Happy Hearts Day!

{image from here}

{image from here}

XOXO,
frenchie & flea

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Valentines Day Baking

Last night, I did some Valentines Day baking & crafting. When the husband is away, the kitchen gets MESSY! I pulled out my Grammy's famous Sugar Cookie Recipe (it's actually passed down from her grandma...and it's delish!).

Here's what you will need for the cookies:

1 Cup Butter (2 Sticks) at room temperature
1 Large Egg
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Cream of Tartar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt

Mix:
Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees.
Cream together butter and sugar in mixer.
Mix dry ingredients together in separate bowl.
Add egg & vanilla to the butter mixture, then slowly add dry ingredients until well mixed.
Chill dough for 1 hour.



Roll & Cut:
On floured surface, roll dough to about 1/8" thick.
Cut shapes.
*Make sure your dough is thin enough so that the shape doesn't spread out too much while baking*



Bake:
Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in 350 degree oven until golden-brown (about 9 minutes).
*Make sure to watch cookies so they don't burn!*
Let cool on cookie sheet then move to cooling rack.



Powdered Sugar Icing:
1 Cup Sifted Powdered Sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Milk, Orange Juice or Water
Food Coloring
In a small mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in 1 Tbsp. water, milk or orange juice (I just used water). Stir in additional milk or orange juice, 1 tsp at a time, till icing is smooth and creamy (A little liquid goes a LONG way...if it gets too runny, just add more sugar). Now add food coloring - for the light pink I made it took one drop of red.
Makes about 1/2 cup.



Frost & Sprinkle:
Spread frosting onto cookies (don't worry if it drips down the sides, these will smooth out and look perfect no matter what!). If you aren't getting the glazed finish, your frosting might be slightly too thick.
Sprinkle immediately with sugar crystals and place cookies on rack to dry.



Allow to dry and harden on rack overnight (or even up to 24 hours) so that frosting is completely hard before packaging.



Package:
Cellophane Bags
Card Stock in white and color of choice
Lace Tulle (or just lace, tulle or any sheer fabric of your choice)
Ribbon (I used Martha Stewart's Valentine's Day Ribbon Collection)
Scissors
Stapler
Hot Glue Gun



First:
Cut white card stock to fit into cellophane bag.
Place into bag and gently place cookie on top.
Cut a piece of colored card stock and fabric in the same size (I measured the width of the cello bag + a quarter inch for the width and 3" height - so 1.5" high when folded over)



Next:
Fold Cello bag over (you may need to trim the excess bag so it doesn't show) and place card stock and fabric over it.
Staple twice to close.



Finish:
Tie a bow with ribbon of your choice and use a tiny hot glue dot to secure to fabric/paper and cover the staples.



And there you have it! Perfectly packaged, homemade sweet treat for Valentine's Day!
Use them for your kid's class, your friends, a party favor, or give to neighbors, family, etc. to share a little sugar with the people you LOVE the most!

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Emerson Made Giveaway

In honor of Valentine's Day, one of my favorite blogs - A Lifestyle Thing - is hosting an Emerson Made giveaway! If you are like me, then you probably swoon over Emerson Made's gorgeous creations AND her photography & styling! So make sure you check it out!



{all images from Emerson Made}

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Happy Love Month!

Let LOVE MONTH begin! I have grown very fond of Valentines Day over the past few years...yes, the cynic is dying and the craftiness is growing! This year I have been filing away all the cute supplies and DIY's to share with you, because I truly think that handmade is the best, most heartfelt way to say I LOVE YOU. Here are some of my favorites thus far...


{A Whole Lotta Lovin Stamp Kit from Paperfinger - found on Paper Tastebuds}


{No, But Seriously, I REALLY Love You Stamp from Paperfinger - found on Paper Tastebuds}



{FREE Printable Valentine Garland from Whisker Graphics}


{Felt Valentines Pins Tutorial from The Purl Bee - found on Erin Ever After}


{Lacy Votive Holders Tutorial from Martha Stewart - found on Erin Ever After}

{Conversation Heart Cookies Recipe from Martha Stewart - found on Jolie Jolie}

Siiiiiiiiigh.
All I want to do right now is bake, and sew, and stamp, and CRAFT some valentines for my family and friends!
Happy Love Month!

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Valentines Inspired Pillows

Yet again, one of my favorite blogs (Bliss, to be exact) introduced me to an adorable little textile company and blog today: Chocolate Creative. Ok, first of all....GREAT name, right? Second of all...these pillows are just PERFECT for Valentine's Day! Here are some pictures from inside part-owner Margarita Lorenzo's home (which is, well, fantastic!):

You can purchase this Messages 100% Hemp Eco-Pillow here

And you can also purchase this Red Heart Stitch Pillow here!

{all images from here via here}

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