Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm a day late posting this but I thought I'd go ahead and post a few ideas so that you can use them next year.  You can never be too prepared right??  These are the cards that my girls passed out this year in class.  I had them press printed at the place I get my photos developed and they are 5x7 front and back.  They were super easy to put together because they are templates sold by Madison Ave Photography.  I think she created these maybe two  years ago?  Not sure f she still sells them but if she does go find yourselves the set.  They are too cute and they even come with booksmarks that you could make for the class to coordinate with the cards.  Fun!

Izzy and Emily both had parties in their classes yesterday and both of them were keeping it pretty simple with small snacks.  I was scrambling last minute to find something fun to send with Izzy to school.  Luckily I check out Jessica's post over at Little Pumpkin Grace, one of my favorite blogs, and she had posted an idea she found on pinterest.  Target was selling these cute bubbles with heart tops in all sorts of fun Valentine colors. Of course I couldn't find them at 4 pm the day before Valentine's Day!  I remembered seeing some white ones at Hobby Lobby before in the wedding section so we headed there and found a pack of 36 and on SALE!  Ding ding!

I printed these on cardstock, forgot to add a pretty colored border but no redoing that last minute, and I sewed on embroidery floss to the them.  Tied tubes of bubbles to the cards and we had an instant little inexpensive gift to go with the cards.

For Emily's class we bought inexpensive coloring books and I tied on packs of crayons.  I figured parents have enough of candy and it seems like we ended up with more sweets than Halloween!  I know I always appreciate a good book or coloring book to take with us to restaurants and in the car.

38 presents all ready to go! and it didn't take too much time to put together.

Of course Izzy didn't decide to tell me that she was allowed free dress day until 8 pm that night as she was going to bed.  I had already planned on having Emily wear a little deco jean set made long ago by ribbons and ruffle boutique that Izzy modeled and has since been passed down to Emily.  Some may say why make a new outfit, just send her to school but the guilt of sewing all these Valentine dresses for my customers and not for my own children ate at me.  I ended up making a coordinating outfit for Izzy.

Oh, and those of your who have been interested in lunches I did do a small themed lunch knowing she was going to have a big snack during their party that day.  Here it is.

I hope all of your had a special Valentine's day surrounded by those you love most!

Mother's Day Brunch 2011

This year I wanted to do something extra special for my mom.  Sure, I could go out and buy her something expensive but I wanted to make to show her that I put a lot of thought it making a special day for her.  As luck would have it one of my aunts was also visiting from out of town so I was able to celebrate with two moms!  I chose to do a butterfly theme.  Have you noticed how much butterfly stuff is out right now?  I made this wreath which greeted them at the door and also gave it to my mom as part of her gift.

 I saw something similar at a beautiful florist in my mother-in-laws home town.  At $140 a wreath I knew I had to try and make one on my own to make it easier on the pocket book! This cost me about $20 to make, NICE!

I recently got a new Silhouette SD Cutter and was SO intimidated to cut anything but I knew this would be a perfect opportunity to try something simple.  I cut out a dozen or so cardstock butterflies and hung them from my light over the table. 

Simple and cute!  And can I just say I think the Silhouette and I are going to be good friends.  Can't wait to share some more projects from it in the future.

I made a variety of brunch foods including Martha Stewart's Asparagus and Leek quiche--DELISH!, chicken salad croissants, fruit salad, my sister-in-law's fabulous bok choy salad recipe, and a variety of store bought sweets.

I've also gotten a little crazy lately with the candy molds.  No fancy colored chocolates here but I LOVE these butterfly pretzels rods I molded. Fun!

These little bags held their gifts.  I wish I had remembered to take a picture of them.

 My mom got a travel pillow which I sewed a pillow cover for from scraps of fabric, the small canvases that I showed here, and a few bags of snacks.  She and my dad are going on a two week trip/cruise to Northern Europe this week so I thought it would be nice to take along.

I think they all had a fabulous time.  Here's a shot of my mom (on the left) and my aunt and uncle enjoying themselves.  Yes, even the dads got some nice brunch!

Clay and the girls surprised me last night with a few gifts.  I got a really cool garden hose (the kind that coils up like a spring so there are no kinks!) and a watering wand.  Izzy picked out a glass dragon fly on a stake for my veggie garden.  I also got a gift certificate for a one hour Swedish massage!!!  Can you say SPOILED!?!?!  They went way overboard.  But the best gifts of all were the presents that the girls gave me today, that they made in school this week. 

 I just absolutely love the book Izzy made me.  And her pictures ARE fabulous!

 Hee hee!  Don't I have on a fabulous dress?!

 So true!

 So sweet!

Oh SO sweet!!! Hee hee!  Told you they spoil me around here.

 And SO funny!  I look pretty good for 100!  And this just shows my daughter knows me so well at age 4 already!  She pretty much nailed everything else...well, milk might not be my very favorite drink! ;)

And the best thing about today is spending time with these sweet little munchkins!  Sushi for dinner out tonight! Yay!

Happy Mother's Day to all your beautiful and deserving moms!!! XOXO