I Heart You! Valentine's Projects & Workshops

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways -- with altered art of course!  There are so many creative ways to say "I love you" -- especially with candy!  Whether it's chocolate kisses you crave, candy hearts, jelly bellies, always tasty m&m's or old-fashioned cinnamon hearts, I'd like to share a few of my ideas on ways you can package sweet treats for the special people in your life. 

The first project is an altered tin mailbox.  It sure is mundane, but such an altered artworks opportunity!  I began by choosing beautiful designer paper which I applied directly to the metal using Mod Podge (of course).  Then I pulled out a few of my favorite embellishments including an ivory Prima flower (which I just bought at CHA), a bright red button, three kinds of ribbons (I am the self-adorned ribbon queen), and a fun silver lock and key I borrowed from a second hand necklace.  The key is then tied to a small ceramic heart button adhered to the flag while the lock is tied onto the front end of the                                                                                                 mailbox. 

The completed altered Valentine's Mailbox

I filled the mailbox with my favorite candy and raised the flag.  

Now all I have to do is hide it until February 14.

You can also think "outside the box" and fill it with other Valentine's theme goods including scented candles, colorful tissue packets, memo pads and key chains. Wouldn't this make a nice gift?

Want more Valentine's themed ideas?  Check these out:

I'm NUTS about you!

Be My Valentine

You had me at Hello

Partying with

From My Front Porch To Yours

Great Cafes and Good Bargains

On our new year's vacation, we strolled up and down Oxnard's downtown shopping corridor in search of great cafes and good bargains. I found both! After sipping a delicious latte on an outdoor patio, I happened upon a busy thrift shop. In less than a minute, I found this sad-looking wooden box marked down to $1.50, with its original store tag still attached. Well, I couldn't exactly leave it on the shelf in its sorry state, so I bought it, and vowed to put it to good use.

After a light sanding, I chose bright red and chocolate brown acrylic paint to cover the entire surface. When completely dry, I mod podged a vintage-style dotted paper on the long edges and a mini print on each end.  Another coat of mod podge, added a few tags and ribbons, and...voila!  I reincarnated this drab box into a stylish tea and candy tray.  I can't wait to use it at next week's book club meeting, although I doubt the chocolate candy will still be there (yum).

My 2010 Resolutions

What would a new year be without a few resolutions? After a wonderful 3-day get-together with close friends to bring in 2010, it's time to pack away the holiday decorations and clean the wax out from the menorahs. I really do not want to find this year's wax next year! Or is it last year's wax this year? Whichever the case, it is time to begin the year anew.
Living in Southern California, it is difficult for us to imagine snow flurries, icy roads and cold, cold nights. We are enjoying 70' sunshine in shorts and tank tops. Believe us, it is not our first choice as California is in desperate need of rainfall. I would like nothing better than to sit by a warm fire, sipping on hot buttered rum while working on my altered art. However, until we get some rain, I will make do with the sun's rays creeping through the window in my tiny craft room.
This brings me to my first resolution AND my first altered art project of the year: My 2010 Resolutions post-it note holder. Starting with a piece of cardboard, which I cut into three pieces, I covered it using two of my favorite papers. I then adhered my post-it note pad inside, and then embellished the cover with polka dot ribbon,red & white flowers, brads, an acrylic frame, and using my handy Dymo-label maker, printed "My 2010 Resolutions" as the title. A little Mod Podge and voila! A beautiful note holder that can be tucked into my purse, tossed in my car, or kept right by my phone-- a place to write down all my resolutions, thoughts, lists and more. Happy New Year!