Free Printable Valentines

Who says that exchanging valentines has to be just for kids? Since I love making my own Valentines and giving them to friends and coworkers, I thought it would be fun to create some on the computer and print them using printable business cards. I think they turned out pretty cute. I'm offering them free to anyone who would like them! You can download the Valentines by clicking HERE. Each card features something from my home that is vintage and pink. They can be printed using  #8373 Avery cards, which will give them a nice perforated edge or just print them on white card stock and cut out!

 Here is what they look like before cutting:

Enjoy!
KayteeJane

Paper Bag Scrapbook

When I first began my blog I did a series of Valentine's Day crafts tutorials. Here is a re post of my favorite craft out of the 5 shown. If you want to see the others you can click on the right hand side-bar under Categories and choose Valentine's Day. Scroll through the posts until you get to the V-Day craft projects.

Project #3 - Valentine's Paper Bag Scrapbook

Here is a fun and easy project that lets you be creative without all the pressure of completeing a full-blown scrapbook. These make great gifts and you can use up lots of scraps, ribbons & ephemera you've collected over time.

Materials:

3 lunch-size paper bags. (The red bags came from Target)

Hole Punch

Glue Stick

Sewing Machine

Misc. Papers & Ribbons

Optional: eyelets or metal binder rings

Step #1

Take the 3 lunch bags and lay them on top of each other alternating the direction of the opening. (See photo)

 Step #2

Locate the middle and then sew a seam down the middle to hold all the bags together.

Step #3:

After the bags are sewn together, fold the book in half - pressing down to form a binding. Once your bags are into book form, punch holes down the left side binding. You can put ribbon through these holes or use metal rings or eyelets.

Step #4

Decorate the pages. I gathered up a bunch of paper scraps, stickers, old greeting cards & rubber stamps to decorate my book.

If you are giving the book as a completed scrapbook - add photographs to the pages.

You may want to make the scrapbook without photographs and give it as a gift like that. The recipient can then add their own photos later.

Be creative! Add your favorite verses, scripture, memories or lists of things you love about the person you are giving this to. Just write directly on paper using a fine line pen. This project is supposed to be fun - not overly stressful.

Here is my completed book.

I did not put photos in this book - as I am going to give it away.

I left room on each page for a photo.

The openings in the bags can be used to store little goodies like extra photos, gift cards or love notes.

To make a tab on the bag opening, I stapled pieces of folded ribbon or paper to one side of the bag.

Now go make one for yourself!

After Valentine's Day consider making one of these for a baby shower, wedding shower, Mother's Day or to honor your best friend.

Leave me a comment to let me know what your ideas/thoughts are.

Enjoy!

KayteeJane

Pretty in Pink

In honor of one of my favorite colors, pink, I'm hosting a month long celebration called "Pretty in Pink" on my Facebook Page. Every day I will be sharing something pink that I've collected. All items will be vintage. I hope you will join me. To see each post you will need to "like" my FB page. If you don't do FB that is ok too. I will also be showing EVEN MORE pink here on the blog. More photos, more fun. I hope to see you all month long!

Click HERE to link to my Facebook Page.

Humble Collections

It is no secret, I repeat NO SECRET, that I love to collect stuff. I love to collect mostly older things - some are valuable in the eyes of the world and some not. I just collect stuff that I like - period, the end. Here is an example of a collection that I have that isn't valuable by any means, but I like it so I collect it.

Aunt Jemima Bottles. I just like these. I guess because they are something of the past that doesn't exist anymore. It all started when I saw some one else on the web that had a similar collection. I thought to myself "wow, that is cool". Shortly thereafter I began seeming Aunt J at sales. She was pretty inexpensive - about a $1. So I bought a few. Yes these are pretty useless - except to look at. But that is ok. I bring them out every January. I guess I associate winter with pancakes or something. Along the way I've also bought some other maple syrup things that I've seen around to go with this collection.

I guess the point of me telling you all of this is to encourage you to collect, display and enjoy what you love. Don't just collect because something is valuable monetarily - or you think it may be in the future. If you like it then it is valuable to you. I would love to hear about some of the things you collect. Let me know in the comments.

By the way, if you love pottery or antiques like I do and would love to see some great collections, pop on over to the blog I Love Collecting. You will be inspired to begin a collection today.

KayteeJane

Milk Glass Plate Project

A few years ago I made this "Frosty" plate. It is very easy to make and the possibilities are endless. I thought I would share with you how I made one in case you are inspired to try one for yourself.

I used a vintage milk glass plate that I picked up at a yard sale.  You can use any type of plate that you have on hand for this project. This is a great way to re-purpose an odd plate that you may have on hand or an antique plate that is pretty but you don't really use much. If you don't have a plate on hand try the dollar store.

You will need:
* a picture to use on the plate. I chose my picture out of a vintage Golden book. The illustrations in older children's books are charming. I copied the illustration on a photocopier.
*Modge Podge
*Glitter

Here are some of the illustrations found inside this book to give you an idea of how many sweet ones there are to choose from.

If you don't have an old book, you could also use a graphic printed from your computer, a scrap of wrapping paper, your child's artwork or even a photocopied photograph. HERE is a great website with vintage graphics that you can print for free.

To make the plate cut your picture so that it will fit on the flat part of the plate. You may want to cut a template out of tissue paper first to get the perfect fit and then cut your vintage paper or photo.

Next decoupage the paper to the plate. I used Modge Podge. The directions are on the package if you have never used this product before.

Once dry, apply glitter for accent. I used silver glitter glue by Martha Stewart. I chose to embellish with glitter because this is a snow scene - but you don't have to add glitter if you don't want to. I love glitter and would probably use it everywhere if I could.

Since my plate has a scalloped edge with cut-outs I tied a ribbon to the top for added flair.

Be creative - The possibilities are endless! Wouldn't this make a great anniversary gift for someone? Use a picture of the couple taken when they got married. Embellish the plate with glitter, dried flowers & ribbon in their wedding color or the color for a 25th or 50th anniversary. This would be cute hanging from the wall.

Happy Creating!
KayteeJane

Crocheted Potholders

Today I'm showing you my collection of vintage crocheted potholders. I've collected these for several years and currently have around 40. I am attracted to their cheery colors. These make me smile when I look at them. I also have a very soft spot for hand crafts from the past. I am in awe of women who made things like these to decorate with and to use. Although they are super cute, they are also functional and can be used as originally intended - as potholders.

 I love the ones that are little dresses and bloomers.

This one is displayed with my bird collection - it is a favorite.

I love to display a few in the kitchen - and actually use them.

When we remodeled our kitchen I had an idea to hang the entire collection from a clothesline with miniature clothes pins. I even have an antique metal clothesline dispenser (in red paint no less) that was bought just for this idea. If/when I ever actually do this I will be sure to show pics.

KayteeJane

more thrift store treasures

Seems like I can't get enough of thrift store shopping. Here are some treasures I found just yesterday.

Crazy Daisy Pyrex pieces - I found these both on the same day but at different thrift stores. The bowl cost me $2.99 and the casserole dish & lid was $3.99. I have been using the Pyrex dishes with lids to store left overs in the fridge instead of plastic.

I also found a few pieces of pottery to add to the collection. This is a Floraline by McCoy planter. I bought this at an "indoor flea market" a.k.a. independently owned junk store. I paid $4.00 for it. I love the matte finish. "Floraline" pieces were made by McCoy for florists.

A speckled pink planter. Not sure of the make. Maybe McCoy? It was 99 cents at the Salvation Army.

Another yellow planter to add to the collection - the one with the basket weave on 2 feet. Again, not sure of the maker on this one.

And this was the find of the day - an antique piece of Weller art pottery. The Weller pottery company went out of business in the 1930's - so this planter was made at that time or before. It is very pretty with a crazed finish over soft yellow, green & white. My husband found it sitting on the shelf at a Salvation Army store. It was marked "$4.99 As Is" on the tag. It does have a hairline crack at the lip. I couldn't believe they would price a cracked piece of pottery $4.99 so I figured it had to be something old and valuable. So I took a chance and bought it. When I got home I noticed the imprint on the bottom - Weller. A very nice piece of antique pottery. My first piece of Weller.

I bought this wooden spoon collector's rack for 99 cents. It is going to be transformed into something new. I will show the entire project when finished.

I have a new obsession with these metal picture frames. This one cost only 39 cents. The other piece is a brass plate of some sort. I am going to paint it and also use it as a picture frame.

Because I love Pioneer Woman and also wish I could win a pair of Country Outfitter cowboy boots (but never do) I splurged on these boots at Salvation Army. They were $9! Yikes - I guess prices are going up at the thrift. They are leather so I plan on giving them a good polishing before wear.

A nice piece of milk glass. I will be using this on my desk for pens.

I also bought another "baby ben" alarm clock to add to this collection.

I am loving all of my thrift store treasures!

KayteeJane