Heart Attack

So, here is a quick way to tell your family that you love them.  Each night, write a quick little note on the back of a heart and tape it to their bedroom door along with a Hershey's kiss.  Then, when they wake up, they get to read their sweet note and eat their sweet treat.  Plus, it adds some fun Valentines decor to the house!

Yes, my son left his wrapper taped to the door...kids!

I started on February 1st, but you could start anytime.  My plan is to go through Valentines Day.  My kids {and husband} have LOVED it, and it is fun for me to put in writing all the things I love about them!

Happy Valentines!

Love Day Decor

I LOVE decorating for Valentines.  I'm not sure why--maybe it's the pink, or the hearts, or the love, but whatever the reason, I just love pulling out my Valentines decorations!

 My I love you sign normally is in my baby's room, but for the month of February, it is going to be front and center on my mantle!  I love that this sign reminds me of my mom who sang me that song when I was little.

And check out the CUTEST thrift store find--this little heart-holding boy.  I loved it when I saw it, and look how perfectly it matches this cute little printable!  It doesn't get much better than that!

 I've seen lots of fun Valentines burlap banners, so I decided I needed to make one.  It was a super fast craft, and I think it turned out really great!

 The only small problem--the candy I put in a little dish.  My baby wants some CONSTANTLY!  Oh well.  The good news for her is that her cute little way of saying "treat" usually means I cave and give her one.  I guess it's okay to spoil her for the month of February, right?  Every little girl needs candy first thing in the morning, right?  Right.

Happy Love Month!  

Love Birds {TUTORIAL}

Okay, so I finally finished up a tutorial for these love birds.  Hopefully this will motivate you to go make some of your own!  Aren't they fun?

 

***Here is the link for the bird template that I used.  I did make it about 1/4" bigger (by just free-handing around the pattern) to allow for the seam.

DIY Cookie Stamp

Happy Valentines Day everyone!  I thought it would be fun to deliver some cookies to some friends, but let our kids do the cookie version of doorbell-ditching:  Leave the cookies on the porch, ring the doorbell, and run & not get caught.

I have this recipe for delicious ALMOND BUTTER COOKIES.  If you like almond flavoring, these are your kind of cookie.  The only problem--they are supposed to be rolled into a ball and then stamped, but I don't have a cookie stamp.  So I decided to make my own--and you can do it too!
All you need is a small piece of cardboard, a little tape, and some wax paper or plastic wrap.  Simply cut your shape out of the cardboard.  I did a heart.  Cut a piece of wax paper the same size.  Tape the wax paper to the shape, and then tape it to the bottom of a cup.  Here is your stamp.

Mix your dough.  Roll balls in sugar.  I added pink sprinkles to add to the Valentine feeling.

Stamp with your newly made stamp.

Bake and Enjoy!

Almond Butter Cookies
1 c. margarine
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
2 c. flour
1 tsp. Almond extract

Cream butter, sugar, & extract.  Add salt & flour.  Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.  Roll into 1" balls.  Roll in sugar.  Stamp.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Makes 3 dozen cookies.

I {HEART} YOU

I am loving that I am actually getting some crafting done these days!  I guess now that Christmas is over I feel like I actually have time to do some crafts.  Hooray!

 Here is a quick little Valentines Day craft.  All that is needed: Scrapbook paper & a sewing machine.

 If you remember way back, I made these cute little cards.  Well, I decided to do the same thing only a little bigger--and then frame it without the glass.  Super easy.  I love the 3-D effect of having the different hearts folded out.

 Oh, and to add a little something something, I stitched "love" down at the bottom with my sewing machine.  I like the detail (even if it's kind of hard to see on the dark paper).

Love.  Love.  Love.  Gotta Love it!

Valentines Banner

I threw together a quick and easy heart banner for Valentines Day.  I combined a couple different ideas I saw around Christmastime on Pinterest.  Here is what I came up:

 I used a paper grocery bag and cut out several hearts.  I also used a little Valentines scrapbook paper for one heart.  I distressed the edges a little with some brown ink.
Then I moved on to the sewing--I sewed around 60% of the heart, shoved in a little batting to give it some poof, then finished sewing it up.
Trim the threads and pin to some ribbon.
Easy, Peasy.

 I love what it added to my mantel!

Love is in the air! (okay, a little cheesy, I know.)

Rockin' it With The Kids

I did a little crafting with my kids this week--and they had the BEST time!  They are always wanting to help paint my projects, but let's be honest--that is not always a good idea.  Well, here is a project that they can paint without messing up.  LOVE ROCKS!
Simply go on a "Rock Hunt" with the kids.
Let them paint them whatever color they want.
Paint on hearts or other V-Day things.
Put in a jar.
Then, these rocks become a motivator to do a little service for family members.  We are using them to show our love between now and Valentines Day.  If we want to let someone in our family know they are loved, we can simply do a little act of service for them and leave a little "Love Rock."
Beautiful. Simple. Free.  LOVE!

Go give some one a rock!