Valentine party

Last Friday I hosted a group of friends for a Valentine card-making party.


Everyone made the cutest Valentine cards and really had a good time.
These are some of the treats served.
I served the Valentine treats on this fun table! This might be my all-time favorite find. It is a metal 2-tiered table with the whimsical top which I decorated with Valentine themed items and my mom's white fur-trimmed hat! It was at a cute consignment store. At the last minute I decided to skirt the table. I masking taped gathers down a length of red and white polka dot fabric then taped it under the scalloped edge of the table. By the time I finished, the guests started to arrive and I didn't get a picture of it. But it looked festive!I cut out lots of hearts in various sizes with a die-cut machine, ready for the cards to be made. The following are a sample of the cards that were made that day. It was fun for me to see the creativity of each person using basically the same materials.
My craft studio all decorated for the occasion.
These are the Homemade Victorian sugar cookies. I tried to post the how-to video but, alas, frustration got the best of me before I could figure out how to do it so here is a link to the video -studio5

A friend and I made the sugar cookies each at our own house then got together and decorated them the next day. We had fun and they turned out pretty

but did take time to make and decorate (like from 10:30-4:30!) Both recipes on the website taste good .
We added new liners after they were baked and wrapped ribbon around them. I think they look cute.

We also decorated the cupcakes in that timespace. We used the same glossy frosting as the cookies and added the wire-stemmed chocolate-melted hearts to some. The cupcakes are baked in 3" deep muffin pans and use special tall paper liners both made by Wilton. One cake mix makes only 6! They turn out really tall, (4"). I learned to add a new liner after they bake so they look more professional, if that makes sense. They are fun for a party!

Be sure to check out the gorgeous Valentine cupcakes and cupcake tutorial at My Sweet and Saucy.com
Have a great Valentine's Party!

Whimsy Clips

Whimsy Clips!!!
Please scroll down past The Simple Woman's Daybook for today's post on these fun, easy, Valentine clips. (These use totally all recycled materials and are so cute.)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 9, 2009

Outside my window... There is a light dusting of new snow. We are supposed to get more today, tonight and into tomorrow. I guess the ground hog's prediction was right--- more winter.

I am thankful for... living in this country of freedom and even though we complain about the price of gas and food, I am glad I do not have to stand in long food lines to receive my bread and other necessities and glad that I have a car to drive.

I am creating... Valentines for those I love. I have a few more to make then I must put them in the mail quickly so they will arrive in time.

I am reading...These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. I am about half way through it and loving it. I am still reading at night but it is so interesting that I give myself 15 minutes to read but last night that turned into 1 hour before I could quit, and then only reluctantly because I knew I had to get up early to workout.

I am hoping... to be with my grandchildren sometime this week. I must plan that out.

I am hearing... the wind outside my window. Last night it was very loud with the trees swaying and the vents from the oven and fans flapping making quite a noise.

Around the house.... things need attention. I have spent so much time playing, and entertaining that my house feels neglected. Cleaning has to be a priority today although it would be easy to relegate that chore to another time.

One of my favorite things... is feeling organized (which I do not feel today).

A few plans for the rest of the week: To finish my Valentines cards, clean the room where I made them, also clean my house, meet with my financial advisor, get organized for the week, read my scriptures and get caught up with the Sunday School lessons, visit my sweet Aunt and spend time with my grandchildren

My picture thought for today

To learn more and read other Simple Woman's Daybooks click here

Valentine Whimsey Clips

Here's an easy, fun idea for Valentines --make Whimsey Clips! These are the supplies needed: Used tissue, ribbon, glue gun, wire or thin string, and any of the following: scrapbook paper, fabric torn in strips, buttons. Really anything you'd like to put in it. These are made kind of like a corsage. Cut or tear tissue in wide strips, add ribbons in varying lengths and widths, paper torn in long strips, and anything else you want to put in it. Secure all of these together in the center (lengthwise) and wire together. Scrunch them up and fluff them. Then glue gun the back of it onto a wooden clothespin. There, you have made a Whimsey Clip!

This one has 4 different ribbons and scapbook paper with printing on it.

This one has checked tissue as well as plain and red polka dot. Also pink paper ribbon and fabric small heart print strips like ribbon.
This one has tulle in it as well. You can glue gun a button to hide the wire in the middle.
This one has touches of pink and gold in the ribbon and tissue.

Now, what to do with them? Wear them?

Add one to your purse!

Decorate with them!

Tuck one in a corner display.
Remember my Valentine banner above?

I added one to each end and it looks more festive.
Use several together on a Valentine sign holder.

Have fun with this idea!

I Met Marie!

I have only been in this blogger world now for about 6 weeks and almost the very first person to comment on it (after my children, who are almost obligated to,of course) was Marie from A Year at Oak cottage. Maybe she felt somehow connected because of our cottage names or something but she has been a faithful reader and leaves insightful comments for me. Well, I was privileged to be able to meet her tonight at the airport when she flew in from England via Atlanta. I really kind of barged my way into my daughter's car as she had made all the arrangements with Marie and those she is staying with here but still it was an honor to finally meet her in person. We were so excited waiting with our sign Marie from Oak Cottage that we held so that she would know who we were. Marie had been on the plane for hours and hours an yet she was so cordial and wonderful. We were able to drive her to her friends ( Lura @ grammysnews and Erin @ Patrick and Erin )who will take her to Boise to see her daughter in the Special Olympics there. It was great to meet these new blogging friends. I was happy to be a part of her night. I consider this a red letter day and count my blessings. Check Jen at TatorTots and Jello for pictures. (Why didn't I bring my camera? Maybe I was too excited.)
Have a wonderful trip, Marie!

Thrifty Momma!

My new name is Thrifty Momma!

Last Friday, I picked up my friend, Nancy, from the airport and we were on our way to a cute shopping center when I spied a thrift store. A really large thrift store! I turned the car around so fast as I was telling her that we had to stop to see if they had any sweaters. I am sure she thought I was crazy or else very, very cold. We spent about an hour rummaging through the racks and found 9 sweaters, which I promptly bought. I won't mention that she had not had any food on the plane, hadn't eaten since morning, and it was past dinner time. But, this was my opportunity to get these sweaters that I had wanted ever since I saw the segment on our local TV station a couple of weeks ago. So, here are the really great purses that we stayed up until 1:00 am making from those sweaters. I think they are very cute and way cool. My friend loved making them and was glad we stopped at the thrift store so I guess all is right in the world. I have the tutorial for this at the end from studio 5 1.The main things are that they have to be 100% wool.

2. You wash them in HOT water and I dried them in the dryer too. (All the things you usually wouldn't do to sweaters!)

Mark where you want to cut it. 3.Cut the sleeves, and neck out. 4.Turn inside out and with seams together, stitch the bottom.

5.Turn right side out and fold handles in half and stitch about 1/2 way down each handle.

6. Embellish, and voile, it turns into a tote or purse!

Not bad for about $6.00, or free if you happen to have a sweater in your closet that you want to use.

Tell me what you think of this idea.

For Today, February 2, 2009 (Ground Hog Day)

Outside my window... Snow is still on the ground and as I took my trash cans out for pick-up this morning, I saw the footprints of the deer making a path across my front walkway. They were so kind as to leave their little calling card droppings too!

I am wondering...why we hang our hopes of spring on a little underground creature that lives many states away from us!

I am thankful for...A kind and loving God who looks after me personally. Also, family and home. Also, eyes to see and ears to hear all that is on this earth.

I am creating...several things this week. Some are for Valentines and others are not. I will post them as I chronicle the steps in picture form.

I am going...to my class this morning to see if my little crocheted hat has any mistakes in it. I think it looks darling for my little grandson.

I am reading...These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. Thank you Sally for the suggestion. Actually I thought I had read a book by that name, but it was about a little boy so I guess I got the name of it confused. At any rate, I am enjoying this one immensely. I really need to change the time when I read because this reading at night in bed doesn't give me much time before I fall asleep. I think I have read each page twice now. I should have it all memorized by the time I finish it!

I am hoping... to be with my grandchildren sometime this week. I must plan that out.

I am heariing... the cars whizzing by going to work I suppose. Inside I have not yet turned on the news but will as I get dressed for the day. I like to know what the weather is going to be, what is happening locally and around the world so I feel like I am an informed citizen.

Around the house.... things are pretty clean except for my studio where my houseguest and I created until the wee hours of the night this weekend. I will post what we made. Laundry needs to be done but in all it looks pretty good.

One of my favorite things... is coming home from being in the cold outside weather and feeling the welcoming warmth of my house. I love being warm!

A few plans for the rest of the week: This evening is our Pot Luck and Speaker group. So I have to come up with a wonderful food to take there. I think the speaker is "a woman with remarkable achievements in the arts, business, in church and community service". It should be interesting. I am having a Valentine card-making party on Friday so I will make cookies and cupcakes Tuesday, decorate them Wednesday and Thursday clean the house for the party. I will post the recipe and video clip of the beautiful way to decorate the cookies.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..
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