! ~Sonya
View CommentBeautiful project Barb – so sorry about the loss of your friend. ~ Heather
View CommentYou already know that I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. You’ve given us a great reminder today of how fleeting life is. Your message center is just adorable! You really came up with a great idea for saying “I love you.” Love it (and you, my friend)!
View CommentBarb, I am so sorry to hear the loss of your dear friend! Prayers and hugs to you. Your message board is such a sweet and lovely idea. Things can get lost in the day to day….what a wonderful way to be able to remind each other in such a small, but extremely touching way. ~Christy
View CommentI came here to introduce myself because even though I see you online, I don’t know that I have ever really said hello. My mother’s family is from eastern North Carolina, too.
But instead, I want to tell you how saddened I am by your loss. Special friends hold forever places in our hearts. I stumbled across the death of one of my high school boyfriends while searching the web for something else.
I have said a prayer for all who loved and cared for your friend.
View CommentBarb:
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Your message board is adorable. I love your stamping techniques.
– Alma, The Tablescaper
View CommentOh Barb, what an awesome project! I love how you stamped the envelopes with the French stamp and especially the great idea of keeping them for your grandchildren! I quickly pinned it….such a great idea, it should go viral!!!! Where did you find the French stamp? So sorry to hear about your friend. He must have been a wonderful friend. Hugs XOXO
View CommentNancy – the French stamp came from Michaels and they do still have them. 🙂
View CommentBarb, I know you are heartbroken over your friend’s death, and I’m sure those who were closest to him wish they had one more chance to tell him how much he meant to them.
I know you well, friend, and you never miss an opportunity to share your love with those who are special to you. I love it when you share ideas like this with us because it reminds us all to say I love you often, sincerely, in word and in deed, every day.
Now, on a less serious note, since the grands will some day be reading these, better edit out those steamy reasons why you love Bill. Just whisper that in his ear when he’s watching the History Channel!
I love you, my friend.
View CommentAbsolutely adorable, Barb! You’ve given me some ideas! My husband and I are good about texting each other since encouraging words is my love language.
Love Amy’s comment about editing!
View CommentSuch a precious idea! And so sorry for the loss of your friend. Words are so important to most all of us, and this is a great reminder to say what we need to say!!! xoxo
View CommentThis is gorgeous, Barb, and right up my alley! Sharing on my FB page today 😉
View CommentHugs,
Jamie
Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. And this project is a reminder of letting the special people in our lives know what they mean to us. Thank you for sharing.
View CommentYour post is adorable. It always is! But more importantly
I want to say that I am so sorry to hear about your friend.
What a tragic loss. Here is a poem that has helped me
when I lost my Dad. I hope it will help you too! xoxox
Don’t think of him as gone away-
his journey’s just begun…
life holds so many faucets-
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think of how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost-
and he was loved so much.
By E. Brenneman
Sincerely,
View CommentJane
Oh my gosh Barbara I am so sorry to hear of your loss.Keeping you and Greg’s family and friends in my prayers.Yes it is true,I won’t go into a long story but I almost lost my husband 18 years ago.And there is not a day that goes by that we don’t tell each other and my daughter too,how much we love each other.Things can happen in a blink of an eye.We found that out.
View Commentxx
Anne
Barb…What a truly thoughtful and creative Valentine’s Day project and so well done! We really do need to be more intentional with our relationships don’t we?
It hurts so much to unexpectedly lose a dear friend. [hugs]
Treasure those extraordinary memories…
View Comment~Diane
Love the stamped envelopes, Barb!!
View CommentWhat a great idea! And I love the way you decorated the envelopes. They are beautiful. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. May you find peace.
View CommentThis is adorable~my husband might do it once but never for that many days!! So so sad about your friend, life is precious indeed~
View CommentWhat a sweet craft Barbara and I am so, so very sorry to hear about your first love’s passing. You are so right, we don’t know how much time we have so we really must treasure each moment we are given. Thank you for inspiring me with this love note project!! ~Hugs, Jennifer
View Comment