LOVE-ly Projects... x

Something for your Sweetheart, something for you, something for your home... why not keep a little bit of love all year 'round with these special LOVE-ly Valentine's inspired projects I found whilst looking through some of my fun e-newsletters...

Happy Valentines' Day!

Sarah x

 Modern Valentine's Day Artwork

These cute craft projects make great shelf decorations for Valentine's Day. To craft the collage, cut out repeating shapes from fabric (we used birds and hearts in various sizes) and use spray adhesive to mount on white cardstock; frame. For more advanced crafters, pencil a design on a store-bought canvas, and then sew over your drawing using a thick needle  (used a backstitch technique).

Valentine's Day Banner Bright colors make this Valentine's Day mantel pop -- traditional pink hearts mix with bright orange, yellow, green, and blue patterned fabric on the banner. To make, trace 16 hearts onto pink houndstooth fabric and cut them out. Use a stencil to paint letters onto the hearts to spell out a sweet phrase (like "Be Mine Valentine" shown). Sew the hearts onto colored fabric squares with fun patterns, attach the squares to red ribbon, and hang across a fireplace.

Love Pillow

Dress up a plain throw pillow for Valentine's Day by adding the word "love" with stencils and fabric paint. Cut out your own letters or buy a set of stencils, available at crafts stores, for a quick design.

Tip: Alternate colors for each letter or use a different word on the pillow to make the design your own.

Framed Love Quote Decoration

Decorate a side table or shelf for Valentine's Day with an inspiring love quote in a frame. Using a die-cutting tool, cut a quote (like "Love comforteth like the sunshine after the rain," shown, or one of our other quotes, below) and glue the letters to black cardstock. Tape the finished piece to a mirror with an intricate frame to finish the Valentine's Day-ready decoration. Check Esty.com for more inspirational quotes & printed pieces.

 Heart-to-Heart Garland

Make a garland of hearts cut from fabric scraps layered and attached with iron-on adhesive. Punch small holes in the sides of the hearts and tie them together with ribbon.

 Paper Hearts Wreath

Dozens of colorful hearts flutter on cardstock cut into the shape of a wreath. Use paper punches (about $5-$20 at scrapbook supply and crafts stores) or scissors to cut hearts from colored vellum and lightweight decorative paper. Curl the cutout hearts by scraping them between your thumb and a butter knife just as you would with curling ribbon. Then layer them on the round cardstock base and attach each with a dab of clear-drying glue, either in the center or near one edge. Hang the wreath with ribbon.

Public Display of Affection

Highlight those you love with snapshots and valentines in a three-dimensional display. Gather favorite photos and make black-and-white or sepia copies. Paste some of the copies onto decorative papers and cut into fun shapes. Tuck them in a photo tree from an import or stationery store.

 A Valentine Chandelier

Let Cupid strike your chandelier this Valentine's Day. Simply cut and fold paper hearts to hang from any light fixture whose structure accommodates knotted thread or wire. We've shown multiple hearts stitched together at the center fold, then fanned to create a 3D effect. Beads are added at the end of the thread for sparkle
Note that this particular chandelier is designed to use candles. We recommend that you keep the candles unlit when paper products are hanging below.

Valentine Votive

Fill plain glass votive candleholders with candy nonpareils for seasonal color. Small glass beads from the crafts store offer a similar look.

images & subtext via BHG, Country Living, Snset, Tubmlr, Ballard Design

To My Valentine xxx

To My Darling husband, Matthew...

Through Sun Showers, Storms, Dreary Rainy Days, & all the Bright-Hot ones

You are my warm, loving & friendly Sunshine.

My only Sunshine!

image via John Sands cards - my valentine's card for my husband

One of the Sweetest Days x

Wishing you a very sweet day today for Valentine's Day...

Everything you do today can be a gift from the heart - making a cup of coffee, a handwritten little note of affection, wearing a favourite perfume for someone, or just taking time out of the day to tell that someone how much they mean to you. And you don't have to keep this all to just one day of the year - try something sweet each day - all year 'round!

Much Love,

images [in no particular order] via pretty stuff, crush cul de sac, ys voice, what she wanted, modern hepburn, cioa avcado

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you a very sweet & Happy Valentine's Day - whomever & whatever - you're with & up to!

Also a very Happy Birthday to a dear friend of ours, Chris - who shares it with his twin brother - Sven!

Kisses - S xoxo

image from Martha Stewart

Love is in the Air... Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday! 'Love is in the Air'... A huge title song hit for singer/ artist John Paul Young & one of the songs on the sound track to a fabulous Australian movie 'Strictly Ballroom'... I can' help but break into tune when I hear those 5 words strung together!!
With Valentine's Day on Sunday 14th, where-ever & with whom-ever you might be sharing it with Wishing you a Wonderful weekend & a very Sweet Sunday! My adorable puppies Zach & Lucy will be sure to give my husband & I Sunday morning cuddles & tail wagging!...Have Fun, S xoxo


Image from Martha Stewart

All About Red.. Outdoor Valentine's Day Decor Colour Inspriation.

[image 1] no need to paint - add red into your outdoor palette with accessories or furniture - as shown here.
[image 2] A small side gate / fence is painted a raspberry red that accents the blue charcoal colour of the main house.

[image 3] A garden path leading to a welcoming red gate

Taking my colour inspiration from upcoming St. Valentine's Day [Sun 14 Feb] - Red - in all shades, I find is not used enough, or if it is used sometimes then from experience have found it's not used appropriately, and therefore [poor old 'Red'] is sometimes subject to being tossed away - discarded and deemed as a 'too hard colour' to work with or live with... Here in this post, and following posts I found some great images to share with you on how easy it is to bring some 'passion' red into your colour life whether you're a classicist or a contemporary at heart.

There's isn't a reason why you can't add an unexpected 'pop' of colour in your outdoor [garden] areas - it's all about placement - be it through your accessories, furniture, & painted walls or gates there are so many avenues. Here are some great ways to incorporate 'red' or a similar high chroma/ value colour [such as orange or bold canary yellows - teamed back with a neutral or darker colour palette] into your exterior styling & decorating! The main point it to have fun - and remember it can always be changed when you're ready for something new! Enjoy x

Images from My Home Ideas

A Simple Note or Card...

I love nothing more than receiving a hand-written card or note, it's just so personal that it's endearing. Just remember that the act or writing someone a simple note or card can go a long way...

The art of handwriting sometimes gets lost in our busy fast world of technology... so why not write someone a thank you note, or a card to let them know you've been thinking of them, hand deliver or send it in the mail. And with St. Valentine's Day coming up there's a great excuse to tell someone you admire your secret!

Image from Martha Stewart - Valentines' book mark.

Decorating In Colour... 4 Ways with Valentine's Pink.

[image 1] Washington, D.C., designer Alessandra Branca paired a shocking hot pink with brown to liven up a traditional Georgetown townhouse. The result is a warm, inviting space that's sure to inspire a smile.
[image 2] Pale pink certainly seems like an odd choice for a modern dining room, but in this cool California cottage, it just works.

[image 3] Fave & Famed Interior Design Kelly Wearstler - here her home - her inspiration on colour from fashion: 'In the fashion realm, I admire Valentino for his dramatic use of color and dynamic patterns, Sonia Rykiel for her color sensibility and avant-garde combinations, and Coco Chanel for her revolutionary use of contrast, texture, fabrics, and weaving.' Interview with My Home Ideas.

[image 4] With diverse hues from blushing to shocking, the color pink is not just for little girls.

With St. Valentine's Day upon us - Sunday 14th February - I thought it would be lovely to share some 'Pink' inspired spaces with you... [St. Valentine's Day] Although traditionally viewed as an American celebration 'holiday', recently it has been embraced more & more and it is becoming increasingly popular through many other countries, such as Australia... Enjoy x

Images from My Home Ideas

Love Projects...

Garland - Start your own “love chain” with this garland. For patterns you can print out in color. Then simply cut them out, punch a hole in each, and suspend from a metal chain with ornament hangers.
Sweethearts - To create, cut two hearts out of felt (ours are 4x5 and 4x6 inches), then hand-sew using blanket stitches or whip stitches. Embellish with beads or embroidery, such as French knots and daisy stitches. Hang from twine.

COVERED BOXES Instead of actual playing cards, here a computer is used to scan rows of cards and print them in color, then glued them to a hatbox and lid.

I found these great Valentine project ideas and thought I would share them with you - instead of buying something, make something from papers, card and old trims you may have at home or can purchase inexpensively at the local dollar store. Some Red felt, some contrast stitches and a hand written card can go such a long way with true sentiment... Enjoy! x

Images & Project Ideas from Country Home

Wouldn't It Be Lovely ...

Colour Blocked Living Space - epoxy white painted floors for long wear & a great use of an old friend - using a favourite old doily photographed on a colourful background - blown up and positioned off-centrefor a modern placement on canvas. Doily's and lace also used as applique on a bright ruby cushion - playing with positive & negative space, so 'wow'!

White Romantic, Fresh & Contemporary Storage - Office & Living Space with a super 'pop' of love-heart red that adds a sense of liveliness and depth.

These blue based pale pink walls are both romantic & modern when combined with white trimmed windows, skirts and bedlinen. The floral bouquet pattern on the quilt cover adds a touch of femininity & cosiness - the stripe floor mat anchors the feminine room without adding too much more to it.


Today it's raining and cool here [in Sydney] & so I thought wouldn't it be lovely to cosy up with the one you love in a Romantically inspired room!

Images from Country Home

Valentines - Cookie Couture...

I am just in love with these gorgeous cookies [and 1 cake] especially the 'X O X O' boxed cookies from Nadine [Ingram] at Cookie Couture [here in Sydney] Wouldn't you just love to receive one of these gorgeous cookies!! I know I would - hint hint!

Images from Cookie Couture

Sweet Ideas for your Sweet-Heart!

Click on the link for the recipe 'Congac Kissed Chocolate Truffles'

Click on the link for the recipe - Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Shortbread Hearts

With Valentine's Day approaching on the weekend - you could bake, get someone to bake for you or or buy some delicious treats for your sweet-heart! Here are some yummy ideas... who knows they may even share with you!

Images from Traditonal Home & My Recipes

V is for Valentine...

A loving book mark in red felt & hot pink spotted satin ribbon
Paper doilies & contrast paper make for simple lovely cards for your sweet hearts.

All things you love - a personalised 'love' mood board

With all things Heart shaped & Red coming up in days leading to St. Valentine's Day for Saturday 14th Feb... I found a couple of things I thought I would share with you that made me smile - that are 'heart-felt', inspired and hand-made, showing that not everything has to be just store bought....

Images Traditional Home & Country Home