September Acres

   I was watching a local lifestyle show the other day and saw a segment about Valentine's Day gift giving.  The first gift shown was a diamond necklace for $100 - very pretty but a bit pricey for a Valentine's Day gift.  Next up was a Bose iPod docking station for the man in your life for - get this - $299.  ( note: my husband thought this sounded like a great gift for him! )  These are both lovely gifts but it got me thinking about Valentine's Day and how it's almost turned into a mini-Christmas. I've always thought of February 14 as a day to show those we love a little extra affection, not buy them another huge gift.  If you are young without a mortgage and college tuition to pay, it's one thing, but for the rest of us I think it's really easy to go overboard and try to keep up with the masses. So, what's a girl to do if she doesn't want to spend a king's ransom on the one she loves? I'm a fan of some good old 'lovi...

Valentine's Day is less than a week away so we are heading into the official 'last minute' phase.  It's high time to get any cards you need to mail to the post office.  Everyone loves a homemade card, right? If you've thought of making them but then realized that you're running out of time, this is the project for you. These are 'semi-homemade' valentines.  I picked up this set of chevron note cards at the Target $ spot (for $1, natch).  I thought they would make the perfect cards for valentines but they just needed a little something. I got out some ribbon, paper and stickers and went to work, creating four unique but similar cards to send to friends and family.  I made my cards fairly simple but the sky's the limit here.  It's the perfect way to use up extra paper and ribbon as well as leftover stickers. Happy creating! Linking up to Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

Last night LM worked on Valentine's for her classmates while I worked on this little Valentine 'tree'.  I mentioned the project here , knowing my tree would be completely different from the original .  And it definitely is.  When I spotted the inspiration piece I thought the tree was made out of clothes pins (yeah, I don't know what I was thinking, but it was before I got my new glasses) and I had it stuck in my head that I would make a tree with clothes pins.  So that's what I did! I had the red glitter & pink clothes pins on hand.  The red and white ones are regular old clothes pins to which I mod podged scrapbook paper.  The hearts are made from some scrapbook paper scraps.  I attached the clothes pins to a lolly pop stick (the kind you buy to make your own pops).  I bought nothing new for this project - you have to love that - well at least I do! I think the thing I love the most about this project is that after the holiday...

Over the weekend I worked on my version of the 'XO' letters I saw at Tatortots and Jello .  I fell in love with the vintage looking Valentine paper at Hobby Lobby and knew that's what I would use for these letters - even though it was nothing like what I had in my head.  I painted the sides with red craft paint (Tuscan red, that is) instead of using a different paper as I originally had planned.  I mod podged the paper after painting the sides and added some ribbon & a glitter mini-clothespin (which I got at our now closed Michaels). This is a super easy project and one that the kids can be involved in as well.  It took me about 30 minutes to complete plus drying time (which wasn't more than another 20-30 minutes here in dry Arizona).  And the possibilities for colors, letters and accessories are endless.  It goes way beyond Valentine's Day. Initials for new babies or birthdays. 'Hop' or 'Egg' for Easter. 'Love' for a weddi...

I guess I'm at the age where every month I say "I can't believe it's already (fill in the month here).  Where does the time go?"  So, once again I ask "where did January go?" January seems to be full of pressure.  Pressure to keep those resolutions (one reason why I didn't make any this year) , pressure to get everything cleaned up after the holidays, pressure to get back in the swing of things after time off, pressure to tie up any loose ends from the prior year.  I also feel like January should be this relaxing, laid back month to snuggle up in front of a fire and read.  That never happened last month - it was go, go, go here at September Acres. Hello, February!  I love this month because is signals that January is behind us.  I find it a more relaxing month.  There are fun things to look forward to with Valentine's day - especially when you have kids.  Getting the little Valentines together for classmates and filling the house with ...

Valentine's Day is coming up soon.  Really soon.  If you're looking for a fun, easy, quick, inexpensive gift idea, look at this one. All you need is a picture - one of you and your loved one or one of your favorite vacation spot would be fun for Valentine's Day, a foam brush , Mod Podge & canvas (flat or wrapped - I have used both).  Optional supplies included ribbon or decorative tape & glitter spray. Spread Mod Podge on your canvas with a foam brush then place the picture on top.  Then brush the picture with 2-3 coats of the Mod Podge (let dry between coats).  Once that is totally dry lightly spray the picture with the glitter spray (I used Krylon in silver).  If you are using the wrapped canvas you can finish off the edges with the ribbon or tape (see below). That's it!  A fun give that's ready to give.  I have given these and people LOVE them.  This is also fun for older kids to do (would be a fun teacher's gift for t...

Valentine's Day is around the corner.  Really, it is.  So I figured it was high time to show the mantel some love as it's been 'naked' since I took down Christmas.  The lovely mantel was decorated using things I already had.  That's the way I like it.  'Love' garland made using my Cricut a few years ago.  Another Cricut project framed in this romantic looking frame. The DIY mercury glass vase makes yet another appearance.  The silver branches look wintry to me and it is still winter so I figured they could stay out. I love using books, especially on the mantel.  I stacked some red ones here. My mom framed the little print on the right for me.  It fits in perfect here. Do you do alot (or any) Valentine decorating around your house? Linking up to the Valentine Linky Party Dear Lillie, Beth's Mantel Link Party & Sherry's Open House Party .