Special Delivery

[title subtitle=”words and images: Janna Wilson”][/title]
originally published February, 2015

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show your love, indulge in sinful sweets and pen a special sentiment to your honey.  I don’t know anyone who doesn’t cherish a heartfelt love note from time to time.  As a Valentine tradition, I try to make the day special and significant for my whole family. This year, I’ve created oversized, keepsake Valentines inspired by a version I saw at Pottery Barn Kids. This felt project is easy enough that children can help. Make them extra unique with personalization. You can add notes, treats and gifts to the pockets.

Materials:

• (4) Stiff felt sheets (12 x 18) for envelope
• Contrasting colors of felt for embellishments
• Needle and embroidery floss (contrasting color)
• Ribbon for hanging (optional)
• Embellishments (trims, ric-rac, ribbon, ruffles, lace)
• Velcro or a button
• Basic crafting tools: pencil, ruler, scissors, pinking/scallop shears
• Pattern: download our patterns at DoSouthMagazine.com.

Envelope Pieces

• Trim felt sheet to 12” x 15”
• (save scrap pieces for embellishing).
• Use our downloadable patterns (or make your own) and trace two flaps.
• Use the flap pattern to cut away the opening for the envelope back.
• Measure 5″ from straight edge of flap pieces and make a horizontal fold.

Assemble

• Sandwich the flap pieces between the rectangle pieces and tack lightly with hot glue if you will be adding decorative trim (permanent gluing will be done at the end).
• Use pattern to trace scallop trim from a contrasting color of felt. Tack these between the layers with glue. (This step takes some patience but the final look is worth the extra effort.)

TIP:  Use premade pom trims, ric-rac or lace to design unique styles for each of your Valentines and save time in the process. Look for rosettes, hearts and fun buttons as well. Glittered fun foam is perfect for creating the 3-dimensional heart stamps like mine.

Embellish

• Stitch along flap edges and side edges with at least a ¼” running stitch with embroidery floss. Pre-mark the dots with a fine-point pen to help keep these stitches spaced consistently.
• If you want to add a hanger, tack a bit of ribbon between the layers. Securely glue all layers together with hot glue.
• Embellish front side of envelope with hand-cut pieces (stamp with heart, child’s name, etc.) to create the look of a real piece of mail.
• Attach a bit of Velcro for a closure, or use a button if desired.

NOTE: I cut the names out of black adhesive vinyl with my digital cutting machine (Silhouette Portrait).   You could also purchase sticker letters or trace and cut names out of scrap felt.