DIY Scratch-Off Valentine Cards

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Tonight for our weekly activity for the young women at my church, we made scratch-off Valentines cards. I have seen DIY scratch-off card ideas circulating around pinterest a while back, and thought it was the cutest thing, which is not surprising at all due to my love for the lotto. 

The cards were surprisingly very easy to make and only required a few items:

1. Acrylic Paint (I used silver, but any color can be used)

2. Dish Soap

3. Pen

4. Small paint brush

5. Card printed on cardstock

6. White crayon

After you have all the material, you will be shocked at how simple the process is. 

1. PRINT: Print card design on cardstock (see my designs below which can be downloaded).

2. WRITE MESSAGE: In the hearts that will be scratched off, write sweet things for your Valentine with a pen. In my case I offered small acts of service, but it can be anything...be creative. Warning: Before you move onto the next step make sure the ink is COMPLETELY dry. A thin Sharpie may work best, but not necessary.

3. CRAYON: Cover message, and where ever the scratch-off area will be, completely with a white crayon. 

4. MIX PAINT: Mix two parts acrylic paint with one part liquid dishwashing soap. You don't need a lot a little bit goes a long way!

5. PAINT: Paint mixture over the area that you covered with the crayon. You will need to be very liberal with your your application, as the wax from the crayon will act as a repellent. I applied very thick amounts of paint on in a dapping motion. You can also repeat this process once it has dried.  If the paint appears bumpy or uneven don't worry because when it dries it will be perfectly smooth. 

6. DRY: Due to the thickness of the paint and the fact that the paint can't be absorbed in the paper, the valentine will need to dry for about 1 hour before it is completely dry. 

7. SCRATCH: Provide a penny for your Valentine to scratch off their personalized message that is just for them. 

Click here to download PDF.

Click here to download PDF.

Click here to download PDF.

Graffiti Wall {FAILE}

The "Graffiti" Wall in the East Village, at Bowery and Houston Street, changed again. I really look forward to this change to see what amazing art work will cover this massive space. Pat went on a bike ride earlier this week and saw that the wall had changed, so we went as soon as we could. I was excited for another photo opp and to continue our tradition of taking pictures in front of the wall. Since moving to New York City about a year and half ago the wall has graced the art work from Barry McGee, Kenny Scharf, and now FAILE.

FAILE is a Brooklyn based artistic collaboration between Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. Since its inception in 1999, FAILE is known for their pioneering use of wheatpasting (a liquid adhesive made from vegetable starch and water) and stenciling in the increasingly established arena of street art. They are also known for their explorations through combining a fragmented style of appropriation (adopting, borrowing or recycling aspects of man-made visual culture) and collage.

 
 

I think this is one of my favorite art works on this "Graffiti" wall so far. I know there have only been two others since we have been here, but I really loved the comic style with the bold outlines and dramatic color changes. It is always very impressive to see art work on such a massive scale.

I love this wall.

"Gotta have faith" -George Michael

Recently, I have been asked to work with the12-18 year old young ladies that go to my church. In accepting this responsibility I plan and participate in uplifting activities with them once a week, help them plan and accomplish spiritual goals as well as build and enhance their talents, get to know them, and give a lesson on various religious subjects once to twice a month.

Today I gave a lesson on faith and more specifically having faith in Jesus Christ. A broad subject for sure, but probably the most important subject to discuss and learn about not only for youth, but for every single person. We discussed a lot about how faith is an action word and how it requires us to do something in order to receive, maintain and increase our faith.

In preparing, I came across a speech given by Richard G. Scott, one of the 12 apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of later-day saints. Since the Mormon church is literally the same church that Jesus Christ created when he was on the earth, it follows the same organization Christ established, including having 12 apostles.

The speech touched on many of the principles of faith I wanted the girls to understand and practice in their own lives and the above quote said it all.

A few weeks ago I saw a quote on my friends blog, I loved the quote but I also loved the design. So, because pretty things are so much nicer to look at, I took the faith quote I liked from Richard G. Scott's speech and modeled it after the design of the quote on my friends blog to give to the girls so they can remember and apply what was discussed during class into their lives.