A few Valentine's Day card suggestions

There's still just a few weeks left before Valentine's Day, but that's plenty of time to get one of these amazing, handmade cards.

All cards featured are available in my Etsy shop.

Chocolate Chip Waffles - Foodie Friday

All week I was thinking about what today's Foodie Friday post should be about and all week I came up with nothing. I wasn't cooking anything exciting for dinner. I hadn't seen a recipe that I was over the top to try. I had nothing.

Then, I remembered that my husband had been bugging me to make chocolate chip waffles for a while. I decided I would make some this morning and document how I make them so you could make them too.

A little bit of life

So the blog header promises posts about "life, love and crafting." I've been pretty good about covering the crafting part, and even a little bit of love with the Valentine's blog hop last week, but I think things in the "life" category has been a bit lacking.

To be honest, I think I've written and re-written this post about 100 times in my head over the last few days. It's one of those things that I feel I need to acknowledge and talk about a little bit, but also one of those things I'd rather just gloss over and sweep under the rug so to speak.

But I can't. I can't because I remember nearly every detail about January 24, 2009.

*disclaimer: What you are about to read is sad, very sad. It is also mostly unfiltered and may not be suitable for everyone.*

Valentine's Day Card Suggestions

Valentine's Day is less than a month away and if you're still without ideas and still searching for the right way to say "I love you" to your special someone, you're running out of time! After that amazing week of Valentine ideas, here are just a few more to check out.

For the animal lover:

You're doggone cute - $3.00

For the vintage/retro lover:

Vintage Inspired Valentine - Boy with Globe - $3.00

Vintage Inspired Valentine - $3.00

For the traditionalist:

I Love You - $3.75

I hope you're able to find the perfect something for that special someone. If you aren't able to find something, we could work together to create something from your ideas and mine. Feel free to contact me!

Cookie Balls - Love Me Do Blog Hop

Welcome to the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  This week, January 16^th-20^th, we have a group of 5 talented designers sharing projects with you on their blogs to get you prepared for the upcoming season of love!  Whether you use these designs to create something for your loved ones or spring-board off the inspirations given, we would love to see your work as well, so leave a comment on the blogs as you go through.

On January 24^th, we will be giving away a collection of goodies from the group to one lucky participant.  The giveaway will be hosted through filling out a Google Docs form, on Live.Teach.Create on January 20^th, asking various questions about the posts throughout the week.  All those who enter with the correct answers will have a chance to win!

And now on to my project for today!

Shutterfly Savings PSA - Great Valentine's gift idea!

Since this wasn't a planned blog post, I'm not counting it toward the blog hop even though it's Valentine's Day related. I'll just call it a savings PSA.

Hubby if you're reading this, now is the time to stop.

I'm sure that some (if not many) of you have seen this idea floating around Pinterest:

Source: papervinenz.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I personally thought it was a great idea - hence why I repinned it! - and want to do it as a gift for my husband for our 1 year anniversary in April (this would also be an amazing idea for Valentine's Day!). Yes I have a few decks of cards laying around the house, but I kind of wanted to do something a bit more special.

I was super excited when I got an email from Shutterfly. It was one of those "click to see which % off you get" kind. I clicked and got 25% off! Score! PLUS I had a card for a $10 credit from a few months ago. My husband and I get our hair cut at First Choice and they were running a deal where you got a code for a $10 credit when you got your hair cut. The catch being it didn't apply to shipping and tax and you had to spend $10+ to use it.

So anyhow, they had personalized playing cards (you choose 1 image to use as the backs) for 51% off, making them $9.80 before shipping. Crap! I needed at least $10 to use my credit. So I added a couple of 4x6 prints to bring the total over $10.

When I went to check out I realized that I couldn't use the 25% off AND my $10 credit so I had to drop the % off code. It still ended up being a bit pricy since I had to pay $8something in shipping and tax, but I still saved $10! So yay me!

The original idea uses the backs of the cards to decorate and write things on but since my cards will have a snazzy picture of the 2 of us, I'll be covering up the number/suit part of the cards with reasons I love him/things I loved about our first year together.

Day 4 - Love Me Do Blog Hop

Welcome to the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  This week, January 16^th-20^th, we have a group of 5 talented designers sharing projects with you on their blogs to get you prepared for the upcoming season of love!  Whether you use these designs to create something for your loved ones or spring-board off the inspirations given, we would love to see your work as well, so leave a comment on the blogs as you go through.

On January 24^th, we will be giving away a collection of goodies from the group to one lucky participant.  The giveaway will be hosted through filling out a Google Docs form, on Live.Teach.Create on January 20^th, asking various questions about the posts throughout the week.  All those who enter with the correct answers will have a chance to win!

Unfortunately I don't have a project for today, but you can join me tomorrow where I share a super cool recipe/technique for Foodie Friday!

Thanks for joining me today for Day 4 of the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  Next person in the hop is Claudia.  Check back again with me tomorrow as well for another new idea.

Heart Crayons - Love Me Do Blog Hop

Welcome to the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  This week, January 16^th-20^th, we have a group of 5 talented designers sharing projects with you on their blogs to get you prepared for the upcoming season of love!  Whether you use these designs to create something for your loved ones or spring-board off the inspirations given, we would love to see your work as well, so leave a comment on the blogs as you go through.

On January 24^th, we will be giving away a collection of goodies from the group to one lucky participant.  The giveaway will be hosted through filling out a Google Docs form, on Live.Teach.Create on January 20^th, asking various questions about the posts throughout the week.  All those who enter with the correct answers will have a chance to win!

And now on to my project for today!

Mini Valentine's - Love Me Do Blog Hop

Welcome to the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  This week, January 16^th-20^th, we have a group of 5 talented designers sharing projects with you on their blogs to get you prepared for the upcoming season of love!  Whether you use these designs to create something for your loved ones or spring-board off the inspirations given, we would love to see your work as well, so leave a comment on the blogs as you go through.

On January 24^th, we will be giving away a collection of goodies from the group to one lucky participant.  The giveaway will be hosted through filling out a Google Docs form, on Live.Teach.Create on January 20^th, asking various questions about the posts throughout the week.  All those who enter with the correct answers will have a chance to win!

And now on to my project for today!

It never failed in grade school that sometime in the week leading up to Valentine's Day, every class would make a mailbox of sorts out of a paper bag or shoe box. Then on Valentine's Day each student would set their mailbox up on their desk and wait for everyone to pass out Valentines.

I can almost remember it like it was yesterday.

Each student went from desk to desk - mostly because the teacher made a rule that if you brought one Valentine you needed to bring them for all classmates - depositing their Spiderman or Troll - yes, I was a kid of the 90s - Valentine's. After everyone was done, sugary treats were consumed and Valentine cards were eagerly opened.

Ahhh the memories.

It's too bad things have changed as we've gotten older - at least according to the calender. Giving and receiving those cute little cards used to be something to look forward to. It spiced up the short, yet boring, month of February.

This Valentine's Day, why let little kids have all the fun? It's easy peasy to make your own! You can even make them the same size as the ones we all remember.

You're Out of This World - Love Me Do Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome to the “Love Me Do” Valentine’s Blog Hop!  This week, January 16^th-20^th, we have a group of 5 talented designers sharing projects with you on their blogs to get you prepared for the upcoming season of love!  Whether you use these designs to create something for your loved ones or spring-board off the inspirations given, we would love to see your work as well, so leave a comment on the blogs as you go through.

On January 24^th, we will be giving away a collection of goodies from the group to one lucky participant.  The giveaway will be hosted through filling out a Google Docs form, on Live.Teach.Create on January 20^th, asking various questions about the posts throughout the week.  All those who enter with the correct answers will have a chance to win!

And now on to my project for today!

Blue Love - Mojo Monday 223

This week's Mojo Monday was a bit of a challenge for me. You see, I just cleaned my crafting area at the beginning of the week and I found a bunch of stuff I'd forgotten I even owned. This was quite overwhelming and while I had been wanting a few more choices for various things, I found quite a few more choices than I needed.

At any rate, this was the sketch for this week:

And this is what I came up with:

(Click the picture above to purchase it from Etsy)

Foodie Friday - Breakfast Edition

It's been a while (ok a long while) since I've shared some of my Pinterest finds in an edition of Foodie Friday. This week's theme is breakfast. I've got a whole board dedicated to breakfast foods, so there's plenty to choose from. I haven't tried these myself, but they look very good!

Source: ahensnest.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Cinnamon rolls in a waffle iron

Source: freezehappy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Breakfast muffins you can bake and freeze, then heat up in the microwave before running out the door

Source: whisk-kid.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Homemade Pop Tarts

Source: chicagoist.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Bacon inside pancakes - I actually did try this one and it didn't work so well. The bacon got soggy and kind of rubbery.

I finally cleaned my craft area!

It's been a long time coming, and when I say long time I mean MONTHS. As my craft stash has grown, so has the mess it leaves every time I try to make anything.

January 7, 2012 Haul - Michael's and Walmart

One day last week I asked my sister if she wanted to go to Michael's with me. For me, Michael's is about 30 minutes away. Hobby Lobby, Walmart and another local craft store are all about 15 minutes. As you can imagine, I don't make it to Michael's often.

I was mostly going because they had a few things I wanted on sale and I was inspired by some of the hauls I'd seen people getting on YouTube. Plus, I love saving money wherever I can.

So without further ado, here's what I got from Walmart and Michael's.

Foodie Friday - Biscuit doughnuts

Growing up my mom used to make "doughnuts" for us every now and then. She said her mom used to make them the same way (more or less) when they were younger. I always kind of liked that part of why we had them just about as much as I liked the taste. Boy were they good!

Now that your mouth is watering I'll show you how to make these awesome puffs of wonderful.

Cricut Craft Room Review

My husband went shopping on Black Friday - a nearly unheard of feat considering in the 4 years or so we've been together, I've only known him to go shopping on Black Friday once and that was at Game Stop. But anyhow, he went shopping with a friend of his at some of the more big box stores this year. He came home and announced that I couldn't peek because he'd gotten my Christmas present.

He also told me that he spent $400 on my present and I would be mad at first about what he got me, but then I'd get over it and be really happy/excited. This, coupled with the fact that he said it was just sitting in the closet and if I wanted I could peek, really had my anxiety up when Christmas Eve came.

Needless to say, he was kind of right. I managed not to peek at all, but I was a little mad when I opened my present and found a laptop. Why? After I managed to fry not one but two laptops in the last 10 years (give or take), I'd sworn off laptops. I gave him my best What on Earth did you do/Motherly look of death and he replied with "Now you can use your Cricut with it and cut stuff from the Internet."

And so it began. He had remembered one random day in November when QVC was debuting the new Cricut Mini and I, of course, was watching with eager eyes to see the latest and greatest. They talked about Cricut Craft Room on the show and I was hooked. I knew I had to check it out and I wanted so bad to be able to use my Cricut with it but there was no way I could hook it up to our desktop.

I've done exactly as he intended in the week or so since Christmas. I've cut and created and cut some more.

You are the best - Mojo Monday 222

This week's Mojo Monday challenge sketch looks like this:

And this is what I did with it:

Card available for purchase by clicking the picture above

New Year's Resolutions

It's pretty much standard to make at least one New Year's Resolution and I think many people do it, even if subconsciously. And just for the record, resolving not to make a resolution this year does indeed count as a resolution!

Most people, from my experience, don't keep their resolutions past about March or so. It's hard to make changes sometimes. It's hard to find time in an already hectic schedule for a new work out routine or to take an extra 20 minutes at the grocery store picking through produce, being careful to select only the organically grown stuff. Resolutions are just hard sometimes.