Love Is in the Air

It's nearly Valentine's Day or should that be St. Valentine's Day? Either way I don't go in for all the manufactured rubbish that you can buy while filling up at the petrol station or doing your weekly supermarket shop. However, it is a good excuse to make this altered canvas. I suppose it's only slightly altered, it is still a canvas afterall, but I've used it the other way around. It's covered with book pages (yes, it's that book can you see Foo Tang anywhere?) and then has a layer of gesso painted over the top. The edges I distressed a bit with metallic silver paint. As I've used the reverse of the canvas it creates a 'nook' that I have then been able to mount a small calico pillow that I made giving a 3D look. I transferred the image onto the natural calico using a photocopy of the photo and acrylic gel medium. I then machine stitched around the edge and filled it with stuffing and finished it by hand stitching small red seed beads around the edge.
I used more of the paper roses I've been making inset around the edge and added a small ladybird button. The heart was one I made at the UTEE workshop I went to recently and I added the cut out wings and a pretty button. Quite minimal but I like it.
This is another paper rose but I've been experimenting by adding some florist wire and tape to make them into proper roses. This one has added sparkle with stickles too.

I may make a card but if I do I don't think it will feature the cherubs of a Victorian Valentines like the one below - it will be something much more simple. I do know that we will be tucking into M&S Valentine's Dine in for Two, will it be romantic probably not but very yummy - Coquilles St Jacques, Steak and Chunky Chips (well, you have to give a little), Summer Berry Hidden Centre Desserts not forgetting the Rose Cava and box of chocolates.

Whatever you do Happy Valentines Day.