Handmade Valentines Gifts

I'll admit, I'm a sucker for Valentines Day. 

 The first Valentines Day spent with my hubby, 

 I came home from work to find my apartment  filled with heart helium balloons,  long stem roses and votive candles which lit up every room. 

No wonder I married him.

With kids it isn't so easy to have a repeat of that day but

there are some fabulous, inexpensive homemade valentines gifts that will be sure to put a smile on your

 significant others face!

Write a love letter and place it in a glass jar.

Once Wed

Make your favorite desert in a mason jar.

Southern Weddings

Add your wedding picture to a mason jar.

oh-lovely-day

One of my favorites is making coupons.

BHG

Cover boxes with red paper, and  attach clusters of folded roses with craft glue.

Martha Stewart

Hand stamp a muslin bag and add your favorite candy.

BHG

Make a heart shaped tea bag.

Martha Stewart

How about you, do you have a favorite homemade gift?

XOXO

◦

Handmade Valentines Gifts

Incorporating art

About a week ago I had posted ideas

on how to hide a flat screen.  (post here)

I decided in order to take the focus off of the flat screen I must draw attention to something else.

Although the TV is still visible I am hoping the art will

detract from the large black rectangle!

 

 

~One of my inspiration photos~

Color me happy

I found the prints at Cost Plus World Market. They were 50% off and I had a 15&% coupon which brought my cost to $4 a print with mat.

 

Aaron Brothers was having their 1 cent sale so I bought 4 of these frames for$26.

I placed plain white paper in the exact dimension of the frame on the wall to get a visual affect.

 

Then began to hang the art.  My girlfriend, Irene, suggested I bring the plant from the hallway in to soften the space, huge improvement!

We are talking about possibly adding shadow boxes or
 board n batten to the wall as well. 

I am just happy that the space is ALMOST done.

~Thanks for stopping in~

XOXO

◦

Incorporating art

Tuesday's Treasures

~Happy Tuesday~

I wanted to say THANK YOU for all of the positive thoughts and prayers for Bailey, they worked!

She is like a new dog.

  Although she will be a diabetic for the rest of her life she is responding really wonderfully to the insulin shots we give her twice a day.  She has so much more energy, sleeps through the night (which means I do too) and has lost 2 pounds.  Because she has a torn ACL the weight loss is so important and for the first time in months she jumped on our bed.

Thank you!

Ready for last weeks eye candy?

Sophia's Decor has slowly been adding elements to her rustic great room and fireplace with stunning results!!

Creatively Living shows us her bedroom progress and gives us tips on decorating inexpensively.

Savvy Southern Style shares her beautiful powder room transformation.

I love Cottage in the Oaks winter front porch.

#29 Design gives a tutorial on how to make a Pelmet Box.

The Simple Things shows us her beautiful and fun DIY table place mats.

Saving For Six shows us her very organized craft room!

How fabulous is the mudroom transformation from the At The Picket Fence.

Cre8iv Motives made this adorable love button heart picture out of buttons.  She is a brand new blogger so go show her some blogger love!

Check out The Old Post Road's $5, 30 minute kitchen makeover!

How beautiful is the pewter color A Place to Call Home added to her art turn headboard.

Can't wait to see this weeks links!

Please grab a button from here so everyone can get in on the fun.

Please do not add links that promote giveaways or something you are trying to sell.

2 links per person please.

By entering your link, you are giving me permission to use any part of your post including pictures in a feature or facebook. (Proper credit and links will be given to you)

My friend Jenny from Evolution of Style is having her first link party Tuesday!  I hope you will join me in linking up your projects!

 

◦

Tuesday's Treasures

Beautiful Bathrooms

After going through the process of re-doing our guest bathroom, I was left with so many inspirational images of beautiful bathrooms. So, of course, I just had to share them with you!

Nothing says “relax” like a giant claw foot bathtub. Just the idea of taking a nice long soak with a glass of champagne and my favorite bath salts is enough to send me to the moon! I just love the bright and airy feel of this bathroom with the sparkle of the chandelier dangling over the gorgeous tub!

Soka Hem

Kitchen and Bath Ideas

Storage can sometimes be such a challenge in the bathroom. Finding an organized yet pretty way to store all of the towels, soaps, products and everyday necessities of life really helps to keep your bathroom looking and feeling serene. Having the light reflecting and space enhancing element of glass doors behind which to display fluffy towels and pretty bath products is so appealing. The clean look of the boxed storage is an ideal solution for hiding all of the not-so-pretty things that help to make us feel beautiful!

Soka Hem

Google

In this day and age, I really feel it is important to “reduce, re-use and recycle.” That being said, I think that using vintage accessories in the bathroom alongside more modern fixtures creates a perfect balance of then and now. The contrast between the shabby chic medicine cabinet door and the more modern sink area makes this bathroom elegant and charming.

Decorology

When talking about complementing natural materials, nothing beats the breathtaking combination of dark hardwoods and cool creamy marble accents in modern bathroom suites. Throw in some gorgeous patterned wallpaper and lots of crisp, white trim and voila...Paradise in the bathroom!

Taylor Hann Aharchitect

I love bathroom fitted furniture like this cozy little tufted chair that is just right for primping! The location of the vanity by the window makes for great use of all of the natural light that floods this bathroom. I can’t imagine ever wanting to get out of the deep, elegant soaking tub and the muted floral patterned wallpaper is so soothing and relaxing. Pour me a glass of chardonnay and I am home!

Houzz

All of these breathtaking bathrooms remind me of how much work our master bathroom needs. I want to make our bathroom the spa-like retreat the hubby and I deserve! Someday, hopefully sooner than later, my dreams of transforming the master bathroom will become a reality and I can sneak off to my own personal oasis.

Until then, I remain inspired!

~See you for Tuesday's Treasures~

◦

Beautiful Bathrooms

New blogger on the block

I love it when I receive e-mails from new bloggers, especially ones that completely knock my socks off.



I've being following your blog for well over a year. I first discovered you at Rate my Space, where I fell in love with your kitchen! I was trying to get ideas for my own kitchen re-do and, oh boy! You were my inspiration! The post I liked the most about your kitchen was the Island Update, it was a turning point for me to get to work on mine! Thank You!

I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't share Remodelando La Casa  with you!

~Enjoy~

Her kitchen remodel is stunning, the backslash divine!

Before

On her last post she showed us how to add visual interest to a fireplace,  I am loving the crown!

Before

Thanks for writing to me Cristina, can't wait to see what project you tackle next!

~Have a wonderful Sunday~

XOXO

◦

New blogger on the block

$20 Media Console

My fabulous hubby brought home a $20 media console he found on Craigslist.  It was the perfect size for the loft, just needed a little TLC.

Mixed 3 Annie Sloan Colors to achieve a beautiful grey.

French Linen

Coco

Graphite

Almost forgot to take a before shot,

I was so excited to get started.

I gave it two coats of paint using a brush,

 no sanding, no priming.

I didn't bother to paint the inside grey, I figured the black would blend all the boys obnoxious gaming equipment better.

I followed it up with the clear and dark wax with a little distressing to give it a aged look.

Look what  arrived at my front door, so pretty!

 

Still trying to figure out how to distract from the flatscreen.

~Have a fabulous weekend friends~

Linking up

 

Evolution of Style

◦

$20 Media Console

Ready for a blog makeover?

~Happy Friday~

Do I have an amazing giveaway for you today!

First I wanted to say THANK YOU

for all your kind, sweet and fabulous comments on the bookshelves.  You truly have humbled me.

~Thank you~

So how is that blog of yours lookin’ these days? Still have the same style from last year? Ready for a new look?

You are in luck!

 Melanie from

 Elegant Custom Blogs

is giving away $100 credit towards a

blog overhaul or E Book Cover !

~Lucky you~

 

 This includes the following for the blog redesign:

~ Blog header and template design

~ Color coordination of links

~ Matching background

~Up to 15 stock credits with the design

~ Installation

 

 The eBook Cover Design will include:

 ~1 button to be used in advertising

~Up to 15 stock credits with the design

Take a look at some of her recent work:

You have up to five chances to win.  Just leave a separate comment for each entry.

~Good Luck~

Leave a comment on this post.

Follow Elegant Custom Blogs on Facebook.

Follow Elegant Custom Blogs on Twitter .

Share this giveaway on a social networking site.

Follow her personal blog, she is giving away $100 CASH right now!

The winner will be chosen by random number.

Giveaway will end Thursday February 2nd at midnight.

Thank you Melanie for this awesome giveaway!

◦

Ready for a blog makeover?