Valentine's Day

I don't know many guys who would spend hours cutting out paper hearts and stringing them into a heartfelt garland. But, I am ever so glad I found him. I'm pretty dang lucky :)

I had been thinking of crafting a heart garland to replace our Christmas decor. Yes, I keep Christmas up through February. It is just so cheery to come home to sparkling lighted trees.

Naturally, I thought the heart garland would add cheer enough to replace the trees, but I haven't had time to craft one. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to find my love's darling creation!! I was ecstatic, especially since he brilliantly incorporated LIGHTS!!!

Hearts and lights!!! This girl is beside herself.

Thank you, Honey Bear!!!

Upcycled Handmade Gifts

One of my goals this year is to make all of my gifts. My design background influences most all I do. Therefore, I would like all my handmade gifts to be handsome as well as practical.

This gift basket includes Cozy House Slippers. I borrowed the pattern from Prudent Baby With a few adjustments... My materials are completely upcycled, in true Recycled Sanctuary fashion.

The mustard felt exterior of the slippers was previously used to cover poker tables for my Poker Birthday Bash. I plan on using more of this felt for several projects to come ;) The interior and flower accents are constructed of one of my favorite wool/angora sweaters, which after 5 years of wear were a little worse for the wear, but in lovely condition for house slippers! YAY! My favorite pattern adjustment by far is the use of an old (thoroughly cleaned) yoga mat as the foot cushion.

Included in this Master's Program Relief Birthday basket is a neck roll heat pad. The heat pad is made from a gently used Ikea pillow case and filled with rice. Once microwaved for 1 minute 30 second it becomes a neck soothing best friend.

The sugar scrub is also homemade using my grandma's skin smoothing blend of castor oil, white sugar and a few drops of sweet orange essential oil. I did buy the container, but it was on deep discount... 97 cents!!! Can't beat that :)

I sure hope my friend loves it. She is the first recipient of my handmade gifts :)

New Years Goals

Here are a few of the items I would like to accomplish this year:

- Ace all of my classes
- Save
- Make a present a week for all birthdays and this Christmas
- Entertain at home instead of going out
- Attend one happy hour per month

I'm pretty confident in my ability to complete these tasks.

Welcoming the New Year

I am so excited about 2011. There are so many to dos on my list for this year. At the moment, I am planning my Western Themed Poker Birthday Party and remodeling our condo while honey bear is visiting his folks for winter break. I can't wait to see his reaction and to share it with the blogosphere :)