Homefront: Valentine's Mantel Decorating

I shopped a 90% off Christmas sale recently and got tons of berry garlands and goodies for next year. So, I thought I would try and use some for my Valentine's mantel. I usually keep them fairly tame, like those from 2011, 2010 and 2009... but I really wanted to throw some pink fluff in this year. 

 

All I bought for this craft was the pink felt heart for $2. Everything else I had around the house, and it became this:

See? All it takes is a little bit of ingenuity, hot glue and random supplies to make something cute. That center heart is just a simple pipe cleaner. You can buy the jewels at craft stores, or order them from me here in silver or an assortment of colors!

This heart I made a few years back was cute, but I wanted to glam it up and pinkify it to match my other heart. I used red nail polish on the black outer edge and pink glitter.

 She's all new and pretty in pink.

 

Yes, my IKEA Expedit bookcase makes a perfect "mantel" for decorating, since I no longer have a fireplace. Hmmm... do you think I should have added more pink or red? (My husband firmly declares, "No.", though men can still like pink.) What is your color of choice for Valentine's Day?

 Here, I used simple flower vases with Valentine's socks pulled over them.

My shabby green candelabra I painted a few years is still going strong, and getting more shabby chic by the year. She has lost some prisms, so I have to do some replacing.

This is a vintage letter/napkin holder I got for .50 cents at a garage sale. I gussied her up with some ivory paint, than dry brushed her with a pinky red, (my tutorial here). Actually, I may have made the paint a little milky by adding water, but basically the same technique.

 Love this print, by The Black Apple.

Homefront: Plants and Pixies

This leaf is shaped like a heart. LIKE A HEART! adorableness.

Our lawn is crunchy and brown in most places, but at least I have some very drought resistant hedges. And since I am lethal to any house plant that enters my abode, these bush trimmings make for a dandy fresh, no guilt it it dies plant. And, it lasts for well over a week or two, just add water as it evaporates.

 Select cuttings with nice, crisp, green leaves and several little branches for fullness. Remove any leaves with brown spots, cuts, bird poo, spider webs... and the lower leaves that would otherwise be rotting in the water.

I love my thrifted urn. $2 or something.

I like to stack things on books. Especially awesome vintage books with charming illustrations and titles. Like my, They Marched with Spartacus (amazing cover, why didn't I photography it?) and Pound Foolish ones.

This little elfin pixie boy was found with my mom at my fav. antique mall before I moved. He is clearly vintage, I'm thinking 40's? It is only stamped with it's place of origin, Japan. I've seen this collection once online but do not know anything about them. Does anyone know?

I love these polka dot curtains, $5 at Home Depot on clearance. I wish they had an army of them, to add in our living room, but this was the last set.

What a cutie patootie.

Heart to Heart

bokeh brush kit by tc-wiz-ane

Pretty, isn't it? I'm going to figure out a way to achieve this bokeh effect on my own. If you have a fancy schamncy camera, then go here to do it on your lens (and read the comments, they are awesome), or here, photoshop has bokeh brushes, but I have neither, nor do I have the ability to understand opening zipfiles. Stay tuned to see what I come up with, using my trusty ole picnik!

Homefront: My Paper Valentine

 

I put my 4th "A" on my Christmas wreath. We have an A for each of us, so I need to hunt down another!

   

This little "love" sign is just 2 pipe cleaners shaped together. Easy, fun and cheap. You can see my mantle last year, I added a feather boa, a few extra goodies and some red Swarovski crystal and vintage glass hearts for some extra color and sparkle. The display looks off to me, but I am satisfied.

 

  

The white paper doily heart garland has just been tied loosely with white string.

  

I love this archway. A few strands of taped white doily hearts hanging from string make a sweet, inexpensive garland. The simple and pretty garland adds a bit of modern and airy romance to an unexpected space.

   

 

Whether you are single, in a "complicated" relationship, or ready for a romantic adventure, may you know that you are loved on this Valentine's day! Oh, and watch this little video with your sweetheart, family or friends for a heartwarming, special message on truly loving another. It is a little excerpt but the full talk can be seen here, or read here in it's entirety.

Red and Turquoise {not so} Valentine's Amazingness

valentine handformed paper mache' folk art valentine crows- indigo twin

It is still winter, and Valentines is right around the corner, yet I still haven't come to terms with Christmas being over. So many things I didn't have a chance to do, but that's life, and my blog is my happy place, so here it goes. This post is about marrying holidays and  taking something gracefully from one season, to the next.

jen johner blog pom wreath

 I'm a sucker for wreaths, and one that can transcend time and theme makes me weak. Originally a cheerful Christmas wreath, this can be remade in different colors for any happy occasion or season of the year. Tutorial on making the yarn poms poms HERE. Once the poms are made, just glue, tie or wire them on, and top the wreath with a bow and ribbon for hanging

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gingerbread house perch treats tutorial - not martha

Whilst gingerbread houses fall in the Christmas season, a warm and happy home is a year round goal. Add a little heart candy to the rooftop for a Valentine's sweet, or pipe on their initial, and give your special someone a warm cup of cocoa.

*psstttt... my dear aunt (the one who made my slipcovered pillows) started a blog. She's a very hardworking mom to 5 children and a pro seamstress that makes the most delicious children's clothing and pinafores while  she is not working on costume design. Check her blog out at Twigs Kids!

Reds and Frosty Hues

I thought I would showcase some of my favorite things for you all Christmas shoppers.

The sweet candy cane heart photographic art print above by zuppa artista is so... pretty! Though, I only like candy canes as decor, or as hot cocoa stirrers!! (try it, it's lovely and delish)

This little red elfin pixie hat from talk to the trees is so tempting, and a steal for only $18! (ps, she is super sweet and her wolf ears are awesome too!)

Love the ethereal feeling of this "time to dine" photographic art print by lola's room

Have you seen the gorgeous artwork by Candace Jean? Well, now you have!

Yes, stacking rings, I love them all, but this Dainty Parnassia set from Pearl Everlasting has a hint of sparkle.

These sweet little  Cottage Love earrings are made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia! I love the way the photograph turned out!