Holidays

simple Valentine’s Day crafts from the heart

I bet if you asked people to name the first gift idea that popped into their head for Valentine’s Day, most would say:  jewelry, flowers, Hallmark, or chocolate.   There’s such an industry built around the 14th of February I think sometimes we lose focus on what the whole point of the day really is.  What better way to show someone you care than with a thoughtful craft or keepsake?  Here’s 4 DIY Valentine’s Day craft ideas I found on the web that caught my eye.  You can find nearly all of the materials to make them at home or at the store up the street!

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Cute Cards Made From Household Items

DIY puzzle pieces valentines day card

king-hearts-card_300 match-valentines-card_300

I love these homemade cards featured in this month’s Real Simple mag.  Such a great idea to take something you don’t use anymore like a deck of cards, an old match book, or a puzzle and create these unique valentines!

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XOXO Letters

xoxo letters

Go to Hobby Lobby and grip up these cardboard letters and your favorite color of spray paint to create this valentine that can be displayed year round. (Note: metallic paint colors always seem to make these pop – but I’m sure you could use any color!)

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Paint Strip Valentines

paint strip valentine

The perfect simple valentine.  Paint strips are free and I’m sure ya’ll have a marker lying around.  This is great for the coworker, classmate, or extended family member.  You can always write a message on the back too if you so desire.

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Heart Art

ombre hearts art

Buy a small canvas (art stores have these on sale all the time!), give it a quick paint job, and then glue small items together in the shape of a heart.  Love this one made out of buttons shown above, but you could use anything around the house, like thumbtacks, coins, cut up pieces of fabric…be creative – the sky is the limit!

(These are not my DIY projects, but images link back to their original source)

bee-utiful fall baby shower

Last week, I was doing my daily Facebook scan for critical news (you know the drill) when I saw these amazing baby shower photos posted by 2 of my college friends, Kendra Steinhaus & Kerra Heffron. (Who, by the way, are THE most adorable/hilarious/talented twins you will meet!)

The picture-perfect location for a fall shower:  nestled between two orchards, at the top of the tiny hill.

This bee-themed event was inspired by this special location.  “The setting and the atmosphere are the driving factors in deciding our event theme and location, so our guests feel like they are part of the unique and personalized experience”, says Kendra.

Embracing nature and the art of DIY, the shower decor was the perfect combination of old and new.   “We like to take unique and common things and re-purpose them,” Kerra explains.  “Some examples are burned-out light bulbs covered in glitter, books covered with paper, and straw bales as chairs from our farm. The yellow wild dill just fell into our laps as we were driving down our old country roads.”

Noteworthy DIY crafts and re-purposed items: tissue flowers, painted bottles, and glitter covered used light bulbs (and yes those are bales of hay for guests to sit on! )

Complete with a fleece blanket for each attendee for this crisp fall Michigan day.

Let’s talk about this food for a minute.  This is making my mouth water as we speak.  And the cute honeycomb-shaped labels give Martha a run for her money.

Growing up on a farm, the twins had access to many unique and rustic accents, including a restored 1937 truck bed which they transformed into the party’s serving station.

All of the charming details that went into making this day extra special!

“The shower was for one of our best, near and dear friends who also appreciates tasteful design, vintage goods, and being crafty”, says Kendra.  “It makes event planning just that much more fun!..We just love her!”

This was my favorite part:  the twinners actually made this chevron baby blanket for their friend & mom-to-be.  The blanket holds significant meaning, since it is crafted from the shower recipient’s mom’s clothes, who has passed away.

All I could think when I first saw this was “Ummm are you kidding me?? This is freaking amazing!”  But knowing these girls, it’s really no surprise – they have always accomplished big things.   Their latest is the launch of their new event planning and design business: Kerra & Kendra Design.

The talented sister design duo (thats Kerra on the left, Kendra on the right, and the lucky mom to be in the middle!).

K & K are not only identical twins, but also went to the same university (MSU – there is no other school 🙂 )  and majored in the same field (interior design).  They are also best friends, and amazing people who I’m blessed to know.  Their great style, attention to detail, creative backbone, and phenomenal work ethic make them the perfect designers & event planners.  Congrats you two!

(All photos are used with permission by Kerra and Kendra.  Please visit their website for even more great photos & info!)

3 fabulous bar carts + last minute entertaining essentials (that won’t break the bank!)

I cannot believe that this weekend is already Labor Day! Where has the time went?? Many peeps (including myself) will be having people over to celebrate the end of the summer.  And of course with company comes lots of food and drink.  And with that comes all the prep and presentation.  What’s a girl to do?  

One item that is great for entertaining is a bar cart.   These 3 are good-looking AND functional.

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Libations Bar Cart, Crate & Barrel, $ 599

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Raskog Kitchen Cart, IKEA, $49.99

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Beckett Bar Cart, Williams-Sonoma, $999

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Also, if you’re anything like me, you probably realize the day of the event there’s something you wish you would have thought of ahead of time.  It never fails: there’s always something you need at the last sec, whether it’s a new oven mitt or a serving platter.  Here are some items that are pretty to look at and helpful for serving guests.  And best of all – they are budget friendly!.

1) Carved Wood Serving Platter, Target, $19.99 

2)  Home Angled Beverage Tub, Target,  $18.71 (sale price)

3) Square Lacquer Trays, West Elm,  $24.00 final sale

4) Fiammetta Pot Holder & Oven Mitt, Anthropologie, $14.00 each 

 5) Slate Coaster Set, West Elm,  $16.00 for 4 

6) Rippled Dream Bowl in Turquoise, Anthropologie, $14.00

7)  Red Salt & Pepper Shakers, Target, $10.49  

8)  Polycarbonate Beverage Dispenser, Target,  $29.99Â