Bunny Cakes

Quilled Hearts - Updated Valentine's Ceiling Love

Somehow I misplaced our Winter Ceiling Love (felted polar bears and snowballs) along with the Valentine's Day accessories so I had to come up with something new this year.  As soon as I saw the quilled heart kit in Paper Source I knew I had found my replacement. 

I decided to pass on the kit and make the hearts on my own.  I bought three sheets of scrapbooking paper (12 x12): 2 red and 1 pink.  I cut the paper in strips about 1.25 inches wide (the width of my ruler) and 12 inches long.  Then I folded all the strips in half.  Finally I used a long screw driver to tightly roll the edges of the paper strips inward to create hearts.  After all the hearts were complete I strung them on red and white baker's twine.  To do this, cut a tiny triangle in the middle of 'V' part of the heart.  String the twine through and knot where you want the bottom of the heart to rest (you may have to do 2 or three knots depending on how big you cut your triangle.  Finally use double-sided tape to keep the lobes of the heart together.

-K

Happy February!

February is here!  I love all the pinks and reds that accompany February.  I wish Valentine's Day was at the end of the month so we could enjoy all the hearts, blushes, fuchsias and flora longer.  What's your idea of the perfect Valentine's Day gift?  Mine?...an exquisite arrangement of flowers presented with a lovely tray of French macarons. Have a wonderful month!

Sources (starting at upper left going clockwise):  Heart Whoopie Pies from Williams Sonoma; Flower arrangement from Martha Stewart Weddings; Pave Posy necklace from Kate Spade; Treat Boxes from Martha Stewart Crafts; Sweetheart candies; V-Day stamp from Paper Source; Heart Sprinkles; Macarons from Laduree; Valentine's Day craft tape from Martha Stewart Crafts; Flower from Martha Stewart Weddings; Lexington purse from Kate Spade.

-K

Penguin Valentine's Day Treat Holder Cards

The boys and I are still deciding on what they will pass out this Valentine's Day to their classmates.  For the last four years we have designed and made our own cards, but I was beginning to wonder if I was forcing my craft upon the boys.  When I asked them if they wanted to do store bought cards this year, they looked at me like I was crazy.  'No, Mom. Why would we want to do that!?! We always make them.'  Their response definitely made me smile.  When I then asked if they had any ideas for this year, C$ suggested featuring his favorite stuffed animal, Waddle Do.  Waddle Do is a cute little penguin he won at a boardwalk carnival game over the summer and seemed like the perfect subject for a Valentine's Day card.  We added a festive cupcake to the card and the line, 'Wishing you a Sweet Valentine's Day'.  All Valentine's Day cards go best with a treat so modified the format of the card so it could be folded to hold a little something sweet.  If you would like to make your own cards, here is the link: Download the Penguin Valentine's Day Treat Holder file.

The inspiration for the card, Waddle Do...

 

Steps for making the treat holder cards:

1.  Print card, then cut around edges.  Use a corner punch to easily round the corners.  Fold card along the guidelines (thin gray lines).

2.  Align the top of the front and the top of the back.  Then using a hold puncher, punch a hole through the front and back the card.

3.  Put both ends of your ribbon from the front to the back of the card.

4.  Pull the ends of the ribbon back through the ribbon loop (on the front of the card) to create a knot.  Then slide in treat.

5.  Distribute to your friends and secret crush.

-K

Personalized Valentine's Day Cards

Healthy living and organization dominate my New Year's Resolution list.  I have 14 items on my list.  I know it sounds like a lot, but I feel very energized to make some positive changes in my life.  About half the items on my list focus on organization.  I want to be more organized so I can get things done faster and easier and ultimately get more done.  For example, I have already designed and printed out my address labels for my 2011 Christmas cards.  So now when Christmas rolls around and I am working on a million projects, the house is a total mess and I have tons of shopping left at least I have one thing less to do and just maybe I will get my cards out on time.  In that line of thinking, I am making my *Personalized Valentine's Day Cards* available now via my Etsy shop so you can get a head start on Valentine's Day.  There are currently 4 designs to select from, but hopefully I will be adding a few more soon.  For $4.50 you get a downloadable PDF file with the design and name of your choice.  Of course you can always download the cards for free and write in your name.  Here are the links to the free downloads: zebra cards, sweetheart cards, love big, playbill cards, 'love is all you need' and the newly added penguin treat holder cards.  

-K

Valentine's Day Delivery

With all the snow we've had *The Boys' Valentine Exchange* was postponed until this week, which meant yesterday my craft room was knee-deep in ribbon scraps, cards, lollipops and cello-wrapped brownies.  This picture of the table in my craft room says it all.  Needless to say, it was the perfect way to spend President's Day.

The gift bags for the teachers were decorated using last year's 'Love Rocks' stamp.  I love how bold the red stamp looks on the white bag.

-K

Family Valentine's Day Dinner

This year for Valentine's Day instead of scurrying around last minute trying to figure out where to have a 'romantic' dinner (with the kids), we had a nice *Family Valentine's Day Dinner* at home with another couple and their two-year old daughter.  It was a relaxed and causal dinner with just a little more fanfare than usual because it was Valentine's Day after all.  The husbands cooked up delicious tuna steak skewers and I contributed veggie couscous to make a surprisingly yummy meal.  For dessert we had a (store-bought) vanilla cake and (made from a box) heart-shaped brownies.  Even though it was V-Day the table didn't have any flowers on it, instead the dessert, Valentines M&M's and little plastic hearts (from Michael') gave the table a festive look.  Finally, each place setting had their own shot of M&M's and a stamped napkin with a heart or sweet saying.

 

I added little red heart sprinkles to the cake and brownies to make them just a little more festive.

 

It was a great way to spend a Valentine's Day!  Thanks Hubby, M & L.

-K

Love Muffin

*Happy Valentine's Day*!  I hope your day started with a sweet beginning.  Here's what the boys had for breakfast today--French vanilla muffin topped with a candy heart & strawberry milk.

-K

Valentine's Day Dessert Buffet

This *Valentine's Day Eye Candy* comes from the fabulous Amy Atlas Events, who created this dessert buffet for a Better TV segment.  I am really looking forward to when it airs.  And if these pictures don't get you in the mood for Valentine's Day, then nothing will.  I really dig the soft pink, bubblegum pink & gray colors she chose for the palette.  And the macron tower is to die for!  

     

{ Photos by Belathee Photography}

-K

Playbill Valentine's Day Cards

This year for Valentine's Day I planned for the boys to pass out drool-worthy, old-fashioned lollipops from Hammond's Candy to their classmates.  I designed *Playbill Valentine's Day Cards* with a fun message to accompany the lollies.  The cards were inspired by these wedding invitations from Paper Source.  The Playbill Valentine's Day cards are available for download here: Download Playbill_Valentines_BunnyCakes.  For directions and other ideas please see here.  Personalized versions of the cards are available for a limited time here.

 

 

-K

Love Big! More Classroom Valentine's Day Cards

I love Valentine's Day!  What's not to love!?!  Cards, sweets, treats, flowers, sweet nothings...and of course lots of love.  Bring it all on and *Love Big*!  I made new cards for my 2nd grade boys to pass out to their classmates.  They helped with the coloring and narrowing down the fonts and layout.  Most of the time they took their time to look at the choices before giving their opinions (I was going to nix the green card, but both the boys & Hubby liked it best).  If you would like to share the love, please feel free to download this year's classroom cards here: Download LoveBig_BunnyCakes.  The theme is the perfect message for any age.  *If you would like your card personalized with a name please visit my Etsy shop*.

The instructions for these printables are the same as the Zebra, Sweetheart & Love is All You Need cards: (1) Print template on card stock (110 lb. weight recommended)  (2) Cut out individual cards (3) Round corners using corner punch --optional.  The template makes 6 cards.  *The first 3 people to comment I will personalize the *Love Big* cards with your child's name*.

If you want to attach some treats to go along with the cards, I thought it would be cute to have one big treat in a sea of smaller treats.  I went with one large conversation heart (love these) and a scoop of strawberry heart-shaped runts.

To assemble, punch two holes in the top of the card and cello bags and tie off with a ribbon.  Step-by-step instructions can be found here.

Enjoy!

-K