St. Valentine's Day 2013

I thought I was so clever with my wooden hearts valentine, and Gabe had to go pull this one on me...

Where does this boy come from?? The best part....girl scout cookie thin mints. Halleluiah! He knows me well. (Btw, do you eat them frozen or no?) But as always, my favorite is getting a hand written note from someone I love so much.

For the kids I made them something my mom used to make us growing up - eggs in a basket. They were more excited about getting to eat at their new little table:)

There's a reason I am blogging my Valentine: To remind you that chivalry is not dead, and that dating can continue when you are married if you decide its important enough:) 

K all the love and sap is over for the season-don't worry! 

We are celebrating Gabe's b-day tomorrow and I now need to step up my game...geesh. 

Time to scheme..

Happy Valentine's Day lovers!

Wooden Engraved Conversation Hearts {DIY}

Once you start burning wood you can't stop. It gets addicting. I went through a whole pack in ten minutes.....got a little carried away I guess...

You can pick up a pack of wooden hearts at Hobby Lobby or Amazon.

The wood burner is from JoAnn Fabrics.

You can wrap them up in small vellum envelopes and tie with Bakers Twine.

Its very easy to use and makes for a fun way to make conversation hearts that will last for keeps;)

For the rest of this season's v-day DIY's check here.

P.S.  A huge thank you to Design*Sponge for including IHOD in the best of Valentine's Day DIY's!

Cartas de Amor

Do you save hand written notes? 

I used to save boxes full from sisters and friends. 

When Gabe came along, I saved every note he ever wrote. He was a note writer, and it made

me swoon. He can still make me blush with notes, and as simple as they may be, I am thankful for them. They now make a binder full that we can show our kids one day (and they can make fun of our college photos). 

This is why I love that Jen of Made By Girl put together a special V-day edition of "Cartas de Amor."

The issue is filled with Sweet ideas for Valentine's Day and many bloggers are sharing what their favorite love note received was and why. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did! (I read every note - such a sucker for real love.) If you actually want to read the note Gabe wrote, you will have to check out the issue yourself;)

"CHEWS TO LOVE" Gum wrapper printables

CHEWS TO LOVE:

Ingredients: Courage, Action, Resolve

Long Lasting Flavor.

Nutrient Facts: Serving Size: 1 Chew, Percent Daily Value: %100

Chewsing provides daily nutrients for the heart, protects it from invasive vices, and improves the environment. Chews Carefully.

^ This is all contained on the printable wrappers, which print three to a page!

It's a fun alternative valentine to gift to guy and girl friends alike, and offer a little inspiration to their  week:) Print the wrappers here.

*Print on cardstock for best results!

For other V-day ideas, check out recent DIYs.

To see the three current giveaways going on over on the fan page, visit here!

{Heart of Hearts}: Mini Valentines Day Party

Edible Valentines: Package and Present

Written and created by my sister, Maria.

If I had the gift of a beautiful voice, I would deliver musical telegrams to my friends. Well, maybe. I wish I had the gift of music to be able to play an instrument for my kids, but I don't have that either. Sometimes I wish I had the gift of touch to give stellar massages to my husband. Negative. I peeter out for lack of hand muscles and attetion span.

However....

I can make treats and sweets and wrap them up pretty. MyValentine gifts to my husband, my kids, and my friends are usually edible. So, here are a few simple heart themed delights, that are spruced up and ready to be delivered to a doorstep, desk, or date.

FOR FRIENDS, SISTERS, TEACHERS, AND 
CO-WORKERS:

OREO CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

36 oreo cookies, finely crushed (approx. 3 cups)

16 oz. Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Red sprinkles (I found candy confetti lips and hearts.)

Directions:

Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.

Shape into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate, top with candy confetti, and place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. 

They are divine!

(Adapted from this recipe.)

Package: Cellophane treat bags, Raffia(Red or Chocolate), Heart Punch, Tag Punch, Stamps and Cardstock: Stampin Up

FOR PLAY DATES AND CLASSMATES:

"A Little Yummy For Your Tummy" Treat Bags

I hosted a Valentine Playdate (which was really an excuse to bake and do valentine crafts and pretend my kids wanted to do them). These are simple sugar cookies with pink icing and sprinkles. (Must give credit to my daughter, Christiana, for the decorating.) Add a simple tag and ribbon with the phrase: "A little yummy for your tummy."

What you need: Decorated sugar cookies, cellophane treat bags, cardstock, ribbon, and stamps (via Stampin Up or Etsy)

FOR YOUR LOVE:

Make: Make a batch of the last recipe I shared, Go Go Granola and get ready to gift. Maybe unconventional and unromantic, but every guy loves homemade treats....so I take that back, it is romantic...

Package: Cellophane gift bags, Raffia 

gift box (Re-used Christmas gift from Anna ;)

I think I love Valentine's becuase it's a great excuse to package and bake and add some color and life into the dead of winter. Gifting, giving and sharing always makes my heart a little happier.

Happy hearts ♥ Maria

My Food Philosophy: Because the effort to make good food is a gift to those around me, it's happy memories, togetherness, the living part of life.

Make: Mini Package Valentines

Let's admit it, you either love or hate Valentine's Day. 

Before I even had a lovah, I enjoyed this holiday simply for the handmade goodies my sisters and I would exchange and seriously the best candy options of the year (next to Easter of course).

Valentine's Day is exploding over here. When you are a blogger, holidays come early so that you can share the fun ideas in time for your readers to get a hold of their own supplies;) Hopefully my sisters aren't viewing this post...

Supplies:

Mini Envelope Pack (similar)

Red and White Twine

Felt Hearts (similar) 

Candy confetti (grocery store or etsy)

White Mini Clothespins

Love Stamps (now available at your local post office)

I found most of my supplies at Hobby Lobby but have linked to places you can buy online!

You can really stuff whatever surprises you feel like in these little packages.

If you need more Valentine ideas, you can find more here.

I have a week of fun heart themed ideas and giveaways coming your way soon, so hopefully you are on the positive side of viewing this holiday;)

Love, Anna

DIY Wine & Cheese for Two Feature for Design*Sponge + 3 Valentine DIY's

Completely honored to have a DIY feature for Design*Sponge. One of the very first blogs I started to follow, and a long time favorite:) You can check out the full DIY for this hand stamped Wine & Cheese for two set here.

Here are three fun and fabulous Valentinte Projects and touches to get your creative minds going:)

1. Pinterest via Oana Befort

2. Sweet Muffin Co. via Pinterest

3. via Modern Crush

Also, on the topic of love;)....have been completely amazed by some of the Spread the Love posts I have been reading. Totally uplifted by reminded how many good people there are out there. I needed that this week! Go see for yourself!

DIY: "You are a Gem" Valentines

I like to call my good friends and family "gems" because they are hard to come by, and they are of much value:) I thought this was a fun way to let them know...

Materials:

Cream and Red cardstock (linen is a nice touch)

Super Glue

Flatpost Earring Findings

Rhinestones (8-10 mm)

Mini Envelopes (find some here.)

Ribbon (I used a canvas ribbon)

Letter stamps and pad (optional)

Instructions:

1. Attach rhinestones to flat base earring using super glue or jewelry glue. Let dry for at least a few minutes.

2. Stamp or write your words on the cardstock. "You are a gem." or "Gem of a friend." Cut the phrase out.

3. Cut flag bunting shapes out of your red cardstock.

4. Glue the phrase to the flag shape and insert a pair rhinestone earrings on the ends.

5. Insert into mini envelope packages and tie with ribbon!

*You can purchase sterling silver earring bases and real rhinestones to upgrade the quality and for friends with metal sensitivities!*

Hope this helps with Valentine's Day ideas for you. Who said Valentine's are just for lovers? ;)

Happy day!

UPDATE: Another option is to buy a pack of rhinestone earring sets to use instead of making your own.(I found a good size pack at H&M for 6$)

DIY: Message in a Bottle

Will be sharing with a few DIY's in the next few weeks that will hopefully help with your Valentine's Day this year:) This Message in a Bottle doesn't have to be only for the romantics. The fun thing is, whoever you give this too has no idea what's written on the note, so you can make it as easy or as challenging as you want to get to;)

Supplies:

Small Glass Bottle (Found mine at Hobby Lobby for 2$)

Confetti (any kind)

Paper

Coffee

Paint Brush

1) Place the confetti at the bottom of the bottle (because confetti makes everything a tad more fun.)

I am pulling out an old trick I learned in school to instantly age paper...

2) Wet both sides of your paper with coffee (I used a cream cardstock), and place in the sun to dry.

This will curl up the edges. I did a second coat just around the edges for extra effect.

3) Write your note, roll it up, and place in the bottle.

 You can always add washi tape around the bottle, do sprinkles instead of confetti, stick a rose in the jar along with the note, etc. Personalize it the way you think your loved one will most enjoy:)

Here are some additonal Valentine DIY's you can find from the past few years:

Playing Cards Valentine
Be Mine Box
Printable Envelope

P.S. Thank you for helping me vote on a new header! The new one will be revealed up on the blog tomorrow!