Valentine Advent

Yep, got to have a Valentine Advent :)

 I was kind of happy how our Christmas Stocking Advent came out that I decided I would tackle some sort of Valentine bag or envelope.

I had left over felt from my Christmas cookies I made a couple years ago and pre-cut felt hearts that I bought at Target last year after Valentine's day for about 10 cents for a packet of 20.  After I concluded I better not do anything fancy as I really don't know what I am doing with a sewing machine...I just made a bag :)  

Then I bought the cutest ribbon at Walmart for the handles and dug out a few of my extra craft items I buy thinking that SOMEDAY I will use them...hence the black hooks (form Christmas clearance a few years ago) and a few cardboard tags that I just picked up as they were cute.

I must say...I love them!  I made the heart like a pocket to include 14 things "I love about you" that I wrote for Amelia.

Think they turned out quite nicely (but don't look too closely on the sewing job).  Inside there's a toy or goody to build up the anticipation of Valentine's Day...like we need any build up.

This past Sunday morning we had a 7.1 earthquake.  It was terrifying.  Largest we have felt in quite awhile...didn't help it was 1:30 in the morning and you are jolted out of bed!  

Amelia's room before: 

Amelia's room after:

A few things were knocked about, but thankfully...nothing broke and we were spared from anything worse...for the moment. 

Next..more projects and Valentine decorating.

Amelia's Rescue Center and Handmade Christmas Gifts

I've been wanting to complete this project...forever. 

This past week ... I did!  Actually, we did (Rob helped). 

Ever since I saw THIS on Pinterest, I wanted to make one.  There are tons of pins on people's creations and I basically followed THIS ONE.  However, I wanted it to fit at the end of Amelia's bed (for a bit of discreetness:), so I modified it a bit.    

The wood was cheap ($10?) at Lowe's and Rob cut it to my specs and drilled the holes and screwed it together ($5 for screws) with my help.  I primed and painted with paint I already had and Rob drilled the holes for the screw eyes (1 - 3/16") ($5) that I placed approximately 5" apart...top and bottom.  I used 50 feet of nylon rope ($5) and weaved it thru. Total = $25 

We had tested the width and the nylon rope as some sites had 4" spaces  and some used bungee cords.  The bungee cord would have cost me $30 at least...so I thought I would give the nylon rope a chance and if it didn't work then I'd would have to splurge...as Amelia HAD TO HAVE THIS! 

5" worked great to pull even the biggest out and nylon rope (tied with the correct degree of tightness) worked great too!  Pull them out and dump them in from the top.

Problem:  too many stuffies! hahahahah.  That isn't going to change anytime soon, however, that is all the space I am giving her for them!   

I am going to paint (Amelia's Rescue Center) in fancy letters (per Amelia's request) on the front center where the ponies are at the moment.  Then it will be complete. 

I really wanted to get the above done before Christmas, but was busy with making a few Christmas gifts as well.  Along with DVD's and calendars that I send out yearly, I made a couple more trivets like the one I made HERE.  And I made little ring dishes for nieces and sister...that I didn't take pics of :(  I am telling you the deadline for mailing had me crazy!

However, I did make another for a friend's daughter for her birthday and had enough sense to snap a few shots. 

The ones I made earlier were round dishes that I purchased at Pier One and various other places and made the same as the dance and letter mugs I did for friends and teacher gifts.

Gold oil pen and stencil and lots of dots :) Bake for 30 min. in 350 degree oven and let completely cool in oven.

I also made a sign for Grammy's farm.  My husband's mom and step dad own a bit of land that they have as a farm just down the road where they live.  It has a barn and little tiny house/shed on it and I thought a bit of the grandkids would add just the right touch. 

Seeing that it is a farm ... I tried to make it rustic.

Maybe a little Too rustic...as like the many projects I have done...I tried too hard to make it rustic and  I sanded too much of the lettering away and quite frankly...messed it up ...and no time to redo.  Still, probably perfect for the barn.  Can add and change at their leisure. 

Working on more projects.  Put away the 9 Christmas boxes and pulled out 1 Valentine box.  Let the love begin.

Since Christmas and Christmas Cards

Her last week of vacation Amelia said she wanted to stay home and not go anywhere.  Besides a romp outside...that is exactly what she did.

Getting the Lego Dimensions game helped in her quest.  

We have had a crummy weather week too with big winds and melting snow.  When we glanced outside one afternoon to a snow squall, we had to go out.

and build our snowman family.

Even the snow family think she's ridiculous.

  

Didn't last long...warm winds returned and covered the roads with ice.  Just great.

No worries, we had a Barbie wedding to attend to.

Complete with the new carriage and new husband she received for Christmas.  

Yep, that's Hans of Frozen fame officiating and Aiden of Barbie's Magic of Pegasus as best man.



Just in case your Disney knowledge isn't up to par, that's John Smith.   Amelia received him and Pocahontas for Christmas  as she can watch the movie over and over.  Although, she immediately took the dress off Pocahontas and put it on Barbie. 

Barbies parents were in the crowd...just stunning.

The happy couple.  

We played this for hours.  This is why we are having a Barbie Theme for her 6th birthday in a couple months. 

It was a nice, quiet week (except for the wind howling)and Amelia had a bit of anxiety going back to school (who wouldn't ?!), but is now back to the swing of things.

Finally, after much delay, our Christmas Card post :P

I had planned to do our Lightscribe gold discs once again for our cd, however, they are not making them any longer, so I dashed out to buy the Avery labels.  It was not my first choice as the gold is much more classy.  And not exactly what I was going to pick for photos either, however, I used up too many bribes for her to do any more posing.  Will be looking this year for new ideas for our Christmas design and cd...wish me luck.

  

Amelia's Animal Rescue Center should be completed by the next post.  How exciting! :) :P