Valentine's Mail

Even though I am all grown up now, a wife, and mother with two little girls, my mom still sends me the most special care packages for the different holidays.  She always sends us beautifully packaged boxes with thoughtful things for the whole family.  I SO look forward to these packages!  We received a Valentine's Day box from her last week with lots of fun Valentine's treats, decorations and gifts and I just wanted to share a couple handmade gifts with you.

For Christmas I gave Mom, Amy Butler's new book, Style Stitches, in hopes of getting her back into sewing.  Well, I think it worked!!  Mom is now taking a quilting class and has been spending her nights and weekends at the sewing machine.  Above is a little purse that my mom made me from Amy Butler's new book.

I love the coordinating broach that she added to the bag - it's just the right touch and the color matches perfectly.

The inside has lots of fun little pockets for storing all sorts of things.  The lining is a striped fabric that coordinates with the outer two.

The back of the purse has this super-cute handle.  You can either carry it or slide it around your wrist.

And finally, I must toot mom's horn a bit - look at those pleats and that stitching.  Total and complete perfection!  I was inspired to start sewing with all the memories of my mom sewing when we were growing up so I am thrilled that she has jumped back into this hobby.

In the same Valentine's Day package she include these two matching play aprons for Savannah and Matilda.  The girls love that they have pockets for them to carry around all their treasures.

We also received another fun package from my Grandma Ethel this weekend with lots of fun things and Valentine's treats for the girls.  Grandma Ethel works at a thrift store in her retirement community and saves me all sorts of treasures that she finds.

I love this vintage McCalls apron pattern - I definitely think I'm going to have to make myself one of this.  How stylish will I look sporting this around the house??  I think the tic-tac-toe pot holder is too cute!!

Here is about 1/3 of the vintage linens that she sent me - such great finds!

I'm really loving these two vintage baby bonnets.  Not quite sure what I'm going to do with them, but I'm sure I will find something.  Perhaps the girls will like them for their baby dolls when they get a little older.

Thanks for letting me share some of my goodies that I received from my family.  I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with love, hugs and kisses. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Week 5 Project Run and Play - Valentine's Day Challenge

"Little Love Bug"

So this is the second to last week of Project Run and Play and I'm still in the competition!  Can you believe it?  I feel so honored and privileged to have made it this far.  Thank you guys so, so much for all your support - I couldn't have done it without you.

For this week, we were told to come up with a Valentine's inspired look.  The idea for this dress popped into my head several weeks ago.  I wanted to make something that could be worn for Valentine's Day, but could also be carried through into spring/summer.  As I'm sure a lot of you know, it's such a bummer to work really hard on an outfit and only have it worn once.  I thought the idea of "Love Bugs" (aka Lady Bugs) would shout Valentine's Day, but would be neutral enough to wear on other days of the year.

I love a well-fitted, a-line jumper and this one fits the bill.  The jumper is fully lined with coordinating pink and red fabric.  There is baby ric-rac running in a curved shape up the front of the pink, inset panel and at each curve there is a little tiny lady bug button that is hand-sewn in place.  The pink, inset panel is trimmed with a 1" red ruffle on each side and the bottom of the dress is finished with a matching red ruffle as well.  The dress buttons with two medium-sized, red buttons at each shoulder.

Finally, I wanted to add some accessories so I made a wide-brimmed, floppy style hat to coordinate with her dress.  The hat has a matching red ruffle, black baby ric-rac and is finished with curly, korker ribbons in red, white and baby pink.  My little lady is carrying her Valentine's Day purse that has a variety of different trims.  To finish the entire look, I layered the jumper with a pink and red polka dot knit shirt and paired it with a pink, ruffled ballet flat.  There is no doubt that Miss Savannah is my "Little Love Bug"!

Here are a few more pictures from our Valentine's photoshoot:

How, you might ask do I get my almost 3-year old to smile and model for me in this shots?  I'm not ashamed to admit it, the answer is two words - DUM DUMS!!

So now it's time for you to head over to Project Run and Play and vote for your favorite look!

Click HERE to visit Project Run and Play!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Things to do on Valentine's Day

if you forgot to make a dinner reservation! First, why not celebrate Valentines Day this weekend. I love this Romantic Valentines Day Picnic!

Make a romantic dinner at home, and don't forget the most important part, the dessert!

Doesn't this bittersweet chocolate mousse look divine?

Other thoughts: Go out for cocktails and skip dinner or catch a movie!!

photo and links: Brenda's wedding blog, martha stewart

related: DIY Make your own Valentine's Day cards

** enter the giveaway through 5pm EST today **

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DIY ~ Make Your Own Valentine's Day Cards

Nothing is more personal than a handwritten note, so why should Valentine's Day be treated any differently? Show someone you care by making your own Valentine's Day cards. Get your construction paper, felt, scissors markers and glue... add some stickers, glitter, stamps, paint brushes and paint... and go to town! I promise you will have fun!

Related: Love Birds on a Wire ~ a watercolor painting

DIY Paper Rose Wreath via Shelterness

photos: flickr, martha stewart, family fun

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Decorating Ideas - Vintage Papers and Branches

Be Romantic this Valentines day ... with Vintage papers ... love notes and poems

~ a fresh idea for your tabletop.

photo: eclectic dining room design by French Larkspur

Related: Bright ideas ~ Bud vases centerpiece

More decorating ideas and

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Free Valentine's Day Printables

I've had Valentine's Day on the mind today.  I'm not quite sure why (my husband and I don't do much for the holiday), but whatever the reason,  I decided to create some printable graphics/designs for you all to use for Valentine's crafts, cards or whatever else you can think of to use these fun graphics for in your life. 

I hope you like them.  The first one is one of my favorites.  My husband and I just watched the movie "Julie and Julia" and I cannot get this quote out of my head.

The next two would be great to attach to a gift or for school treats.

The following five graphics are all similar, but I've changed the "us +" number in each one so it is customized to the number of kids you have in your family.

So just right-click and save any of these fun graphics to your computer.  I would love to see how some of you end up using these.  You all are so talented, so I know you will do some creative things!

Etsy Finds : Affordable Valentine's Day gifts

What do you buy for your friends, family and loved ones on Valentine's Day? These gifts are not only affordable, but they will last longer than traditional flowers and candy...

PINK - Illustration Art Print $16.00

Hearts and Flowers earrings $14.50

"Love Birds" original watercolor painting, $38.00

More Etsy Finds

and

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Valentines Day Gifts from Layla Grayce

Don't miss these Valentines Day gifts from Layla Grayce. The Jessie Steele Hostess Apron in red and white polka dot is super cute!! The apron is only $30 dollars and the matching oven mitts are just $10 or less.

The Pine Cone Hill Fleece Blanket is the perfect gift to snuggle up under with your special Valentine! The decorative damask print accents this soft, fleecy blanket and it's on sale for only $38!

and listed among Oprah's Favorite Things, is the Lollia in Love Bubble Bath!

** Leave a comment here to win $200... and enter the current

Valentine card and sticker set giveaway!

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Valentine and Gift Sticker Set Giveaway!

** Update: Sarah, you are the winner! Congrats **

I love Valentines Day and I am so excited to announce today's giveaway hosted by

Get Papered! Enter to win this adorable Cupcake Valentine and Gift Sticker Set

{40 personalized Valentine flat cards, envelopes and stickers included}

To qualify, visit Get Papered and leave a comment below.

Also Click on the Facebook

"like" button (right above the comments)

for an extra entry...

Winner will be announced on Friday!

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Enter Giveaways every Monday on BB&B

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Valentine's Day Inspired - Heart Patches

I think I have a sweater in need of some elbow patches, and aren't these the cutest? If you are a crafty DIY -er, pick up some of these heart patches.

Don't forget your loved ones this year ~ Send Roses

mjtrim.com via Country Living

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Monday Inspiration

"The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart."

What do you prefer to receive for Valentine's Day? Take a peek at these:

Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries and fresh roses for Valentine's Day.

photo: valentine weddings on BB&B

More Monday Inspiration and and

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Bright Bold and Beautiful is now mobile! Click here

Valentines Day is around the corner

... so don't get stuck without a gift for your loved one. What a sweet heart and pearl ring!

If you need to do a little shopping, check out these other lovely Etsy shops and sponsors : Vintage Relics, The Accessory Lady, Tizzalicious, En La Lumiere, Bena Basil Designs, My Little Chickadee Creations...

and for your home living, room furnishings and interior design needs, look no further: Spacify, Cottage and Vine, My Design Guide, and Cottage - a coastal store.

Would you like to be a sponsor of Bright, Bold, and Beautiful?

Now accepting for the New year! Contact me for rates

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Apple Raisin French Toast Strata

This morning was our "Valentine" playgroup.  We had such a great time!  My friend Julie hosted the group and she did a wonderful job.  She prepared several different breakfast items, but the Apple Raisin French Toast Strata definitely took the cake - it was AWESOME!!

Julie got this recipe via allrecipes.com and I wanted to go ahead and share it with all of you.  If you are hosting a brunch/breakfast anytime in the near future, make this dish - it was SO yummy!

 

 Apple Raisin French Toast Strata

Ingredients:

1 (1 pound) loaf cinnamon raisin bread, cubed

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, diced

1 cup diced peeled apples

8 eggs

2 1/2 cups half-and-half cream

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:

Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange 1/2 of the cubed raisin bread in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cream cheese evenly over the bread, and top with the apples. If you like extra raisins, add them now. Top with remaining bread.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, butter, and maple syrup. Pour over the bread mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, and press down so that all bread pieces are soaked. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!!

Here are some pictures from this mornings playgroup.  My daughter Savannah has been playing with most of these kiddos since she was 5 weeks old (well if you can call that "playing" at 5 weeks old).

We were each told to bring a bag or box for our child to collect all of their Valentines - this is Savannah & Matilda's bag all filled up with Valentine's from their little friends!

Savannah at the craft table.  I think she takes after her mother - she loves arts and crafts!!

Savannah getting ready to pass out her Valentine's.  Remember the "We Dig You!" post? (find it here).

All the kiddos Valentine's Day boxes/bags ready to be filled!

Ava & Liam's Boxes

Grace & Evan's Box

Roaran's Lion Mailbox

This is what happens when toddlers are left unattended at the craft table - yikes!!

Cottage Mama's Note:  The dress my daughter is wearing in these pictures I made from a recycled Valentine's Day shirt from last year.  You can the recycled shirt dress post here.