Homemade Watercolor Valentine Cards

You know you want to get artistic today. Even though Valentine’s Day is notorious for reminding the single folk of their singlehood – with glaring, overstuffed bears and overpriced roses in every store. It pressure couples to heights of Olympic couple-ness, shaking once-stable sweethearts with heart-shaped everything and oversweet chocolate everything. I know, I have been both of those people on February 14^th and neither is all that great. Try a Google search of “Valentine’s Day is…” and you’ll see results like “…a stupid holiday” or “…overrated”.

But remember Valentine’s Day in elementary school? Remember cutting out endless symmetrical paper-fold hearts? Remember pink and red versions candies? Remember writing every classmate’s name on every single card? (I would always save my favorite card for my favorite boy classmate.) Elementary school Valentines were actually fun.

I think we ought to bring the Valentine’s Day of grade school out of the memory box and back to real, adult life. We forget that Valentine’s Day can be about love in general. I love “love in general.” Love in general includes boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, offspring and crushes – but more outstandingly, love in general closes its arms around our family, friends, co-workers, and pets. Love in general is a colossal, wispy net. Why not mark the occasion with a homemade card? A homemade sentiment is sure to strike the right note on this week’s holiday, or really any little holiday or “just because” day. Try it. You’ll like it.

So, here is how I’m simply celebrating Love in General this Valentine’s Day:

You’ll need…

• Watercolor paper, (or some other sturdy paper)
• Paintbrush
• Pencil
• Watercolors
• Water
• Eraser

Just follow the images here for the steps: gather supplies, sketch your design, erase stray marks, and paint! Imperfections are just fine, here.

I know I’d love to receive a sweet, quirky, imperfect personal little card like these–on Valentine’s day or any day, really.

elliepeek

20 years old, and deeply happy to be alive. I am an aspiring writer, maybe-lawyer, and human being. I am an English major at Brigham Young University. I write a heavy bit of poetry, and eat a heavy bit of Indian food. I lived in Germany for a bit, but currently call Utah my home. I want to travel as much as time and cash will permit, in this short and spectacular life - and look good while doing it.