funky finds for valentines

The man went shopping for my valentine’s gift today. these are some of the things that were on my “helpful list for the man”…  and called me 2 hours into it stating he couldnt find anything under $100. “thats right.” i said. “what i want cannot be found at the mall!”

do something different this year and find something sweet, unique and totally handmade for the love of your life. even if you dont care for this particular holiday, show yourself how much you care about… you.

Fat lady sings notebook $25 from grrraphics

Vintage Looking Roses + Hearts Box $12 from Enfantjolie

Seduction Soap $4.25 from Sweet+Tranquil

Raku Heart Pendant $9.99 from Martha Lynn

Dry Erase Memo Board (perfect for leaving little love notes) $6.50 from BlackLilyPie

Pretty in Pink Ring $12 from The Ardent Sparrow

Hugs + Kisses Long Sleeve Baby Tee $15 from PotatoPatch

Owl Snap Pouch $13 from The Needlings

Hedgehogs in Love $20 from Beneath the Rowan Tree

Live, Laugh, Love $15 from Leather Made Nice

Would You Love Me Cufflinks $25 from Block Party Press

Red Button Earrings $3.50 from 5 and Under

Peace Rose Necklace $35 from ForTheCrossJewelry

“Edward Has My Heart” Pendant $15 from Beaddifferent

Diamonds in the Rough, Wrapped Ring $95 from Kate Szabone

Rainbow Love $50 from InBloom Designs

Arrow Necklace $17 from Greenerica

what tells them best that you think of them everyday, every moment?

think love… not just lovely.

valentines workshop at The Art Studios

Drop into The Art Studios for their

SWEETHEART GIFTS workshop

Sunday, February 8, 2009

4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $15.00 per person **Register by Friday, Feb.6, and save 10%.

(includes your choice of Valentine’s ceramic, two hours of studio time, glazing and firing of your gift)

All items will be ready for pick up by Thursday Feb. 12.

(see their list of drop-in classes available here)

Valentines Tea Party

Oh martha has inspired me today!! these foldup valentines are oh soo cute, and i think i will try to convince my daughter to make these for her class (with my help too, because i cant resist today) imagine a tiny candy ties in the center… Mmmmm

Antique-Style Valentine :: marthastewart.com.

this one requires patience. admitedly it took me about 20 min to figure out because i kept jumping ahead thinking i knew what the next step was. it may not be what you think. follow the directions well.

Martha has also offered these lovely little alternatives to the standard white doilies

handmade heart doilies :: Marthastewart.com

I always wanted a little girl so we could have mini tea parties, and pink everything. believe it or not we have NEVER done that. so to make up for lost time i have arrange a mini valentines tea for my daughter, and a real tea for their moms. (oh what a pink + frilly day this will be) since i dont have pink tissue on hand i used pink magazine pages….and a few pink fabric scraps.

a few notes: when using magazine pages for the doilies, cut them square first. to create a circle of eight hearts i had to fold my square in four, then holding the folded edge towards me fold into a triangle TWICE. martha says once when using a napkin, but that only gave me four hearts with a standard piece of paper.

love, found… valentines gifts

photo credit Paula Hible for BHG.com

this heart trivet from better homes + gardens is a cinch to assemble. Twist three lengths of red jersey into one long braid, shape into a heart, then sew through the underside with a needle and thread. Braid enough white jersey to create a layer of white, and sew again. Create another red braid; continue wrapping it around the heart shape until the trivet has reached the desired size, then sew again.

to keep this along the recycled theme… use old tshirts or sheets… okay pillowcases (smaller) to craft this project

and pre-made printable stickers…

Printable stickers :: BHG.com

Print these on a full-sheet sticker page (dollarama) and then cut out to decorate cards, candy, and presents. Download the stickers here

Not a contest but still fun …and loving… and kind…

ETSY has decided to team up with Citymeals-on-Wheels to bring nutritious meals AND handmade greeting cards and companionship to thousands of homebound elderly New Yorkers. and they are looking to us crafty folk to provide the Valentines greetings …spreading that warm and fuzzy love feeling. everyone is special. and everyone deserves to know it.

There are two ways to do this. The first is (you guessed it) to make your own card or send in a vintage card from your shop and fill it out with a nice message. Please craft as many valentines as you would like and send them to us. Before you send them, you can also post photos of your cards in our brand new Special Delivery flickr group. If you don’t have time to make cards, you can buy them and have them delivered to us. The deadline is Monday, February 2, 2009.

BUT THATS NOT ALL!!!

Each Etsy member who sends a card (or cards) will be featured on a Special Delivery page that will be linked from a banner on the Etsy home page. When you send your cards, please include a separate note with your username and user ID number. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Read more of the post via Etsy :: Special Delivery: Share Your Love and add a badge to your blog

Of course i had to research a little inspiration…

Old Love :: whateverislovely by Becca Nelson

Bouquet Of Love :: dizzeelizzee

Love Heart from eyelets :: JenSea

Handsewn Hearts :: Nowvember

Sweetheart :: House wife of north oaks

….phew im good. and ready to go.

(i will post my idea–that im iching to get started–as soon as im done)

get yourself into glamourous handmade gear for new years

This is the only holiday that is immediately followed by another equally huge holiday. You have 7 days of breathing room to relax, clean up the house… and then smack-wham another celebration.

If you have found yourself with a little extra time, and are dying to add your personal handmade touch to your new years attire, check these out….

Make a Fastinator

Make Fabric Oragami

Make a Mock Tuxedo Bib

Make a Ruffled Party Necklace

Make Silk Flowers

Make an Osman Tie

all photos and links from Burdastyle.com

Jolly elves to brighten your day

Jolly Elves from Parents.com

What You’ll Need

• One whole chenille stem and half a stem
• Small and large beads
• Wooden face bead
• Small jingle bell
• Felt
• Glue gun and hotmelt adhesive
• Scissors
• Ribbon

Make It

• Hat: Cut a 1-1/2-inch-diameter semicircle from felt. Wrap the semicircle around from point to point to form a cone, leaving a small opening at the tip; hot-glue to secure.
• Scarf: Cut a 1/2-x-4-inch piece of felt; fringe ends with scissors. Cut a small lengthwise slit about 1 3/4 inches from one end for opposite end of scarf to pass through.
• Body: Bend one chenille stem in half and, in the following order, thread materials over the bent point to about halfway down the stem: large bead for body, face bead, felt hat, small jingle bell. Leave about 3/4 inch above the jingle bell and shape the stem into a loop. Then, starting on opposite ends: Thread 4 small beads onto each leg and bend the ends to form feet. Use the half chenille stem to make arms by centering and twisting around the elf’s neck area. Thread 4 small beads onto each arm and bend the ends to form hands. Wrap the scarf around the elf’s neck, then thread ribbon through the top loop and hang.