Thursday, February 11, 2016

Valentine Greetings

 by Shanna Hatfield

When I was in grade school, we always decorated shoe boxes or envelopes for Valentine's Day. Something grand, covered in glitter, was needed to collect all the Valentine cards we knew we'd receive. Hopefully, one or two especially wonderful friends might even include a piece of candy with theirs.

Oh, the giddy splendor of it all.

One year, the teacher held a contest to see who could create the best envelope. I labored intently over mine, coloring the cupid (inside the lines!) and adding glitter and red hearts made of construction paper.
I think it was working on that project that spurred my interest in creating cards. Hours would slip away while I worked to create the perfect card.

When rubber stamping become so popular, I jumped right into that phase, then segued into graphic design that allowed me to add or subtract elements until I had something that looked just right.

As I learned more about designing cards, my inspiration often came from a collection of old postcards we'd acquired from Captain Cavedweller's grandparents.

In one of their storage sheds, buried beneath piles of family treasures, we found an old wooden box full of postcards that were mailed in the early 1900s, mostly during World War I.



I've often pulled out the postcards and stared at their beautiful, bright designs, wondering what led the sender to choose that particular card or what the recipient felt when they received it.

I just love old Victorian postcards and greetings.

They seem so sweet and endearing - full of charm.


 I can just picture a cowboy riding into town and seeing a display of cards in the store. He might saunter over, spurs jingling against the plank floor of the mercantile, and casually glance through the selections. Would his sweetheart like one with birds, or perhaps roses? What message should it convey?



Do you have a favorite Valentine card? One that was so special you couldn't bear to throw it away?
Enter your response to win a digital copy of your choice of one of Shanna's books.


*~*


USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic  is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

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11 comments:

  1. Shanna-- I love old Victorian cards. How fortunate for you to have found a stash at your grandparents! I am envious! They evoke such an aura of the time when there was more restraint and civility. Thanks for sharing yours here. They are lovely.

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn! It's always fun to look through them - and read the messages on the back. They are so sweet and endearing.

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  2. Shanna, you and my boss and coworkers are all into cards and that creativity. I don't really have one I can't let go of, but enjoy looking and asking some of the same questions you did. Lovely post and love the cards. Doris/Angela

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    1. Thanks, Doris! They are fun to look at (and make, too!)
      Have a lovely weekend!

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  3. love the birds i have trouble get my name on here ,patricia rose

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  4. I love vintage post cards❤️ My best friend finds them and sends them to me. How fun to get them in the mail. For a moment you are transported back in time!

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  5. I remember these! Life was much simpler when I was a kid.

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    1. I think most of us could say that. :) Thanks for stopping by, Karen!

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  6. What a treasure to have found grandparents' correspondence from way back when. The messages written to one another must be beyond sweet--and give you a glimpse into their lives and hearts. Probably angst at the separation during the War. So precious. Thanks for sharing the images! I'm fascinated by the Victorian Era and American observations of holidays then. Thanks!

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