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!

Giveaway Today and Lovely Displays!

I am starting off the week with a giveaway. Today's cute little gift is from my Aunt Cindy. She is a professional seamstress, and she has even worked on ballets, theatre productions and movie sets (the most recent being High School Musical 3) and she is an expert at period costuming. She has a couple of Etsy shops, Twigs Boutique, hip and trendy clothes for kids and Twirls Boutique, tutus, and other girly things.

This navy blue crochet beanie has a detachable cream flower that can also be worn alone as a clip. It can fit a toddler, on up (it even fits me, though I have a little head!) To be considered for the giveaway, please check out one of her shops and link to your favorite item and why.

If you purchase an item you will get 2 chances to win! Just link back with the item after you purchased it for the extra entry.

Also, I have found some cute Valentine printable freebies for you to enjoy (don't forget to click of the images for a zoom view).

The first is HERE at the wonderful Fanciful Twist (wonderful shop and blog. And the second is here... I for the LIFE of me can't remember where I got this, so PLEASE if you remember or it is you, let me know so I can give a credit!



And wow, I found this uncredited image the other day of a little boutique, and I just had to post it, b/c it is gorgeous and inspiring! As a stylist, I always wanted to own a salon, that offered smoothies, salads and other goodies with a computer bar and pool table and of course, an activity room for weekly classes like yoga, karate, art, and other things, similar to the vision that Noelle Spa has created. However, knowing how difficult and stressful (though rewarding) running a high end salon would be, I would love to settle for a sweet boutique... one day. Here are some inspirational spaces.



And look at this space! Brown Eyes Blue is a salon/upscale boutique, read about it HERE.


Cinderella Window Display from HERE ps, go search Flickr for "Cinderella Display" and you will find some gorgeous images! This display reminds me of my college days. Our laundry room had a huge box for donation/junk clothing, and we always thrifted from there since they never collected the clothes. We once found a horrid vintage wedding dress and we hung it on our living room wall, to threaten the boys that came by I suppose to not mess with us!


Girly Chic Boutique in Indianapolis image HERE


Former boutique from Posie Gets Cozy


One last thing. I love to share treats, but my recipes/photos of such are not so nice. The treats we made this week were S'mores, by roasting the marshmallows on fork tines over a hot oven burner, not so fancy (but oh so yummy). So I am going to share these yummy Chocolate Orange desserts from April's Flowers, recipe found HERE!

Valentine's Day Decorating, Jewelry, Cookies and Crafts

Here is my little Valentine tutorial. I really wanted a more expensive topiary, but then I would of only had one, so I bought the supplies and made a whole set up for my faux mantle/decorating shelf. I kept it simple this time (for the boys) and I hope you like it b/c I know I do! I painted a wooden frame a creme color and added a pink flower and green vines. My candleabra project is HERE.


The hearts I just wound together, tied a bow and stuck it in foam and hot glued it to the bottom of my mom's vintage ice cream dishes. (The glue will peel right off when I need it b/c I used low temp glue). The foam heart I just used a pretty sage scrapbook paper, black marker for the words, glue, glitter, lace and a bow.

Isaac is turning into "a big boy", when people ask him his name, he says "I Isaac, big boy". And he loves to announce "I did it!" So, he helped me sprinkle glitter and arrange the hearts on this project. He has also been helping me cook, which has been nice, as it gets him excited to eat those veggies that he helped prepare. Here they are taking a cookie break!

SweetiePies Delights

Speaking of cookies, did you know that Etsy has a plants and edibles category? It's true. So, if you want to spend some dough (get it?) on some boutique cookies for your sweetheart (or yourself), check some of these out:

Sugar Cookie Couture

Whipped Bake Shop

Whipped Bake Shop

I am an Etsy seller mentor, helping other sellers set up their shops and such, and I met this lovely seller, Stacey of CreaShines. She makes unique and wonderful polymer clay jewelry and I just can't figure out why her shop hasn't taken off yet! So, I am doing my second artist bio, b/c really she's awesome and her stuff rocks for Valentines goodies, and even some non holiday jewelry too. I really had a hard time deciding which pieces to show you, so go and get you some!

"My name is Stacey Hines.

I was active duty military in the Navy as a photojournalist for over 4 years. I now attend art school at Ringling College of Art in Florida where I am majoring in photography. I'm learning the artistic side of photography to compliment my technical military knowledge of it.



When I'm not doing freelance photo shoots or working on school projects, I'm spending every moment of free time creating jewelry and accessories out of polymer clay! I then promote my items on the most amazing ecommerce website [for handmade/vintage goods]Etsy! My jewelry shop is CreaShines, but I am also working on my newest shop where I will be selling my photography at CreaShinesPhotos so please stay tuned!



The drive to be a designer is in my blood, my grandmother was a jewelry designer for over 35 years and I remember hanging out in her store when I was a kid, just staring at her beautiful fine diamond jewelry. My mother was also a photographer and I remember learning darkroom techniques as a kid and falling in love with it. Who knew that I would grow up and do the same things?"

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!