Valentine

I never used to make much of Valentine's day but then I started making and giving cards to the girls because after all they are the biggest love of my life and will always be, such as is the love bond between a mother and her children. So that is how I now see Valentine's day.
Last year me and Virginia were in Costa Rica and such was the excitement and marvel at being in that wonderful part of the world that the day went unnoticed; we probably spent it swinging in our hammocks, or swimming with pelicans or maybe exploring the jungle up to the waterfall taking pictures of toucans and electric blu morpho butterflies....

 But this year here we are and so, after much plotting and planning, I resolved to make two soft hearts, one each for the girls.
So here is the first one that I made for Amelia, well in advance so I could send it to Brighton (I haven't heard from her, I hope it hasn't got lost).
I cut it out of canvas-coloured linen, added a small pocket in madras fabric in which I put a tiny card with a golden heart and a question mark, and finished it off with some lace.

The lace is on the back as well, as shown here on the right. Then I decided to do a beaded decoration all around which took me ages, although I enjoyed it as it isn't something I do very often. I had bought the small beads here in London whereas the big ones were given to me by Tiziana and come from Murano.
I am very happy with the result, although the photos are not as good as I would like due to the fact that it was rather overcast and I had to use a spotlight, which is always better than the dreaded flash I suppose...
As soon as I have a moment I will take a photo of the other heart I made for Virginia and post it.
All you need is love...