Posts Tagged ‘valentines’

Easter is over. Now we have a bit of a holiday break before the 4th of July. Usually this is my kiddo birthday party planning break time as well, but this year Cora Jane wanted her birthday in the new house and we said yes.

I’m not sure why.

Now there will be a 4 month gap between her actual birthday and her party. That bothers me… not sure why (again). While the party is in ‘birthday limbo land’ I have had loads of time to prep and collect bits and pieces here and there for the event. And I’ve had time to think about the date of Cora Jane’s birthday – it’s on Valentines day. I feel like she is a bit short-changed when it comes to “her” day. (I’ve talked about it at length before.)

I like to to a little family celebration for Valentines Day – just a special dessert or fun dinner with a little valentine for each kiddo. Every year I agonize over the fact that Cora Jane is cheated on her birth “day.” Then after all is said and done, I make the decision to celebrate Valentines on the evening before, on the 13th, then have Cora’s birthday celebrations on Valentines Day. The problem is, I ALWAYS realize that after Valentines, and everything is all mushed together. Then I feel guilty. Isn’t mom guilt the most ridiculous thing ever!?! She doesn’t even notice and I’ve only had 4 chances to work this whole thing out AND she won’t remember those 4 any way. What-evah.

On birthdays around here I do candles in everything they eat during the day along with the birthday song. Super fun, simple and the kiddos LOVE it!

Cora Jane picked Rosa’s Pizza for her birthday dinner. So almost all our pictures have Bud Light banners in the background. Lovely.

I love everything about these pictures… 

My mom gave the favorite gift of the evening. Unlimited quarters for Little Miss to use on the vending machines. Almost like a party game.

In case you are wondering about her chosen theme… it’s Rainbow Puppy.

What is Rainbow Puppy? (you ask)

Well, I have no idea. Something from her sweet little head and we just went with it. I found paw print wrapping paper at the dollar tree and paired it up with colored ribbon. I’ve also found fun rainbow stuff at Oriental Trading for the favors!

My cousin came over last weekend and we did a little experimenting with food coloring and sour belts. Good times. 

Now, if we can just finish up that house we can actually have this Rainbow Puppy shin-dig!

I found this necklace tutorial on Pinterest and thought it would be just perfect to make. (I’m having technical issues with Pinterest right now so I can’t find the link… I’ll try again later.)

Here’s what you need:
~ Necklace with a round charm/pennant (I got mine at the 99 Cent Store and it had a little heart charm on it which made it perfect for Valentines Day which is when I made it… they still have them right now!)
~ Small piece of knit red fabric, mine was about 3×5” (You can buy a tee shirt at the dollar store and have enough fabric for like 100 necklaces)
~ Toothpick
~ Hot glue gun
~ Pen
~ Scissors

1. Use the charm to trace about 8-12 circles on the knit fabric. Cut out the circles on the inside of your tracing line. The circles don’t have to be perfect!
I traced 6 circles then folded my fabric in half so the cutting would take half the time. EASY!

2. Fold the circle around a toothpick to make a nice point for gluing.

3. Use a small dab (is that a word?) on the fabric and glue it near the center of the charm. Work your way from the center to the ends.

4. Shape the pom pom with scissors by cutting off any areas that stick out.

Now wasn’t that simple? I think it turned out just peachy too. This is another fun one to do in a group. Easy, inexpensive and the outcome is super fun! A lot of my friends made them for their daughters for Valentines Day. They would be great to do in green for St Paddy’s Day… maybe even a teacher giftie!

Happy Monday!

I learned how to make this simple fabric strip banner at a Pinterest Party around Christmas time.
I LOVE it!
Making this banner is so darn EASY, I’ve made one for every holiday since. And I find that making them is quite therapeutic.
Seriously.
I’ve still got a bit of the baby blues and I think the cure just may be making these banners, eating chocolate, and HGTV.
Seriously.
Some of the great things about this craft…
You can start and stop this craft without much thought. It’s easy to watch TV, supervise kiddos and plan dinner all while you are knotting away at the banner. You can even use fabric scraps you already have! So it’s totally a green project. Basically if you do this craft you will end world hunger… OK… not that last one.

You’ll need:
~1 yard of fabric total
~1.5 yards of twine
~cutting mat, cutting ruler & rotary cutter (optional)

1. Cut fabric into 1”x9” strips. Layering the fabric and using a rotary cutter makes this step super easy! 
90-ish strips makes perfect for a doorway or single window. 140-ish is perfect for a mantel or double window.

2. Start about a foot from the end of the twine.
Make a loop behind the twine. (center of the fabric at the top of the loop)

3. Pull the tails around the twine and through the loop. (Be sure to wear a polka dot band aide for extra flare)

4. Pull tight to form the knot.

5. Slide the knots together.

6. Hang and enjoy!!

Fun tip:
This is a PERFECT project to do with a group of friends because you can work on the banner while chatting and eating. It’s also a bit cheaper because you need multiple different color fabrics. (In the Valentines banner I used 5 and in the St Patty’s day banner I used 6… but I think 3 or 4 colors will look great too.) Just buy one yard of fabric for each person coming, and divide it up equally. I try to get fabric at about $5 a yard (with a coupon or on sale) so it makes it easy for collecting $$ too!

We got to spend today at Knott’s Berry Farm for their TWOgether is Better celebration. Running from February 1st–28th, Knott’s is offering discounted online admission for only $34.99 each! Season Pass holders can also bring-a-friend for just $24.99 all month long! (Fun side note: Leap Day Special- One day only- February 29, 2012 everyone gets in for $29.00!)

Knott’s has all sorts of Valentine-sy things going on for February, like…

The Peanuts characters are dressed in red and pink V-day ensembles.

Cy loved Snoopy…

“Love is in the Air, Charlie Brown!” is playing at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. My kiddos love the shows there. It’s funny

And there is a hugging booth… (fyi if you want a hug like that from me, it’s not free. Not that I charge for a butt squeeze… or that I give them for free… um… never mind.)

You know I had the whole fam-damily coordinating in traditional Valentine’s Day reds.

I can’t even tell you how happy it makes me to see my kiddos matching.

Like all is well with the world.

I’m odd.

But likable. (Thx Aunt Patti B for Tess’s heart onsie!)

Of course Knott’s always has rides rides rides!

Up to now, we have been able to camp out in Camp Snoopy (pun intended) but this trip I think Eli might have been ready for some big kiddo rides. Maybe a Guys Night Out with Daddy soon!?!

Cy is finally tall enough for the Camp Snoopy rides. He was LOVING it! And yes that is a shaggy, white trash, hipster, faux hawk. Prepping for the fedora photo shoot.

Another fun thing during TWOgether is Better are these chocolate dipped goodies at the Ghost Town Bakery. Warning: you dip and decorate them yourselves and it can (will) get messy… but yummy!!

Cy was a gonner by the afternoon and fell asleep with his fedora over his face.

Old man style.

It was awesome!

P.S.

How do you like our new fedoras?????

I’m deciding whether to call them Hipster Lids or Rat Pack Lids.

Thoughts????

P.P.S.

Have you entered our Valentine’s custom card giveaway yet??? Do it now here!!

Happy love month!!

How about we start off the month with a giveaway?

Good, glad you like the idea!

I received an email last week from Orange County local, Regina, about her design business. She specializes in cards and they are AWESOME!! I love they way her business works – you pick the design from her shop and email her a picture and within a day she sends you the digital image for one flat rate and you can have them printed  to your hearts content!

Fun right!?!?

The winner of this giveaway will get their choice of one card from Delicious! designs by regina frank.

Now a bit about Regina…

Delicious! designs by regina frank

I’m passionate about cards…they give me the opportunity to truly express my creativity as a graphic designer. I’ve been working in Orange County for over 20 years as an art director in print, editorial, advertising and freelance design. I’ve designed projects from moist toilet paper wipes (oh boy!), to promotional pieces for Quiksilver and Mikasa Sports. I was the art director at Powder, Bike and Inside Golf magazines for many years and I have a special place in my heart for magazine design. But I always come back to cards. I’ve designed them for my own family and for friends…but now it’s time for me to take them and go for it…reach for the stars. In my newly-launched Etsy shop you’ll find birth announcements and Valentines, with many more occasions to come. It’s actually really difficult to stop myself from filling my shop with hundreds of items. Pace yourself, I tell myself…but it’s hard! Especially as a mom to three AWESOME kids who I’m working hard to grow this business for! 

I love everything about designing these cards! I hope you enjoy them too…

I’m loving these treat bag tags…

AND baby announcements…

How to win:

Leave a comment on this post with anything Valentines Day-ish. Kiddo activities, crafts, valentines. Anything because I need some inspiration. A link would be great!

Extra Entries: (you know you want them)

~Go to Delicious! designs by regina frank and leave a link in the comments section of this post with your favorite card (5 entries)

~Let your friends know about the giveaway in your FB status with a link to this post: http://www.elislids.com/delicious-designs-by-regina-frank/  (2 entries)

~Like Eli’s Lids on Facebook or let me know you already do (1 entry)

~Follow Eli’s Lids on twitter or let me know you already do (1 entry)

~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids Newsletter or let me know you already do (5 entries)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you follow Eli’s Lids on Facebook, and Facebook about the giveaway leave 3 separate comments!

***Giveaway ends Tuesday, February 7th, 9pm. Hopefully in time to get a Valentine if that’s what you pick!***