Photos, text and artwork are property of Vanessa Valencia. All rights reserved. Content of this site may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. Simply contact me via e-mail. Thank you.
Below is an example of what the card sheet looks like once you print it.
I had so much fun making these. I love making cards, just love it.
Here are some close up samples of each cardlette.
Cupcake love...
Also, I didn't want to leave out the boys.
How could I? ;)
Whilst drawing this one, I got caught up in all sorts of ribbon drawings. So, now I have about 5 pages of ribbon drawings as well ;)
I listened to so much pretty & lighthearted love music while drawing these. Sometimes I want to make a list of all the songs that come together to help me draw a few happy treats.
Seeds of Love...
Of course, I don't think any holiday can be properly celebrated without a couple of elves. Do you agree? Elves make the world a better place, I say.
OH oh, also....
There are still cardlettes from previous years (such as the ones below) available on my FREE TREATS page.
While I am at play, delving into the most sensical nonsense I can think of...
Including creatures and paint...
I can hear the boys outside...
They love their dad.
Littles (aka Miles) loves dad extra much.
Miles is growing, but he is still a pretty small runt. I think Matty makes him seem bigger, since Matty isn't that huge. (he's about half the size that Baby was)
I can't, I mean can not, get enough of Miles running. His ears are like wings. Squeal cute, don't you think?
And, when I turn up outside to join them and call -
Miiiiiiles...
My-my, My-my...
And he comes running with all the joy in the world bundled up in that fluffy little body...
Why, I just melt.
Melt, I tall ya.
Melt.
Cuties, plus paint, plus Lovee, plus warm days =
Darn near perfection.
Wouldn't ya say?
Speaking of paint. I am knee deep in a project, so I best run. I was on a, waiting for a layer of paint to dry break, so I snuck away to visit you ;)
Tomorrow the whole family (all 4 of us) goes to the vet.
(Just got a call, vet's sick. Rescheduled for Friday)
Shots for all the furs.
I got so many shots in my life for severe allergies, that I don't mind them.
(4, twice a week, my whole life)
But, I don't think Matty will be thrilled at all.
To say the least.
:)
Wish us luck ♥
ps: A random tid-bit on vet visits. Miles had an emergency vet visit 2 weeks ago. He turned out to be fine (thank goodness). He actually enjoyed the vet visit. But, Matisse will probably be carried in, by his 5' 2" human mom, whilst he hugs her so hard she chokes. Not a strange occurrence when visiting the vet. Although, he is doing awesome on his leash, so we'll see. Maybe he can surprise his vet and walk in like the debonair leash wearer he becomes on walks. That would be awesome. Actually, I think he can do it, he was great around all the people during the holidays. I have high hopes friends.
An endless assortment of feelings and moments, all packaged into 24 hours. Every day that passes gets a new name, and every second that passes, becomes a memory. Tick tick tick. That quickly, time moves on. And with time, comes decisions. Choices, if you will, on how to use that time. Some of that time is mapped out for us with work and chores. But somewhere in there, we can steal a moment to breathe and absorb precious little morsels of life, can't we?
(Listening to Mindy Gledhill as I type this)
My path has led me on a love adventure with pups.
Perhaps, not the same as human babies, but how would I know?
I have never had a human baby.
So, my only connection to that sort of love for another creature, that can not be described in its enormity, is shared with my furry kids.
(As you already know.)
But, what I want to say is that...
Living with Baby for all those years, and then losing her, has taught me so many things.
Mainly -
What true love feels like.
(and that it grows in strength, with time)
&
The importance of savoring each crumb of time, with those you love.
It's not that I didn't know that I should totally enjoy fresh air, and trees swaying, and my pups, and people I love.
But Baby passing gave me a true example of the why, in why I savor life and it's happenings, and all of my loves. Because, quite simply, you will miss them madly when they are gone.
The best gift you can give yourself, is enjoying everyone and everything you love, as much as you can.
Take it from me.
I hugged and hugged and hugged Baby. I rolled int the dirt with her. I let her sit on top of me like a baby even though she weighed 90 pounds.
And, I am so so so so so so sooooo glad that I did.
And still, it feels like I have not seen her in so long, that I yearn for one more moment with her.
BUT (another but).
There is also room for other loves.
I have also learned that...
Dirt in the house won't kill me.
And really, who cares if your house is a mess?
:)
As long as you don't miss something good while obsessing on frivolous things.
Also, waking up 4 times a night with Miles, and being the only one outside in the cold at 4 a.m., is a memory I might look back on in the future, and wish for.
Because, I would go out at 3 a.m. in wind and snow and hail, if I could see Baby just one more time.
(I am sorry to share missing Baby. Alas, it is the reality of my life (and Mister's) and how I honestly feel)
So, when I am out there at some ridiculous time in the morning, groggy, I chuck my sleepiness into the wind, and enjoy Miles acting like a rabbit...
I even chuck some of the things I want to do, & some of the things on my chore list, right out the window too, in order to wholeheartedly savor my moments with a growing puppy...
And, when we wake Matty, and he runs out with us in the early a.m. ...
I remember him as a puppy.
Running around with Baby...
And, I am glad I relished all of those past moments too.
Whilst stepping into new memories and moments everyday, that I will look upon fondly, in the future.
(Did I tell you that Matty is a 100% Mama's boy? Just don't tell him I told you that ;)
You see, what I believe it comes down to, is trying the best that you can to have no regrets.
Of course, we will have some in life.
But, it's not too late to work on having fewer.
It just isn't.
Sometimes, we think it is, but it isn't.
Because, even if there are regrets that we can't resolve, we can at least make peace with them, and let them go.
Set them free.
And move on...
Letting ourselves enjoy the good things, that we were meant to enjoy.
I don't know what the point of this post is, as I was going to share a totally different tale, but this unraveled, so I went with it.
I think the point is.
Let Love.
Enjoy little moments.
And, don't sweat the small stuff?
Yes, I think that's it.
Oh and, if you get a chance to love an animal, and really bond with them, well, take it from the gal who wasn't a pet person 10 years ago, it is astonishingly wonderful. (oh and, be patient with puppies, trust me, it gets easier, and they will eventually learn all that you try to teach)
(Miles' angelic look masks his almost constant wild side ;)
The mutual love of furry kids, is the loveliest kind of love that I have ever experienced.... (Mister Lovee is pretty fab, but I think he would agree too. The love we share with our fur babies.....Awesome)
Trust me, I should know...
I have loved a lot in my life ;)
But... those other sort of youthful boy crazy tales (of the human variety), are for the memory vaults :))
And, that's all I have to say about that.
Have a GORGEOUS weekend!
Skedaddling now....
ps: As soon as I posted this, I put on one of my fave 70's tracks, and boy oh boy, carnival rides, youth, fun! That's what it makes me think about.... What a great mood maker!
pss: Matty is not a very big dog, and I dare say, I think Miles will be bigger than him. What do you think? Matty is long, but not tall from floor to ear. Common for a red heeler. However, he makes up for it in massive toughness. And boy, is he ever tough. You should see how he acts when a car comes down our dead end street. Yikes!
Well, I suppose it's not so secret, since I am telling you ;) ...
Sooooo, the secret is that, I am working on a super special Valentine's Day present, for a super special person, that I looooove.
You see, it's not exactly easy to say that this person is super special, and that I love this person oodles and oodles. I mean, I do (even though sometimes I can't stand her). But, it's still sort of tricky to say I love her bunches, when that person is...
ME.
Yes, I am my own special Valentine.
Throughout the years, I have shared posts in February that tell of how, I LOVE Valentine's day. However, I love this day because I use it as a me me meeeeee day.
It's the one day that is maybe even better than a birthday.
Because, my most important Valentine, is myself.
In the beginning (a few years ago) I was sort of silly about being my own Valentine. Doing it in a sort of joking way.
But now, I am crazy serious about it, and I go out of my way to make sure my super special Valentine has a splendid little day. (so, I am working on something that might take until V-day to be done)
It's so important to be good to yourself, even if it is a difficult feat. It will get easier over time.
If you sort of delete the idea of someone else being your Valentine (along with all of the expectations that can create), you can't imagine how fun Valentine's day can actually be.
First of all, I love red and pink.
Second of all, I think a heart shape is the bestest shape on earth.
And C, when you become your very own Valentine, you actually enjoy the over-zealous shop offerings of stuffed hearts with faces, and plush roses.
So, I am working on my Valentine's day gift to myself. (have been for the last week)
Plus painting, and doing a million other things.
Yesterday, Matty and I spent the entire day at the city house packing my car with lots of treasures (big furniture etc. - my arms are sore today), that I wanted to bring to the country house. Pretty soon I will have to just face the fact that, I officially live full-time in the country, and love love love it here, and that's that.
Sooooo, I was at Home Depot today at 7 a.m., then ran a long list of errands (getting ready for planting for spring too), and am about to keep working on my Valentine's day gift.
Which might take me a couple more weeks.
Hopefully less.
I have sooo been enjoying using Mister Lovee's workshop, and his saw and such.
I can't wait to show you when I'm done.
I also have a couple of paintings I am working on too.
Phew, busy as a beeeeee.
Bzzzzzzzz.
Love, V
ps: I am soooo loving all the February magazine subscriptions I receive.
Yumm.
It's a fab way to get over the holiday's are gone blues.
pss: Mister Lovee is a darned good Valentine, I shouldn't overlook that. He gets major brownie points. But, even so, it is still important to be nice to oneself, on any ole day for that matter ;)
Many of the same rituals as every morning, yet, it feels different.
Maybe because it includes boys who...
Crawl back into their beds...
Whilst I make curtains.
Then there's
1 o'clock lunch prep.
A rough cut of veggies for our lox treat.
It's funny, I take hundreds of everyday photos.
Lots of food pictures.
Like, the colors of my juicing pulp.
(Carrot and beet pulp make incredible colors)
So many photos of our day-to-day lives, and yet, I rarely share them.
I intend to.
(note the thick blond eyelashes, tee hee)
But time...
Time is a tough thing to wrangle in, you know?
So today, let's savor the layers of our Sunday eats, and some everyday photos.
Shall we?
(I took these a couple of Sundays ago, but we are having the same thing today)
Left over mashed potatoes and 4 eggs make incredible potato pancakes...
Topped with... (from bottom to top)
Sour cream (the real stuff).
(you can use cream cheese)
Avocados.
Vine ripened tomatoes.
Lox.
Red onions.
More sour cream.
And a dollop of caviar, for a hint of salty ocean goodness.
Oh and, don't forget a few capers too.
(I looove capers, but caper-berries freak me out, you? I once had a particularly bad flavored inner fleshy skin tone one, that scarred me for life. So, I'll stick to capers.)
This is one of my most favorite eats.
I could have it everyday.
After our nosh, I go back to my thing, and Mister goes outside to work on his things.
There is always somethig to do out there.
Our list is never ending.
So, when late afternoon rolls in...
I always make an afternoon delight pick me up for Mister.
(I do this on Saturday too)
A large cup of coffee, one package of cocoa mix, and some whipped cream.
Oh, and a dash on cinnamon.
(I always steal a sip or two)
He loves this.
He Mmmms while he sips.
(I got a few thriftventures yesterday, along with this shirt for Mister, which he has decided to use for working in the yard, but it's uncanny how it matches the mug)
And yes, he is always plugged in to NPR.
I should have never given him my walkman arm band thingie.
:)
Everyday photos.
Heartwarming.
Oh and, how about this one...
Miles begs Matty to break him out of his little room.
Matty is always on baby brother alert.
He even tugs on my sleeve, if Miles gives the slightest whimper.
Well, I better get back to work.
I was on a roll working on a project, and making curtains, and then, I got off track talking your ear, err, eyeballs off.
Sooooooo....
Off I go for now.
ps: Have you seen Blood into Wine? Do you like Maynard James Keenan of Tool (and A Perfect Circle?). I love that he has a winery in Az. And I loved the movie, it was funny too. I saw it a couple of months ago, but his winery and it's locale have been on my mind this morning. More about Caduceus Cellars here...
Mister Lovee is always such an amazing puppy papa, that I have been extra prompted, to be on super nice behaviour. At least, I think I have. You see, to add to his furry child goodness, he has been on all night puppy duty for a couple of days. He goes out of his way to make sure that I get a full night's sleep. So in thanks, I have been on my toes being the morning juice squeezer, coffee maker, baker girl :)
Oatmeal, raisin, almond and pecan cookies, right out of the oven.
Served up warm.
After I knew that Mister Lovee was enjoying his morning treats, I had a plan.
It was time for Sir Matty and I to teach Miles how to play "Jane Austen Lives." My invented version of Jane Austen times, come to life ;) (you may remember Matty playing here)
Let me preface these photos by sharing a bit of Miles' personality.
He is independent.
Fearless.
Tough.
Rambunctious.
Demands his freedom.
Yet, cuddly too.
And oh so lovable.
He is funny, and spunky, and interested in everything.
If he hears music, he runs towards the sound, and sits and listens in awe.
As for his role in Jane Austen lives.
He is more interested in say....
A role as a...
Tough and...
Fearless wrestler.
(complete with lots of growls and grrrrr's that make us giggle)
And so, I wonder...
Was there wrestling in Jane Austen's time?
We could invent a role for him.
Must ponder this...
(photo below borrowed from iofferphoto dot com)
Oh, btw, here you go.
Some for you ;)
Well, I suppose it's back to my wee project of fun.
Which first entails me organizing the mass amounts of stuff and junk that I own.
Yikes!
Does putting away holiday decor always lead to other organizational projects?
I wonder?
ps: Our lives are pure fur these days, hence the extra amounts of puppy photos :)
