While recuperating from hip surgery, I made Valentines for a few people. I think they turned out really beautiful. 
I searched for inspiration on Pinterest and saw a video on making an origami dress. It was reasonably easy. See here to watch. And decided I was going to use these dresses somehow.
Week before surgery, I gathered every possible supply I thought I might need… and then some. And waited patiently until the day I felt like creating.
I practiced the dress with just regular paper but used old dress patterns. I tried several sizes and decided on 4″-5″ squares. I roughly cut them out.
At first I planned on using hearts playing cards as the base but decided to use some old Valentines postcards I had. I used velvet ribbon for a belt and embellished with vintage millinery flowers or bits and bobs I had about.
I tacked down a bit of lace on the back of the Valentine postcard in the center so the receiver could pull back to see the beautifully scripted old Valentine.
The postcard messages are quite sweet.
I wrapped a red thread around the card representing the red string that connects us.
“For the Japanese, who know so much and intuit more, human relations are predestined by a red string that the gods tie to the pinky fingers of those who find each other in life. Legend has it that the two people connected by this thread will have an important story, regardless of the time, place or circumstances. The red string might get tangled, contracted or stretched, as surely often happens, but it can never break.”
And typed the words “be mine” with my old typewriter on old paper and added this to the card. 
I love wrapping up gifts in an extra special way, just a little bit of attention will make the receiver feel the love.
I punched out some heart shapes for confetti. I wrapped the postcard up in sheet music and tucked in a doily and confetti and taped up with fabric tape. 
I wrapped this with a larger doily. Touches of washi tape to close it up and on the envelope really tie it all together. 
Postage was 22 cents more to mail since they were raised a tad and required hand cancellation. 
I so enjoyed creating these. Each one was a little different as I used what I had on hand.
These have left 35803 and are crisscrossing the country to many zip codes and even one to England. My favorite thing is hearing from friends as they receive them.
Yeah, that’s the best part.
Hope you find time to make those you love feel loved.
Happy Valentines Day
Katey
The red string might get tangled, contracted or stretched, as surely often happens, but it can never break.”
My favorite thing is hearing from friends as they receive them. Hope these make those you love feel loved.
That’s a given!
Thank you Wes. Everyone has been pretty happy so far. :) katey
What a beautiful treasure from your heart to another’s! Hope your recovery is going well.
Thank you Martha. I appreciate your kind thoughts. I’m doing super great. (mostly) :) Katey
Your creativity, fueled by your loving heart, is boundless!! You continue to bless so many. God is continually glorified!! Love you dearly.
Mom, It was hard to keep this project a secret. I wanted you to be surprise. I made 3 dresses while still in my recliner that are no where to be found. I thought I would eventually find them but no. I’m sure they were pretty wonky since I did them early after surgery. Love you mom.
Katie, I continue to be amazed at your talent and thoughtfulness of others. Love your blogs. Somehow I missed you having hip surgery. Hope healing is going well.
Glenna, Thank you so kindly. I appreciate your sweet words. I am doing so well you can’t even tell I’ve had surgery. Gratefully so! Katey
i’m framing my precious (and hilarious) piece of art!!!!! i loved being a recipient – and i love the giver. xoxox
Nina, You need a frame with glass on both sides in order to recall those eyes!! Love to you and love our red sting story. Katey
You have such a talent! So precious! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you Inna. Yours should be arriving any day! :) love to you.
So happy & blessed that my pinkie is tied to yours with the red string, sweet Katey!!! Thank you, my dear friend. Happy Valentine’s Day, and like Nina B, I love the giver❤️❤️❤️
Lori, Thank you so kindly. Yes I am so glad our pinkies are tied together. Love to you. Katey
That red string! :) What a precious Valentine. You’re a treasure and I thank God for you. <3 I loved reading this post!
Julia, Thank you for your sweet comment. I treasure you too. Katey
The Valentine & story behind it has not only touched my heart, it has charmed me. Love the red thread background. Am thankful that our lives are connected. Am glad you are doing well, and appreciate your beautiful, thoughtful, creative valentine very much.
Thank you Jerry, I am glad our lives are connected as well. Your notes of encouragement have been so nice. Thank you. Katey
I’m late visiting here, but just wanted to tell you that these are so gorgeous and you are incredibly thoughtful. You definitely show love to all of those you interact with on the social webs. I’m glad you’re doing so much better, but impressed at how you used your down time very wisely and thinking of others. Blessings,
Karen
Thank you Karen, I really appreciate your sweet comment. It means a lot to me. katey