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Last Minute Valentines: DIY Garland

This year, I got to participate in a handmade valentine swap. Super fun, right? It’s nice to know handmade is still alive and well in the world!

For my valentine, I really didn’t have very much time. I know that is said a lot, but things changed for us a few weeks ago. We took our very first older child placement in a few weeks ago. She is 4. It has been a pretty rough few weeks for all 5 of us. This valentine would not have been on my radar had I not already signed up to send them to people before we got placed with this little girl. I didn’t want to leave the ladies hanging who had signed up to swap with me. That’s all to say, most of us probably have things going on right now that keep us from following our hearts desire of making handmade valentines.

So….I created this DIY Valentine’s garland to fill that last-minute-need-to-create void!

First, print the Valentine’s garland from last year right HERE. Cut out all of the hearts and even some white ones if you desire to make a longer one. I used 4 hearts, but you can include as many hearts as you want as long as you remember to increase the postage.

I cut out a few pieces of cardboard, in haste. However, small pieces of wood would be perfect. I wrapped some long pieces of tape around the cardboard so the person could take off whatever they need to hang up the garland and also to adhere the string to the back of the garland. Cut a 1 yard long piece of twine, fold it up, and hold it together with a piece of washi tape. Write a little handmade note and put it in an envelope! A cute little printed paper bag like you can find in my friend Ana’s shop would be perfect, along with some of her heart stickers and mini clothespins!

DONE!

Print, Assemble, and Give!

If you liked what you see, stick around and find me on:

F a c e b o o k // T w i t t e r // P i n t e r e s t // I n s t a g r a m // E m a i l

Spring Wishlist: Fun Florals and Fresh Color!

Apparently, I’m ready for bright, happy colors again, according to this board! Le Creuset has a new color for their amazing dishes…QUINCE. It’s a perfectly balanced hue of yellow which I find very hard to resist. I can’t wait to thumb through Deb‘s cookbook, as I am a huge fan of her incredible blog. That candle. That Anthro mug. Adorable. Anna’s Rifle Paper Company work is always amazing and these recipe cards are no exception. I’ve been blown away by some great floral prints out there, including the Steven Alan one above. SO dreamy.

1/2/3/4/5/6

Has anything caught your eye lately? I want to know!

If you liked what you see, stick around and find me on:

F a c e b o o k // T w i t t e r // P i n t e r e s t // I n s t a g r a m // E m a i l

Mid-week Inspiration: I want to make this pie NOW.

Doesn’t this “Salty Honey Pie” look amazing?

I want to make it right now, but it’s 9pm.

I know, I still could but I’m pretty sure I don’t have enough eggs.

Man, those backyard chickens would sure be awesome right now…

For more yummy food inspiration, check out my dessert board on Pinterest.

If you liked what you see, stick around and find me on:

F a c e b o o k // T w i t t e r // P i n t e r e s t // I n s t a g r a m // E m a i l

Handmade Holiday: Valentine’s Day

We all have our own love language. Mine is acts of service…from what I’m told. If I had to pick my own category, it would be thoughtfulness. I know, that’s not one of the given categories, but I’m not really a fan of categorizing myself like that so I’m making my own. I just really love thoughtfulness.

I loved it recently when my friend made a kit of lovely things to help me during a cold.

I love it when my husband does the dishes when I’m least expecting it.

I love it when my mom pulls out a vintage treasure from her “stash” right when I need it.

I love it when my kids ask if there’s anything they can do to help.

I love it when my sister bring down cookies when she visits.

I love it when someone spends time making something with their hands.

SO….

I put together a little collection of things I feel would be thoughtful gifts for your love ones on Valentine’s day from things I’ve made in the past.

//Cook a nice dinner with roasted red beets as a side dish. They will add gorgeous color to your table.//

//Make a fabric flower using the wrappings from your store-bought bouquet.//

//Make a heart “LOVE” banner for a loved one or teacher.//

//Bring a nice cup of tea and some Grapefruit Tea Cookies to that special someone in need of a few moments of peace.//

//Create a hanging heart mobile on a branch to spread some smiles//

What fun things are you making for Valentine’s?

6 Awesome Things I Learned at AltSummit

ALTSummit is an amazing event for creative bloggers to chat, brainstorm, create, network, and party.

Lots of partying.

My personal take-aways:

1. Know who you are and why you do what you do.

This was my first year going and I’m so glad I went! I almost went last year and I’m kinda glad I didn’t. If I had gone last year I would have been really out-of-place. Blogging is a serious business in that it requires a lot of time, organization, and planning. I knew that this was a blogging conference but I expected to meet people on all levels of blogging seriousness. Not really the case in my experience at ALT, although maybe it’s different every year. Almost everyone there was looking to expand and grow as a writer, photographer, or brand in a serious way. Let me just say, it would still be super fun to go to, but there is so much time spent talking about your blog that I would have felt silly being there for my” family blog with occasional project/recipe” of long ago.

2. Be an original.

This might be cliché, but since there is so much out there in the internet world to find and be inspired by, you might as well stick to who you are and what you do best. You will only be unhappy being a copy. People should love you for you. Originals are more valuable, anyway. ;)

3. Enjoy the process.

After hearing several days full of numbers, stats, do this, and do that. I’m coming home with a great motivation to just make the things I love to make and enjoy the process I’m in right NOW.Yes, it’s always good to have a plan, but not one that will suck the life from your creative soul.

4. Make time for fun.

Amidst all of the daytime talk of blogging “stuff”, the nights were filled with awesome parties sponsored by great companies. In life, it’s important to not miss out on the fun! Date nights are super important for the soul, just like creative nights. Go out!

5. Go with your gut.

Work with and hangout with people you truly enjoy and don’t fall into the trap of following people purely based on popularity (maybe your friends will be both, which is awesome). Some people are actually NOT popular for a reason. Funny, right? I found that some of my favorite big bloggers were not super-friendly, while others who looked more unfriendly turned out to be so much fun! Note to self: Don’t judge by a profile photo…you just never know.

6.FABULOUS people are out there!

The best thing about this event for me was the people I got to meet.

I handed out about 175 cards. Craziness!

Favorites: to name a few…

Stacy Teet of Kids Stuff World. So awesome to hug her in person…finally.

Rachel of Handmade Charlotte (who is now one of my favorites of all time after an awesome personal connection. *hi, friend!*)

Dana Willard of Dana Made It. Also, one of my favorites, but she always has been. ;) Great sewing tutorials!

Mara & Danny Kofoed of A Blog About Love. Sweet couple who are going to great things in the world, one love letter at a time!

Merrilee of Mer Mag. Fabulous projects for kids and the cutest illustrations.

Chelsea of The Paper Mama. So sweet. She has awesome projects using her own printables.

Kristin Guy of The Cuisinerd. You are super fun, lady, and you love food like me. Double bonus.

Chris from Man Made DIY. Awesome man centered projects that a woman could do too.

Moorea Seal of Moorea Seal jewelry. You need to check her work out here. She totally gave me the cutest feather earrings!

Jenny Solar of The Happy Family Movement. Thanks for shutting down the Clue party with me. ;)

Deborah from My Life at Playtime. Great to finally meet in person! Love your vintage style!

Alix Adams of A Ruffled Life. Cute Pom Pom cards, lady!

Jessica Abbott from Me Sew Crazy. Check her out for some great sewing projects!

Meredith Nguyen of Not Merely Living. She taught me what “The Golden Year” was. Turning 30 this year just got better.

Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth. So adorable and taught me how to make a super-cute geometric necklace.

Enjoy some fun pictures below! The lighting inside was HORRIBLE so I don’t have many. I got tired of adjusting my camera.

Sorry, friends!

See more pictures on my Instagram. I’m @agoldenafternoon!