Just in Time for Valentine's Day...

I've put together a list of the Top 40 Love Songs - perfect if you are planning a special date or romantic dinner, or if you're just looking for some great songs to add to your ipod or workout playlists!  Find it here on my Hubpages!

And while you're there, check out my tutorial for making this Button Heart Pin or Pendant.  A sweet accessory for this time of the year - or any day :)

{Food} Blog Envy (Again): Haniela's - from my kitchen to yours

I recently came across another wonderfully creative blog I wanted to share, Haniela's - from my kitchen to yours.

from http://www.hanielas.com/

What first caught my attention what her recipe for homemade Valentine's Day S'mores.  Aren't they gorgeous?  So pretty - elegant even.

Her recipe includes directions for making homemade graham crackers AND your own marshmallow!  YIKES!  I must admit, I can't ever imagine making my own graham crackers and marshmallow.  However, this recipe has given me an idea for a simpler treat.  Using this same design, cut out sugar cookies, dip them part way in chocolate, and spread strawberry jam in between the top and bottom cookie.  This idea would make a very pretty cookie for a tea party, bridal or baby shower, or any special event!

Haniela's website is loaded with wonderful recipes.  I'm going to go see what else I can find there!  :)

A Handmade Heart

So going into yesterday, my husband and I had a little bet on.  If my team won a certain football game, my husband would take me out to lunch during the week.  If his team won, he wouldn't.  I know this doesn't sound like much of a bet, and it isn't, but we rarely go out during the work week so this would be a silly special treat.

And I was so sure my team was going to win that I decided to make a sweet little heart-shaped pin/brooch to wear on my victory lunch date.  I grabbed a bunch of things I had on hand and came up with this button collage pin (or can be used as a pendant).  Romantic/funky/vintage/eclectic - it's all these things and I really like it.

But then, in the late afternoon, my team lost and my lunch date plans were dashed.  Sadness - for both my Patriots and my dream date.

But the story has a happy ending (I hope):  my hubby, being the great guy that he is, announced that he would honor our lunch date!  He's going to take me and my heart-shaped button pin out to lunch this week!

In celebration, I've put this pin/pendant tutorial up on my Hubpages for everyone to enjoy!

Folded Ribbon Welcome Wreath

For some reason, our neighbors are very quick to take down their holiday decorations.  Then our Christmas door decoration seems a little lost outside on its own.  But it's still too early to put up my Spring wreath.

Enter my latest wreath project - the Folded Ribbon Welcome Wreath.  This wreath features a unique interlocking accordion pleat made with two contrasting ribbons.  My decoration has a winter feel, but you could certainly switch the colors to match any decor or season.  Check out the tutorial and other craft ideas on my Hubpages!

One More Christmas Craft That Should Have Been Posted A Long Time Ago

Here's a quick little gift card/gift bag craft that I'm late posting for Christmas (and with crappy photos!).  At least maybe it will give you some ideas for next year :)

If you've ever purchased anything from Anthropologie online, you've probably received your receipt in a little paper pouch.  They used to send your receipt in a little cloth bag.  Both of these items are great to recycle into gift bags for little items and gift cards.  I like that these pouches are a little bit bigger, maybe 4 x 5 inches, so they fit a number of things (gift cards, jewelry, handmade cards, little art pieces).  But you can, of course, use any envelope or pouch - even make your own!

I've recently invested in a few inexpensive holiday stamps.  Totally worth the 5 or so $$ I spent.  I've already used them for a few projects.  I simple stamped a design over the front of my paper pouch.  (If you use a cloth pouch, I would suggest putting some newspaper or wax paper instead the pouch before beginning to stamp.  This should keep the ink from transferring to the other side of the bag.)  I clearly need to improve my stamping skills, but you get the idea.  These holiday designs add a fun, festive touch to my pouch/envelope, making it a little more special.

The back side of these pouches have Anthropologie's logo on them.  Luckily, a many years ago, someone gave me this cool "recycled" stamp.  I'm not sure if this stamp is still available from Storybeads in Ann Arbor, but it's the perfect way to cover up the logo and proudly proclaim that this item is RECYCLED.

Hope you had a great holiday!  Now would be a great time to pick up some holiday stamps in the after-Christmas sales!  What a great way to spend New Year's Day :)

A Little Gift to You: Favorite New Craft Websites!!

In this season of giving, I thought I would share some great new craft sites I've found:

First up, Find+Craft, a searchable website of craft tutorials.  Here, you can search for craft projects by category, length of time to complete, and experience level.  You can save the projects you like in your "stash" and even easily add your own tutorials.  I think this website is relatively new - the categories are somewhat limited and there aren't A LOT of projects listed.  But hopefully as more people visit and use the site (hint, hint), there will be more tutorials and categories added.  Go check it out now, I'll wait :)

Next - this cool online magazine, Amy Powers' Inspired Ideas.  The current issue is just chock full of great Christmas decorating and craft ideas.  This magazine is gorgeous, and I love, love, love so many of these projects (check out the little Christmas village covered in snow glitter!).  What is particularly great about this magazine is that the projects include all the templates and print outs that you need to complete them!  Looks like I've missed some previous issues, but I'm definitely going to spend some time on this site!

And possibly my fav new site - Pinterest Fail - a BRILLANT idea!!!  This blog heartbreakingly (but hilariously) posts failed attempts at replicating various projects and tutorials on Pinterest.  Let's admit it - we've all been there.  Why not share the pain?  My favorite post - the DIY Chevron Melted Crayon Art.  I remember seeing this on Pinterest and thinking, "that just can't be as easy as it might seem."

So, Happy Holidays from me to you!  I hope these sites were exactly what you were hoping for  :)

Wrapped Up in a Wreath

Perhaps like a lot of people, my husband and I don't put up a Christmas tree for the holidays.  There's many reasons for this:  we don't have children, we often travel over the holidays, etc.  Despite all that, I do love Christmas tree ornaments, and have made and collected some much-loved decorations over the years.

So this year, I decided to buy an artificial wreath for over our fireplace, and decorate it in lieu of a tree.  All of the decorations are handmade, but come from a few sources:

Some are made by me from recycled greeting cards (tutorial here)!

Some are made of polymer clay and decorated with various stamps (super easy - check out my tutorial)!

Some I received in my knitting group's annual ornament exchange!

I love them all, and found that this burlap ribbon (with just a hint of gold running through it) did a nice job of tying together my shiny, glittery ornaments with my clay and fiber-made decorations.  One note:  I found that just hanging the ornaments on the wreath looked a little weird.  All I could see were the hangers and it distracted from the decorations.  So instead I removed the hanging loops and wired the ornaments in place, securing them to the frame of the wreath. 

I still need to do some re-arranging with the decorations, but I'm really happy with the overall results.  I think it's a great alternative if you don't have a tree.