Valentine Ideas #6

Here is something you can make for yourself this Valentine's Day.  It's beautiful, it's romantic, it's frilly - all things I adore this time of year.  And what's better, I had everything I needed; I didn't buy a single thing extra for this project.  Kind of like clean-out-your-fridge lasagna?  This could be called the clean-out-your-closet necklace. ;)  This project was inspired by this post over at Craftaholics Anonymous!

Here's what I used:

an old pearl choker circa 1980

velvet ribbon - black and cheetah print

an old damask pillow sham

button

scissors

needle and thread

And here is what I did:

I wanted my necklace to be a little longer, so I extended the pearl choker to 38 inches using the black velvet ribbon.  This will also allow me to wear it a little shorter/longer depending on my mood (I did not make a closure for the necklace, I am just tying it on for versatility). After measuring equal lengths of ribbon for each side of the choker, I sewed a folded edge on one end of each of them.  And then I stitched the ribbons directly to the fixings on my choker.  I got lucky and they happened to be about the same width as my ribbon, so it was very secure when I was done.  

Here comes the fun part.  Using a stencil (pre-drawn or even a cookie cutter would work), I drew and cut 2 slightly different sized flowers from my pillow sham (which has this lovely vintage look to it).  I layered them and puckered them in the middle ever so slightly, stitching tiny pleats in the center in the shape of an x or a +.  Doesn't matter, lol! (Small confession - I really hate giving tutorials *blush*)  This will give your flower a little dimension and sturdiness, as flat flowers tend to be floppy.  Next I made the center of the flower - I used velvet cheetah print ribbon.  I ran a stitch along one side of the ribbon and gathered it tightly until I had a circle, kind of like making a yo-yo. Then I secured that with a few stitches.  I attached my ribbon center to the top of my 2 fabric flowers, and pulled it all together using a spare button... by the way, am I the only one that saves those extra buttons that come with shirts?  Cuz some of them are really nice!  Lastly I stitched the whole flower to one side of the necklace, where choker meets ribbon.  And voila!  Something to make me feel lovely.

Enjoy!!!

Linking up with other great ideas at...

Valentine's Ideas #5

I have always loved mosaics.  There is something about breaking apart a picture into tiny pieces and putting it back together again that is fascinating to me.  Well last Friday night I got my chance to try my own hand at making a mosaic.  I was invited to go out with some friends to a place called Cafe Monet, where you can paint pottery or (as I was delighted to discover), make mosaics.  And they happened to have this perfectly Valentine-y shape available.

I thumbed through a book to get an idea of what kind of inlay design I wanted to do.  Of course I made my first time at this more difficult by coming up with a rather intricate pattern.  Of course.  That's how I roll.  We were supposed to have dinner afterwards and it was nearing 8:00.  I had run several miles that day and not eaten very much, still I was the last man standing and I am proud of how it turned out.  What we artists will do in the name of creativity!

Now the only problem is I am not sure where to hang it.

I will tell you one thing.  Mosaics are messy.  Especially the grouting part.  I saved that part to do at home, and it got everywhere.  Be prepared to ruin a towel or too, and maybe even a kitchen utensil.  And watch your kids around that grout like a hawk!

Valentines Ideas #4

The minute I saw these pom pom garlands at Tatertots and Jello, I knew I had to make one.  I believe the idea originated here with Pam Garrison, and they can also be seen on Heather Bullard's blog (I am SO making milagros next!).

  

These are so scrumptious, aren't they?  And make such fabulous holiday or party decorations.  They are easy to make, but time consuming.  That is partially why mine is so short.  That and because the space I am using it is tiny and I didn't want an overwhelming display up there (although I keep thinking it needs one more pom pom to balance it out, what do you think?)  But I see much longer ones in my future!

Here's what  I used:

coffee filters in white (can also use brown - cute!)
cupcake liners in silver, miniature size in white
kraft paper
photocopies of music (Bach's Air on the G String if you must know)
fabric
tulle
tissue paper
beads and pearls
scrapbook paper
glue
twine
scissors
crimping shears, if desired

And here's what I did:

I trimmed down my coffee filters to start with.  Then I matched my kraft, tulle and music paper to be about the same size (I was not exact about it).  I cut some tulle, printed tissue paper and fabric a tad smaller than that.   But I cut the fabric in a square shape with crimping shears, just to throw in some whimsy.  I also cut some black tissue paper into small hearts for the outer edges.  And I crumpled up my papers to give them a more ruffly, shabby look.

I started in the center with the kraft paper and built the pom poms outward from there, facing any prints outward so they could be seen from both sides.  I made mine symmetrical but any haphazard way would look cute and whimsical as well.  I layered 2 small black tissue paper hearts for each end of the pom pom.

Once your pom pom is "built", string it onto your twine 1 layer at a time.  I knotted one end (leaving a tail to hang it with), strung on a pearl or a bead, and then the tissue paper hearts, mini cupcake liner, reg. sized cupcake liner, on upward in size to the center piece of kraft paper.  And then I mirrored the same pattern coming down on the other side, to the layered tissue paper hearts and bead/pearl.  Knotted it again on that side.  I also chose to stagger paper hearts in between the pom poms using scrapbook papers and some heart shaped cutouts I had on hand, to make them sturdier.  I made ribbon tassels for each end using burlap, tulle and a polka dot grosgrain, and hung it up using some fun Eiffel Tower thumb tacks.

Here is how it looks in my niche!

Stay tuned for more fun Valentines Ideas!

Linking up today with:

More valentine's goodies to come...

But real quick I want to point everyone in the direction of my very good friend Tannie Smith's website (of Tann Design - just put her in my sidebar).  She is a talented illustrator and graphic designer.  She also does amazing website work - such fresh, artistic ideas.  And I don't just say that because I love her to death.  Tannie Smith did my logo for my photography website, which I also use as my watermark on my photos.  And I have gotten tons of compliments on it!  So if you are in the market for a creative logo or any other kind of branding, go here to Tann Design and check her out.

Valentines Day Ideas #3

My wonderful mother-in-law picked these ideas up at an open house at one of my favorite home stores, Belle Maison, in SLC a few years ago. They were all printed up with darling little vintage pictures on each page like this:

                                           

And it is full of charming ideas (from Tasha Tudor's All for Love) to make your child's Valentine's Day just a little more special . I refer to it every year!  Here's a synopsis: 

When her children were little, Miss Tudor used to create tiny little magazines, catalogues, and cards for her children and their dolls, and had them delivered in the mail! Miss Tudor reminisces: "Valentine production starts as soon as Christmas is over. It takes many hours to make the number of small valentines required for this special day. And, of course, each person and each toy character has to receive enough cards to feel warmly loved. Besides the exchanging of the tiny greetings, when the children were little, a whole celebration would be planned."

Such as -- Cupid's Tea:

To inspire you, why not have a "Cupid's Tea" the weekend before Valentine's Day for all your family members and close friends? The purpose: to create homemade valentines.

How about this -- Valentine's Day Breakfast:

Start off the day with an early morning greeting: "Good morning to you, Valentines. Has any sweet child been stung by Cupid's bow and arrow?" (Cupid has left a special old-fashioned valentine underneath each child's pillow.) Begin celebrating at breakfast with heart-shaped cinnamon toast and strawberry muffins with hot drinks served in heart-patterned mugs. Make the table bright with cheery red-and-white heart placemats and napkins.


Sweet School Supplies:

Slip a small gift in your children's book bag that they can use at school - perhaps a heart-shaped pad, pencils, pencil sharpener, or eraser. Also include a funny valentine from Mom and Dad tucked into their lunch, along with heart-shaped sandwiches (use cookie cutters) and cookies. Festive red-and-white paper napkins complete their Valentine's Day lunches.


Love this -- The Dolls' Tea Party:

After school there's a valentine tea party for all the dolls and stuffed toy friends who keep the children such good company throughout the year. Dolls and toys are, as you no doubt realize, very generous to those good children who take such loving care of them, so when the children arrive at the party, they're sure to find tiny foil-covered, heart-shaped chocolates and valentines waiting for them in the arms of their faithful companions.

My favorite -- Home Sweet Home:

In the evening, illuminate the dining room with candlelight for a family St. Valentine's Day party. At each person's place setting, have a gold-foil paper cornucopia pilled with penny-candy motto hearts, chocolate kisses, and pink mints. During dinner, tell the children the story of your courtship.

"Remember that family traditions require an investment of creative and emotional energy. Like enduring love, they are true affairs of the heart."  --Tasha Tudor

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So what are your Valentine's Day traditions?  Here are a couple things I've done each year.

Cupid strikes each of my kids while they are sleeping.  He leaves his stamp on their door and a special treat just outside their room.  Usually it is repackaged goodies like conversation hearts and other Valentine's candy... repackaging them is the fun part!  I use clear cellophane bags and include shredded paper, maybe some pink feathers, pearls, or gems for the girls, pirate coins for the boys, a homemade (personalized) doily valentine and the candy - all tied up in fun ribbons.  For instance my daughter is very musical, so her valentine would have sheet music on it.  This year I am also including with the candy a book for each of them.

Make a special Valentine's school lunch:

Inside a cute sack I put any variety of the following options:  heart shaped sandwich, red fruit juice, apples sliced into big circles with the core cut out in a heart shape, graham crackers/ tied up in shoestring licorice (some years I can't find it anywhere!), strawberries, yogurt with red sprinkles in a small reused spice jar for them to add themselves, and a sweet treat like these darling Little Debbie snack cakes.

I also make big heart-shaped sugar cookies with chocolate icing and red hots, or pink/lavendar icing and conversation hearts, for an after school snack. Here is my favorite sugar cookie/frosting recipes.

One year I put together a book of memories for my husband, with old pictures and funny captions, love notes, etc. I came up with one page for each year we had been married. Another year I made a big 3D heart of Hershey's kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

One of my friends leaves a trail of gems leading to little clues all over the house for her kids, sending them on a sweet little scavenger hunt.  Along the way they may have discovered that everything in the house (including the toilet water) has turned pink!

Look forward to hearing your ideas!  I know you have lots!