Crafty Valentimes

I go in spurts with my Valentine's craftiness.  Some years I've bought boxed Valentines, sometimes not.  I was pretty early this year in my planning.  Q (she's in second grade) picked these out from Pinterest:

They actually turned out pretty good!  Here are ours:

Here's what we did:  1.  Take string (I used white embroidery floss & pink/red baker's twine), cut 2 pieces into 6" length and tie in knot about 1/3 of the way down.  2.  Tape to box at longer end.  3.  Cut scrapbook paper (I used one pack of Target's Dollar Bin paper) down to box size (ours ended up being 3.5" x 8").  4.  Wrap paper around candy using tape to adhere on back.  5.  Print out labels.  6.  Cut & stick labels on front (side without tape seam).  7.  Attach Hershey kisses on to string using small heart stickers (tape would work too).  8.  On back or sides, write To and From info.

Here's another site that includes a printable and uses Reese's miniatures.  She includes a color printable which would be way easier, but I didn't want to use all that ink, and I liked the patterned paper.  I didn't want to do the Reese's because of nut allergies in my daughter's class.

Next will be V's daycare Valentines!  She wants to do heart-shaped crayons.  I've been furiously scouring the crayon bins for broken crayons to melt down, and I don't know as if I have enough.  We may have to go with Plan B.

I'd Say I'm Due for a Bit of Ranting...

One great thing about my blog and Girl Land is that I don't really rely on either for making a living. It's always simply been a hobby that if I happened to make money from, it's simply a bonus. That's a segue into justification for my complaint of the day...

Have any of you ever watched Cash and Cari on HGTV? For various reasons, I've never been a fan. But definitely not now. Yesterday, at my place of employment, one of her producers thought it would be a great idea to bring their TV cameras in to have a "gotcha" moment with my fellow co-worker and friend, a great guy who does his job and does it WELL. They placed their estate sale signs illegally and the signs were taken. They came in to confront my friend because they apparently thought it would make for some great TV. You know what, Cash and Cari?? Maybe follow the rules like everyone else and read the ordinances and don't try to make people look stupid who are trying to make an honest living and don't have the luxury of being on TV. ARGH.

On a nicer note, I stumbled upon the cutest site the other day when I was looking for a couple fiberglass elementary school chairs for the new house called Bianca and Family!

The site is in French, but I'm thinking I may be able to muster up enough of my 6 years of French to maneuver around at least a little because I HAVE to have this metal cotton candy jar:

And these woodland animal paperboard suitcases:

And maybe even this wallpaper (I told you-- I'm on the precipice of caving in to wallpaper for the new house)!!!!


Le sigh. Thanks for bearing with me. :) The house is coming along. Framing starts next week. Yikes.

P.S. Although I'm not a C&C fan, I LOVE LOVE LOVE HGTV. Don't get me wrong. Sarah, Candice, Antonio, etc...I could watch them all day long.

Get Yer Groupon!

Have you signed up yet? Until midnight tonight, you can get this awesome deal!!!


You don't have to create the book now-- you have until May! :) Go! Hurry!!!!

Woodland Animals + Target Dollar Spot = LOVE

Ok, I may or may not have...(snack cups!)


...gone a little nutso (2-pack of melamine plates!)...


...over the new Dollar Spot items (cups)...


...at Target (2-pack of melamine bowls)...


...but what do you think (cafeteria trays!)???!!


HOW CUTE ARE THESE??

Cheap & Cute Dresses

When Q was a tiny girl, I used to shop at Janie & Jack for her clothing. Especially dresses. But now discount stores have some of the cutest dresses out there that it's hard to lay down the dough at the higher priced clothing shops.

Case in point (V's yellow polka dot dress):



Target $9.35

#2 (Q's purple striped shirt dress w/ tulle edging at the skirt & reversible belt!)


Target $14.99

#3 (V's blue gingham dress):

KMart $6.99

#4 (my FAVE-- V's pink & green floral dress reminiscent of vintage bed linens)

Ready for this? WALMART $5.00

Although even with these bargains, I don't know as if I can pass up Janie & Jack's Strawberry Sweet line...when it goes on sale, that is. You know me-- I'm a sucker for strawberries.


Anyone else have any favorite cheap stores for clothing??

Happy weekending, all!! xo

Lemon Meringue

I'm going a little nutty over the yellow + white color combination this summer. Case in point-- check out about 1/10 of my Michael's stash from today ($6.00 for this bunch):


Clockwise from top right: $1.99 seersucker headband for Q, $1.00 set of pencils, $1.00 tissues, $1.00 notecard set, and middle $.99 vanilla cupcake travel candle. The candles, pencils, and tissues will be "favors" for Viv's 2nd b-day with the in-laws next weekend.




Here's some cutie tootie ribbon ($4.00 for all). Isn't the middle one very Orla but in pastels? Yumz!


And here's my new FAVORITE summer fragrance from Bath & Body Works!!!! Doesn't look like they carry the lotion online, but you can get it in stores. The lemon vanilla is better than the others, but the berry vanilla scent comes in a close second. The scent kinda reminds me of something nostalgic. Mmmmmmmmmm....ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!


And here's my own little Lemon Meringue Pie in her pinstripe bathing suit from Target! <3


Happy weekending, all! xo

Christmas? Really?

Look at my newest Target Xmas purchase! They're like matryoshka dolls, but Xmas characters. It has paid for itself already. The girls have been hypnotized.

This guy's my fave:

Also bought this Alexander Henry. Will be making some appliques for the shop (gasp, I know). I thought they'd look cute on a stocking. The top right angel reminds me of V and the bottom right of Quinn. Might make some packaging with "GLIY" on it as in "Girl Land It Yourself". heh.


Only 2 days, 10 hours!!!! Eek. V & Q have just gotten over the flu, and I'm PRAYING I'm not next. Bad timing!!! Send some healthy wishes my way, would you? xo

Etsy Yummies

Been receiving some nice little packages via some beautiful Etsy sellers lately:

This super cute fabric from The Fabric Bar from which I shall make some appliques:


I had a BAD experience with an Etsy seller, however, too (who shall remain nameless, but it was a fabric store). Has anyone else noticed you now have to hit the "Pay Now" button twice via Paypal all of a sudden? What the heck is up with that???? I only hit "Pay Now" once while trying to buy a yard of fabric, Etsy showed the transaction as being paid, and I never noticed I didn't get a Paypal receipt. So apparently, it didn't go through and the seller just decided to cancel the sale altogether! The only way I ever found out was because I searched for the transaction on Etsy and never found it, but I had kept the original email notification of the sale. I convo'ed the seller and told her it was a pretty crappy way of doing business, and she basically admitted she just cancelled the sale due to non-payment-- no convo, no email, no NOTHING. Mind you, I have 100% positive feedback. I read her the riot act a bit more, and of course, no response. Grrrrrr.......

On to my delicate little Snow Melon necklace from Edor:


Alllllll these cutie tooties from Delish Beads:


These dollops of buttercream frosting will make some tasty earrings!


And I haven't received this yet, but I bought this as a cover-up over Q's black leotard for ballet class which she will be starting in the Fall. Can't wait to see Bam Design's handiwork in person. Isn't it soooo cute!?


I just realized that this week marks Q's 1 year anniversary of being potty trained!!! Yayyyyyyy! One pee-tail down, one to go!!! :)

Pastel Love

Have NO idea why I tried this recipe yesterday. I am still trying to be good and at least stick to my Nutrisystem during the week. Q enjoyed, and I enjoyed a little TOO much! I must say, however, that Pink Party Popcorn mid-week is delish. I actually just used microwave popcorn and pink candy melts. I am definitely going to use this idea for parties-- think of all the fun color combos to match your event!


Also, picked up some pretties at Michael's. They have a cute preppy collection (the pencils). And I also picked up some pale green fairy wands for the girls at 10 cents apiece.

Flea Market Sunday

Amy and I went a-flea marketin' this morning. Here's my haul:


The Bo Peep puzzle was for Q. I love it-- it's called a Pizza Puzzle, and I wish I'd bought more cuz she loves it too! The deer planter and S&P are in my shop. The red Dutch folk tin is either going to be listed in my shop, or I'll keep it for my embroidery stuff. Not sure yet. The tablecloth is a maybe as well. It has the prettiest colors-- pink, mustard yellow, brown, and grey. Yum! The pretty kitty is a potholder rack and is already at home on my craft room wall:

Also, look at these lovelies! The Dutch kids one is in also in my shop. The mushroom kids perma-crinkle one (with tag!) may stay with me. Unsure...


You can see more pics on my Flickr page.

Don't Forget Dad!

Don't forget! Father's Day is Sunday, June 21. I just shopped a bit today, and I thought I'd share some of Girl Land's Etsy picks for some great gifties for your fave hubby, pops, or grandpa.

Top to Bottom, L-R:

1. Lotion bar by Portland General Store
2. Sunflower and Pistachio Toffee w/ Milk Chocolate by Vintage Confections
3. Custom Golf Bar Marker by Autumn Leaves Jewelry
4. World’s Greatest Husband vintage mug by EclecticaMiami
5. Robot Tee by Happy Family
6. Vintage Wooden Box for Polishing Shoes by Val Bolen
7. Half Pint of Prose for Fathers by Inspired Letters
8. Instant Vintage Office Set by River Bazaar
9. Gourmet BBQ Spice Rub Kit by Purpose Design

My dad will be receiving the golf markers from the girls that says, "We Love Grandpa Jim". Ryan will be receiving the robot tee, a nice trophy from the girls, and a card featuring a Father's Day interview I found by Let's Explore via The Crafty Crow. It was actually for Mother's Day, but I modified the questions. Best Q answer so far:

"My Dad always tells me, 'Let's listen to the Talkin' Heads'."

Speaking of Q, here are some other recent Q-isms that have made me laugh:

During a thunderstorm at 2:00 am-- "Mom, can you please turn down the thunder???"

After her dad startled her-- "Daddy, you just scared the poop babies outta me!"

With her arms out, shaking her head, naked from the waist down, "I have NO IDEA where my underpants are."

That is all. Off to watch SYTYCD that is being Tivo'ed as we speak!

C'Mon Spring!

Even though we're currently getting snow dumped on us here in Michigan, I still feel hopeful that Spring is on her way.

Some indications:

Apps for Handmade Detroit's Craft Revival (to which I will be applying) are now up. I love the Springy artwork:

This beautiful clementine kitchen from Apartment Therapy:

This sweet birdie clock on eBay. Someone PLEASE buy this. If it doesn't have any bids on it, I may be forced ot buy it, and I have nowhere to put it. Plus, my husband would kill me.

This lovely resin pendant from A Resin Revival on Etsy:

These lovely Springy items are making me try to forget that I have an eye infection (lovely), that Q just scratched the SCREEN of our new flatscreen TV in the basement, and that we had to reschedule dinner plans with my cousin due to snow and the fact that Baby Ronin is not feeling well. Win some, lose some!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! xo