Archive for the ‘Valentine's Day’ Category

I don’t consciously collect hearts, but I was amazed at how many I found around my house!

Business card holder and key chain

My friend Bonnie bought me the card holder and key chain for birthday presents from her favorite store Brighton.

She gave me this heart shaped candle dish one year too!

I worked with Lise Lawson Interior Design for many years.  When Lise went on vacation, I took care of her cats.  Sydney and Pika gave me little tokens of affection every February 14 to show their appreciation.

One year it was heart embroidered hand towels.

Another year, heart shaped soaps

Even a trivet with hearts.

I have a stash of hearts made from antique quilts when country style was the rage.

Home baked cookies!

I rarely bake, but did manage to cut out a few hearts (ready made dough from the grocery store and frosting in a can!).  Couldn’t even get a snap shot without someone taking a bite!

I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with family and friends, love and laughter.  Chocolate and a bottle of good wine don’t hurt either!

I’m the type of person who, instead of buying a card, would rather spend the additional money on the gift.  That being said, when I do send cards, I make my own.  I design Christmas cards every year and special cards for special events.

Of course the best cards are the ones made by your own children.  Nothing beats a childish scrawl that says “I love you Mommy”!

The best Valentines are made by someone who loves you!

If you want to send something really personal, make your own Valentine’s Day cards—write your own Love Letters.

I  do mosaic pieces with old book or magazine pages.  The ideas are limitless with a little paper, glue and a copy machine.

For Love According to Webster I enlarged the definition of love I found in a dictionary, cut card stock to fit and glued it to the front.  With a red pen, I quoted Elizabeth Barrett Browning “How do I love thee…?”

"Love According to Webster"

Enlarge the definition of Love from the dictionary

For Let Me Tell You the Ways I used the same dictionary definition, just enlarged it a couple more times and cut individual words out.  Glue them in a particular order or randomly.  Choose words that are appropriate for the person receiving the card.  A little glue stick on red card stock and you has an original work of art!

"Let me tell you the ways!"

Cut out the love words that are appropriate

The 14th of February is a day devoted to celebrating love.  You can express your affection to that special person in the usual way (go out to dinner, box of candy, over priced flowers) or with a little imagination and for a lot less cash, celebrate at home.

Create a romantic dinner for two.

It doesn’t matter if you are planning dinner or a leisurely breakfast, make it cozy and intimate.  Food in front of a roaring fire is always romantic especially if you are seated at a low table with floor pillows.  You can use a coffee table or in this instance an old wood trunk.  Cover it with a table cloth or a piece of red fabric.

Pull up an old trunk for a cozy table for two

I fell in love with this bold red and white print at IKEA. It's perfect for a Valentine's Day tablecloth.

There isn’t a single heart or flower in this setting.  Instead of placemats, I pulled out old Scrabble board games  Write a message or spell out your feelings for each other with the tiles.

You can use almost anything as a placemat or charger. Have fun with Scrabble boards.

An old muffin tin is the perfect size for extra letters, votive candles and candy (no expensive and fattening box of chocolates here!).

You know you will want extra Scrabble pieces with this dinner. Use a vintage muffin tin for candles and letters.

The valentine card is vintage, but the XOXO says it all.  Use dinnerware you have left over from Christmas.  Square red plates set “on point” complement the square game boards.

You could buy a new valentine, but I love the sappy sentiments on old, vintage cards!

XOXO equals 18 points!

Little copper napkin rings surround softly folded white napkins.  Dinner should be simple.  After all, the emphasis should be on dining, not cooking.  Chinese take-out allows you both to share.

Tuck a pair of chop sticks in the napkin ring.

Add a couple of floor pillows and you have a romantic evening ready to surprise someone you love.

Tell your love how you feel.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning said,

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

I say spell it out!

Happy Valentine’s Day!