What a day! Probably the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. Let me show you everything! First, here’s the package I received earlier this week from my partner in the Valentine’s Day exchange. She sent me a handmade card, a yeti hat key chain, two fancy European chocolates {the Queen’s favorite}, a postcard from the Netherlands {where my partner currently lives}, and a cell phone charm. The cell phone charm unfortunately seems to have fallen out of a small hole in the envelope. But since I don’t have a cell phone {unbelievable, I know} I suppose it’s better than the chocolate falling out! Lost chocolate would be a travesty, no? Thanks, Libby! I hope you enjoyed your package from me!

And here’s what I sent:


There was a mini-frame in pink. I have a few similar frames {in different colors} myself. I think they’re fantastic. So when I saw that they were still selling them at the craft store I grabbed one up in a Valentine-y color. Then I slapped a little cut out from some Valentines scrapbook paper in as a placeholder until Libby has a photo she wants to put in it.

I made this little keepsake envelope from a Martha tutorial. I spiced it up a bit with some more Valentine’s scrapbook paper. There are different “compartments” to organize cards, photos, or other flat keepsakes.

   
I painted these little peg dolls. The tall one is Libby. And the little one is the adorable little girl for whom Libby is an au pair. When I saw all the pictures of her on Libby’s blog I knew I had to include at least a little something for her. I hope she likes it!


I saw these foam conversation hearts at the craft store and fell in love with them. So I bought enough to make a set of magnets for Libby AND for me. :)


Then I packed it up together with some stickers in a little foam heart box. Happy Valentine’s Day Libby!
Don’t forget, if you have a post about what you sent for the exchange and/or a post about what you received you can link it up! I’m making a point to visit everyone’s posts and I encourage you to check ‘em out too! So far it’s been really fun to see what everyone sent.
And how did we celebrate today? Let me show you!
We gave Lucy her Valentine’s gift first {balloons}. She loved ‘em! She had never seen helium balloons before. She had a blast carrying them with her all over the family room and shaking them so hard they bopped her again and again. We took lots of pictures and video. But one picture is enough for this post, I think.
Then Adam and I exchanged gifts. I got him a set of beer soap. He got me Can’t Buy Me Love and Raising Freethinkers for my Kindle. I’ve had both on my wish list for quite some time so I’m excited to read them.
We didn’t get our decorations up until Saturday. Oh well, next year I’ll get them up sooner {I hope} so I can enjoy them for longer. I used fish wire and foam hearts to make a garland for the window and to make it “rain” love over our dining table.

I had planned our meal quite some time ago. We had traditional Swiss fondue and a dark chocolate fondue for dessert. It was honestly one of the BEST meals I have ever, ever had.  We don’t have fondue pots so we used crock pots instead. We had mini potatoes, pretzels, apples, French bread, broccoli, and cauliflower for the main course and we had strawberries, sponge cake, Clementine segments, pineapple, marshmallows, and cheesecake for dessert. SOOOOOOO good. We also had a cheap {but yummy} bottle of German wine Love Potion Number Nine and some sparkling white grape juice. We both loved it and have decided fondue is going to be a Valentine’s tradition from now on.
   






Happy Valentine’s Day! What did you do to celebrate? Tell me in the comments!

I know Valentine’s Day is still more than a month away. But in the age of online shopping it’s good to start early to account for shipping time. So I am pleased to present to you my second list of gift ideas. This time it’s gifts for the coffee fanatic in your life! {You can read my previous list for Geeks here.}

Do you love coffee? Which of these gifts would you most want to get or give, and to whom? My top choice would be the “I Love You, Blogs, and Coffee” print!

   
Both of these shirts are available in unisex or women’s styles. They’re from Think Geek. Prices range from $15.99-$18.99.


And finally, my personal favorite is this cute little print. I gave one of these to Adam for our wedding anniversary. It’s sitting on a shelf in his computer armoir. I’m pretty sure he likes it. Because, you know, he said he likes it. It makes me smile every time I see it. It’s $10 from Geek Details. The frame is not included.

Don't miss my list of gift ideas for coffee lovers!

Do you have a geek in your life? What are you getting him/her for Valentine’s day?

I made this bookmark for my younger brother-in-law who is supposed to get into town at 3:30 am. If you don’t know what it is your geek cred is woefully deficient.* I made the pattern by tweaking one of these fabulous Star Trek cross-stitch patterns by *black-lupin. There are several patterns, including recently added Next Generation characters! The bookmark is going in his welcome basket full of goodies.
*Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog

Have you ever heard of a welcome basket? It’s an idea I’ve seen in various places on the internet {though one of the best descriptions/idea lists is here}. Basically it’s a basket of goodies and useful items for house guests. Well, we’re having two of Adam’s brothers visit us over the holidays. And I wanted to make them feel welcome. Here’s what I did:
 
I included:

• 1 toothbrush
• 1 baggy of flossers/toothpicks
• 2 fruit leathers
• 5 bags of fruit snacks
• 4 granola bars
• 1 eye mask
• 1 book light {that matches the eye mask}
• 1 novel
• 2 mini cans of ginger ale
• 1 decorated pack of gum
• 1 decorated chapstick
• 1 puffy box with 5 Wint-o-greens, 1 Lindt, and 1 mini candy cane
• 1 bottle of water with a cute pouch for a single serving lemon-lime Crystal Light pack

I picked up the baskets for two bucks each at the “Almost-everything-is-a-dollar Store.” I also plan on including a bookmark cross-stitched by me, but haven’t finished them yet. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, eh?
{I used Christmas scrapbook paper and clear vinyl to decorate the gum, water bottle and chapstick. Be sure to click on the links to find the tutorials I used to make the puffy box and the bottle tag pouch. I did the bottle pouch a little bit differently because I didn’t have all the same supplies but generally it was the same.}
It was a fun and easy project. I’m looking forward to seeing my house guests’ reactions. Come back tomorrow for another picture for the December Photo Challenge. And tell me in the comments what your own ideas are for making guests feel special/welcome.

I love me a blog giveaway. And when I saw this giveaway for a pair of child's fairy wings I was stoked...until I saw that it was for US residents only. Bummer. But as I was browsing the giveaway sponsor's Etsy shop I fell in love with her products. Check out some of the adorable products she's selling!

Aren't they gorgeous? I especially love the 1st birthday outfit {note to self...Lucy needs a 1st birthday party outfit}! Problem is...I don't have that kind of money to spend on dress up clothes (no matter how much they make me squeal like a little girl breathing helium). So...

I prayed at the altar of Google.

And my prayers have been answered!

I couldn't wait to make a tutu myself so I decided to make one for Lucy to wear at her six month photo session later this month. I recommend getting more tulle than the video suggests. I barely had enough to finish Lucy's, which is smaller than a two-year-old's would be. You really can finish this project in under an hour (unless you have a fussy baby interrupting you constantly--but I wouldn't know anything about that). It should cost just ten dollars or so for all the materials (not including scissors and a ruler which you really should already own).

For my colors I chose purple and tangerine.

And the results for so little effort are amazing!

I'm thinking I should use the scraps to make some sort of hair bow for the photo shoot.

I think Lucy thought it was a little funny!

Make one, or two, or three, or twenty of these for your daughters, nieces, granddaughters, neighbors, you name it! They're cheap. They're easy. And they would make the perfect gift for the little girl you know! Try experimenting with color patterns, tulle length or width, a Bedazzler, or anything else you can think of. Maybe even make one for yourself (Halloween will be here before you know it)! You are going to be the coolest mom!

ETA: If you want to keep the ribbon (not the tulle) from fraying carefully run the end over a lighter or lit candle. The edge will seal itself.

I love my mom.

And I love being a mom.

So this is one of my new favorite holidays!!!

Before I blather on about how we're celebrating I want to take a moment to tell the world (and by "the world" I mean "all of you, my readers") that my mom is the most remarkable woman I have ever personally known. She's brave, smart, beautiful, selfless and has a great sense of humor. One of my greatest joys (and fondest memories) growing up was making her laugh. The more people I meet the more grateful I feel for my mother. She's not just a classy lady...she's a great parent. And I love her very, very much.

Now...here's what my mother's day looks like:

Bear made breakfast burritos for breakfast (yum)! We've called the mothers in our lives to wish them a happy day. Tonight we'll be having veggie sushi and cupcakes. Lucy gave me lots of smiles! And this morning Adam gave me one of these (click the picture to visit Bedhead's Etsy shop)!

Isn't it beautiful? I have a thing for birds. Plus it's us! You know...our little family of three? I love it. It's one of the nicest gifts Adam has ever, ever given me. I'm a lucky gal. And I don't just mean because of the necklace. I mean because I've got a great family.

Happy mother's day to you all! How have you been celebrating? What makes your mum special?