Dates of Love

We just celebrated Valentine's Day and I wanted to make something special for my husband.  I saw these signs on Pinterest that list the important dates throughout a couples journey.  I love it!!!  

Source: etsy.com via Desiree on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Desiree on Pinterest

I decided to make my own to customize and give to my husband.  I'll admit, I did have to look back on the older dates to make sure I had them correct.  ;)

For our sign, I used Bodoni font in black at size 56.  For each description, I used Ballpark font in red at size 28.  Just play around with it to see what you like best.  The more dates you have, the smaller the font size.  The Scripture at the bottom of the sign is a verse that has inspired our relationship since we began dating.

I printed the sign on white cardstock.  I bought a white mat with black trim that fits an 8 x 10 size picture.  Then, I put both of them in a black 11 x 14 frame that I got for half price at Hobby Lobby.

That's it!!!  So easy and so special.  It was the perfect present and I can't wait to hang it up.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Here is a yummy dessert recipe for you.  It's from the Nestle Toll House Best Ever Cookies book.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are so easy and so scrumptious.  It will be hard to resist eating the whole thing by yourself.

 

 

Ingredients



1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter (I prefer creamy)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

2 cups (12 oz package) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided

 





First, combine flour and baking soda in a small bowl.

 

 

Beat granulated sugar, peanut butter, softened butter and vanilla extract in a large bowl until creamy.

Beat in egg.





 

Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in 1 1/4 cups morsels.  Try to resist eating the whole bag of morsels.  But enjoy the smell! Note:  I used mini morsels in this recipe, but regular sized morsels work just as well!

Press into ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

 

Sprinkle with remaining morsels; press down slightly.

 

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until center is set.  Cool completely in pan.  Chill for a few minutes and cut into bars.

Craft Room Confessionals: Ribbon Holder

Ever since I completed my craft room, I still needed a place for all of my ribbon.  For the extra scraps, I organized them by color and put them in jars. But what about the ribbon still on the roll?

I thought about buying lots of ribbon shelves and hanging them on the wall...

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Desiree on Pinterest

...or I thought about having my husband make me a big ribbon rack made of wood and dowels...

Source: flickr.com via Desiree on Pinterest

...or i could simply stick them in buckets and thread the ends through the holes.  The possibilities go on and on.

Source: spunkyjunky.blogspot.com via Desiree on Pinterest

While out shopping at Hobby Lobby recently, I spotted this metal tiered rack in the Clearance section (I always head to that spot first).  Bingo!!!

It is now proudly standing in my craft room, storing all my rolls of ribbon.  It's easily accessible and I can immediately see what colors I have.

Love, love, love my new ribbon holder!!!

Valentine's Day Countdown

Valentine's Day is coming up and I very much enjoy this holiday.  Love is in the air, everything is pink and red, and it's just all around romantic.  

Source: stamping.craftgossip.com via Desiree on Pinterest

We always like to make every holiday super special for the kids and this one is no exception.  Last year, we started a countdown to Valentine's starting February 1.  Each day the kids would wake up to a different surprise in their foam mailbox.  We wanted to carry on this tradition.

I bought $1 Valentine's boxes from Target and placed them on the table each night.  The next morning, their first surprise was waiting for them.  

Day 1:  Fat Pens

Day 2:  A new shirt

Some surprises are big and some are small.  The kids just love getting something.  What traditions do you have leading up to Valentine's?