It is my favorite time of the month again when I get to join up with my besties and share with you another episode of The International Bloggers Club. This edition marks our one year anniversary since starting this special challenge and it has been an amazing hear full of fun projects and also a learning experience as we learn about each others’ countries.
For those of you who are new here, we are five bloggers who live in different parts of the world and we share our projects and traditions from each of our countries. This month we are focusing on Valentine’s Day and a Framed Heart Craft.
For those of you who are new here, we are five bloggers who live in different parts of the world and we share our projects and traditions from each of our countries. This month we are focusing on Valentine’s Day and a Framed Heart Craft.
Here in Greece Valentine’s Day has only become popular since the 1980’s. We do not have a St. Valentine in the Greek Orthodox Church so it was a bit strange for us to celebrate him. But like so many other imports from the west, we have come to embrace this special day of romance.
The photos of the hearts are from Varvara’s shop, Wedding Planner Shabby Chic.
The young and not so young celebrate by exchanging gifts, flowers or candy. And as Greeks we always look for excuses to go out. In fact the taverns and restaurants are full on this special day.
On a more personal note, my husband and I usually stay in. We light a big roaring fire and have a candlelit dinner. Last year we had a Valentine’s Day breakfast, which you can read about here.
Today I’m going to share a quick craft with you. Its a Framed Heart for Valentine’s Day. I started out using a frame that I already had. This was from my first project ever on the blog here. You can really use any old frame.
I simply popped out the wooden piece in the center. It was a piece of wood that had been decoupaged with a piece of fabric.
Being the lazy blogger that I am, I didn’t even bother to remove the original fabric, I just wrapped a red flowery fabric on top of the original. And then I popped it back in. The reason for this is because after Valentine’s Day is over I want my original floral artwork back. No point in gluing it and having to deal with that.
I then found two pieces of wire, I think they must have been from hangers, shaped into a hoop. I bent them into a heart shape. No perfection needed here.
And what did I do? Why I channeled my inner “Twine Lady” and let loose! I wrapped that heart in no time. And with the ends I made a bow on top. You all know how much I love using twine, I have a whole bunch of projects with it. I’ve even wrapped a storage unit, which you can see here.
Here you can see how the fabric looks with the frame. All I needed to do was secure the twine heart so it would hang in front.
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With a tiny white ribbon I was able to dangle the twine heart over the frame.
It’s simple with just the right amount of red!
A little distressing on the frame. Back in the day before I knew what sandpaper was I used a knife to do this. I certainly have come a long way.
The heart may be down to earth with the twine, but it is also strong. Is it a metaphor?
And that wraps it up for this edition of the Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge and my contribution of the Valentine’s Day Framed Heart Craft. How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? Do you do something out of the ordinary?
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And now hop on over to visit my four friends who have also written about the traditions in their countries. Simply click on the images below my name. If you’d like to see more past challenges click here.
More from the Int’l Bloggers Club:
<<Sweet Inspiration Link Party #41 HOME Handmade Pillowcases >>
Linking up to these Link Parties
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That’s so cool Mary. I like the idea that you can change the picture back after Valentine’s day and the way the twine heart seems to be bursting out of the frame. So many lovely subliminal captured messages in one pretty picture. Wishing you lots of love
You know me always the practical one. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s day with your loved ones.
Mary it’s so you and it’s so beautiful, I love that happy flowery fabric, it goes so well with the frame and that sweet heart gives it the special touch!! A quick and easy decor for that special day! Enjoy!
The happy flower fabric really makes it burst I think. See Katrin I am learning from you how to make quick and easy.
Mary, I think I would have loved your post, but your left hand pop up with P,F,twitter, google plus, etc. comes up and on a small screen computer blocks out both words and portions of photos. In fact it covers part of the line in the comment section and to move it to the right means the scroll bar disappears on the right hand side. Thought you would want to know.
Jackie I am so sorry to hear that. I don’t know what to do. I usually try to keep the screen clutter free. Thanks for letting me know.
Hello Mary! It’s so pretty and truly reflects your style. I like how it has dimension, and that you can change it up as needed.
I guess your trip is winding down? Hope you have a safe trip home!!
XXX
That is the operative word Doreen, I like changing things up. My house is constantly changing. When my daughter’s friends come over they look around the house to see what is different this week. Haha!
A few more days and I’ll be back home. Thanks Doreen.
Beautiful job, Mary. I love the rustic feel!
Thank you Kim, it was an easy one and with the addition of the twine also fun.
I love this International blog idea; I have so many blog friends I have made over the years. Blogging is so good for the soul.
AND the complexion.
I just made that up.
I agree with you 100% Kari. You instantly connect with other like minded people who will put up with your obsession over paint color and little insignificant things such as twine. And that is fine with them.
And it is good for the complexion too. If you are happy your skin is happy!
A very pretty, rustic and romantic project for Valentine’s day, Mary. It’s true; Greeks have adopted so many of North America’s cultural ways. I see it most with the huge, lavish weddings that are taking place in gigantic halls. When I first came to Crete as a young wife, the typical wedding was always over 1000 people, but it was much simpler, always taking place in the village square, in the village church with the reception in the school yard.
Have a wonderful week,
Poppy
Yes I agree Poppy. So much of our culture has become westernized. It seems as if we are losing a part of ourselves.
Mary, this is beautiful!! Great idea not to attach the new pretty fabric, and I’m so glad because I really like the bird floral print as well. The twine heart is so pretty, another amazing creation from the Twine Lady! 🙂 This is really beautiful!! I hope you and your husband have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!
I think that first bird project will always be dear to my heart Keri. I’m glad I can still preserve it.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Very cute! I like vet some wine and chocolate on Valentines Day. And you are NOT a lazy blogger😀💓
I agree Michele, wine and chocolates sound heavenly! Ok I am not a lazy blogger, maybe the word should be “Practical”. 😉
Oh, how cute! It has just the right touches of red and rustic! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thank you Marci. I try to be a little subtle with the red.
So cute! I love crafts like this: simple, creative, inexpensive, effectively evokes the sweet spirit of Valentine’s Day.
You hit the hammer on the nail Mimi! I like them inexpensive too and simple. That way I can change every year and not feel guilty about the money that I did or didn’t spend.
So simple but so pretty! Great idea of just wrapping the fabric instead of attaching it permanently, that way you can reuse it in another project later.
Exactly my thinking Linda. I really like the bird fabric and want to go back to it after Valentine’s Day.
Hi Mary, it is only in recent years that Valentines Day has become a thing here to and now I know why I do like your up cycled frame with the heart. Very sweet and simple.
xx
Sweet and simple is the way I wanted to go for this holiday. You see how we are caving in to all the western traditions. And its mostly the commercial ones.
Mary, this is so pretty! I just love the simplicity of how the twine wrapped heart hangs over the pretty framed fabric. Even while in the USA you are finding fabric scraps to create awesome crafts.
Marie if I told you I took this one with me would you believe me? Bloggers gotta blog!!
So cute Mary, and love that it’s a temporary picture that you can change back again afterwards – you’ve also given me some much needed inspiration for something, so thank you x
Sarah nothing is permanent in my house. I always try to do things in such a way so that I can change them because I only have a certain amount of storage. Glad I could inspire!
That’s such a clever idea, multi tasking for your art work. Brilliant!
Absolutely, that way you won’t have too much stuff to store away.
This is the first I have heard about your club and challenge. What a neat idea. Love your heart and all the other Valentine’s Day projects. 🙂
I’m glad you were able to join us Jen. We have been doing this club challenge for a year now, just some friends sharing stories and ideas all over the world. And we participate in furniture and crafts.
That picture frame is so versatile, you have now a pretty Valentine’s display that can take down in no time and replace with whatever you want. Even the fabric is beautiful, it adds color to the frame. We know how things change with a bit of paint, but they also change with some twine. Love that heart! Happy Valentine’s Day my friend
Happy Valentine’s day Pili. I think by taking any one material we can change things up. Would you believe I took that fabric with me to NY just for a project and I guess I found the perfect one.
You are certainly dangerous with a spool of twine! I’m happy that I don’t have to compete with you, I would never come up with these awesome projects. You amaze me. I love the imperfectness of the wire heart, it makes it more special and rustic. And it looks fab on the red material!
For us Valentine’s is just another day. I worked in the food industry for so long, serving everyone who came out to celebrate, I lost the romantic notions. The day after Valentine’s is Georgia’s birthday, we celebrate then.
I too love imperfection it is so much more interesting than perfect. And you know I have an ongoing love affair with twine.
And I don’t put too much stock in it either. We celebrate whenever we are in the mood, year round.
So pretty and simple!
I think they stand out even more because of the simple design.
That is very cute Mary. Love the hominess of the fabric together with the frame & twine. Smart to wrap over existing fabric since you want to save it….not lazy at all.
Thanks Florence, I knew you would understand!
Beautiful piece Mary!
Thank you Maya. It is easy and simple, just the way I like it.
I love the heart Mary, and I think this is a gorgeous Valentine’s day craft.
Amber I am so glad you like it. I wanted simple and versatile.
This is cute Mary! I lived the twin heart! I really need to try this!
Katerina it was super easy and gives a nice soft look.
Such a sweet frame, Mary! Love the fabric that you chose and the sweet jute heart is the perfect addition!
Thank you Sam, it was a lot of fun to make. In fact anytime I use jute I always have fun.
I love the way you distressed the frame, even if you feel it wasn’t right! It gives it such character and it’s always important to have those projects that show progression! The fabric you used is cute too.
That is so true Trudy. I keep those early posts to be able to see just how far I’ve come along on my blogging journey.
Love the twine heart art. Twine is a favorite of mine too.
Twine is so much fun to work with and instantly warms up anything.
This is a very sweet and precious way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I love the frame with the rustic look and the pretty red fabric. But the pièce de résistance is the twine wrapped heart. I love the twine and how the heart dangles down. I did have to laugh when you said the fabric is only temporary. So I am anxious to see how you spruce up the pretty flower material for Spring.
You know how I feel about twine Debra! I took that piece of twine with me on my trip to New York. I guess you can say it is my lucky charm. The fabric has been stashed away. And my lovely birds are on display again. But I proudly hung the heart on the wall.
Cute framed Heart, love the little hearts from the wedding planner store as well.
That store is packed full of adorable things. It’s a good thing I believe in DIYing otherwise I’d end up buying everything.
I will be doing this soon. Love your frame, it’s gorgeous. #merrymonday
I am so happy to hear that I have inspired you Shirley! Thank you for dropping by.
What a fun and very sweet Valentines project Mary. I love the idea behind your international bloggers club too.
Thank you for sharing at Create, Bake, grow & Gather this week.
I really like the twine around the heart, Mary! Very nice!
I love how you changed everything with the old frame and the jute on your heart is perfect. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Style.