Valentine's Day Banner

 

 

                                    "L-O-V-E"

 This was a big move for me....two patterns, Vintage Valentines, clothespins, Bakers Twine AND Two different types of ribbon!!!I was just going to use the letters and decided to step outside of the box.

 This was my first ever project with my Circut.  A simple banner in pink gingham and LOVE in red with white polka dots. I added some Martha Stewart scrapbook border stickers at the top. The Cricut banner even cut out the two holes needed for string. I used the bakers twine I got for 50 cents at Target after Christmas. Guess what? They still have it at Target....in the $1 bins!

 My vintage Valentines are from ETSY. They arrived on Thursday. I just love them. They were flawless. Never used and so sweet. 11 in all and they were under $10 WITH shipping!!

                                                      She is my favorite.......

I had a few extra. Thought about squeezing them all onto the banner, glad I didn't. As I was looking at pictures this evening, I asked Lucie what she thought of Momma's banner. She made a funny face and said, "I think it's a little crowded." Arrgh! If she only knew how hard it was for me to pile it on.That's okay. I am glad I did. I like and thing it's festive.

Do you have a Cricut or the like? What is your favorite project?

Bisous!

Karen

I am linking up with:

I am joining The French Cottage and sharing my Pinterest Boards!

COme share you Pinterest Boards!

Le Salon de Thé de Lucie

 Tonight, Lucie is having a friend over to spend the night. When I left for work this morning, I was disappointed that I haven't had much time to prepare.

 Then, I remembered this little tea set I found just yesterday. It's very similar to the teacups and saucer Topper (our Christmas elf ) brought this year. I think this is a perfect little tea set for Lucie.

 I added my little chalkboard frame; Lucie's Tea Salon.

 I think the girls will be excited and of course I can already see Lucas roll his eyes.

 Not your typical tea-time goodies, but I used what I had as this was a last minute idea...and frankly, I think two 9 year old girls will be delighted with cotton candy, jelly beans and simple cookies.

 Of course, some chocolate "pastels" from France. You can get a little sneak peek of my first Cricut project in the back ground. Almost finished with my banner.

Heart shaped sugar for two sweet little girls....

Bisous,
Karen

I am linking up with:

Seasonal Sunday

Between Naps on the Porch

Coffeetable Vignette

 I have finally thrown a little something together on my coffeetable. Keep in mind I am not one to over the top. I think you know that by now.

 You remember my hutch? How I woke Monsieur Stan up to go it that morning...

 Well, a couple months before that I woke him up about this coffeetable. $40.

 I just never "decorated" it. I like my little topiary here and I am celebrating that I have kept it alive for a couple months now!

 My vintage bird cage....$3 at a garage sale. I had grandiose ideas of big pillar candles grouped inside....um, did you notice the tiny door, Karen??

 So....tea-lights will do...

 It's peaceful in the house. Kids are at school, Monsieur Stany is at work and Momma gets to blog. Do you see the throw on my couch? Matches perfectly. Has pretty tassels and some chenille trim. $1

 It's suppose to be 60 degrees Fahrenheit today....so I might get some gardening in. My little galvanized watering tins are made with French book pages from the early 1900s.

 Here's how I did my tea-lights. I spruced them up with decorative washi tape.. I get tea-lights by the bag full at garage sales every year.

Wrap them up on Washi tape and they go from unsightly to pretty....

I might just stay in with the curtains drawn and candles on and enjoy my solitude. I think I'll make my low-carb no sugar hot chocolate....

Half and half
Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa
and equal....

de-lish

Time to sit back and enjoy some of my favorite blogs....I love my blog friends!

Bisous,

Karen

I am linking up with:

Come join the party!!

Wow-Us-Wednesdays

Jelly Bean Giveaway Winner

Lucie-Girl picked a winner....


Who could it be???


The winner of Shabby Brocante's Jelly Bean and Valentine's Day Goodie giveaway is.......

Debby, From Cozy Blanket!!
Please visit Debby's amazing blog here!!! 

Yay! Heart shaped jelly beans and some Valentine's Day goodies are heading your way!

Thank you all for entering! Debby, please send me your address via email ASAP  kreyna@att.net

Bisous!

Karen   

Gratitude Sunday

I am linking up with Linda, at A La Carte, for gratitude Sunday.

As I sit here on Sunday morning thinking about what I am thankful for, I start small and think...um, this coffee I am holding. But, alas, I can't help to notice the two little squirrels cuddled up next to me, playing hand held video games here in the dark. There is my other "teenage" squirrel I could probably hear snoring if I listened for a moment in the back of the house. That's my husband, Stanislas, or Stany as I call him. You can see, I also call him my teenager, when people ask how many kids I have. As much as I love my coffee, and hearing the heat roaring on the central air....I am going to say I am thankful for my family.

 Is this how you picture California? Can you believe we are an hour maybe an hour and 15-20 minutes away from this?

 We can pick days that we know it will be sunny and clear, to ski, ice skate, and have fun in the snow.

 After ice skating at Northstar, the kids got yummy crepes.

 Stan got a delicious Bloody Mary. Came with a mini meal on top!

 Lucas and Lucie, Northstar. About 15 minutes away is King's Beach. We go there in the summer. I posted about King's Beach, Lake Tahoe in the summer. You can read about that HERE.

If, you have ever been to Whistler, Northstar and Squaw are like mini Whistlers of Canada. People are skiing right behind us. As you come down the slope you can come right into the village. There were pretty fire pits everywhere.

 We didn't stay the night at Northstar as these resorts can cost quite a bit. We went another half hour up the road to Reno where we get free rooms at the Peppermill Casino. You can see that HERE. I'll give you three guesses as to how we get free rooms hint: KAREN, CASINO, SLOT, MACHINES.


SO the next day we headed to Mt. Rose ski resort. We decided to go the first Monday back to school. Lessons were down to almost half the price...and no one was there! If you ever get a chance we highly recommend Mt. Rose. Great people, great ski resort!

 We purchased group lessons for the kids on line (save money) before leaving.

 They were both very comfortable on their skis.

 They each got a two hour private lesson on a gorgeous day!

 I was the only one that didn't ski. I have some issues with my feet, but might try to push through it next time. I used to ski all the time.

 After their lesson my three cuties went up the hill together.

On this Sunday, I am thinking back to last week, when we went up to the snow for some family time. I am thankful for my family today.

Gratitude Sunday

Bisous!

Karen

Friday Fill-ins

 

1. Wake up and make a difference every day.
2. I should write about all the fun we had.
3. Every picture of the kids is priceless to me.
4. You know there's trouble when the kids are a little too quiet.
5. Stay with the people that make you feel good.
6. Spent my paycheck before it arrived in a thousand ways.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a glass of wine and jammies, tomorrow my plans include making a banner with my new Cricut and Sunday, I want to be caught up and relax before the crazy week begins!

Come join the fun!

 Don't forget to enter my Jelly Bean giveaway!

Bisous....

Karen