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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Best Valentine ever!

The mailperson delivered a belated Valentine from my dear husband yesterday, and it is the best Valentine I have ever received!

Here's the backstory: He saw online that people working in the tourism industry in Mali, a country on the west side of Africa, were hurting. The tourism industry was once particularly strong in Timbuktu, a major city there, and it is now in dire straights. My husband saw that some tourism workers were trying to maintain their incomes by offering to send postcards with a personal message from Timbuktu for $10 each. My husband saw that as an opportunity to send me a unique Valentine and to help someone out (he has a very big heart!), so he ordered one online.

It was mailed on January 8, and yesterday I received my "Valentine" postcard from Timbuktu.

This is the picture on the front of the postcard. The structure in the background is a mosque. My husband had them write this message: "I love you from here to Timbuktu!" 

Isn't that an awesome Valentine? I told him it was the best one I had ever received. If you'd like to order one, you can do so here.

Here's a photo of the stamps on the postcard. Notice how they stack the stamps on top of each other, making sure the value of the stamp is visible. I wonder if the USPS would allow us to do that?

I hope you enjoyed my little Valentine story.



Here are my makes for today. I created the colorful backgrounds by using 1/2" strips that I have cut off of 8 1/2" wide patterned paper to make envelopes. Every single one of those strips represents an envelope that I have made, and I have a LOT more strips than this. I love being able to make envelopes that coordinate with  the colors in my cards. I almost always turn the color to the inside, with the white on the outside, so that it's easy to address them. 


I wish this picture didn't go out of focus on the far side so that you could see my little dryer image more clearly. It's just a fun card to send to someone you know well.











Here's the interior of my card. I colored the letters here and on the front of my card with alcohol markers.



















My "Happy Birthday" frame included the cupcake image attached to the bottom of the frame. I actually cut it off, then die-cut another cupcake and glued one on top of the other for a little extra dimension. I also glued on my little flower sequin and added a center to it with Nuvo Drops. I also added some Wink of Stella to the frosting, but it's just not visible in the photo.




I used a really old stamp for my inside sentiment. Both of these cards will go to the thrift store to be sold there.

I have more stripey backgrounds to use, so you'll be seeing more cards like these in future posts.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

6 comments:

designbydonna said...

Your husband is so thoughtful. What a nice surprise. You did really well using up those strips of paper. I have tons of them too leftovers from 6x6 paper pads. I'm going to try your idea.

Heartwarmers from Vicki said...

Those both are really great cards. I especially like the one with the cupcake and "happy" and "birthday" in separate panels.

Thanks for sharing that special Valentine story with us. That was such a wonderful, thoughtful thing for your husband to do!

Lynette said...

OH, what a super-cool thing your husband did - very awesome! It's also cool that you make your own envelopes. I never take the time to do that. I should - and use up some of my tons of paper. Love your cards - the details are perfect on each one.

Patti J said...

Wow! He’s a keeper, for sure! What a wonderful way to tell you he loves you, by helping someone in need. Awesome! And I love the homemade envelope and paper strip idea - great job!

Glittered Paws said...

What an awesome thoughtful hubby - I think he is a keeper. Talk about putting some thought into a special Valentine for his sweetie. Then the cards - awesome on them as well. Love to make my own envies too.

Lynne in NI said...

Heee I'll bet he earned several bonus points for that Valentine, so thoughtful! As opposed to Greg who asked me when we were in the supermarket if I wanted a card! Actually now I think of it, I paid for the groceries that day so officially I bought my card myself LOL

Love your fab colourful cards by the way, great way to use your offcuts!