Happy Valentines to me!

I was not about to go out and purchase flowers for myself for Valentines. Nor, was I going to fight the hoards of men, carrying fugly over sized stuffed teddy bears and cheap half limp balloon bouquets, just to have some fresh flowers. Looking out my window to the backyard I am surrounded by beautiful camellia bushes. I decided to make an arrangement with them in one of my favorite milk glass containers. I will sadly miss these beauties when I am forced to move to my next destination in life, the dessert of Arizona. Next years post will have to be some sort of "succulent bouquet" I guess. Isn't that an oxymoron?

Valentine's Recycled

Though not the best picture I could have taken, hopefully you can see my vision. Well, I had this spectacular image of what I would do to decorate for Valentines, when I stumbled upon this unique picture stand at Goodwill. Total cost = $2.00! I know, I will fill it with vintage 40's & 50's Valentine cards. Quickly I realized finding the stand was one thing, but who knew the rarity and price of vintage cards! One antique store wanted at the least $14.00 for one used Valentine! NOT! Then I remembered, in the top of my closet in a giant shoebox (they are all giant since I wear a size 10) I have been saving cards of all occasions since before going to college. Yes, jackpot. Even better because they all had a deep emotional meaning. They are quite the smattering from my mom and dad, sister, grandmothers and friends. Forget the vintage, this is much more memorable. Lesson: Use what you have and recycle!

A Labor of L*O*V*E!

I love to wrap, I love to create and I love to give personal & unique gifts! So, one special friend of mine has a birthday approaching and I had to brainstorm what to give her. She and her sister both are very hard to top when gift giving is the agenda. Their whit and creativity are unmatched in my opinion, which makes it very difficult to reciprocate the "perfect" gift. The following is my attempt:

Yes, the creativity process got a little out of hand and resulted in the birth of two gifts, one for each sister. Wrapping to me is all about presentation. It is like a first impression, you only get one chance and you must woo your recipient.

The cake is tops! I started by making the base out of a noodle can I had been salvaging, folded some scrapbook paper for the cup, stuffed it with floral foam and added the flowers & candle.

A peek inside reveals two precious dolls! (A slight obsession of mine) The first one began with a vintage boy scout first aid tin, which was befitting since my friend is a retired nurse. From there it all began to build momentum and I had to refrain from adding too much.

Everything is salvaged, recycled, vintage or hand made, which makes the possibilities endless. This is a shot of her purse made of an old matchbook. The strap is part of the chain from my closet light, it was too long anyway.

I cannot believe what is at your fingertips when you begin looking at "things" through creative lenses.

She also enjoys gardening, hence the name I dubbed her "Mother Nurture" i.e. gardening and nurse combo. Her bouquet is a vintage 50's floral pin and her watering can is one half of a salt and pepper set I found at an antique mall.

She would not be complete without a removable birthday hat.

As for sister, she was inspired by this tobacco tin. Both sisters love a good cig, so I had to jump at the opportunity to make her extra special.

The custom broach on the skirt even has a hand made flamingo accent. Another quirk which makes it unique and personal to them both.

She has some somkin hot legs!

A stack of packages resembles what they they do best, gift giving. Hence her name "The Giftaholic".

I could go on and on about my how to's and why's and where's, but I must come to a close. I feel fortunate just knowing each of these women, while it may have been a labor of love, I LOVED every minute!

Love (Amour) for Sale!

It is a little bit Frenchy, vintage, retro, messy, time consuming, aggravating...need I say more? But, I do like the finished product. I cannot lie, this was a little tricky to make. As you can see each letter was hand glittered, then each bunting was folded out of vintage music paper, threaded with retro "love bird" satin ribbon and assembled with "amour"! Viva la French!!! It can all be yours if you would like to purchase it today. This is the first time I have listed anything on my blog for sale, so if you would contact me through email: elizabelles@yahoo.com or if you are local call me!

Price: $28.00 -----SOLD!!!!!!!!

I think it would also be darling tied above a little girl's headboard year round. Also, my favorite is displaying it from a large painting or mirror in an entry hall. Do not worry about the reflection, the paper is double sided and is just as sweet from the back. Finally, you could hang it in your kitchen from the arms of a chandelier or drape it across a beautiful window you look through everyday!

...and they called it Puppy L-O-V-E!

Yes, the Valentine crafting does not seem to have ceased around my house. I do not know if this tangent came about out of boredom or procrastination from packing all of my belongings for the big move. Either way, I found it blog worthy. Above my dog's feeding bowl I hung this mirror some time ago and I thought it needed a little embellishment for the Valentine howliday.

Because we are in preparation of moving, I have been trying to refrain from buying anything else I will have to pack, so I have resorted to using stuff about the house. But who are we kidding, I have this weeks Michael's 50% off coupon burning a hole in my purse! I might have to make a detour through there when I go to the grocery store. Anyway, I started by simply printing out the letters on the computer, then cut them out with pinking shears. Next, I used an old cereal box to cutout the hearts. The cereal box holds up better to glittering and gluing. Painted on the Mod Podge (glue) and glittered with Martha's red, no excuse me "garnet" glitter. Finally, hole punch, thread and hang!

Of course, I had to cut out a little doggie silhouette to finish it off just right.

Valentine Gift Giving

After returning home from our journey to Texas, I had to purge my mind of all thoughts of Christmas and focus on my second favorite holiday (that which follows Halloween) VALENTINES DAY! Although the Christmas decorations are still looming around every corner in my home, I must craft a little on Valentines. Well, while skimming through blogs and the Internet I found this fabulous pattern for high heeled shoes (http://www.skiptomylou.org/). What a great place to start! I know two very special ladies who love shoes and I had picked up a few bobbles for them in Texas, so lets wrap it up!



First, I started by cutting out an envelope which doubles as a purse. Super easy to fold and glue together. Here are the shoes all assembled. I did print the pattern onto heavy card stock so that they would be sturdy. Also, the heavier paper will weather the next step of painting on the glue and dusting it with glitter.

The secret for any good crafter is "Mod Podge"! I use to make fun of my good friend Liz for using it, but I started experimenting with it and now we are inseparable (the glue and I that is, Liz left me and moved to D.C.) Anyway, brush on the Mod Podge and sprinkle with nothing other than Martha Stewart's red glitter.

The buckles I got a little carried away with, but since turquoise is my new favorite color to mix with pink I could not resist!

This is my favorite part the love bug! He flew all the way from Texas and his wings are tired. Into the box little guy.

Ta Da! a little pink wrapping paper from Big Lots + fabulous ribbon + craft paper and glitter = one spectacular Valentine package made with nothing but love!

Yes, I think my mind cannot stop spinning and I am glad it didn't before I delivered the package. It came to me the other day when I was looking at old vintage valentines on etsy, you know the good old ones with sweet cute sayings, well I had the heels so why not go all the way with the packaging. My good friend says "go big or go home" always, always take what ever you do to the max! even it it means taking a few people or pills down with you!