DIY Valentine: Love Letter Tutorial

You, as a crafter extraordinaire, have the card covered, but when it comes to putting pen to paper, you end up with a giant ink blob. If you have trouble writing the actual love letter that goes inside your intricately cut paper heart card, this is the DIY tutorial for you. Think of it as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” meets “Mad Libs” for love. You can customize and make it as quirky-funny or as romantic as you want.

Let’s start with deciding what kind of relationship you’re in.

A. Serious – hubby/wifey-type relationship

B. Semi-serious – boyfriend/girlfriend

C. New love – puppy love beginnings

Option A. Serious

Dearest (nickname),

Ever since I first met you (date and where), I knew that you were the one for me.

I think back to our first date at (location and year) and our first kiss (location and year).

This time of year reminds me how much I (favorite loving word, ex: treasure, cherish, value) your love, friendship and support.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Always,

(Your nickname)

Option B. Semi-Serious

Dearest (nickname),

I can’t believe that it’s been (length of time) since we first started dating.

When I look into your (color) eyes, I see such kindness and warmth.

All the (favorite candy or food, ex: chocolate filled heart-shaped boxes) in the world couldn’t express how much you mean to me.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,

(Your nickname)

Option C. New Love

Dearest (nickname),

I’m so excited about spending more time getting to know you and going (what do you have in common that you do together? ex: biking) with you!

Thank you for making our (first or second) Valentine’s special by spending it with me.

You are as sweet as (favorite candy) to me!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Heart,

(Your nickname)

Written and illustrated by Anne/modestambition

Member Applications Due TODAY!

The deadline to apply for membership into the 2010 Etsy Dallas team ends tonight at 11:59pm. Don't miss out! If you meet our guidelines and expect to be an active, participating member of the team, apply today! This is a juried process and space is limited to 50 members. Good luck!

Apply NOW for 2010 Membership

Now is the time to get your applications in for 2010 Etsy Dallas membership. Before heading over to complete the application form on our website, please read over our initial guidelines and criteria for membership consideration. We're super excited to see all of your shops! Stay crafty, Dallas!

Apply for 2010 Membership to Etsy Dallas

Only 50 spots available for 2010! Applicants will be juried for quality and uniqueness of work and good online presence. In order to qualify for membership, you must: Live within 30 miles of the center of Dallas TX. We use Google maps for this criterion. Sorry, no exceptions. Have an active, well-stocked Etsy shop with at least five (5) handmade products listed at all times, unless you are on vacation. Handmade only! No vintage or supplies sellers, please. Please consider the above guidelines carefully. If you do not meet the above 3 guidelines but apply anyway, we will not be able to consider you for jury. We also will not be able to contact you individually as we predict over 200 applications! Etsy Dallas expects members to play an active role in the team. This includes participating in the Google group forum, sharing your knowledge and friendship, organizing and coming to gatherings, contributing to the team blog, and promoting and/or volunteering at our team shows. If accepted, you must pay $25 in annual dues by 11:59pm February 5th, 2010 after you receive your acceptance email. These dues pay for this web site, team parties, and promotional activities. Acceptance emails will go out by February 1st, 2010. Benefits of joining Etsy Dallas: Be a part of an active craft collective whose mission is to help each other out and promote the handmade lifestyle in Dallas. Get your shop listed on our team web site and your blog listed on our team blog. Both sites receive tons of hits daily. Get listed on our team profile on Etsy.com. Get a team discount on booths at the Spring Bash and Jingle Bash. Guaranteed spot in the 2010 Bashes so long as you apply and meet all appropriate deadlines and criteria, AND provided there are spaces available (first come, first served). Gain access to our members-only Google group forum where you'll get notices of upcoming shows, selling opportunities, advice on running a handmade business, and forge new friendships! Get invited to our members-only meet-ups, parties and crafty gatherings. Participate in members-only promotional activities to promote and grow your handmade business.

Sound like you qualify? Click here to go straight to the application form!

2010 Membership Announcement

As promised, we'll be having our annual membership drive later this month. The drive will open on January 12th and close on January 19th. The application will be posted on our Etsy Dallas web site. Stay tuned for guidelines for membership consideration and other details. We're excited to see all the new craftastic talent that has developed over the past year!

Love, the Etsy Dallas Leadership Team

Blue Moon

Last night, we experienced something that only happens once in a... well, blue moon! Every couple of years, the eleven day difference between the solar calendar and lunar year presents itself in the form of a second, extra full moon within a month. The next time New Year's Eve will fall on the night of a blue moon will be the year 2028. Pretty special, huh!?

We wish you love and luck this new year!

from top left:

Fly me to the Moon, MaggieMayI | Midnight Hour, BonnyBeads

Moon Pewter Knob, FisforFrank | Alien Droid, OneUpDesigns

Midnight Blue Shawl, ModestAmbition | Snowflake Earrings, Emaille

New Moon Earrings, SadiesThings | Blue Moon, Tefi

O is for Orbit, Paperfingers

Posted By Cheyne of Cut Out and Collect