DIY Valentines

There's still nothing quite like a homemade card, gift, or valentine! I've always loved Valentine's Day, and have never really seen it as a strictly romantic holiday. Even as a grad student I gave chocolates and cartoon-themed cards to all of my fellow TAs! It's a nice way to be thoughtful and make others smile!

I've been scanning Pinterest for a couple of weeks looking for inspiration for homemade Valentines (something I haven't done in a few years). Below are some of my favorites sources of inspiration! Click on each image to pin the original source. Hope you LOVE them! =) 

1. Bookmark Valentines

I love the idea of using paint samples (which are typically free!) to create bookmarks. Using scrapbooking hole punchers in the shape of a heart adds a nice touch. I would also suggest writing a favorite quote or bible verse to add more personalization!

Bookmark Valentines: Click for link. 

2. Simply Cute Animal Valentines or Magnets 

While I've never been an extremely talented artist, even I can manage some cute stick figures, and this how-to guide is pretty helpful. I like the simplicity of these cartoons. Plus I'm a sucker for corny Valentine puns! 

Here's the guide first (taken from Pinterest, but I couldn't find the source): 

And now for my  Not-So-Creative-Corny-Valentines Puns: 

1. Cat: I think you are purrrrfect Valentine!

2. Dog: No bones about it, you're a great friend!
3. Bird: You're a tweet-heart!  

4. Dragonfly: Valentine you're so fly! 

5. Ladybug: I couldn't spot a better Valentine!

6. Butterfly:  Your friendship has transformed me! 

7. Pig: When life get's SLOP-py, it's great to have a pal like you!

8. Dog 2: I "Ruff" You! 

9. Horse: I could go HORSE talking about how great you are, Valentine!

I like the idea of making these little guys on magnets. It's super cheap to buy a roll of magnetic tape at your local craft store, as well as unlined index cards. I used this trick all the time when I was teaching elementary French. We used my magnetized drawings all the time to learn vocabulary! 

3. DIY Sharpie Plates and Mugs

This idea has overtaken pinterest! It's so easy and cheap, too! Simply buy mugs or plates from the dollar store, draw designs on them with a sharpie, then bake at 350 for 30 minutes to create a permanent design. Fill your designed mug with candy hearts for the perfect personalized gift on Feb. 14! 

Image pinned from the Sweetest Occasion Blog!

4. Dip Dyed Candles 

LOVE this idea from Martha Stewart! If you have a slow cooker, plain white candles, and some crayons, you can create your own colored candles! Just some melting and dipping required! You will need to stop by your local craft store for some wax beads to melt with the candles. Various pinks and reds would really add to the mood of a romantic dinner! 

See the Martha Stewart website for complete instructions!

Happy crafting, and a very happy Valentines Day to you and all of those you love!

Unique Personalized Gifts for Adults & Kids

February is a busy month for us. There is Valentines Day, three birthdays in a row (two close friends and my husband), and my mother-in-law's birthday at the end of the month. Tis the month of gift giving!

When I say I love giving presents, I mean I love it. It is even one of my primary love languages! Every Christmas, I find such a thrill in searching for and ultimately purchasing what I hope will be the perfect gift for the intended recipient. None of this one-size-fits-all gifting, if I can avoid it!

So while this was perhaps better suited as a Christmas post, I hope it will nevertheless prove helpful year round!

My Top 5: Unique Personalized Gifts for Adults & Kids! 

To begin, we have only to think of Dorothy's repeated affirmation: "There's no place like home." In my family, there are certain houses that have a long and important history for us, even if there are new owners who put up a horrible fence or neglect the chipping paint. (That's another story.) In my house we have a sketched depiction of my great grandmother's house, which sat directly across from the house where my father grew up. I love looking at that drawing. It's not a photograph, and yet it captures something that feels so real. It looks welcoming, cheerful, and homey. What a great way to honor the house! Similarly, the Etsy Shop of Blue House Paperie will create custom watercolor prints of homes, adding the address or family name. Check them out here.


For the newest and youngest members of a family, chances are they live a good ways from their grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. Our society can't seem to keep still- but that doesn't mean they will not know their long-distance relatives. I love the idea of creating a personalized boardbook with pictures of family members so baby will start to recognize them! Pint Sized Productions offers several great options for creating custom books. Custom boardbooks start at $24.95. Click here for some examples.


I'm at that point in my life when, slowly but surely, my friends are starting to settle down, and some of them are purchasing their first houses. If I were in their shoes, I know I would love to have one of these custom return address stamps from Angelique Ink! They are so cute, and would make things a lot easier at Christmas time. Plus, they are more eco-friendly and cost-effective than standard printed labels! Prices start at less than $50.



Have I mentioned I love maps? Several times? Well, I do, and I think they make great artwork. That's why I love this website, Stamen Maps, that allows you to type in a location and create a custom map of that region! For a wedding gift you could create two maps of the bride and groom's respective hometowns! You can chose a terrain, watercolor or toner based map. The first map I created (left) is a watercolor map of Washington D.C., and the second is a toner-based map of Douglas, Isle of Man. Best of all, this is a free service!

This last one is definitely a favorite that I'm filing away for any future children I have. Child's Own Studio creates custom soft toys based on your child's drawings! How cool is that? If that doesn't teach children that their dreams can come true, what does? Plus, it forever captures a moment in time of the ever-changing personality of a child. I love this idea! Just beware- this is the priciest item on my list (understandably so- it's the most involved) and can cost anywhere from $90-140 depending on the level of detail.

The thing that I love about these gifts is their sweetness; they capture a very personal feeling that comes from the connections we have with the people and places most dear to us. In that sense, it's a gift that keeps on giving!

PS: If you are hoping to keep costs low this Valentines Day, stay tuned for an upcoming post on my favorite DIY gifts!

Mitten Smitten

This post is dedicated to the wonderful and, at the moment, completely frozen state of Michigan! Though I only lived there one year, this state has had and always will have a special place in my heart. My entire family is from Michigan. My parents met in the same small town where their parents met. And, not least, we were married in Ann Arbor! It will always be close to my heart!

Our collection of great lakes stones!

Not surprisingly, evidence of our time spent as Michiganders can still be seen in our home. I love the collection of stones that we gathered from (all but one of) the great lakes. Our living room is adorned with an antique map of the state, looking significantly less thumb-like according to that early cartographer. And Douglas loves snuggling up on his UM blanket (go blue!).

State pride is strong for Michiganders, and I understand why. It is a hidden gem in the midwest, with some of the most beautiful vacation spots I've ever visited. Mackinaw Island and the great UP are not to be missed! On top of this, the people are super friendly, and there is a quaintness that still exists in many of the small towns.

So, because it's like home to me, and because I love Michiganders too, here are just a few ways to pay homage to the great Mitten state!

Ah, Michigan cherries! Leaving aside the fact that I am allergic to them, I have it on good authority that they are the best. This antique sign makes me think of summer, and of fresh Cherry Pies from the Grand Traverse Pie Company! $15 from fairy-freckles.com 

I love rustic wood signs. This one also has a modern feel to it, with the bright colors and simple typography. Whether you are still in state or have moved, home is never far. $34.99 from the WorldLust Etsy shop. 

If you have a large collection of small, flat, Petosky stones, here is a DIY that may interest you. These pebble hot pads are super cute and such a great idea. See glitzbliss.blogspot.com or visit my Pinterest DIY board for complete instructions. 

What if you could pay homage to Michigan's nautical side AND it's automobile history at the same time? Well, for more serious DIYers, this Rope Tire Ottoman is just for you! Old tires become sturdy extra seating that can easily slide under a coffee table. See handimania.com for complete instructions. 

If you've made it this far, I hope I've left you craving Zingerman's Deli and reaching for your nearest box of Jiffy Mix! Go Wolverines (sorry, Dad)! 

Shopping for Artwork Online

Every morning before I start my day, I sit down and draft the list.

You know what I'm talking about, right? Okay, so not everyone physically writes down their list, but we all have one in our minds. That constant run down of the things we have to do today/this week/should've done last week.

(And by "all" I mean "all women".).

One of the things on my list this week was to find artwork for above our bed. That space has been forever empty, largely because I haven't been able to decide what I want to do with it. I have an idea of what type of space I want the artwork to take up, which is a start, right? Well, I still haven't made a final decision, but I have made progress. And in the meantime, I've discovered some good websites to share with you.

It is not enough for me that artwork be somewhat visually pleasing and that it match the space. It absolutely HAS to have a meaning behind it, and one that is very "us". So when I started searching, I searched by cities, countries, artists, and photography that we already care about.

My first stop was allposters.com. This site has a HUGE inventory of reproductions of art, photography, and vintage prints. And it's an affordable option, too. Even large prints can be purchased relatively inexpensively. I'm intrigued by the vintage as well as the impressionist art, but am excited that they also have old maps on this site!

This would probably be too feminine for Joe, but I loved this print by Aurore de la Morinerie on Allposters.com. The 12X16 is only $17.99.

So this is a bit more pricey, but it doesn't get any more custom than custom silhouettes! I love this etsy shop, Pretty Faces, by Amanda and Jackie. Even if not for above the bed, I really want to get some of these for our house. They even do pet silhouettes! Douglas would make a handsome silhouette model, that's for sure. Hurry- they're offering 10% through the end of October!

Custom Silhouette Portrait: $50 from the Pretty Faces Etsy Shop. 

Another good option for prints or canvas art is Zazzle.com. Their site is much more user friendly than All Posters, and boasts a hip, fun design. It's also a bit quirkier, and plays to a younger audience (for example, the first category is labeled "Awesome Posters" and features a hipster lion). Still, Zazzle is so much more than posters, so even if you can't find the right one for you, there's always more fun shopping to be done.

This guy will set you back $56.99 at Zazzle.com, and can be customized!

Lastly, I've thrown around the idea of blowing up a picture of us, maybe from our wedding, or perhaps a panorama from one of our vacations. However, it felt a bit cliche, and I am not sure how I feel about a giant me floating above my head. One thing that may change my mind is the prospect of printing on wood, giving more texture and depth. Shutterfly.com offers Wood Wall Art, starting at $89.99. You can also add text and collages!

"Home and Heart" Wood Wall Art. $89.99 for an 8X10. 

With so many places to view art online, it is easier to find something great (rather than settle for the decor section at a department store) AND meaningful. How do you pick out a piece for your home?

Decorating Dilemmas SOLVED!

For months I have struggled with this. I have questioned what to do. I have slowly been filled with disgust as clutter built and yet nothing fell into place. At last, I am happy.

This thing that plagued me for so long? What on earth to do with the space above the TV armoire.

The armoire was given to us by my great aunt, collector of all things cute and country. I'm not sure what she opted to do with it, but I sure had a hard time figuring out what to put up there. It is deep, for one, and painted almost the same color as the walls (this is the problem with moving a lot). Because of this, it felt like a huge empty space. I put several items up there, but it just wasn't working. Several of the things I selected were nice, such as the birdcage filled with antique books (the one item that remained) and the mantle clock. But the only way that I was going to solve this dilemma was to take everything off and start over.

To get some ideas, I went to the free design studio at Pottery Barn and described my armoire and its general situation in the living room. The woman I spoke with suggested moving my Renoir print from above the fireplace and hanging it instead above the armoire so that there would not be so much empty space above it. Well, that alone made a big difference. She also suggested selecting only three items to go on top; two to one side, one to the other. I could change these items according to the season, she said. I selected, along with my birdcage which will remain there year round, a pitcher of fall flowers and a small pumpkin. Already I really liked how it was looking, but the amount of white was still bothering me. So I took a fall table runner and ran it across the middle of the armoire. This pop of color broke up the white and fixed the depth issues! This is how it turned out:

Step 1: Remove junk from the armoire; replace with simple styling. 

This set up can easily change with the seasons!

I really loved how that looked, so I decided to finish the project by finally hanging the artwork I had been planning to hang on each side of the armoire. I put a mail sorting system on the side closest to the front door (we have no entryway here), with an antique map of colonial Algeria above it. On the opposite side, I hung my homemade canvas art over another map, this one of the Louisiana purchase.

Dougie checks out the new design! 

The last thing I did was clean up Dougie's area. I moved his toys (which previously would just end up anywhere around his box) and draped the same Turkish cloth that I have over top of the coffee table over his cage. It lightens up the harsh black wire. Plus the arrangement of his favorite stuffed toys on top looks so cute!

Dougie's new clean area! Er..minus the measuring cup! I use that to scoop out his food. :) 

All in all, I'm really happy with how it turned out! Two more smaller things that I also did today include a "WATER CLOSET" sign hung over the half bath and the return of the mantle clock to- surprise- the mantle! The last thing that I want to do here (which the woman at Pottery Barn suggested to me) is add a rectangular mirror to go above the mantle where the picture previously hung!

Love this sign from World Market! 

New mantle set up with the mantle clock! I think this was also from Aunt Joanne? Thanks! :) 

The moral of the story: if you are stuck, ask for help! Going to Pottery Barn helped move me in the right direction, and the best part was all this advice was free! Thanks PB! =)

DIY Vintage Canvas Art

This week I discovered that a computer, a printer, and a little creativity can go a long way!

Vintage prints are so popular right now. However, they are kind of impersonal. Don't get me wrong- I love the look of a random French advertisement printed on a pillow, but wouldn't it be wonderful if it had a special meaning to me as well?

That was the goal for this project: to create my own vintage art that could also be personal. Since I am leaving soon for a week long vacation to the Isle of Man (a small island in the Irish sea to which I have strong ancestral ties), I thought I'd design something that would remind me of this trip for years to come.

To start, I did a search for vintage clip art that I could download for free. I was surprised to find so many options, such as:

thegraphicsfairy.com
vintagefeedsacks.blogspot.com
missmary.com

I eventually settled on an anchor from the Graphics Fairy.

Next, I wanted to find a vintage looking font, and fell in love with (the ironically named) "Ugly Qua" font, which I downloaded for free from www.dafont.com. (Note: you will need to download the zip files, extract the files, and then save to the "fonts" folder under "Control Panel" before you can use the font in MS Word).

Once I had typed up my design in Word, I bought some canvas scrapbooking paper (can be purchased at AC Moore or Michaels). It's thin enough to run through the printer, though I had to trim it to size. I also picked up a black frame for $5 at AC Moore. For less than $10, I was able to create my own personal vintage-looking artwork!

Ta-da! I hung it on the wall under one of my vintage maps. It looks great! 

Seasons of Home

It's been a year since we first moved to our current home, and I can't imagine living in any other neighborhood. One of my favorite parts of the neighborhood is the adjacent walking trail. It is really wonderful to be in a city, close to a major metropolitan area, and yet just steps away from being able to disappear into nature. The Trolley Trail, as it is called, is a tree-lined former trolley line (hence the name) that attracts bikers, strollers, walkers, runners, and canines alike. I've enjoyed it so much that it inspired a project that I've been working on all year, and recently finished. For each season, I walked to roughly the same spot on the trail to take pictures. After a year, I've got each season documented and was able to create original and meaningful artwork for our home! We may not be here forever, but where ever we go we can remember these "seasons" of our lives!