You know, we hadn't realized until today that it might of been more fun if we had asked you to express your "ALL TIME favorite Valentine's Day memory" with yesterday's giveaway, but alas, it's too late to do a switch-a-roo. To make up for it, because it's not always the easiest task to travel back in time ten, twenty, thirty years (trust us, we know!), today's giveaway focuses on the "present" - tell us about a recent Valentine's Day moment that brought you tremendous happiness, and love. This is also includes the single folks out there! Maybe you bought yourself a fresh, beautiful bouquet of tulips, or you spent a favorable night amongst friends..whatever the case, state it, and rejoin us next Monday to find out if you're a WINNER!
Crate Paper Designer :: Michiko Kato
Not one, but two very detailed creations from our designer, Michiko Kato! The first is of a decorative box of chocolates beautifully topped with an assortment of Paper Heart embellishments, and patterned paper pieces. The second is of a layout accustomed to an assortment of florals, hand-trimmed from our "Petals" patterned paper.
"In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day to tell "someone special" that "you love him/her", followed by the gifting of a box of chocolates. When I was young, I made a bundle of handmade chocolate candies for a boy I liked, and paired it with a love letter. When I went to give the candies to him, my heart was pumping fast, and I'd been so nervous that I hadn't slept well the night before. Still, to this day, I remember the wonderful memory and the feelings it brought on..so very exciting! I now spend Valentine's Day with my daughters making handmade chocolates!"
Crate Paper Designer :: Shanna Noel
Shanna expressed to us that she had a lot of fun playing with the Paper Heart collection when putting together her mini album. Currently, her husband is deployed overseas, and before he left, she and her husband came up with "Ten Date ideas" for their girls and "mom" to enjoy while "dad" is away. The album provides space for the girls to write about their outings, and also, clues as to the location of each date. There's also room for photos!
"I guess my love of all things paper started when I was young, as my favorite childhood Valentine's Day memory would definately have to be picking out boxes of Valentine's Day Cards. I loved all the different kinds found in each box. I'd write everyone's name on them and then sealed them up with the help of a cute heart sticker. It was always so much fun!"
Crate Paper Designer :: Rahel Menig
It goes by so quickly, those first days of being together along with the fireworks, first kisses, and such. To forever preserve them, this Valentine's Day, document them via a mini album, like this one from Rahel Menig. Consider giving it as a "gift" to your loved one as well, so the both of you benefit from it's retelling of the past.
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Don't forget - leave a comment as to the above aforementioned subject in the first paragraph of today's post! We'll see you again tomorrow with more "Paper Heart".
I never expect my husband to do something special for me for Valentine's - after all, our anniversary was in January and my birthday is at the end of February. But he always surprises me with something.
It was most meaningful the year we met at the hospital where our newborn daughter was struggling with pneumonia. He had been away at school and drove five hours to meet me there, and he still had flowers for me and candy for my mom who was with me. And our daughter recovered just fine!
Posted by: Angela Fehr | February 07, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Aww... let's try this again - hehehe Yesterday i shared my most memorable childhood V Day moment. My most memorable ALL-TIME V Day moments have got to be ALL the ones i spent with my fiance Yves ever since we met 6 years ago. Having almost always been single until my early 30's, i finally found THE one in 2006 and ever since, every single day is Valentine's Day for me :)
Posted by: Nicole Doiron | February 07, 2012 at 07:20 AM
My and hubby of 6 years don't really celebrate V-day. His birthday is close to Christmas, My birthday is the first of the year. But after I had my 2nd daughter, he surprise me with a couples massage. OMG did we both need it with 2 little girls under 2. I want one of those again, please lol. Thanks for a chance to win!!!!
Posted by: Mari | February 07, 2012 at 07:26 AM
My favorite Valentine's memories over the past few years are getting the beautiful handmade Valentine's from my kids. They put so much thought and LOVE into them. I'll treasure them forever.
Posted by: Jena Baker | February 07, 2012 at 07:33 AM
I love that my husband and I get to go out for dinner around Vday every year. I look forward to it every year!
Posted by: Jennifer C | February 07, 2012 at 07:43 AM
After 23 years of marriage my sweet husband still brings me flowers or roses and a box of chocolates! And a couple of years ago he handmade me a beautiful card using my scrapping supplies!! Even used stickles :) He's a true romantic!
Posted by: Lisa C. | February 07, 2012 at 07:48 AM
All these projects are just amazing!! One of my favorite recent Valentines was in 2009... I had made my first mini album as a gift to my husband, and he loved it! But I have to say that every year, my husband manages to surprise me with a little gift. I am looking forward to this year's celebration!
Posted by: Cristina | February 07, 2012 at 07:50 AM
One year my husband bought me the most beautiful flower bouquet. The colours were red, white, purple and these amazing aqua coloured orchids. It was stunning!
Posted by: Jennifer Shaw | February 07, 2012 at 08:00 AM
I love that we do Valentine's at home. I try and make it special with candles at dinner or popcorn and a movie!
Posted by: Allison Waken | February 07, 2012 at 08:02 AM
I love the sweet cards that my 2 children draw, cut and glue for me... They're usually encrusted in stickers, but they're made with lots of love!
Posted by: Cyndee K. | February 07, 2012 at 08:16 AM
It may be cheesy, but every Valentines Day with boyfriend is amazing! He's my best friend and just having nice dinner together makes a great Vday.
Posted by: Amanda Counce | February 07, 2012 at 08:19 AM
My favorite Valentine's memory recently was a couple of years ago when I gave my kids each coupon book (made with my Cricut and a bunch of supplies from my stash) with promises of goodies when redeemed. My daughter was all over it, and she used her coupons (lunch brought to school, an item from the Target dollar spot, etc.) fairly quickly. I have to chuckle about my son, though, because he was "saving" the coupons (a hoarder like his mama!). Just a few weeks ago, he turned in an old coupon for extra video game time! There was no expiration date on there, so we called it good. :)
Posted by: Cynthia B. | February 07, 2012 at 08:22 AM
We were completely broke when we got married....so no engagement ring. But many years later on Valentine's day he presented me with a diamond. All by itself. (which later became a ring) What a great memory!
Posted by: Candy | February 07, 2012 at 08:32 AM
My husband buys the best Valentine cards. I don't know how long he spends reading them all before picking one out, but they are always perfect!
Posted by: Tiffany M. | February 07, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Last year I came home after a day of errands and my hubby was in my craft room with the door closed. I knocked-he said go away! A few minutes later my husband came out with my daughter (4 at the time)and gave me a handmade valentine card. He took a 12 x 12 pink cardstock and folded it in half, then he cut a heart out of it. He and my daughter colored it and he wrote on the inside that he was so thankful for me being his housekeeper, cook, bookkeeper, wife, mother etc.. and that he loved me. It made me get teary eyed!!!!
Posted by: Denise M. | February 07, 2012 at 08:35 AM
These are all so lovely!! Last year's Valentine's Day is memorable to me, because my hubby actually took me out to dinner for it. It's so rare that we go out on our own, and it really meant a lot to me. He even had flowers for me - it was very special!
Posted by: Rebecca Lovell | February 07, 2012 at 08:38 AM
When my hubby and I were in grad school, we went to the fanciest restaurant in town. It was such a treat!
Posted by: Amanda Coleman | February 07, 2012 at 08:47 AM
A few years ago, Target came out with this super cute cupcake themed items for your kitchen & home. It was part of their valentine's collection, and I just loved it! But, I just don't really purchase myself frivolous stuff like that, so I passed on it. I happened to tell my mom how cute the stuff was, and a few days later a little package just happened to show up in my kitchen. She had gone to Target and purchased me one of the coffee mugs, a couple of the dish towels, a spatula and frame. Now it is a tradition...either my mom or husband get me one of the valentine's day themed coffee mugs from Target each year. It is very special to me!
Posted by: Lea Lawson | February 07, 2012 at 09:06 AM
Two Valentine's ago I treated my Mama to a whole day of what she loves. It was the best day we spent together just pampering her. She loved every minute of it. :D
Posted by: cindy b | February 07, 2012 at 09:08 AM
What amazing projects!!! :)
A current favorite Valentine's moment for me would be the way we spent last year. My hubby and I along with our sweet daughters, just quietly enjoying some family time together at home. There's nothing better!!
Posted by: April W | February 07, 2012 at 09:20 AM