Everyday Celebrating

Paint chip gift tags!

Next week, my son's room is undergoing the transformation into a "big boy's bedroom"! 
This involves a brand new paint job....going from green to blue and all that entails.
So needless to say, I've got quite a few paint chips that we amassed during the paint selection process.

I ran across an old issue of Good Housekeeping and timely enough, came across this idea.
Using those old paint chips as gift tags!

Love making the gift tags half and half colored by using those old paint chips. 
Cut them into a cute shape with a circle cutter or large punch, punch a hole in for the ribbon and there ya go!

I'd even leave the name of the paint on there if you're able with the shape.  The names of paint are usually pretty interesting and add character to the tag.

Think outside the box.  You could make these smaller for favor tags for birthday parties or weddings.  There are plenty of shades of paint to match everyone's theme.

DIY - Oreo kisses!

If you haven't added Bakerella to your reader, it's time you signed up!
Bakerella is what I'd call a "food designer".  She's levels above your average baker.  And her ideas are incredible and more importantly, doable. 

Check out her instructions on how to make your own oreo kisses. 
Divine!  And you can include your own message!

While we're on the topic of kisses.... soon I'll be posting how to make your own kisses centerpiece. 
A larger than life kiss that's super easy and kids will love!  Start gathering newspaper and foil now!  :)

For the fans of the bubbly!

Limited edition LOVE gift pack from Dom Pérignon!

Containing a stunning pair of champagne flutes, designed by avant-garde Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury and a bottle of Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 1998 the LOVE gift box provides a perfect gift to share with your loved one this Valentines.

Often referred to as the 'jewel' of Dom Pérignon, Dom Pérignon Rosé is a true masterpiece, created with the rarest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.  To complement this special wine are two exclusive champagne flutes; each with a seductive 'lipstick mark' handcrafted onto the exterior, echoes the glamorous encounter between the lips of a woman and the wine.

A special gift for a special upcoming day....... :)

DIY/FREEBIE - Valentine pillow downloadable template

Super cute, right?
Ez at Creature Comforts has designed and provided for FREE and downloadable iron-on template and instructions on how to create these fabulous pillows for your sweetie.

Visit her site for all the details!

Sweet treats with sweet sayings!

From Red Envelope:

Dish up some love on ceramic plates decorated with sweet colors and savory messages. Just right for afternoon tea or romantic desserts, the set includes four differently colored plates, each with its own special message.

• set of four plates includes "sweet heart" in blue, "hug me" in orange, "luv bug" in green and "be mine" in pink

And get this.... they arrive in a heart shaped pink box!

$24.95

Turn wine glasses into lamps!

Yet another "why didn't I think of that?" product!

Made of parchment, these "gorgeous helens" feature cute and whimsical designs that are printed in faint white.  All you need to do is take them out of the package, roll them up, drop a tealight into a wine glass and add a lampshade!  That's it.  

There are many places to purchase (google them!) or you can make them yourself.

Topiary Ball

There are so many ideas that are suggested for the holidays, but work beautifully for Valentine's Day.
And even so many things still found on the clearance racks for dirt cheap that can be transformed into for fun decorations for Valentine's Day. 

Here's a beautiful, easy decoration to make which was in Woman's Day magazine as a holiday item.

Materials:
1-inch foam paintbrush

red acrylic paint

3-inch Styrofoam ball

hot-glue gun

red pistachios

egg cup or short candlestick holder

Directions:
1. Paint ball red; let dry.

2. Place a dot of glue on closed end of pistachio; press onto ball.

3. Continue gluing pistachios onto ball, placing them in rings and using smaller nuts to fill spaces.

4. Display ball on egg cup or candlestick.

Another Family Fun valentine!

Thought I'd post another great valentine idea from the creative folks at Family Fun magazine!
Valentine's Day is one of my favorites with their magazine, because they go above and beyond with super cute ideas!

Like this ipod valentine!  Super easy... and the folks at Family Fun have provided the hard part!

Here's what you'll need:

• Tape
• 2 (14 inch) pieces of string
• 2 mini peanut butter cups
• 1 (1 ounce) box of conversation hearts
• 2 (4 inch circles) of aluminum foil
• 4 X 7 inch piece of pink paper (or another color if these are for boys)
• glue stick
• white paper to print out the menu and song list

1. Tape each end of a piece of string to a peanut butter cup. Tie on the other piece of string then tape the loose end to the candy box.

2. Wrap each peanut butter cup in a circle of aluminum foil.

3. Wrap the pink paper strip around the candy box and secure it with a glue stick.

4.  Download and print the scroll wheel and playlist.

4. Use a glue stick to attach them to the box. Write a valentine message on the back of the box.

Easy!  And almost all the necessary items can be found at the dollar store!

These would also make great invitations to a musical inspired birthday party!

Remember making your Valentine's box?

Remember in elementary school.... finding a shoebox and decorating it with doilies and construction paper hearts? 

Well...we've gotten a lot more crafty over the years, huh?

I received my February issue of Family Fun magazine and thought this Valentine's box was one of the cutest I've ever seen.  And EASY!

You start with an empty cracker box.  Like a saltine box. 
You can make it gray two ways... either cover the box (before cutting) with silver scrapbook paper or
(what I'd do) is cut the door first and then spray paint the box silver metallic.  This way, you're going to be able to make the edges of the door gray as well.

You'll cut the door with a craft knife (xacto).  If you'd like, you can cut a mail slot in the top of the locker or children can open the door to deposit their valentines.

Use a black marker to draw on vents, a handle, etc. 

The padlock is a small white button glued to a larger black button. Make a school pennant out of cardstock... maybe put a school sticker on if you have one.  And I love the finishing touch of the 2008 made with the Dymo label maker. 

Will your child need a box for their valentines?  Start thinking of your design now!

Valentine's Wreath

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a red painted magnolia wreath!
Have magnolia left over from the holidays? 
Purchase a wreath form (either straw or foam) and attach leaves via hot glue.
Make it as dense as you'd like.
Spray paint with a red gloss for a shiny finish.
Maybe add a white bow or sash!

Lay it on a table with a candle in the middle for a nice centerpiece!

Have some extra cash and don't have time to hot glue?
Buy one here at the Magnolia Company.  $92.
They come in red, gold, platinum and pumpkin.

Photo credit: Real Simple magazine.