Or...Keeping it real, or lack of planning, or whatever you want to call it...

It was the 11th hour and I hadn't gotten Valentines for Reese or Blair's classes. I am a room parent for both grades in two different schools so I was really only thinking about the snacks that day.

So with some leftover gold paper and foam hearts that I used for a church dance last weekend, I made some quick and easy Valentines. When I got to Blair's, I only had 10 foam hearts for 20 kids so what to do?

I cut them in half, each time cutting them a little differently, wrote a saying on the back, "Valentine, half my heart beats for you!" and other sayings that had to do with "Half" a heart and then stuck a Hershey's Bliss candy on the front of each side. Bing.Bam.Boom.

 

 

 

 

 

I told Blair to tell her friends that they should look for the person who matched their half of the heart, like a game. She thought that would be really fun and was hoping they could do it.

When she came home and I asked how her day was, she was beaming. She said they got to match their hearts and then they had to go around the room and share something about their Valentines. They all shared hers and loved having an impromptu game.

You can never go wrong with keeping things simple nor should you ever feel bad for doing so.

P.S. I guess Grant said that he and Blair "have a special friendship" which turned Blair all red in the face. Settle down there, Cowboy...

Have a great day,
xo
Laura






The Shabby Nest

Love notes

I was awakened to find 5 little love notes on my pillow.

They'll go with the rest of the stash from years past.

I look forward to reading them again in a few years

to see how the handwriting has changed but hope the sentiment hasn't.

Happy Valentine's Day!

A message that spurred a shopping spree

A week or so ago I messaged the hubster to tell him I used his debit card to order something from one of my favorite stores. (They suckered me in with 20% off and free shipping!) I told him this because we have had troubles with fraudulent charges on our account which always involves trying to explain to someone at a call center what is going on and finally putting a stop on the card and being issued another... And I was too lazy to go upstairs and get my card.

His reply to my message was, "Happy Valentine's Day."

My reply to his reply, "In that case, I'll be ordering more."

And so I did...Happy Valentine's Day to me.

See a theme here? I kinda like stripes.

That's the fact, Jack.

Have a great Saturday!

Personal cakes and my Valentine

This morning I awoke to a card and a love note on my pillow from my husband. I am always surprised how he is able to write just a few sentences and make them so poetic. It is one of his gifts.
He has done the same for the kids, not just on Feb 14, and I take the notes and tuck them away because I know that one day it will make them happy to read them over and over and will be reminded how much they are loved.

Some of my favorite Valentine's gifts from him was an antique box filled with potpourri and a sweet love note tucked inside. Another was a big basket full of apples and chocolate covered strawberries with rose petals tossed about the basket.

Other than a sweet note and treats, we really don't do much else. We have 364 other days of the year to appreciate each other, as well as the kids, but it's fun to make things so I am pulling out the Bosch to make personal Valentine cakes from scratch.

I am also using the small cake molds that make any cake look instantly cute by their floral shape. Some will be frosted with a simple chocolate glaze and others will get a dusting of powdered sugar and sprinkles of course.

One thing I received today and had to show is a necklace fashioned by Blair. She took an old locket out of my jewelry box and placed a picture of herself holding a Valentine inside and put it on a green string. Too cute.

Have a happy day everyone! Any fun plans?

My funny Valentine - vintage of course

I think it's pretty clear by now that you know I love vintage items and ephemera is up on the list. Valentines, calling cards and old letters are in my arsenal of crafting and decorative supplies. I've been collecting them since I was a teen-ager but only buying a few here and there if they are highly decorative or if I can't resist that sweet factor they have.

There is just something about them - maybe it's the way they're written, use of materials, colors or just the all around old-fashioned goodness, I think make the perfect current valentine.

Years ago people thought I was crazy when I would send out vintage valentines. They just didn't get it, asking if I couldn't afford new ones? That made me laugh. Yes, I could afford a $2.99 pack of standard foil cards and in a pinch, I have. But my preference is hunting for the old ones and re-working them.

They are not hard to find. Just go to any antique shop, antique mall or flea market. They are usually priced individually but everytime I go to buy them, the seller looks at the stack in my hand and just gives me a price, which is always better.

Some of the collection:

Can you see the writing from a soldier to his sweetheart?

"You and I soon I hope."

WWII French Valentine postcard

"Love & Kisses, your hubby. 1944"

Yay for dating it - my mom taught me to put the date on everything because she said you always think you'll remember, but you won't.

Ribbon details

Old postcards are a great thing to use when constructing your own Valentines. They can be less expensive than the old cards and are in abundance at antique shops and flea markets.

They are usually dated and postmarked making it easy to identify the age.
Calling cards from the 1890's - 1940's; small works of art

Some of my favorites are those with an envelope. I don't find these too often. It's a good place to stash your own love notes.

Another postcard.

Although it's not as colorful or artistic as the others,

it's the secret admirer, not creepy stalker note, on the back that caught my attention.

I mean, I don't think a stalker would say "Ta Ta."

This girl was ahead of her time by sending a boy a love note in 1914.

Cute school boy card.

On the back and written in cursive it says, "From Ned."

Ned had good taste in cards.


I bought this little cup to recreate which will hold some special treats for the kids come Monday.

As you can see, my little guy is already eyeing it.

So what about you? I can't be the only lover of vintage cards out there.

Any guesses on my most favorite?