Valentine's Mantle

I'm so happy I finally have my Valentine's mantle done. For me to have something done early is like a major miracle lol. I only did the mantle this year, and still have my winter theme buffet table still done. Some of the candles were from Michael's 70% off Christmas sale this year. Everything else has been picked up over the last century or two. I took advantage of the one sunny day we've had here to get these pictures taken *s*

Valentine's Vignette

I "think" I have finally finished my Valentine's vignette. I am looking for a little silver heart frame though, I think that might top it off. I'm very happy with it though. Details if you are interested Large vase with a prayer candle and rose petals inside, from DT. Wordle that I made, you can find that post here. Three hearts are picks from DT, as well as the frame. I was inspired by Brassy Apple. X & O are from JoAnn's. I painted them and added a coat of glitter. The love vase and filler are from DT and the tea lite is from WalMart. The jar of hearts I made, you can find that post here. The Love, Kiss, and Dream candles were from Target ages ago. The spinning glittered heart is from JoAnn's.

Jar of Hearts

Have you heard the song "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri? I would even claim it could be my song of the moment. The lyrics are on the sad side, but the music is beautiful. So it hits me the other night, why not make a jar of hearts for V-Day?! Ok, the theory only had something to do with the title, but I thought maybe it will be a good project.

I had purchased a bag of assorted heart sizes from Michael's (I'm using the small ones) and I'm using Craftsmart brand paint, color is Holiday Red. So here I sit painting these small hearts asking myself what was I thinking?! My fingers are coated in red paint, and instead of seeing stars, I'm seeing hearts. Thankfully this stuff is washable or I'd be going to work tomorrow looking like...well, I don't know...messy maybe lol. Here's a picture so far.

Ok, I'm to the point that if I see another heart, I'll cry lol. Scott says that there aren't near enough in there. I told him grab a brush and some paint! Just need to make myself a label for the top...another heart I'm sure lol.

Roses with Black Frame

Is it possible to ever die while you wait for your craft to dry?! I had to start this post just so I'd leave my frame alone lol. I've seen so many of these frames around blogland that I thought I'd try to put my own spin on it as much as possible.



I started out with the basics: frame (Michael's $1.00), acrylic paint (black - $2.00 for that huge bottle), foam brush (a whole 7 cents), and of all things, a spoon holder for a palette. What was even better is I had a 20% off coupon for my whole purchase =) Anyway, I painted about an inch around the front, the edges, and all of the back because I have the type of friends that will prolly pick it up and flip it over, and I'd die if it wasn't all the way painted!! I had picked up these cute wordarts from Michael's too ($1.00). The catch is they're already painted. I should have sanded them down a bit, I didn't realize how hard it would be to cover pepto pink. What seemed like twenty coats later, I finally have it to my satisfaction. Just debating if I want to Mod Podge it or not. In this picture the letters aren't completely done just so you could see the lovely pink shade.

Now all the paint is dry, I've cut out my lovely rose paper, Mod Podged my frame, stuck on paper, and because I don't have a brayer (added to shopping list), I used his old debit card. I just coated the top of the paper, and I'm anxiously waiting for it to dry.





Well, it dried, and I hate the results. Because someone has borrowed my exacto knife, I had to use a box cutter and it made the edges crappy. So...out comes the nail files. I sanded down the edges of the paper, but I still didn't like it, and I didn't like the Mod Podge finish. I had bought an extra sheet of that rose paper thankfully, so I cut out another one, cutting out the center part first this time. Mod Podged it on, and still wasn't pleased. Used a coarser grit nail file on the edges, a little better. Then I had an idea. I painted around the edges of the frame and rubbed the paint a little for a distressed, inked type of edges. I so love it now, but I don't want to seal it with the Podge...

Wasn't quite sure still about the letters. I Podged the back of the frame and letting it dry to see how it turns out. So 20 minutes later, didn't really see a difference, so now I'm waiting on the letters to dry.

Used Gorilla Glue's Super Glue and glued the letters to the frame, and I couldn't be happier now. I just love how this turned out!!

Love Trio

So I finally figured out what to do with my wordle. I cut it down with a box cutter to fit into a 5x7 frame and turned it the other way. I am so much happier now!! It's our big day tomorrow so I was trying to be romantic. He just thinks I'm trying to burn the house down =) The big vase is from Dollar Tree, so is the prayer candle in the middle, and of course the red rose petals are too. I guess you can imagine that the little vase are and the frame that I had to buy because I didn't want to hunt through my stash.



Yesterday I did a very bad thing. I went to Michael's. They had a one day only 20% off everything coupon, and well, you just can't waste a coupon now can we?! I think the most expensive things I bought we two starfish for a bowl that I have shells in. I bought a ton of frames, wood pieces parts, glitter, and these beautiful Christmas baskets (take out the felt with the snowmen and they are all seasons!). I just increased my to-do list by a mile lol. Have to get busy and start craftin'. Then as I'm typing this, I remember, I never got the ad in my email. Do yourself a favor. Don't look at it. Acrylic paint, vase fillers, and open paper stock are on sale!

Anniversary Wordle

I've been seeing all of these wonderful wordles around lately, and I remember using it ages ago for something fun, but I've found new uses. I made one for my anniversary in shades of red and pink and printed it out on white cardstock and put it into one of those lovely Dollar Tree frames. I'm thinking though it's kinda plain. Scott suggested putting it into a smaller frame. Which means a trip to the dollar store because I don't want to have to dig through my whole collection to find a 5x7. I need other stuff anyway, so never hurts to stop in lol. I also thought about taking some rose petals and putting them in the frame too. I just don't know. Anyway, I thought maybe someone might like to use the wordle, so you can download it here. It prints 8x5 an a 1/4 ish. No, measuring is not my strong point. Neither is math. That's why I have a hubby. It's his job! If you make anything with it, would you mind commenting with the link. I would love to see how someone else can spice it up.