Valentine's Day 2013

It is 2:15 am on what is now, the day after Valentine's Day. Maybe it is all the chocolate I ate this evening but I am wide awake.

Andy and I have been married for six and 1/2 years and he is just as romantic as ever. Shown in the picture is what he gave me for Valentine's Day. I think this is the largest greeting card I have ever seen!

I hope all of you, Dear Readers, had a wonderful (and sweet) Valentine's Day!

If you have a minute or two, please go to the archives for February, 2012 and read "One Perfect Rose." which is a true story from my floral design days. It is a funny little memory and "Ellen" in the story is a real person. She is going through a rough time right now and I would like to wish her health, happiness and............. a perfect rose.

How To Turn A brooch Into A Necklace

This is such an easy tip to turn a pin or brooch into a necklace. You might just have the supplies in your kitchen and it will only cost a penny or two.

Take any brooch with a horizontal pin back, cut a drinking straw the length of the pin back and slide on.  Fit the small end of a chain or cord through the straw.

That is it!

Upcycled Gift Bags

I am on a frugal kick and when I can save a few dollars, I am all over it. After the holidays, I hated to throw away our pretty Christmas cards so I cut off the fronts and opened my "bag drawer."

I can't seem to throw away a perfectly good shopping bag from a gift shop or boutique. You know, the cute little paper bag with ribbon handles, stuffed with tissue paper that the clerk of some ritzy shop presents you with a flourish after you hand over a wad of money.

Now, usually this bag has a company logo or design on the front. I took those pretty Christmas and an old Valentine card, edged the back of the card with double stick tape, stuck the card front over the logo. Voila! Recycle chic!

You can get creative and add buttons, bows, glitter or stamped snowflakes. Do this with birthday, anniversary or any kind of card. Don't throw it away - reuse, recycle and make something pretty.

Shipping Hints

I don't know about you, but many of my friends and family members live in other cities. I always have several boxes of Christmas gifts to send out over the holidays, birthdays and though out the year. Rather than spending money on boxes and padded envelopes, I recycle the packaging that comes in my mail.

For storage, I break down larger boxes to save space and keep packaging material, including boxes, tape, wrapping and tissue paper, together so I can find what I need quickly. I usually print out address labels on my computer and tape it to package, covering the label completely with wide, clear tape.