Creative Valentine Cards & Candy Alternatives

I love Valentine's Day and the sweet little notes my 5 year old exchanges with her friends. But, having a child with a severe peanut allergy and a sweet tooth, I don't like all the candy she tries to consume that day. So, I looked around for some alternatives to a boxed card and chocolate candy. Here are my top five favorites:

Funky Polkadot Giraffe used a squeeze pouch of applesauce with a little "love" note. These are great for preschoolers because kids and Moms love them!

I love the idea of giving something other than food! We gave out balls just like this to kick off summer last year and kids loved them! Great idea Crafting Chicks!

There is something so soft and sweet about these little bear hugs. They are perfect for little bittys to exchange at school.

Goldfish are always a big hit in my house! We did goldfish carrot sticks two years ago, but I've never thought of a clever way to give them out at Valentine's Day. Using o'fish'ally as the cute word makes these easy to give out for most any holiday!

I love pixie sticks! They are a classic childhood candy! I love these tied together with a little washi tape from Etsy. You could also tie in pixie dust or Izzy from Jake & the Neverland Pirates on these. 

Don't forget the teachers today! I know class parties are stressful days for them and always try and bring them seasonal goodies, too! My favorite valentine gift for teachers- a really sweet candle. This year I bought Red Velvet Cupcake and Sweet Spun Sugar from Target.

Happy Crafting!

Valentine Giveaway- My Favorite Things

I think it is time for a giveaway! In honor of Valentine's Day, I collected a few of my favorite things that I will mail to the winner! These items are either made or purchased by me :)

One lucky winner will received a love birds kitchen towel, Sugar and French Kiss scentsy, Fancy perfume by Jessica Simpson, a set of bracelets from my Etsy store, and homemade LOVE blocks.

Follow the Rafflecopter directions below to win! Contest ends on February 8th. Don't miss out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bedroom Changes

I updated my master bedroom a few months ago and until now, hadn't blogged it!

You'll remember the room looked like this with red, black and khaki. While I loved that color palette, green has really been speaking to me! So I bought this green quilt last fall and used my khaki and black quilt with it until winter came and we froze! Two quilts just wasn't enough for us so I searched out a thicker comforter to match! I found success one Sunday at TJ Maxx after church.

Just a few weeks ago, I finally made a decision on the curtains. I just bought a simple thick ivory. Pardon the collection of curtain in the window seat. My favorite seamstress hasn't been here to hem them for me. The weight of these new curtains was too much for my curtain rod (we had a valence previously) so we had to install a middle rod support and hung it upside down since it is nothing but blinds in them middle.

I added a little subway art on my side of the bed. Still looking for something on his little wall, to the left of the curtains above.

I have a small collage going on the wall near the dresser. I love the larger print- it was on post-Valentine clearance at Hobby Lobby. 

I also recently made a couple of changes in the guest bedroom, before here. I traded out my quilts. I had been using this one for a couple of years and wanted to use an authentic quilt made by my husband's grandmother. I have three of her quilts- lucky girl I am!

I also brought in my favorite red star chest from the foyer and a few pieces of milk glass. The green frame and pillow came from my office.

I love when I can refresh a room with simple and free changes!

Valentine Goodie Boxes and Southern Pecan Bars recipe

My husband had such a good time delivering cookies and Christmas that I mentioned I was game to make Valentine goodie boxes. Really, I am game to make sweets most any time of the week. I just love to bake and share sweets with others. I show love through flour and sugar :)

So, this time around, we ordered gable boxes from Shop Sweet Lulu. I love her site. These boxes were perfect for holding about 2 dozen cookies. I added two shipping labels on the boxes- one had the contents of the box and the other a Valentine poem:

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

Business is Sweet

Especially from You

Abby Lu's Valentine Treats- Kids and Teacher Ideas

Needing ideas for your kids Valentine's? Here are my daughters treat bags this year. We made 16 of these, for the 8 kids in her Mother's Day Out program and the 8 in her dance class. The contents of the snack baggies includes heart tattoos (Hobby Lobby), heart shaped lollipops, red Starburst, heart slinkys, bouncy balls, and bracelets (all from Target!). The boys got a few extra balls instead of bracelets.

 I bought the cute monkey toppers here and then color copied and had them cut at Office Max.

I also wanted to do something for her teachers that she LOVES, but didn't want to spend too much money. I almost made them red scarves from here or the cute blocks I made for her teachers 2 years ago, but then I found these yummy Red Velvet cupcake candles from Target. Have you smelt them? They smell great!

Since they are cupcake scented, I placed them inside a treat bag with cupcake sprinkles! :)

I added a few coordinating ribbons and a tag with hearts. Super simple- $5 each!

Valentine Decor

I put up a couple of things for Valentine's Day this year... starting with my new yarn wrapped and felt wreath. I love that it is soft and simple.

I bought a 4 pack of red and pink heart picks at Hobby Lobby and put them inside a few of my existing floral arrangements. I like the little hint of love they provide.

February Desktop

This month's desktop is fun! I love red and yellow together and with a heart it has just enough Valentine's for me! I hope you enjoy it on your computer this month.

Valentine Yarn Wreath DIY

I have seen some cute wreaths on Pinterest and etsy lately and wanted to make sometime for my door for Valentine's Day. I was ultimately inspired most by this wreath and this one.

So I ventured to Hobby Lobby and bought an inexpensive wreath form, some yarn and felt. I bought two pieces, but only used one. In total, supplies were around $10. Did you know that you can pull up the 40% off coupon on your phone and they'll accept it! Love that!

I started by tucking the tail of the yarn sideways on the wreath and then began the long and tedious process of wrapping the whole wreath.

Simple Valentine Gift- Eclairs in a Jar

I show love through food. I think I get that from my grandmother- she always had sweets for us. My Aunt Nell carries on that tradition and has 12 different desserts in her freezer at any given time. I also most always sign up for a sweet at potlucks and take desserts to staff meetings more times than not. It is who I am. My waistline has grown accustomed to it. Pun intended :)

All that being said, I have gathered up these supplies to show love to my coworkers on Valentine's Day. I'll be filling the jars with simple 3 step eclairs from Whipperberry.

The paper and punches are to add a personalized message on the lid.

Why don't you show some love, too!

February Desktop

I love red and baby blue together- did you know? Can you tell? I just love the comBination of bold and soft it brings. So, no pink this year for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

Right click on the image to make it larger then save as desktop background.

Made with images from Chirp and Be Mine.

Free Valentine's Day Digital Cards

I love when a new holiday rolls around because it gives me an opportunity to play with new digital scrapbooking sets. With Valentine's Day just a few weeks away, I whipped up 3 cards for my chickadees!

The Heartbreaker (good for boys!)

My Valentine

Shabby Sweetheart

If you would like me to make you a personalized card, please do the following:

Become a follower. I'd love to have you back :)

Email me at annajenk@yahoo.com with your card choice, the photo you'd like me to include and the name for the card.

All cards are sized as a 4x6 and can be printed like a standard photo at your local drugstore, Shutterfly, the grocery store, etc. Mail them to grandparents. Give them out to friends. Blog them. (If you blog a card, I'd love credit. Just include a link to me.)

Enjoy!

Digital sets from here, here and here

A Few "Love"ly Items

Like many people, the post-Christmas mantle is much lighter and cleaner than the Christmas mantle. It always amazes me how empty the house looks after Christmas and how much I like that.

I have very minimal Valentine's decorations. Since it falls after Christmas when I am keeping things light and I'm not a big heart person so that eliminates a lot of options :)

I do love pulling out my angel each year. She was part of the garden decor from Hobby Lobby many years ago. My first gift from my husband (then boyfriend) was a cherub poster, so she also reminds me of those early days of falling in love! In the green glass jar, I held a candle in place with red hots! I bought many a bag a few years ago and just store them each year. Candy in bulk gets expensive. If you stop by, don't eat the candy!

I bought these vintage Valentine cards last year for 99 cents at an antique store and this year I framed them with scrapbook paper behind the card. Cheap and easy look!

My new banner is from Etsy. My friend has bought a few different items from Blue Moon Creations and they were just beautiful. This one is super sturdy with lots of little details. The red zig zag on the polka dot paper is the real deal- thread! I love it!

I placed a few more items in the dining room including my red felt heart banner from Home Goods. Oh how I wish I had a Home Goods near me. We have one in Austin, but it is more than 30 minutes away. Come closer!

Along with a picture from Valentine's last year, I arranged 2 inexpensive melamine plates from Target and more "vintage" candy in a jar.

I'd like a few more "love"ly items for my home this year. Fingers crossed I can find exactly what I am looking for and that I figure out just what that is!

Love is in the Air

I couldn't spend much money on Valentine's decor this year, so I had to get creative!

I displayed pink melamine plates I use when entertaining and turned my framed fork into Valentine decor with pink scrapbook paper leftover from another project. I displayed an angel from my decor overstocks
and some old Valentine's I bought for less than $5. They work perfectly in my floral frog.

Finally, I filled my apothecary jars with various seasonal candies. I had to take the picture before the Twizzlers were long gone. No wonder I had to spend my holiday money on dental work!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day filled with love! For those without a special someone, I pray you feel the love of your family and friends and remain hopeful.

More Valentine Cards

My girlfriend Alison asked me to design Valentine's cards for her three kids to pass out to their friends. I had so much fun with these! I went looking for some new images and found a great new site with some cute designs- Funky Playground Designs.

This digital kit is called Sweet as Honey. I have to use this for something with my daughter- love the bumblebees! The entire kit was $2. This is 4 year old Georgia's card. G is my kind of girl- she loves accessories, colors and sparkle. Me too! This set is called Girls Rule and Boys Drool. The letters of her name are part of the set- there are some really cute options. It would be great for printing out flashcards for a nursery.
Gus needed some manly cards and he is all trains all the time! I asked my husband if he could think of anything Valentine's related with trains and he imediately said, I Choo-Choo-Choose you. I looked at him in amazement and he fessed up it is an old Simpsons bit. It worked well!

I hope everyone enjoys sharing the love tomorrow! I've always loved Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Dates and Gifts

When Marcus and I first got married, we took the recommendation of a co-worker of mine and would alternate who the honoree was for Valentine's Day. One year I would spoil Marcus and the next he would spoil me. Valentine's Day really is about the girls, but I love to give as much as I love to receive, so it was a fun and more balanced way to celebrate.

One of the memorable years we celebrated him included this because he wanted to eat with a big one of these!

I always pick my restaurants based upon the bread or chips that come out first or the dessert that comes out last. I am a simpleton with food which totally contradicts my career as an event planner!

We don't exchange large gifts- no diamonds or massive floral deliveries. Honestly, I often pick out my gift and email him the link. I try to make it easy for him and ensure I get something I like. He, on the other hand, never tells me what he wants because he has no idea. I just have to listen for ideas on my own!

This year we are eating at a nice restaurant tonight within a mile of church with friends from church. It is Parent's Night Out so our daughter can play and we aren't too far away maximizing our child care window. I'm looking forward to Cornmeal Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Marcus is looking forward to a big knife!

Easy Teacher Gifts for Valentine's Day

Oh how I love making these blocks! Monday night I made them with some of my Sunday school friends at church and we had the best time! Hobby Lobby in three different area stores was sold out of blocks! They had to wonder what was going on!

This set is for one of my daughter's teachers at school. I love the red and pink combined and the hint of glitter. I'm telling you that glitter spray paint is the greatest invention in my craft room! Her other teacher is getting this set. My daughter loves to blow kisses complete with the big loud drawn out "mwah" sound. So, this one is oh so appropriate!The crackled paper and brown stained edging made these the perfect amount of vintage!


Next up, I want to make blocks with black and white pictures of my family! Can you think of anything else I should be "blocking"? Do share!

Valentine's Card Giveaway

I love my followers and I love making cards, so I hope you love this giveaway!

Become a follower of Your Little Birdie and I'll customize one of these Valentine's cards just for you! It'll come to you as a 4x6 JPG file you can print out anywhere you print pictures. Mail it to friends and family or you can post it on your blog. I'd love if you told your friends, too!

Email annajenk@yahoo.com with your name and picture and which card you love:

ROMANCE

LOVE BIRDS

CHOCOLATE HEART
Happy Valentine's Day!