Violette's Creative Juice » Blog Archive

A Valentines Giveaway!

February11

It’s time for a contest and what better time to give you the opportunity to win a prize than Valentine’s Day? Sorry I’m a little behind (Valentine’s Day snuck up on me!) – perhaps i could have started this a bit earlier but since I’m late in posting the contest i thought I would give you the opportunity to sign up until Tuesday February 15th. You have until February 15th, 10 am PST to enter the contest for this pendant and chain – the pendant features a tiny print of my art – the backside has an inspirational saying on it. I’ll let the winner choose which pendant they want (from my rectangular line).

All you have to do to be entered is to let me know what your favourite Valentine memory is in the comments below! My favourite memory is of being in Elementary school and decorating our personal Valentine’s Hangers – usually red construction paper hearts made as a pocket with our names on them. We embellished them with paints and cut out hearts!

If you want to share this contest with your friends could you please tweet it? Thanks so much!

12 Unexpected Art Supplies

My friend Kym (we met at Journalfest) has a fabulous blogpost over at Bliss artworks Studio. You see – she’s creating right from where she’s at – literally. Kym is a pharmacist with the heart of an artist. So she put her thinking cap on and came up with a list of supplies you can obtain for your BLISSFUL artmaking at your local pharmacy!

Just think – you can begin RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE creatively speaking. Many of us are not in the perfect places – we might be working in an office but long to make paintings all day long or perhaps we groom dogs all day but would rather be creating pet portraits. You can start from where you are – if you are a dog groomer you could have your paintings on display, pet portraits put on postcards you give to your clients. You might even eventually be able to transition out of grooming and into painting on commission! How cool is that?

Curly Girl of Curly Girl Designs used to work in a Yoga Studio. She loved to dabble in collaging and would put her collages on the wall at the Yoga Studio. Customers really loved her collages so she eventually offered them as greeting cards and another business was born! This can happen to you too!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Share and Enjoy:

posted under Creativity, General, contest

64 Comments to

“A Valentines Giveaway!”

On February 11th, 2011 at 4:55 pm c Says:
I loved creating valentines for the whole class in grade school, it was so much fun making all the different things i could think of…and exchanging them on valentines day!!

love to win an awesome pendant

thanks
c
On February 11th, 2011 at 5:04 pm Bren Says:
Well my favourite Valentine memory happened on the 13th. That’s when my man proposed because he couldn’t wait until the 14th to ask me. That was in 1976 and we celebrate our engagement every year since
On February 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm susie Says:
My favorite memory is from grade school when a boy I liked and I didn’t think he paid any attention to me put a special valentine in my decorated valentine’s box and we were great friends from then on.
On February 11th, 2011 at 5:50 pm Jenny Says:
My favorite Valentine’s Day memory was a couple of years ago… my husband suprised me by taking the day off of work! He took me shopping and bought me some new perfume then we went out for lunch. We spent the morning shopping for what he would need for dinner that night, because he was cooking (so not the norm;) He made me homemade lasagna…That was a first and it was delicious!
On February 11th, 2011 at 5:57 pm Margaret Says:
my favourite memory is from 2001, we were belatedly celebrating our 10th anniversary on Maui and my DH gave me my diamond anniversary ring! We were belated because we spent a year caring for his mother while she fought a losing battle with ALS.
On February 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm Valentine’s Day Giveaway Over at Violette.ca Says:
[...] there to sign up for a chance to [...]
On February 11th, 2011 at 6:32 pm Rhiannon Says:
My faveourite valentines day meorie was 10 years ago when i was 6 I got a homemade card from a really cute guy in the year above me. I rember being terrified to open the envelope incase I ripped the card.

He moved away a few months later and I havent seen him since…he used to chase me around the playground
On February 11th, 2011 at 9:29 pm Fran Says:
I’m making my favorite memories right now! Making Valentine crafts with my almost 2 year old daughter and loving it. I love to see her interested in art supplies, and making things.
On February 11th, 2011 at 9:53 pm Gina Hall Says:
My favorite Valentines memory was from Elementary School. We used to decorate brown lunch bags and hang them in the class for 2 weeks before Valentines Day …… Everyday for two weeks you could bring cards or make them to put in other kids bags.
It was always great to look in them everyday when you came to school to see how many you had in your bag! The big day was Feb 14th when you had to bring a baked valentine goody to school to share with the class. My favorite was the sugar cookiesshaped like hearts with the red icing…..yummmm!!
Those were the days! <3<3
On February 11th, 2011 at 10:03 pm Kelly Says:
My favorite Valentine memories are in elementary school too. I loved making our little mailboxes and picking out which valentine to give to each of my classmates during our party. As soon as I got home that day I’d go thru all of my valentines and I remember being so happy and full of love!!!
On February 11th, 2011 at 10:03 pm nici Says:
The year my son was old enough to go to pre-school and bring home his first handmade Valentine for his mommy (that she did not help with!), all a-drip with glue and glitter and love… sigh. A special moment. I still have the valentine…14 years later.
On February 11th, 2011 at 10:56 pm Janet Says:
My favorite Valentine memory is the night my husband proposed to me. We were out for dinner and a drink and he stopped at work, briefly. When he came back to the car, he proposed…I never saw it coming That was 40 years ago.
On February 11th, 2011 at 11:52 pm Nancy Lefko Says:
Lovely inspiring stories and a luscious giveaway I remember fondly the days when I taught 1st grade and my students made little Valentine mailboxes and delivered their sweet Valentines with unbridled joy
On February 11th, 2011 at 11:59 pm Tracie Hanson Says:
My fave Valentine memory is the one I’m making this weekend – my hubby are secreted away in a hotel only 10 minutes from our home for the whole weekend! And it’ll 70 degrees and gorgeous all weekend! I see midnight jacuzzi dips and morning beach walks in my future…..ahhhhh!
On February 12th, 2011 at 12:18 am Stacy Andres Says:
My favorite Valentine’s Day memories are quite recent. My kids and I will sit around the oak table where my Mom used to do all of her hand quilting back in “the day”. We break out all the art supplies and go absolutely NUTS making cards for everyone. The iPod must be very loud and we have to take dance breaks throughout the creative process. By the end of the night we are all covered in glitter and paint and we are very, very happy.
On February 12th, 2011 at 12:23 am Kym Says:
My favorite Valentine’s day memory is of my mom buying chocolates in hear-shaped boxes for my sister and me. We each got a box. She was and is a wonderful mom.
On February 12th, 2011 at 12:38 am Julianne Bruce Says:
My best memory is the second Valentine’s Day with the man who is now my husband. The first one was awful because I received a explaining why he doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. WHAT??? I was crushed! He wrote that he didn’t believe in letting someone else tell him when and how to celebrate our relationship. He promised that he would spend every day for the rest of his life making sure that I knew how much he loved me. So, no candy? No flowers? But the second Valentine’s Day was beautiful because he had done exactly what he said he would. He brought me flowers because I was in his heart that day. He surprised me with cards out of he blue. I didn’t envy the girls walking around with bouquets and candy boxes the second year because my Valentine’s Day was 365 days a year!
On February 12th, 2011 at 1:02 am Kristine Dubuque Ortega Says:
I feel that my favorite Valentine’s Day memory is … Everyday … Once you have met the man that was meant for you … It seems like Everyday we remain in love … Through the laughter, Through the tears, Through the disagreements … Through the ups and downs … Nice to know, love only grows stronger!

I would LOVE to win a beautiful pendant from you!
~Kristine
On February 12th, 2011 at 1:10 am bettyann Says:
My fav memory is each Valentines Day Mom would make a double heart-shaped cake…
On February 12th, 2011 at 1:12 am Kate Robertson Says:
Hi Violette,

One of my favorites is with my daughter when she was in kindergarden we made a valentine box for her to take to school. It was covered with pink polka dot tissue paper and decorated with hearts and roses and lacy doilies and hearts that shimmer. Sarah always says it was the valentine box of every girls dreams. She still has it.

Oh I would love one of your pendants. So please enter me into the contest.

Hugs,

Kate
On February 12th, 2011 at 1:37 am Mary Dean Says:
I really love that pendant, and one of my fave quotes.

One of my fave valentine’s memories is a very fine Italian dinner with wonderful wine in a romantic, cozy setting with my partner.
On February 12th, 2011 at 3:47 am Amanda S. Says:
My favorite Valentine’s memory is of making little mailboxes for our desks at school. At the end of the day we would have a party and “mail” our cards to each other.
On February 12th, 2011 at 6:33 am us Says:
Wellll…. several years ago my hunny gave me a box of chocolates. We were watching TV, the livingroom somewhat dim. I munched down a few chocolates, even shared with him. I noticed a larger wrapped piece that looked like a butter cookie. Decided to leave that till the morning coffee. After an hour he finally broke and asked me if I was going to open and eat the wrapped piece. After his insistence, I opened the saran wrapped item and low and behold, inside was a FABULOUS TOPAZ Pendant!!! What a surprise. How could he be so patient with me!!! Later he gave me the earrings and even a matching ring… stringing all three gifts out over the course of a few months. Such patience! and I LOVE my TOPAZ!!
Just sayin…
Love Chris in the Redwoods
On February 12th, 2011 at 12:11 pm Jill Says:
My son was born on February 13th. I was a gestational diabetic and wasn’t allowed to eat chocolate or any sweets until he was born. I told my husband that I hope to have this baby by Valentines Day so I can have a box of chocolates. Valentines Day I had my first child and my husband bought me a box of chocolates! That was the best Valentines.
Jill
On February 12th, 2011 at 1:17 pm Andria Says:
Beautiful pendant, Violette. What a lovely Valentine gift!

I feel as though I am making my favorite memories right now! With daughters who are aged 2 and 3, I am in the midst of sharing with them the significance of Valentine’s Day, and what it means to celebrate love. They are making crafts for the holiday–thumbprint hearts, paper Valentines for friends, sticker pictures and foam doorhangers. It is just so much fun to share the meaning of the holiday, and explore the crafting possibilities!
On February 12th, 2011 at 2:48 pm Lou Haines Says:
Thanks for this fun opportunity! My favorite memory is dressing my cat up as a valentine when I was a little girl. I spent all day making a little heart costume, and then spent a LONG time trying to get the cat into it! I finally was satisfied that she looked “perfect” and picked her up to show her to my parents. She jumped out of my arms and ran down the stairs, shedding the costume as she ran. By the time she got to the bottom of the stairs, the whole costume was scattered on the stairs. I was in tears, and my parents tried very hard not to laugh, but it must have been hard! The cat definitely did not think it was funny
On February 12th, 2011 at 4:18 pm cinda Says:
i know that as a grown-up i have had some very special Valentines Days. how can you forget the ones from grade school though? we always decorated shoe boxes and spent so much time picking out just the right card for each kid in the class. i have great memories of all of that.
the best year though was 1st or 2nd grade. a kid in my class had a major crush on me. i don’t know why, but it wasn’t a 2 way thing, you know. i really don’t remember if i just wasn’t interested or what. anyway, this little romeo took colored chalk and drew pictures and wrote sweet valentines thoughts all the way down the sidewalk until he finally reached the front steps to the school. this was a very long sidewalk and i know that he must have spent a long time doing this,. he might have done it after school the afternoon before. it was such a sweet thing to do, but i was so embarassed at his public display that i would have just as soon gone home. i am sure that if he was my ‘boyfriend’ i would have been on cloud 9! however, we haven’t reached the high point yet. when we got to have our party in class and look at all our valentines, the one from him immediately stood out. it was a real card, not the kind that the rest of us bought. AND he had taped a silver dollar to the inside. everyone thought that i had the best ‘boyfriend’ in the world. i am sure i would have agreed, if he was my boyfriend. the best part is that through the years i have always wondered what happened to him, where he is, and does he still do up valentines day to be the best for someone. he had to have put alot of thought as well as time into this whole production, for a girl who hadn’t even ever given him the time of day (and still hasn’t). gotta laugh!
On February 12th, 2011 at 10:21 pm Jenna Kannas Says:
I remember when I first received flowers from my boyfriend (now husband). When I saw the delivery guy walking up the sidewalk I figured they were probably flowers for my mom. I was surprised when they were actually for me!
On February 12th, 2011 at 10:24 pm Heather Says:
Hi LOVE the pendant.

I have valentine
memories every year – it is my birthday BUT -
My fondest Valentine memory _ Receiving a beautiful card when I was 10 from the boy on the other bus I had a hankering for. Kept it for years and years brought to Australia when we left England.
Then many years later discovered it was from my DAD!
Yep quite a sad affair. BUT 14th is my birthday and he always sent me a valentine card. but this one seemed different!!

Heather in QLD Australia
On February 13th, 2011 at 2:04 am Donna Funnell Says:
I remember always wishing I would get a Valentine from the boy I liked in grade 8. It never happened! But my girlfriends always gave me Valentine cards. Now what does that tell you!
On February 13th, 2011 at 4:11 am Florence Says:
I got engaged on Valentines day in 1984. I got married a year and one day later on February 15th 1985. That is my best memory!
On February 13th, 2011 at 3:21 pm Angela Munn Says:
In January 2005 Pat & I started dating. For Valentine’s Day the following month, he sent flowers of all varieties and colors to my office for 5 days before and 5 days after Valentine’s Day. That was the stuff movies are made of!
On February 13th, 2011 at 9:14 pm Angela Taylor Says:
Sofy aka MissKoolaid surprised me with a Valentine card in the mail!!! I’ve had it on my frig. ever since!!! It makes me smile but not only on Valentine’s Day. All year round.
Happy Valentine’s Day Violette!!!
*HUGS*
Angela
On February 13th, 2011 at 10:47 pm Suzana Says:
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I love all these gorgeous stories.

It really is Valentine’s Day every day in our home, but today was really special. A couple of weeks ago, my Beloved, our Wizkid and I were out at a country market. Our son asked us to keep walking while he stopped at a particular stall we had been admiring. This morning, at breakfast, he presented us with a gorgeous hand-carved dragon wall-hanging which was a Valentine’s gift for all of us (now hanging by the front door). It’s very personally meaningful and symbolic to us all.

But the really special and sweet things about this are that he bought this himself – he doesn’t get pocket money, as he prefers to earn it by working in our store; that he kept it ‘secret’ for so long and that it was presented to us wrapped in white newsprint (something so special wrapped so humbly – and typical for a teenage boy!). What a lovely way to start the day! (The Beloved bought our favourite chocolates and afternoon tea after school is a treat from me!).

I would love to own this beautiful pendant by Violette. WOW!

Violette, I have posted about your giveaway on my blog too, so I hope you get lots of visitors from there too! Also, if anyone would like to enter my Valentine’s Day giveaway, they are welcome to drop by and read all about it.

May your days be filled with LOVE!
On February 14th, 2011 at 12:35 pm Julie Says:
Lovely pendants, Violette! My favourite valentine’s are recent, too. After many, many years without a valentine, I am now joyfully married to the man of my dreams. Hearing “I love you” everyday is the best gift ever!
On February 14th, 2011 at 1:07 pm Donna Finnell Says:
My favorite grade school memory is of going through my Valentines looking for the perfect one to give to my “boyfriend” of the moment. The poor guy seldom realized my feelings and thought girls and gooey Valentines were icky!
On February 14th, 2011 at 5:01 pm nakcus Says:
I remember getting hoe from school with the bag of valentines and looking through them and seeing who gave me which one with what message! Last week my seven year old son and I were making valentines and he said that he didn’t want to be rude but he was usually the only one who made the valentines and didn’t really like the store bought kind! Oh, what creative joy!
I’d love to win and wear a pendant. Thank you for the offer.
On February 14th, 2011 at 5:57 pm Vy Says:
I loved making arts and crafts in elementary school and giving valentine cards every year to all my friends. That’ll never grow old.
On February 14th, 2011 at 7:03 pm Violette's Creative Juice » Blog Archive » Happy Valentines Day!!! Says:
[...] contests afoot for you to enter – don’t forget to enter my contest (closes tomorrow morning) here! Also Suzana of Creative Therapies has a lovely giveaway too! Thanks Suzana for posting [...]
On February 14th, 2011 at 11:21 pm Hope Clinchot Says:
my sweet husband just created it….he surprised me with a beautiful silver bracelet that he knew I had admired! other than that I would have to say sharing Valentine’s day cards in school….I loved how different they all were and all the sweet sentiments. And I always made my mom a big Valentine from construction paper…..she saved them all. Love your pendant…thanks for the chance to win it!
On February 14th, 2011 at 11:24 pm Hobby Says:
One of my favorite Valentines Day memories is when my future son-in-law sent me a facebook message that said: “I have a feeling you’re somewhat responsible for alot of the love in my life…. Love you Hobby! Hope i can return the favor some day.”
On February 15th, 2011 at 12:04 am Katheryn Bieber Says:
My favorite Valentines day began as the worst one in ever..I was in a very heartbreaking place in my life and was totally dreading the “Love holiday” and all the happy couples and their “bling” when my life seemed so bereft of love.. then not unlike that famous moment in the grinch…I shifted my focus to the love that I had in my heart to give and the people that I had an opportunity to bless. I made secret valentines and gave them anonymously to people that I thought would really need them. I began a yearly tradition of seeing Valentines day as the day that I showed my love and my gifts of service to the people in my life. I have loved the day ever since and focusing on gratitude has made it truly one of the most memorable days of the year! ( I have also shifted that focus to my birthday and Christmas..I never look to what I will receive but to how I can serve..it makes all the difference!)
On February 15th, 2011 at 12:26 am patti Carroll Says:
My favorite memory is sitting at the dining room table with my twin brother and mom and stapling red lollipops to each valentine card. Wow the kids in our class love our valentines. Of course, that was 50 years ago.
On February 15th, 2011 at 12:45 am Annie Says:
My favorite Valentine memory is the year I was 11 and received a secret admirer Valentine gift in the mail — an adorable green and white striped bear. To this day, I don’t know who sent it to me (and that was 46 years ago), but it made my day!
On February 15th, 2011 at 1:00 am Michele Littlefield Says:
My favorite Valentines day is today. This is my first V day married to the man of my dreams. I love today.
On February 15th, 2011 at 1:56 am Jacquie Williamson Says:
At our school, you could send roses to your valentine. It was a lot of fun. Sometimes the were anonymous. It was pretty cool. I got an anonymous one one year, and I still wonder who it came from.
On February 15th, 2011 at 2:02 am Kathleen aka Kitty Says:
I love EVERY Valentine’s Day….every one is my favorite. I have a wonderful hubby who bought me beautiful blush colored roses (which I love even more than red) w/a large pale pink bow and lots of baby’s breath and we went out for lunch together, just the two of us. I love him dearly and as long as I am with my “Sweet Babboo”……I’m happy, esp. on Valentine’s Day.
On February 15th, 2011 at 2:14 am Chel Marie Says:
Love your pendent… funny today I was at our local art store getting some needed supplies when I came across a book on how to make soldered pendants. I was so intrigued by them. I’ve done stain glass art before, but was so excited to see these little pendants and art made with soldering. But with so many projects on my plate… I decided that it would have to be another day’s project, later this afternoon once home I got on line and saw your pendent… Serendipitous event….

My favorite Valentine story is when my boys were in grade school. I use to make some sort of holiday dessert to bring to my kids class for their Valentine holiday celebration and exchange. Every year I’d ask my kids what they’d like me to bring… every year they all would say they wanted my sour cream chocolate cake with creamy butter frosting decorated with candy hearts. It would be the one time a year when my kids would actively help me bake the cupcakes, frost and decorate each and everyone.

By the time my kids reached the 6th grade, word had traveled throughout their school about our famous cupcakes, so much so that I no longer made just enough cupcakes just for my three boys classes, but rather for the entire school which was about 500 kids, staff, support staff and teachers. Every Valentines day, the kids would await our arrival after lunch time by the front door. We always had extra help waiting just to carrying in the trays and trays of decorated pastel covered gifts of love.

But what made the day and event even more special was the love we saw in each and every child’s eyes as they enjoyed our gift of love. It was our gift to our children community, peers, friends and teachers. The kids would talk about it all year long… Making my mine and my husband’s heart sing knowing that for one minute, of one day, every person in that school knew they were loved and appreciated. No one when without receiving a Valentine.
On February 15th, 2011 at 2:55 am Lynn Says:
No one Valentine’s Day is my favorite, but I know that every time one of my children and now my grandchildren, hand me a Valentine they have made themselves, my heart melts. Love it!
On February 15th, 2011 at 3:51 am Mahala Says:
My favorite memory was when my son Nathan was in Kindergarten, he was 6 and my daughter Katie was 3. He had Valentines for his whole class and gave his little sister one. She cried and said, “He really does love me!” It was so sweet.
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:14 am Nancy Frazier Says:
I believe my favorite Valentine’s Day was today!!! I helped my 6-year-old grand daughter make her Valentines, for her kindergarten class. We work two week-ends to get them done – but, how cute they were and how proud she was!! I have tried to instill in her and my grandson to be creative and different. We used blank cards and envelopes that were lime green, hot pink, blue, and melon!!!! She loved them and oh how proud!!!
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:18 am Kathy Says:
My fav valentine memory is making chocolates with all my closest friends. We actually do this every year.
On February 15th, 2011 at 5:25 am chuck Says:
My favorite Valentine’s Day was when my Son and I were picking out his card’s and treats for his class. Every year a new favorite would tell me how quick he was growing up. Alas there came a time when he wasn’t doing it anymore. He grew up way too soon.
On February 15th, 2011 at 2:15 pm Brandy Says:
My favorite Valentines day was the one right after I was done with college. For 4 years, my boyfriend and I had spent V-day 500 miles apart. That year we made a vow that we would never spend the day apart again. That has held for the past 16 years and that boyfriend is now the most wonderful husband.
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:03 pm christina jackson Says:
each year ends up being full of my favorite memories, valentine’s day has always been very special to me!
my husband treats me like a queen every minute of every day… i am so very blessed!
hugs,
christina
oxo
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:15 pm Angie Nash Says:
Violette and friends, I hope all of you had a lovely Valentine’s Day. I had a very special day that included my favorite Dove Dark chocolates and a card that included my sweetie’s original photography.
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:23 pm admin Says:
What a wonderful story of kindness and generosity! Thanks for sharing it! xo
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:42 pm Tracy Dove Says:
one of my favorite Valentine’s Day memory was when my husband and I wrote each other a love letter……. on our pillowcases. We had sweet dreams when we slept on them
On February 15th, 2011 at 4:44 pm Kathi Says:
I have such happy memories of making a valentine’s “mailbox” to take to school to recieve my valentines. I loved getting all the cards ready for my friends and classmates and then having a big party to celebrate…I love cupcakes!!
On February 15th, 2011 at 5:18 pm Jennifer Says:
One of my very favorite Valentine memories is from 2nd grade—
a very shy little boy had his mom drive him to my house to hand-deliver a heart shaped box of chocolates just for me. I still remember him ducking his head, and his shy grin….
On February 15th, 2011 at 5:40 pm Stephanie Says:
My favorite valentines memory is from this past Saturday. My husband and I have been married for twelve years, and sometimes life gets the best of us. But this weekend, for valentine’s day, my sister watched our daughter. My husband and I spent the evening watching movies and talking. It was one of the best times we have had in a long time because we focused on one another instead of what is going on in life. I love my husband!
On February 15th, 2011 at 6:19 pm Jude Says:
My fave valentine’s memory is of my sweet mother baking heart shaped sugar cookies and covering them with yummy pink icing. Every year I remind her how special that was. She’s now 87 and living in a nursing home
Sweet memories!
On February 16th, 2011 at 1:51 pm Wendy Fedan Says:
Oh, too bad I missed out on this!
I love your pendant!
I’ll have to check out if you have some for sale.
When I get a job I’ll treat myself.
On February 18th, 2011 at 9:43 pm admin Says:
Hey wendy……….glad you like the pendant……..still waiting on the ball chains from etsy……they are taking FOREVER to get here!

Love, violette