Right, I know I am not supposed to love things. But, I do.

Well, at least I like them a whole bunch. Here are few things that fit the bill.

Happy Valentine’s Day Just a Blink readers! I *heart* you and your visits to my blog.

Love,
Jess

This week I was inspired by a craft club blog called, Crafts in Bloom. The author gave out the project assignment to use old clothing to create something beautiful and new. (click here to see the club’s results)

I chose to make one last Valentine’s project. I used Ryan’s old shirt (he wore in his first school photo) and Molly’s old sweater (no special meaning, just had a hole in it).

What a fun way to keep the memory of Ry’s shirt without having to hold onto it in the attic!

Love,

Jess

I had the sweetest little visitors, Elle Belle and Lucy (and their mommy Becki), over to make V-day cards. We crafted a bit, ate some yummy treats and generally had a lovely day. There were a few tears but nothing red m&ms and a hug from the moms couldn’t fix.

Take a minute this week to write a love note to someone special in your life!

Love,

Jess

This week I was inspired by a blog called Craft-Werk (Sonja from Dublin, Ireland).  She posted a tutorial about using recycled earrings (the lonely single earrings from all the lost pairs) to create pendants. I so happened to have some lonely broken bead type “junk” laying around.

Feeling justified here for keeping every single piece of old or broken jewelry item dating back to 1997.

Here is my version of Craft-Werk’s jump ring necklace.

Lovely, isn’t it? I like the part where it’s free. Free, of course, when you already bought a few bead making supplies, earrings (in the first place) and/or a silver chain. Those things were on-hand for me this go round.

Anyway, loop stray sparkling beauties hiding in the bottom of your jewelry box onto your favorite chain! They will thank you for showing them off!

Love,

JEss

I filled a baker’s tin with Scrabble tiles to send a loving message to my family.

Red winter berries bring my sideboard “mantle” just a touch of color.

To add a hint of love to my bedroom, I created a LOVE banner for the old farmhouse window. I made the banner from #4 coffee filters (folded in half) and scrap ribbon. The lettering is made from cut-out pieces of card stock that have been mod-podged with micro-beads then hot glued onto white card stock circles.

Here is a close up of the LOVE banner

Hugs and Kisses. I propped up these Xs and Os on the wall “grate” decor above the sideboard in the dining room. I glittered paper Xs and Os (glitter is a verb right? haha, within the crafter’s mind it is I guess) on the kitchen table. I swear I had glitter between my teeth after dinner that night!

I could totally be done decorating for this season, but, I something tells me I’ll keep fluffing my “love” nest until February 14th.

Love,

Jess

Okay, so I’m not a “baker”. You know the type, homemade everything for anything (MOPS, potlucks, neighbor gift, dessert, birthdays). At times, I’ve been envious. But, I know my place in the store bought section of the potluck line. I am glad that “bakers” have a gift and can use it to provide lovely goodies for their loved ones, really, I am.

I, on the other hand, have been gifted with the skill to get messy. Hence, the nick-name, Messy Jessy, that I self-proclaim from time to time. My blood pressure does not rise nor does my voice at the mere sight of Play-doh encrusted table tops, paint filled hands or craft glue pooled on random pieces of paper.

Which brings me to my point. I can bake with kids. Splats, missed measurements, over blended ingredients…whatever the case, I’ll do it. Why? Cause it is darn fun! It’s like playing kitchen but for real. Since, I have no expectation of something “turning out” I can relax and let the experience of baking with kids be super rewarding.

Our pink heart cookies (above) actually turned out and I am pleased that our efforts paid off. However, I think I ate way too many of them…also a valid reason I am not a “baker”.

A few tips, if you are wanting to try baking with little ones:

1. Use pre-made dough or measure your dry ingredients on your own before the madness begins. If you are like me, your brain will shut off because it’s too busy making sure no body slips off the chair or can reach for the sharp knives, to notice if you put 2 cups of flour or 4 cups of flour into the bowl already.

2. Allow plenty of time. Plenty, plenty, plenty. Baking with little kids is not something to do on the way to your event, in which, you signed up to bring the baked good in question.

3. Use timers. Okay, fairly obvious here. But, I promise, you will get distracted sweeping up spilled sprinkles that weren’t supposed to come out until frosting time or playing legos in a different room entirely & forget about the oven!

4. Bake with LOVE & PATIENCE. If the words, “Don’t touch that! Careful! Let me do it!” even cross your lips…it might be time to take a breather. Chill…it’s just frosting! However, in the area of hot stoves, electrical outlets/appliances and sharp knives…you get to be as demanding as ever. Cause Mama said so, that’s why!

5. Pour milk and enjoy! Let your kids eat their creations (before lunch if the case may be). Waiting until after dinner would just be torture!

Love,

Ahem…Messy Jessy

I am okay with any excuse for chocolate and candle light, you? Valentine’s Day is notorious for romance but I want more! Am I coming across as high maintenance or what?

Seriously, what good is ONE day of romance if the rest of your days are filled with sub-par loving conditions? I am blessed beyond words to have a dh (darling husband) that shows me love everyday (does putting away clean dishes and getting quick shoulder rubs speak volumes, to you, as it does to me?)

Anyway, February is coming upon us and thus LOVE is in the air when it comes to decor. Although red hearts and glittery XOXOs can’t actually show us love, they sure can deliver a sweet reminder to show love to one another.

Here are some photos of a few of my Valentine’s Day decor.

Okay, gotta run, my babies are calling for me. And yes, it is impossible to keep Molly out of the conversation hearts. I might be rethinking the placement of that candle holder.

Love,

Jess

This post is linked up to Blue Cricket Designs

So what’s a girl to do? Make something! Of course!

In honor of Valentines Day, I thought I’d whip up  a little “game” to encourage loving, talking, and learning within our family.

Valentine Conversation Cards

1. Round up a bunch of cards from the Hearts Suit (one card per question desired).

2. Cover cards in card stock (on the non-heart side). I chose paper colors similar to the conversation heart candies.

3. To bring out all the love, write prompting questions and fun-loving action commands on the cards.

• Tell Mommy she is special
• Give Daddy a back rub
• Ask Papa to share a story from the past
• Call Grammy and say I Love You
• Hold Molly’s hand in yours
• Read with Ryan on the couch
• Tell about a time you showed love to someone
• How do you feel loved?
• What does it mean to show God’s love?

4. Store game cards in a basket, bin, bag or box. I chose to put mine in a heart box on the kitchen table.

5. Take turns picking a card. Enjoy conversation and let the love abound!

Have a good weekend! Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ll be back next week with some thoughts about how to speak your child’s love language.

“Remember, God loves you and so do I!” – Boz the green bear next door

I’d rather spend more time loving than laboring.

Here are two quick and easy Valentine treats.

Sherbet “Pie”

• Scoop pink sherbet into a pre-made graham cracker crust mini-shell. (Keebler makes them)
• Dollop cold whip cream on top
• Garnish with a conversation heart
• Freeze until ready to serve

Grown-Up Raspberry Chocolate  Sundae

• Run warm water over the bottom of a pre-made ice cream cup for 5-10 seconds
• Remove contents of ice cream cup onto a plate by squishing it out (carefully pinching the bottom of the cup until it slops out)
• Place one Oreo cookie “side” on top of the ice cream to form a crust ledge
• Cover in fresh raspberries
• Drizzle with chocolate sauce

So slow in fact, that while side-tracking my cleaning efforts with a much over due ‘pouring over photos by the millions’ (on my closet floor), my heels made my butt go numb from sitting on top of my feet for so long. You, know the feeling, don’t even pretend you don’t.

Well, such a trip down memory lane & a good haulin’ out of old baby clothes scraps…inspired some simple, cheap and cute Valentine cards.

1. Cut little pockets out of worn out baby and toddler clothing. Items with stains and tears are not okay the giveaway pile. Why not turn them into crafts?

2. Find a photo. Use your kids’ photos, their little faces are sure to melt the hearts of everyone. Cut out a person outline, if desired.

Me, circa 2000

3. Glue on pockets, add stickers and fill with candy or photos.

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