Crunch Time

If it hasn't already occurred to you that the most romantic day of the year is only a week away, it will soon. The grocery store I frequent even has a countdown on a chalkboard right as you walk in. So it is officially "crunch time." And while cards and pictures are taken care of, there is still... THE GIFT. And ladies, what do you get a guy?

The radio has been full of commericals for things I'd love-- tulips or roses, earrings, even silky pj's that come in a hat box. One channel keeps giving away $150 good towards a maid service.

But there has not been one advertisement I am aware of with a good idea for what to get your guy.

So, here, complied from various websites, are my favorite ideas. And please-- tell me yours! It's so crunch time!

• Electronic accessories, i tunes gift certificate, or car charger
• Fav guy movies through the ages-- the Godfather, James Bond, ya know
• Upgrade his cable package with a sports network
• Personalized M&Ms
• Thoughtful notes tucked into his briefcase, coat pocket, desk drawer, driver's seat etc.
• Gift certificate for an experience he's always wanted like driving a NASCAR, ride in a rodeo, or attend master BBQ school
• Hide chocolate in small packages all over the house
• Create a music video with pictures of you together
• Cookie Bouquet

What are you doing?

Quotes

Since we've been on this subject (or at least I have been) today I'm posting quotes you might be able to use in a Valentine's Day card, scrapbook page, or note in your husband's coat pocket. Whatever works for you.



To live without loving is to not really live. ~ Moliere



Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. ~ Aristotle



If music be the food of love, play on. ~ William Shakespeare



A temporary insanity curable by marriage. ~ Ambrose Bierce



The love we give away is the only love we keep. ~Elbert Hubbard



To love is nothing.... to be loved is something... to love, and be loved is everything. ~Unknown



Life, the gift of nature

Love, the gift of life

A Kiss, the gift of Love. ~ Unknown



Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love. ~Virgil



I love you more now....than when you beganto read this card



You're nothing short......of my everything



I love being loved by you



Happiness is being married to my best friend



When I count my blessings I count you twice

Round Candy Bag

This is a personal favorite. I'm giving these to my family members with lot of love and chocolate! (Because those of you who read this blog regularly know how I feel about chocolate!) The one shown above is about 2 1/2 inches tall, but can be created in any size, but to about 4 1/2 inches. And here's the proof these will be well loved.

Kisses

I promised products made from the Valentine's Day kit, now available on my website. This is a lil' candy bag, cut with the Cricut "Platin School Days" cartridge and accented with red ribbon.

Purchase the kit and make your own, or order them ready made.

Think of how original your Valentine's could be this year!

New!

Oh fun stuff! I have a shipment of Valentine's Day materials just waiting to be crafted and created! Its a cute line of curly-cues and harts, hand-drawn flowers, and raised cardstock.

There are some other sheets as well, but the above is a kit I'm offering on my website, Designs of Mine. I spent some time creating from these papers and I'm excited to share some ideas with you soon!

So, if you've been thinking about those photos now you're ready to take it to the next level : ).

For example

This morning I took some time and worked with a couple of photos of my own the way we discussed yesterday. (Nothing like practicing what you preach!) Here is my favorite!

Old photo:

New photo:

By cropping close and changing the color tones I have a brand new picture! One that's perfect for the inside of the card I'll make for my husband.

Ready or Not

The other day I went shopping for groceries. Already the stores are filled with pink and red harts, boxes of chocolate, and flowery cards. I am still recovering from Christmas!

However, if you plan to share your love with any hand-made item, now is definitely the time to begin. Coming soon will be a post with ideas for creating a card for your husband, children or any loved one, but today lets talk about one of my favorite subjects-- pictures!

Planning photos to take now will allow you time to create just the right set-up, as well as develop the film and still have time to make a card. But do you want just any old photo?

Think of things that make your relationship special, funny, memorable, personal, etc. Then decide on the best way to capture them. Grab a shot of a book you and your child enjoy reading together, the restaurant where hubby took you on your first date, you get the idea. Set up a tri-pod or get someone to take some of the two of you together. Choose a high resolution setting so you can crop. That will allow you to create an up-close picture of just your hands or a kiss. Or choose the humorous route. One of my favorite photos is of my husband standing in front of his truck with me pulling is arm, trying to get him away from it. (He didn't budge.)

It's not cheating to browse through the card aisle and get some ideas. You can even swipe a saying, if you can give credit.

Anyway, its something to think about. Valentine's Day will be here soon, ready or not!