For the Love of Love

Emotions -- especially love -- are like Miracle-Gro for creativity. I don't care what all the nay-sayers think about Valentine's Day being another "Hallmark Holiday." Even if it's become a bit of that, the world needs more love and if folks have to be prodded and guilted into showing a little more compassion every February 14, I say hurrah! I suppose my only negative feelings about the day relate to the blandness of valentine postcards and greeting cards that are created these days. What happened to the delicate illustrations and tenderly diecut lace borders on cards? The delightful rhymes and fun-filled verses? Fortunately I can sate this longing with a few clicks and if you're feeling the same you should hop on over to these sites too:

• West Virginia University's Valentines Collection
• The Stock Solution's Vintage Valentines Art Collection
• About.com's Valentine Cards Collection
• HGTV's Antique Valentines
• St. Louis University's Samuel Cupples House Vintage Valentine Collection
• Tokens of Love: Lace Valentines Collection
• Indiana University's A Flowering of Affection: Victorian Valentine Cards at the Lilly Library
• A Victorian Treasury

And for good measure, brush up on your cupid day trivia over at The History Channel's History of Valentine's Day