Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day! I love sparkles and bows, pink and red, hearts and candy. I love the gaudiness of glitter and the excessive use of ribbons.  I even like preparing Wesley's Valentine treats! I mean I bought her present back on January 10th!

So each year, I first have to decide on a theme. Her first year in school (2yr old) I did felt conversation heart lollipop holders, that took FOR-EV-ER, and she only had 12 kids in her class that year! So  I vowed to take it down a notch the next year. And I did. For 2012 I did a fish theme. I made her a cute little fishy love shirt and Matt designed fishy valentines and we gave goldfish cracker snacks.

This year I let Wesley pick her own theme. It was hard for me to give up control, but I want to instill the importance of following a theme early, so I figured it was time. I showed her the blog post from last year, and asked her what kind of valentines she would want to give out this year. I was so sure we would be doing My Little Pony or fairies or princesses. But she quickly decided she wanted to do birds!

I started scanning Pinterest and my embroidery blogs for bird valentine ideas and we went with the tag line "How tweet it is to be loved by you!" And I bought a monogram design for her Valentine shirt.

This was back in January btw.

Oh how the time escaped me. This past Saturday I realized I have to actually act on all the "tweet" planning. So I started with her giveaway treats. I had decided to do heart shaped bird seed cakes. I mean what 4 year old needs more candy right? So I got heart shaped silicone muffin pans, bird seed and clear gelatin.

First you melt 2 packs of gelatin in one cup of water, as soon as it dissolves you can turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups of bird seed. I double this recipe and it filled 12 hearts. After you fill your hearts, stick a piece of a drinking straw through the top to punch a hole for the string you will tie in later to hang it on a tree branch. Then you put them in the fridge to set for 2 hours.

Here is my first batch.

You can kinda see the little heart imprint on the bottom.

I did a little less bird seed the second time around, because the tops of my heart crumbled a little in the first batch and I wanted more gelatin to seed ratio. And the second batch did turn out a little more "solid"

Adorbs, right?!?!

I was so proud of myself for getting it all done. After all 24 were completely hard I popped them into plastic bags to prepare to staple the valentine on top.

Then it was Sunday, church..nap..Grizzlies Game...prepare for work week...etc. So I kinda forgot to do any other preparing.

Then, in a blink, it was Tuesday night. And it hit me. Wesley's class was having a "Sweetheart Ball" on Thursday (V-Day) so she couldn't wear her shirt on Thursday, she needed to have it by Wednesday. Which at that point was 4 hours away. So after bedtime routine, I headed to the sewing machine. Only I had forgotten 1. I had not bought a shirt to sew on and b. all my thread was in the guest room where guests were sleeping. Mom FAIL. I started digging through my blank tee shirt reserves to see if I had anything that could work ( and would just sneak very very quietly for thread later) and guess what I found.

The Lord provided a bird themed Valentine dress! My sweet mother had found it at good will years ago  and it just had a few ripped seams (hence being in my sewing box). I stitched the seams up and ironed that sucker. Bird outfit, done!

I headed back downstairs to tie strings on the bird seed cakes and staple the bags closed. So pleased with myself for already finishing them days before. Oh the pride before the fall.

I went to get the bowl of hearts and this is what I found.

They had MOLDED!!! And SPROUTED!!! GROSS!! 

In three short days, there was just enough moisture in the jello and heat in the plastic bags for my hard work to spoil. 

I was so very depressed. By now it was almost 9pm and it took 4 hours to make 24 hearts, and I would need to go buy more gelatin :( I just couldn't do it. I was too tired. And scared it would only happen again overnight. So I threw all my hard work out, to the birds (literally) and instead bagged up plain old birdseed for the kids to spread at home.

Whomp, Whomp :( Mom Fail number 2!

None the less, Wesley took birdy Valentines, and wore a bird love dress to school the next day to prepare for Thursday.

And last night we played fashion show to pick just the right "ball gown" and put in our soft curlers to prepare for the big dance today.

And this morning she woke to find sweet treats, a Valentine unicorn, and sweet blonde curly hairs. 

And all is right with the world, with or without heart shaped bird seed cakes and homemade Valentine shirts!

Glamping Shower

This is very late, but back at the end of September my friends and I threw our friend Ashleigh a woodland themed baby shower. It was pretty awesome.

Here is the background on the theme. I always use nursery colors or wedding colors as a jumping off point when planning a shower. It's not always where I land, but it's a good springboard. So Ash's colors were peach, gold and cream. So I thought peaches and cream...but didn't get very far with that. Well, she also had an amazing set of deer antlers in her nursery for decor, and that got us thinking, woodland...rustic...camping...BINGO!

I mean she has two boys and a husband...so this sweet little girl on the way is about to be dropped into a boy scout troupe. But we couldn't make it completely a camping shower, cause this was about a sweet, precious, delicate little girl! Well, we had just seen the movie Moonrise Kingdom, the story of a girl running away with a boy scout and camping, only she is wearing a little pink dress, patent leather Mary Janes and carries a cute little suitcase. (Obviously there is way more to that great Wes Anderson film, but I digress.) Anyhoo, this became the theme. A rustic woodland camping shower with touches of soft peach and cream for sweet Emmylou!

So here are the pictures, which are all you wanted anyway.

First what I (ish) made:

The invite (Matt):

Then we Eliza, my most talented friend in the world, took the logo in the top corner and made a camp flag. You can't be at camp without a flag! (The wind was not really cooperateing for pictures, but you get the concept right?) And Phi mu friends, yes that is in the shape of a quatrefoil!

Next decorations:

Did you know when you turn your tension way up and sew streamers together they ruffle! Look at what's going in and then out of my machine! Sew easy! And sew cute!

All hung up

Then this sweet wreath I made by monogramming a piece of burlap and sewing it to a swatch of peach deer print fabric, then attaching it to a wreath with a satin peach ribbon, pretty self-explanatory.

I hemmed a little burlap and peach satin to make a quick table runner. BTW those are two most difficult fabrics to sew a straight line with, hence the bunching effect I went with, I mean...I did that on purpose...

You can never go wrong with a sweet baby clothesline!

A sweet notebook to write all the gifts in.

A deer head made completely out of cardboard. (Eliza, amazing I tell you)

Sweet woodland creatures scattered the table.

Since it was suppose to be a campout we had a lot of seating set up outside.

I forgot to take pictures of my homemade mason jar lanterns until it was dark...but just imagine lanterns strewn about the back fence.

Next the yummy food, that everyone else brought, you know I hate worrying about the food. 

Lara's grilled peaches with mint

Terrah's perfect shade of peach punch

Tarra's dipped marshmallows and "acorn" almonds

Jana's amazing s'more brownies, Ashley's peach cupcakes and Meredith's HOMEMADE macaroons!

Jessica's fancy pigs in a blanket

We also had trail mix and coffee somewhere in there. There was so much deliciousness!

Then it was time for gifts! Pictures of people opening gifts are never good, but I wanted to share at least one. Baby girl got several adorable things and there were lots of oohss and ahhs shared.

And that was our Glamour-Camping/Glamping shower! Another successful party on the books! We never did get a picture with the mom to be, we were having too much fun, but I think Ashleigh enjoyed it, and we all loved hosting it for her! Congrats on Peak #3!!

Happy Valentine's Eve Eve

Halloween is my favorite holiday, but lemme tell ya, Valentines is a close second. I love the decorations and colors. Which is one of the reasons I loved hosting Valentine's Bunco and making these 3D heart garland.

I also love coming up with Valentine's to give out, which for the past 3 years I've actually had a reason for, so it's been a lot less creepy.

The first year Wesley took paper, store bought Valentines. In fairness the kids in her class were just learning to crawl and mostly put everything they got in their mouths. So I didn't want to spend too much time on them,  just being honest.

The next year I had to redeem myself so I made felt conversation heart lollipop holders. TWELVE of them. By hand (read sewing machine, but still.) By the time they were done I swore I would never try to be "that mom" again. I was proud of them, but man that took a LONG time, for some 2 yr olds Valentines' (for the record I have no idea if I am suppose to make that plural or possessive, because there were multiples but the holiday is possessive).

So this year I had to find a balance. I wanted her treats to be cute and crafty but not take for-ev-er (Sandlot). Enter Pinterest. Yes I know, some of you are super over Pinterest. But just because it is overused doesn't mean the concept isn't awesome and useful. It does help you search thousands of blogs in one place and quickly fond DIY ideas. Moms, stay at home or working, have full time jobs that don't always allow for optimal, personal, original creativity.  I have some negative thoughts toward the Pinterest revolution too, but I shall save them for another post.

Back to V-day. Here is what we came up with  stole!

I loved this idea because it was not more candy. Three year olds do not need more sugar. And it was super easy. Especially when you are married to a ridiculously talented graphic designer! I did give in alittle and throw some conversation hearts in the mix. I liked the little pop of color it gave the bag. And you know I love a running theme. Conversation hearts may be Wesley's (whether she knows/cares or not).

I also made Wesley a shirt for Valentines Day. It had to match the fish theme of course : )

And one for Valentine Eve.

And one for our friend Macie Loo Hoo.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Final Christmas Craft

I know Christmas is over....but I wanted to share the cute teacher gifts I came up with stole from Pinterest.

Now that I have a kid, I must, from time to time, come up with adorable, creative, original, not too expensive teacher gifts for her 2 teachers and 2 teacher assistants at school. I have done gift cards, plants (Thanks for helping Wesley Grow!), ornaments and books. As a teacher I try to think of the things I actually like getting.

This year I found the cutest poem using the colors of M&M's to describe a great teacher. And this is what I did with it.

The letters are the teachers names, and the are ornaments as well.

I followed the theme for the class gifts as well, but they didn't get a poem cause they can't read. They just got fillable ornaments filled with M&M's, you're welcome fellow parents!

It think everything turned out super cute.

And that's the end of Christmas Crafts, now on to New Year:: New Windows......

Christmas Projects Part 2

First a confession: I do not have the decorating gene other women have. I can tell you what I like when I see it, but I cannot do it on my own. I must beg, steal and borrow to have any style in my home and wardrobe.

So it really stinks on the day after Thanksgiving because I am super excited about getting all the Christmas decs down and out and then I promptly get depressed because I have no idea where to put them. Matt has seen this happen like clockwork for 8 years now so this time, being the design genius he is, he gave me a great tip--pick one or two colors per area. OHHHHHHH so you don't just set out all your trinkets on every surface in your home? Got it. So I set out for Hobby Lobby with a plan, red, white, silver. Here's the thinking behind that color palette. I like traditional Christmas, red and green, holly, garland blah blah blah, and our dining room is green so if I stick to red with neutral accents it comes off Christmas, right?

So here are some shots of what I came up with, with lots of help from pinterst, better homes and gardens and my great husband.

Holiday card display.

 You may notice the ribbon is not straight, it was when there were no adorable cards....oh well, worth the imperfection!

Our tree. I love it, colored lights, all miss matched ornaments because each one has a story. This part I can do.

 Top of the piano

 Buffet (with Bixby the elf. Not part of the decorations I had just moved him there and forgot.)

Mantle in the livingroom, very simple, I like the Nativity to be the focus there.

What do you think? Ok? We are liking it : )

So speaking of decorating, late in November, I saw some really cute throw pillows on an end cap at Target. Like I said, I know what I like, I just can't think of it on my own. The pillows were just red with one white ribbon running over them, not a bow, just straight. We have 5 pillows, so at $11.99 that would really add up for something I truly didn't need. Then a few days later I was in Wal-Mart and they had red flannel on sale for 2.99 a yard! I have a sewing machine......

Before:

And after:

I am not confident in my sewing in a straight line skills, so instead I added a W monogram and a snowflake applique to the pillows. I also learned how to make button holes so I didn't have to sew in the pillows. I just sewed 3 sides and buttoned the fourth so in January the pillows will easily go back to normal. Total cost $7 for 4 pillows! They are not perfect, but they are mine : )