Thursday, January 22, 2009

Be Mine?

I believe that decorating for Valentine's Day can be very tricky. To me, it's one of those holidays that can border on corny if it's overdone. I have absolutely no rationale to back that up. It's just one of those things for me. Therefore, my V-day decor is all about "touches here and there".

I bought a set of three of these plates last year at TJMaxx, and it was love at first sight. I have a LOT of browns and creams in my house, so these seemed like a more natural splash of hearts and frills.
I attacked our local Salvation Army the other day and picked these up for .50 cents a piece.
Not too shabby after some pretty paper, eh? My other one is drying. That'll be shown off later.
Could I be arrested if I publicly say I don't like decoupaging? Well, I like it, but it's a pain in the buttocks. I was perfectly content to leave these letters the way they were, but then the scrapbooking store SUCKED me in and made me buy the paper for them. I hate that place.
As I was trying to place my little "splashes" of heart-i-ness, my daughter said to me, "Mommy, we have a really pretty house". She is now my favorite child.

I've got a few more pieces to show later. I also think I might have a tutorial for you. It seems like an easy thing to be tutorializing (yes I made that up), but it's a cute idea nonetheless. Don't you love it when you can use "nonetheless" in a sentence?

66 comments:

Amber Filkins said...

Cute stuff! Yes, I hear what you're saying on the Valentine's day stuff. Hopefully mine' not cheesy, cause I posted about it a couple days ago. I don't think it is. :)

AndreaLeigh said...

i'm not a huge valentine's decorater either. strange, since i'm all about other holidays. but it is too soon after christmas and i am tired.

i love the mod podged hearts!

Betsy said...

I do enjoy the word nonetheless...I too do not much decor either. Just a few simple hearts sprinkled around.

michele said...

Fun ideas! You are on the ball too! I haven't really thought about Valentine's Day yet. Happened upon your blog... it is so cute!

Jessica said...

Adorable! Homemade decorations are so much more fun!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love the "letter" that spell Love..very cute!!
-sandy toe

Emily said...

Too Cute! I am all about a little here alittle there. I love it all!

xoxo Emily

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

I love the idea of covering the hearts and letters with scrapbooking paper.

Shelley @ My Treasure Hunt said...

What a sweet little girl you have! And it does look like you have a pretty house! I have never even thought about decorating for valentine's day!! I love it though!

Christina said...

I don't do lots of valentine's either, but little bits here and there sure make my daughter happy.

Cute ideas. Glad they made your daughter happy!

Anonymous said...

So cute, I LOVE the letters. Makes me wanna go right out and buy them for myself. Super cute & thank you for sharing ;)

sandra/tx said...

You always make me wanna go to the thrift store. Or the dollar store. :-)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love Valentines decor - but think it gets cheesy way too quickly. I love yours.
Laurel

Barefoot Studios Ok, LLC said...

I have to agree, some people take Valentine's decorating to whole other level...and I have to admit, you scared me for a second with the thrift store hearts... But, what you did is ADORABLE! I love all of your ideas, I just might have to try some of them myself!

Thanks for sharing! =)

HouseMama said...

I love those plates you found at TJMaxx. They are perfect and now I am jealous! I also love what you did with the thrift store hearts. You've inspired me! Thank you.

Sarah J. said...

Those decorations are really cute! Love them! I like where you arranged the 'love' letters. Love your blog!

Amber B. said...

Oh, how you make me laugh. Your decorations look great--I'm right there with you on V-day decorations being cheesy sometimes, though.

Mimi Sue said...

Love what you redid with the thrifted hearts. I love the heart shape anytime of year. Mimi

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Will you tutorialize me? I love it when we make up new words that really should be words anyway. And I'll be honest...I get a little giddy when I can use the word nonetheless. We would be BFF's in real life, I'm sure of it. I'm also sure that I sound like a creepy stalker now.

~Amanda

Kathy said...

The thing about Valentine's Day for me...it goes so fast--its a DAY. I like seasons better--they give me time to THINK, DECORATE and then ENJOY....

LOVE the decopauging. you take simple things to a new level that wouldnt have occured to me...now what do you DO with the hearts?

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Oh So Cute! I can't get over the transformation of the "ugly" heart. The paper you used is to die for. And your L O V E letters...adorable. Great job, as usual. : )

Jodee said...

I love all of your V-Day decorations -- especially the plate. I need to be attacked by a scrapbooking store soon!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I agree with your daughter! You DO have a very pretty house. :)

I forgot to comment on your winter bedding post...your red pillows really spice up your bed!

I've got some V-day stuff out but not nearly as classy as yours! LOL! (actually, I've still got my Christmas garland up and I've changed out the Christmassy stuff for V-day stuff. Too cheerful to take down. Or maybe I'm just too lazy! LOL!)

Mandi Shandi said...

I do love a good "nonetheless" when used properly! HAHA Love the hearts and I love even more that they cost 50 cents.

That Girl said...

I LOVE the heart plates from TJMaxx. so cute!
I am so jealous that you have the creativity to look at those hearts in the thrift store and then make them into something so cute. I just dont visualize well! lol

knittingknirvana said...

I also really enjoy using the word "nevertheless".

I love how you re-purpose your thrift store finds! I would LOVE to see a modge podge tutorial. I have a stack of scrapbook paper just begging for some modge podge!! :)

Shay said...

Love your blog and I love the LOVE letters!

Jackie said...

I totally agree that vday decorations need to be suble in order to not be tacky. You have done a great job! =)

Stacey said...

Very cute! Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. Yeah, I am the odd duck in the bunch. I am always looking for ideas to decorate for VD. Thanks for sharing. You have some very cute ones!

Melissa said...

I've been waiting for a Valentine's post! You didn't disappoint. I agree there is a fine line, but you would never cross it :)

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

I really like your Valentine's touches! I agree, i don't care for anything super cutesy, but little "nicer" touches here & there! I especially love the "love" letters you decoupaged! Great!! :) And how sweet of your little girl!!

Nancy, the one and only said...

you are so right. I can not agree more wiht the decorating thing. A few years ago, i was way more broke than now, and used some red, pink and white tissue paper, cut out three different sized hearts and hung htat up in the kitchen. I used same idea as for colors, took some scrap cloth, and got a styrofoam heart from the craft store and made a nice simple, cute home made wreath for my front door. If i can get my digital camera to work with my mack book, i doubt it, but if i can, ill post a picture of that for you and your other followers to see.

Wendy said...

Very cute...and I love your the "Tutorialize" term. I might have to use it. Hee hee!~

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

I don't love modge podge either...there...I said it! :) I LOVE what can be done with it, but I sooo don't love doing it!

Your stuff looks so cute, and how sweet of your daughter to notice all of your effort in making your house a comfy, and pretty home!

Love that!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Cute, cute, Chris! Love your scrapbook transformations, so even though you hate decoupage, it turned out great. You almost can't mess it up.

Kristen said...

WHAT?? You shou d be tarred and feathered for not oving decoupaging! (Or shou d that be modged and podged?) Can you te what etter is not working on my keyboard this morning? For the ove of....
I ook ike I am a home ess typer!!

Tausha said...

Cute idea with the hearts. I can't tell you how many times I have seen those around. NOw, I must go and find me some TODAY! Thanks a whole lot! Well, it is raining today-I could use the pick me up.
I have a child who tells me how good of a decorater I am. She too is my favorite child!
Thanks for the inspiration. Can't wait to see what else you come up with.

Unknown said...

I love the plates! Don't you just love TJMaxx? The hearts are adorable, I'll have to keep my eyes out for some at the Goodwill!

Sherri said...

I rarely decorate for Valentine's anymore, since my kids are basically 'grown'. BUT... I HEART your hearts!!!! The plates are beautiful! All the hearts are ...even the 'treasure' finds! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Very cute! I actually did use nonetheless in a sentence last week. Seemed strange to say it and I actually paused at my grammatical correctness in terminology. I'm sure none of that right there was correct...but nonetheless. Ok I'll stop :)

-Hayley

Madison Sanders said...

Love the decorations! IU think it's great that you take the time to decorate for special little holidays throughout the year. I always love it when my mom does.

How sweet of your daughter to say something like that. Enjoy those times.

I thought the time would never come when I would graduate 5th grade, but it did. Now, in the blink of an eye, I'm in college.

Ashley said...

What a sweet girl!!

Merry Hearts Ministries said...

I love them! What a beautiful job you did! I love your blogspot and appreciate all the neat ideas you share. Keep up the great work!

Unknown said...

Love your "re-do's" and I won't think badly of you but I LOVE Modge Podge! LOL!

KR said...

Everything looks so sweet!! :)

Kristin
http://reclaimingthehome.typepad.com

Michele said...

I agree with your daughter Chris...you do have a very pretty house! I love all your valentine's decor. I love decoupaging too...I just wish it would dry faster!

Hugz,
Michele

queenbee said...

I really want to get more into decorating for the holidays throughout the year. I never would have thought about covering those hearts with scrapbook paper. Thanks for the inspiration. If you get a chance stop by my blog and give me your thoughts on what color to paint a table I snagged at the thrift store.

queenbee said...

Thanks Chris, for stopping by and giving me your opinion. It really helps.

Stephanie said...

That's so funny about those Salvation Army hearts because as you showed them I was thinking to myself "Really? She likes those? They don't seem to be her style but whatever." Then you made them darling, of course! I want to be you when I grow up!

Suzanne said...

I HATE mod podge(or whatever) too!! Seriously. I always have prjects that require it and those project are still sitting in the "to do" pile. I feel your pain. The letters however came out amazing. I love all your little touches.

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Jill@Barnes Yard said...

I'm calling the police-you are going to be arrested :)
Cute stuff, I feel the same way about V-day decor. I love the little splashes here and there.
-Jill

Jamie said...

Hey there! Just got home from vacation & am ow catching up on blogs. I have a hard time with Valentine decorating as well. Those are some great ideas. I think I'll have to get started on some Valentines decorating before it comes & goes.

Mother Hood said...

The child is correct! You DO have a really pretty house!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Oh I love everything. Perfect little touches. We are moving into a new house next week and I just don't see myself getting any decorating done for Valentine's Day. Oh well, there's always next year and oh what's next? ... St. Patrick's Day? hehehe

Shannon said...

I love it all! So cute!

DomesticDivasFancy said...

I have never really liked to decorate for valentines day. Everything always looks tacky! I love, love, love what you have done with those hearts. Very cute!

HeARTworks said...

Hello from the Philippines! You've got such a pretty blog! Enjoyed my visit and will be back!

Anonymous said...

love the little 'touches'. that's how i like to do valentines at my house. the scrapbook papers are great! i might be making a trip to hobby lobby!!!
~nicole

Taryn said...

I love what you did with the Salvation Army heart! Amazing!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I've got a sort-of serious issue (of the decorating/remodeling sort) that I'd love your (and anybody else!) input.

http://thelopsidedhouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/paint-or-stain-that-is-question.html

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I heart all your prettiness... blogs... funny what words you can make up!

Freckles Chick said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog w/ your sweet comments, Chris! BTW, love the white urn. And your stunning toile bedding! Wait, I love your whole blog.

Regarding your question about my chairs: I took a risk and just used wide masking tape to tape off the parts where fabric touched the wood. Made sure to bond the tape well so that no paint could seep under the tape. It worked like a dream. =)

Melissa Miller said...

~Precious.
I'm coming back to look at this again for ideas.
Love it! :)

Denise said...

I LOVE your blog! It always makes my day when I stop to visit and you have a really neat... and cheap... and easy something to do to make life more beautiful! Thank you!

Jessica said...

I just came across your blog via U create and I have to say you're quite classy with ideas and decorations! Thanks for making me laugh too. These posts are so dang funny! Not like you have funny posts, but just how you say things. Makes me wish I had a funny personality!

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