Happy Valentine's Day

So, I thought for Valentine's Day, I'd tell you the story of how Corey met Bonnie and how they fell in love and are living happily ever after.

But....Bonnie is too tired from working all day (on my feet) like I haven't done in about a year, Corey is away, and the baby is sleeping...so, I think Bonnie is headed to the couch to relax for the rest of the evening.

Since I am itching to settle in on the couch, I'll give you the short version, and maybe tell you the whole story another day.

In August of 2005, I seriously needed a job, so, my sister pulled some strings and got me a job at the Starbucks where she worked. Well, there was also a cute guy named Corey who worked there (who, by the way, I always pictured as a girl when my sister would tell stories about him from work. See, my sister used to work with a girl named Corey and so whenever she talked about Corey I just pictured this girl she used to work with. Pretty funny!). Anyways, I started working there and Corey and I started talking a lot, and one day he decided to call my dad to talk about his interest in getting to know me. So, my dad asked me if I'd like for Corey to get to know me and start the "courtship" process. I said yes, so my dad told Corey that it would be okay.

A few days later they met and talked for a while and our courtship began. We courted for about a year (Corey likes to refer to this time as his time dating my dad) and were engaged one year and one week after we first met. On August 11, 2006, he got down on one knee by the campfire on a family camping trip and proposed by singing and playing a song he had written in which the last line was "Please say you'll be my bride". I didn't know what to say, but once I finally figured out what was going on, of course I said yes. We got married 2 months later on October 15, 2006.

The Lord has blessed us greatly and I am so thankful for my sweet husband. And thankful that on Valentine's Day we can be doing our own things and no one has to cry about it. I know how much he loves me and he knows how much I love him. While I do enjoy this day as a special time to say "I love you", it wouldn't mean anything if the rest of the time his actions didn't show his love. He tells me often that he loves me, but more often than that, he says he loves me by his actions, and that is the best gift ever!

$10 Valentine Gift

Every year we go to a couples' Valentine's party. At this party, we have a gift exchange and the parameters are that the gift must be romantic or "suggestive" and it must have a value of $5-$10 (I'm sure it was more in the past because it's really hard to find something for this price!). After 5 years of having this party and seeing the same gifts over and over, I wanted to come up with something creative, romantic, and something that people wouldn't be embarrassed to "steal" during the gift exchange. So, I took my $10 and headed to Goodwill. Here's what I came up with:

I know, that does NOT look like it only cost 10 bucks. Well, thanks to Goodwill, a bit of spray paint, some fabric scraps, and a free printable (which you can find here), I was able to pull off this breakfast in bed kit for just $10!! Amazing and fabulous. Corey kept telling me that he was going to steal it so that we could bring it home. Of course I didn't let him (because I'm making something similar, and better, for us! But it's a secret, so don't tell him...and don't worry, he doesn't usually read my blog).

Here's the break down: 2 sets of dishes- $3, tray-$3, frame- $1, candle- 49¢, Valentine place mat (which I made, so it was really cheap)- probably about $1.

So, all together it cost $8.49 in new supplies plus a bit of spray paint, napkins from my party supply stash, and time. I was pretty proud of myself for putting this together within budget. And so glad it was well received at the party. It got stolen and locked in pretty quickly after it was opened, it makes my heart happy to know that people liked it :)

Now I need to start looking for that perfect white elephant gift for the Christmas party!

p.s.

This is project number 2 for week 2 of the Crafty Sewing Mamas sewing challenge. This week we were to make pjs and something Valentine themed, so this is my Valentine sewing project. I really only sewed the little place mat, but it's super Valentine-y, so, that counts, right?

Operation Pretty Bedroom: Phase One

So, a few weeks ago I told you about the fabric I picked for our bedroom. Well, I wanted to show you what I've done so far with that fabulous fabric.

First up are the before photos of our drab bedroom.

This is my dresser and the wall on my side of the bed. Mirrors need to be mounted somewhere and that giant white wall needs a lot of help (and the laundry needs to be put away).

Our dressers and the window...you can see why it needs help.
The bed. Could it get any more boring?

Here's the progress I've made so far (remember, it's about baby steps).

This is now over the bed:

The frame is from my grandma, I painted it, framed some fabric, and stuck a painted wood heart in it. These letters are just some wood cut outs from Joann's, spray painted navy blue (I did quite a bit of spray painting last week!).

(Obviously the bed still needs some help...that's coming soon)

This is the wall on my side of the room, the shelves were from Goodwill for $5, a little navy paint is all they needed. The frame is another one from my grandma, it now has a photo of Elora in it. Candle holders were from a Christmas gift exchange, of course they had to be spray painted too!

And last, but not least, the curtains

Here's a close up of those tie backs.

I'm so excited to make more things to bring more color in to the room. On the list are pillows, bed skirt, something for over our dressers, and more framed photos. Plus probably a lot more along the way. I'm also working on something for Corey's side of the bed to hold his phone, iPad, books, and glasses. Since there is no room over there for a night stand, he ends up putting things on the floor next to the bed and it's just not working out so well.

Anyways, that's what I've got so far. I can't wait to bust out more!

Crafty Sewing Mamas Sew-along Week 2: PJs

Okay, I realize that I skipped week 1. I'm sorry. I'm not sure what's going on with time right now. January was both the longest and the shortest month I've ever lived and I'm really trying to find my bearings. In the meantime, I'll just jump in on week two like nothing happened :)

So glad that one of this week's projects is pajamas. Elora needs them badly. I made her some jams for the warm weather but will probably do some cozy ones to hold her over until spring.

(please excuse my sad photos...something is wrong with my photography skills today)

These jammies were made using some knit yellow rosebud cotton that my mom gave me from her fabric stash. She's getting rid of most of her fabric and I am working on acquiring as much as I can. It's so fun to have fabric that I remember from my childhood and all the things my mom made us growing up.

I used this tutorial for the top and this tutorial for the pants, both from Prudent Baby.

Elora seems to like them....or maybe she just liked that I let her stand on her dresser. Either way, I'm pretty proud of these little jams. I have more knits from my childhood that probably need to be made in to more summer pjs. They are so cute and technically they're vintage, right? 20 years or older? So that means they are automatically awesome. And I think Elora knows it.

A Fun New Blogging/Sewing Challenge

I am part of a sewing group online and we decided to start a little challenge on our blogs. Each week there will be a challenge project and we will all post about our handmade items on our blogs. You will see the image below on upcoming posts to let you know that the project being shown is the "Crafty Sewing Mamas" project of the week!

And the winner is....

Stephanie! Who is planning to have a date with her hubby and baby boy on Valentine's Day.

Congratulations!!

Hope you all enjoy your Valentine's Day, whatever your plans may be! Thanks for entering the contest and come back in a few weeks for February's giveaway!

January Giveaway- Valentine Headband

For this month's giveaway, I will be sending one happy winner, this cute little headband

Perfect for Valentine's Day!! It has 3 little fabric rosettes, a stuffed hand stitched felt heart, vintage lace bow, a fluff of tulle, and a bit of sparkle in the pink flower button to bring it all together. The band is stretch lace so it will fit almost any size head, even an adult!

So, leave a comment on this post and tell me what your plans are for Valentine's Day, or, if you're anti-Valentine's Day (but still want the headband) tell me why you don't like the day.

Get an additional entry by sharing this giveaway on Facebook and leave me a comment to let me know.

Two entries possible, please leave your email in each entry comment so I can contact you if you win.

*Giveaway open until midnight on January 31st. Any entries received after midnight on the 31st will not be counted.*