Making Valentines~

The kiddos and I finished their Valentine's cards yesterday. For reals. I honestly don't think we've ever been ready this far in advance. Aren't you impressed? ;-)


But before I get to that...I had a lot of questions about how I applied the wrapping paper to the wall in my last post...I did it the same way as I did the first time (you can read about it by clicking the link about gift wrapped walls in the post) I used my staple gun. I just stapled the paper around the edges, and a couple of times in the middle. Because the space I was covering was relatively small, it worked like a dream, and it's easy to remove, which is important because this is a rental house.

Okey dokey, now on to the cards.


I saw this very cute idea floating around blogland last year, and mentally filed it away to use for this year's Valentine's cards.



So first things first, I took photos of each of the four kiddos with one hand extended in a fist. (They are wearing their Sunday clothes because I grabbed them right after we got home from church...not a bad idea...their hair was combed, their faces were clean, they looked presentable.)

Then I used Picnik.com to add borders and text to each.

I poked holes in each card at the top and bottom of each child's fist. And then the five of us had fun putting lollipops on each card by weaving the sticks through the holes.

Didn't they turn out ADORABLE?!? (If I do say so myself.)

And the best part is, they are completely, 100% personalized. No one else in their classes will have cards exactly like theirs. I love that.

Have a great day...

Go eat a lollipop.

A Little Bit of Valentine's~

I started to pull out the Valentine's Decor this weekend. I thought I'd get more decorating done, but it was one of those weekends where I couldn't seem to stop cleaning the house. Which is good, I guess. Clean houses are always nice. (Oh, and I found a magic way to clean solid surface kitchen sinks that I'll tell you all about later this week...I know you're just frantic to hear about it, aren't you?)


So even though I didn't get quite as much Valentine's fun out as I hoped I would, I decided I'd share a little bit of it with you today.


First up, my cute Vintage Valentine wreath. I was inspired to make this after seeing one on the Williams Sonoma website. If you'd like to learn more, I talk about how I created this little darlin' here.



Next, my Valentine tree. I used the same spray-painted-white branches that I had as my dining table centerpiece for Christmas. I just switched out the birds and book page ornaments for these pretty glittered chipboard hearts. I heart them. Yes, the pun was intended.

I filled one of my apothecary jars with some funny pink vase filler and a sweet little cupid pixie I made from a baby photo of the Princess. You can read about how to make my famous pixies here.

The other apothecary jar contains a sweet pair of glittered chipboard X and O letters.

And just so you know, I've determined that it is absolutely impossible to get a decent photo of this corner in my kitchen....so I'm apologizing for these less-than-stellar images.

Last year, we started a tradition in our little family of writing love notes to one another during the month of February...then reading them on Valentine's Day. I made this sweet little Valentine pouch for us to stuff the notes in. You can read more about it here.

Finally, I'm afraid this is as far as I've gotten with my mantle decor so far. One little heart (although it's a pretty little heart.) But I'll tell you a little secret as to why I haven't done more. I finally got so sick of the ugly fireplace stone, that I was brave enough to approach our landlords about painting it... and they said "yes"! Can I hear a "woot woot!"? So the hubby and I will be tackling that project this week. I'll post about it, of course! And then I'll finish blinging up the mantle with some Valentines-y goodness!

Even though I didn't get much up on my mantle (for very good reason!)...I'm linking to Beth's Valentine's Mantle party...hop over and enjoy all the Valentine's goodness.



Have a great day~

Happy Valentine's Day~

Happy Valentine's Day, my dear readers!!

Last Minute Valentine's Project~

With everything going on this week, I just realized that TOMORROW is Valentine's Day and I have yet to post my one and only Valentine's project I did this year. (Like I said, a lot going on right now.)

A couple of weeks back, I saw this darling PB Kids Valentine's pocket on this fabulous blog.

Photo from Blonde Design Blog

I decided that would be my Valentine's project for this year. But when I sat down to sew them up I discovered that my sewing machine needle was broken...and get this...I didn't have a spare. Nope. Nada. Sigh. What's a crafty mom in a time crunch to do? Enter big blue. My glue gun, that is.

I just hot glued them together. They didn't have any of the decorative stitching I had planned on, but they turned out cute just the same. And they literally took me 10 minutes each...including all the prep work. So even though I'm posting them the day before Valentine's day, you can still finish them in time. Really.

What do I plan to do with these? Well, I plan on having the family write love notes to one another and we'll stuff them in the envelope, and then read them at dinner on Valentine's day.

My sister and her family are here from California, so I made an one for them as well.

I sense the start of a nice Valentine's day tradition.

Happy Valentine's Day~

Hello February~

Can anybody tell me where January disappeared to? I blinked my eyes and it was gone. Seriously. Of course it may have something to do with the fact that I moved across the country, the hubby started a new job, the kids started a new school, etc. etc.

But honestly, it's okay with me that January is over already because I love February. Must be the romantic in me, but February always makes me nostalgic and a little giddy. So in the spirit of Valentine's day...I thought I'd share a few fun projects with you...


First up, this fun Valentine's wreath. Vintage Valentine's cards and glitter. What more could you ask for? You can learn more about how I made it here.

Next up, cupid...or close enough. This is the Valentine's version of my famous pixies...you can find the tutorial here.

And finally, a great craft to do with your little ones. Valentine's votives. Learn how to make them here.

Only 14 days before Valentine's day...

Have a great Monday~

Smitten~

I just love the word Smitten. Isn't it a great word? In honor of Valentine's Day I'm going to list some of the (non-people) things that I'm smitten with...or to put it in grammatically correct terms...with which I am smitten.

Burlap and feed sacks...

as upholstery...

as pillows...

Pillow by Marley & Lockyer

All white stairs....this is on my "to-do" list...

Mercury glass...and birds...(or both in one!)

From Vintageweave

The amazingly beautiful photography of Alicia Bock...

Solstice by Alicia Bock

The darling clothes from Felted Heart all one of a kind and made from recycled wool! Oh yeah!

Image from Felted Heart

Swedish Design...

Image from Lantlif

Typography (especially monograms and numbers...but you can tell that by looking at my Etsy store.)

Image from Lantlif

And all things French...ooh la la!

Image from Google Images
Just to name a few...
Have a lovely *heart* day~

Two LOVE-ly Projects~

I have been a busy girl this week! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, my "spare" time has been filled with LOVE-ly projects.



First of all, the Princess' kindergarten class is having their Valentine's Party on Friday, and they have been requested to wear something Valentines-y. In my book, that is an invitation to create something fun for her to wear. So I tried my hand at applique. A very long time ago, I asked the lovely ladies at Little Birdie Secrets for a tutorial on easy appliques...and they came through for me. So here is the link. It was actually very easy!And I love the results. (So does she...she can't wait to show up at school gettin' her Valentine on!)

Because we are on a budget this year (as everyone seems to be) I was looking for something I could do for the Hubby that wouldn't break the bank. Inspired by a couple of different things that I have seen in my blog wanderings, I came up with this little project...

I found a photo on-line of the building where the Hubby and I had our wedding reception and I played around with it on Picnik (if you are at all into photography, and you've never been to this site...you should hop over right now...don't worry, I'll wait). I made the photo a little more sepia-toned, softened it a little so it would look a bit more like a painting, then added the text. Then I just used some Mod Podge (yes, by now you should know that I have a bit of a love affair with Mod Podge) to affix it to a pre-stretched paint canvas that I bought a long time ago. So my cost for this romantic little gift...FREE!

Well, I'm off to put the finishing touches on the kiddo's Valentine's teacher gifts...a mother's work is never done. ;-)

Have a lovely Thursday~

A Little Valentine Project~

Early in January I found this cute Valentine wreath on the Williams Sonoma website.

Image from Williams Sonoma

But I decided I could make one I like even better (and save myself a little $$). So I set to work trying to find some vintage Valentine printables on-line. I had no luck until a couple of days ago when Heather Bullard posted some free vintage Valentines. They are so cute! So I printed them up for my wreath.

I didn't want to use as many Valentine's as they used in the WS wreath because I thought it was a bit "busy" for my taste. So I just used one of each. They made a circle just the size of one of my dinner plates. So I traced one out on some cardboard and used a small bowl for the inner circle. I cut out the wreath shape, and simply used stick glue to adhere the cards to my cardboard wreath.

It was very cute, but I decided that it needed a little something more, so I used some Mod Podge and glitter...of course! Added a pretty little bit of ribbon and VOILA! I just love it!

Happy Crafting~

A Blast From My Past and New Stuff for My Etsy~

While I was getting ready for the Taming Kid Clutter Linky Party (I'm taking the link down tomorrow, but there's still time to pop over and see all the great ideas) I ran across this image of an old desktop organizer on Vintage Indie. It made me almost laugh out loud because my dad had one of these on his desk all my growing up years. (He probably still has it, truth be told. ) It took me right back to my childhood. Isn't it funny how something as simple as a photograph can transport you through time?

Image from Vintage Indie

Now on to other things~

I have listed a few more pillows in my Etsy shop. They're really cuuute...even if I do say so myself!

I almost kept this one for myself. I just love that #5 in the corner.

This one is still a favorite of mine.


And I have to admit, I did keep one of these for myself. I just couldn't help it! (Wouldn't you like one too? nudge, nudge.)


Have a lovely Monday~

The Sweetheart Tree~

Okay, so in third grade we had a music teacher that taught us some of the most obscure songs imaginable. But there was one that has always stuck in my head... and I find myself singing it occasionally in spite of myself. It is rather sweet, and very applicable to the *heart* holiday. It's called the Sweetheart Tree.

They say there's a tree in the forest,
A tree that will give you a sign.
Come away with me, to the sweetheart tree
Come and carve your name next to mine.

They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,
The one you've been waiting for,
Big blossoms of white, will burst into sight,
And your love will be true ever more.

A little cheesy...yes. But here, my dear readers, is my sweetheart tree.

I took my glittery hearts, and added a little sheer cream ribbon. Then hung them on my thankful snowflake sweetheart tree. I left the little birdie there because he looked so happy sitting amidst all the glitter! I just love Valentine's Day!

I'm off to get some more pillows made for my Etsy...

Have a lovely weekend~

Snowed In~

Yesterday was a snow day here. So I had all the kiddos at home. It was a surprisingly peaceful day. Mr. One was very helpful with his little siblings. He babysat and entertained all morning while I tried to get some work done. But by afternoon, his enthusiasm was waning. Perfect time to break out the craft supplies, says I. So we all went to work. The kiddos created a variety of Valentine's inspired stick puppets. And I made some fun little glittery x's and o's. Well, really one 'x' and one 'o'...that's all I could finish between helping with the puppets. But everyone had a great time, and this evening the Hubby and I enjoyed a puppet show. (A very clever one, if I do say myself, that had the Hubby laughing out loud.)

And so many of you asked me after my Pixie Tutorial, how to make your pixies Valentines-ish, that I thought I'd share with you what I did. This little Cupid pixie is a break from my traditional pixies. I used some pink damask scrapbook paper for the wings. (I forgot to distress it before I added the glitter, so it's a little brighter than I'd like). Overall, I think this little Cupid is enchanting. Can you see the little heart-shaped arrow? Wish I could share my Valentine's tree with you too...but the hearts are still waiting to be hung.

"Why?" you ask. (Okay, I know you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway.)

Because I worked hard today on finishing up some more pillows for my Etsy. Oh yes, my dear readers, the opening is near. Really. I just have to get all the techy stuff done. So watch for my grand opening...and a giveaway in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!

Finally, another reminder...the Taming Kid Clutter Linky Party. Wednesday, February 4th. Please be there. It's going to be fun!

Have a lovely day~

Love Me Some Glitter~

I had some fun this weekend. My snowflake tree is in need a facelift for Valentine's Day, so I spent Sunday afternoon making some heart ornaments. The best thing about it was the fact that I sat at the kitchen table with Mr. One (My 8-year-old for those of you who have no idea who I'm talking about) who was working on an altered composition book. Yes, Mr. One is an artist. He was busy cutting and pasting Star Wars Lego figures to the cover. He has a sense of humor, that kid. When he showed me his finished product, he had given light sabers to a Spongebob character, and Patrick too. I just loved that we could sit there together and create. So. much. fun.

Here's what I came up with...

I just freehanded heart shapes onto some chipboard, then I cut them out, and decoupaged on some scrapbook paper. I used some distressing ink to give them a vintage-y feel, and to tone down the color, and then I glittered them all up. They turned out so cute...I wish you could see the glitter better...but I had to use "indoor lighting" (gasp!) so the photos are a little yellow. But you all are clever, and I know you get the idea. I'll have to take some pics of the tree when I'm all done. (Still have to make a few more hearts, I think.)

Have a lovely Monday~