Simple Embroidery Ideas for Valentine's Day

There's something really charming about a simple hand stitched embroidery. Embellishing handmade or store bought items with one could make for the perfect thoughtful little Valentine's day gift :)

Images Clockwise from top left:

X-Stitched Hand Warmer DIY Tutorial at Instructables

Free Hug Bot Pattern from Sublime Stitching

Hand Embroidered Rose Sachets from TheStoryofKat

Zipper Pouch from allisajacobs 

$5 pattern from FlapperDoodle

Make a Coffee Sleeve for Your Valentine

Valentine's gifts can get way out of control (you won't see any dissapointment from me when I do not receive a diamond tennis bracelet or an open heart necklace :). I do have fun giving cards and making thoughtful little crafts though, like this coffee sleeve from Smilemonsters. I may have to make myself one so I can cover up the beer glass I usually drink my morning tea out of!

 How will you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Twig Christmas Tree

I love this Christmas tree! I can never justisfy buying a real one for our place, considering it's just the two of us, and we are usually celebrating somewhere else. I am a sucker for the holidays though and love to get into the Christmas spirit, which often means driving my husband bananas by listening to Christmas music on December 1st. Let's see what he thinks of me making a twig tree like this one from The Art of Doing Stuff. :D

Last Minute Mother's Day Cards

In need of a last minute Mother's Day Card? Well why not print one for free? I was actually pleasantly surprised by the selection of free printable cards over at HP. This one particularly spoke to me, and my mom will know why :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Creative Gift Wrap

Happy Holidays Readers! I've missed you, but I am moving AND it's the holidays. Crazy times! I am pleased to say I had a great season over at Simply Pretty Prints, meeting and exceeding my goal of 100 sales! Looking forward to more exciting things in 2011. Ok, now for some brief holiday blogging...I like to think that I put *almost* as much thought into gift wrapping as the gifts I buy. Here is some good gift wrapping inspiration from Compai found via The Gifted Blog. Apparently you can use just about anything to jazz up plain old brown kraft paper!

DIY: No Carve Pumpkin Idea

Tired of all the mess associated with carving Jack-O-Lanterns? Try your painting skills with this idea from Good Housekeeping!

Make Velvet Pumpkins

Hello readers! I had a great trip to France and Switzerland, but boy is it good to be home (nothing like a good night sleep in your own bed).

Now that it's officially fall, even if it's not feeling like it at close to 100 degrees in San Diego, it's time for some fun fall projects. I came across this fun velvet pumpkin pattern from Nancy Deliz on Etsy. Enjoy!

Mother's Day Pop-Up Card

Why give a boring old card when you can show your mom just how crafty you are with this pop-up card! I haven't actually tried making it, but looks simple enough. Free download with instructions from Canon.

Mother's Day Downloads

If you're in need of a gift tag this Mother's Day, head on over to TomKat Studio, where the talented editor Kim will let you download some for free!

Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Treat

In case you're on your way out the door and need of a last minute treat to bring with you to a St. Patrick's Day Party or already home from celebrating and have the munchies from all that green beer, here is an easy St. Patty's Day treat recipe from The Decorated Cookie. Cheers!

Kissing Cupcakes

I wanted to post a new and unique Valentine's Tutorial and this is what I came up with. Afterall, who doesn't love cupcakes? Especially ones this cute!

What You'll need:

- Cupakes (I used a quick white cake mix so I could maximize my time experimenting with the fun part - decorating)

- Pink Buttercream frosting (I made my own - let me know if you want the recipe)

- Fondant (I used stuff from a box)

- Large heart sprinkles

- Frosting/decorating bag with 1 extra small (#2) and 1 large(#12) circular tip

- Fondant cutter (like a miniature pizza cutter)

- Cup of warm water

- Rolling Pin

- Powdered Sugar

Process

1. Make the cupcakes (you can handle this step on your own right?:) I chose cute heart cupcake papers.

2. Frost the cupcakes using the decorating bag and #12 (large) tip. The frosting should be liquidy enough so it smooths out before drying. I was generous and let the frosting flow over the sides a bit for an extra gourmet (or gourmand) effect!

3. Roll out the fondant using a rolling pin to about 1/8" thick. Use powdered sugar to prevent the fondant from sticking to the rolling pin and cutting board.

4. Cut out the fish shapes using the fondant cutter. Experiment here and have fun. I made all sorts of shapes and sizes, always in a matching pair. If your shapes don't come out well the first time, just roll out more fondant. I found that cutting out seperate tails and bodies made it easier to handle.

5. Wet your finger with the warm water and smooth out the edges of the fondant shapes.

6. Place the shapes on the frosted cupcakes.

7. Attach the lips (heart shaped sprinkles) using a small dab of frosting.

8. Use the small (#2) decorating tip to draw the eyes with the same frosting you used for the cupcakes.

That's it! Pretty easy, but so cute you may not want to eat them!

Pssst! Don't forget to enter to win a set of Valentine's Cards! So easy to win, why not enter?!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Writer / Doodler

Guess what? This is my 92nd post! I can't believe it! To celebrate, and as sort of a grand finale to my Holiday Gift Guide, I will be giving away something I would normally sell in my etsy shop. Details coming soon!

In the meantime, I am continuing my Holiday Gift Guide featuring hand made items from Etsy. My latest find is these beautiful journals from seller To Boldy Fold. You can't get much more hand made than a hand bound journal with hand torn pages and hand cut leather. These journals exude quality with their soft, supple leather and would make a lovely treasure for the most discriminating of tastes.

Holiday Gift Guide: For Baby

These little kimono style baby booties are so cute I can't stand it! I also couldn't choose my favorite, so I thought I'd show all of them. Aren't the fabrics great? Reasonably priced at $12 and available now from etsy seller Cazhoffy.

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Photography Lover

I love this image from new etsy seller kjdphotography for it's geometric pattern, unique cropping and texture. Check out her shop for more unique nature photographs. Some of my favorites include "Swarm" and "Thirsty". More of Kelsi's work can be found on her personal web page http://www.kelsidoscher.com/.

Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

I just love this ruffly little top (also available in a long sleeve version for winter) by new Etsy seller IslaNewYork. It's like a shirt and a flower leis in one, plus it's hand dyed and made from a soy/organic cotton/spandex blend, so you know it's super good for the earth and super soft. All of IslaNewYork's designs can be made in the color of your choice which I think is pretty cool. So stop by her shop and support the talented fashion designer at IslaNewYork!

Holiday Gift Guide: Nice

Treat someone nice on your list to a hot cuppa' tea! It's cold, it's dark, and I know I want one. Ok, the Etsy seller over at The Loose Leaf knows I'm exaggerating about the cold part (because she's from San Diego too), but I am a big tea drinker and would love to cozy up with a cup of organic loose leaf tea. I guess it's the 3/8ths Scot in my blood.

Holiday Gift Guide: Naughty

For those on your list who were naughty this year, send them the message with this lump of coal soap by TwinDreamCreations. Glycerin soap made with peppermint essential oil and truly unique because each piece cut by hand.

Want to give something nice instead? Check out TwinDreamCreations Peppermint Twist Soap.

More Free Halloween Downloads: Drink Labels

Still planning your Halloween Party? Check out these fun drink labels from Design.Wash.Rinse.Repeat. Found via Craft Gossip.

Halloween Party Food

I found this fun Halloween Party Food idea from Picky Palate via Curbly. Don't eat meat? No problem, replace the hot dogs with "Smart" Dogs.