This year my valentines have taken on a beach theme.  I didn’t really plan it, I was just working around things that I had around the house.  I’m fortunate in that both of my kids are at small schools with teeny classes…so I can make slightly more elaborate things without breaking the bank.  I definitely wouldn’t be doing these things for  a class of 35, but they are fun for the special valentines your kids may have.   The other thing I love about these is that they are both great for boys.  Girls are easy, because they can give things that are in primary colors and nobody thnks anything of it, but boys are hard.  So much of the valentine’s stuff out there is pink and purple and mushy.  I’m happy to say these are BOTH great for the little guys (and gals) in your life.

i dig u

i hit the dollar bins at michaels and found some cute shovels to make these with.  Here’s what you’ll need:

-inexpensive shovels

-small clear bags of some sort (clearbags.com is a GREAT source for celophane bags of all sorts.  you have to buy them in bulk, but they are relatively inexpensive and i use them for EVERYTHING!!)

-candy(i bought cady that had wrappers that were in primary colors so they would match my shovels…something to think about.  it’s a sickness…I know. )

-ribbon

-cut out heart shapes (an extra large heart punch or die cut machine of some sort works great for these!)

-alphabet stamps (or you can print on the paper with your computer before you punch out the hearts)

-a hole punch

-scissors

-tape

1. put you candy in the bags and seal.  punch two holes at the top of the bag about an inch or so apart.

2. string ribbon through hole on the right

3. place candy bag in your shovel and wrap the ribbon around the back of the shovel handle.

4. pull ribbon from behind shovel handle through the hole on the left hand side ofthe candy bag to bring the ribbon together in the front so you can tie a bow.

5. cut out your hearts and stamp with “i dig u”

6. tape hearts to front of candy bag

7. hand out and enjoy!

have a ball, valentine

supplies:

-beach balls

-tags

-ribbon

-string (i used embroidery thread)

-tape

-hole punch

these are super easy!  i found my beach balls at walmart for 77 cents each.  my ribbon is from a giant spool at costco and the tags I made in about 5 minutes in photoshop…good news…here’s a free download of the tags for your own use!

Have a Ball

1. take beach balls out of their package and roll up.  tape into place.

2. tie ribbon around balls

3. cut out your tags and punch a hole in the top

3. use the string to tie your tags around the knot in the bow to secure them to the balls.

done!

Hope you have a happy valentine’s day!!

-t

and extra Merry Christmas to:

Winner of Pink Peppermint Design Giveaway: Melissa

Winner of the Red Possum Capelet Giveaway: Sandi

Winner of the Flora Bond Giveaway: Cindy Barriga

and….

the winner of the big kahuna $200 worth of free tuition to {Picture Perfect}……………………………

The Monkey’s Mama!!!!!

Congrats to all!!!  Contact me with your info so I can get these things out to you!

With the illness that hit me hard for the first two weeks of the year, I ended up throwing cards out the window this year.  So, if you didn’t get one from me, don’t feel bad…no one did!  

I wanted to share what I had designed here…sort of an e-card for all of you, my online family.     I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Thank you for your love and support.  Your comments and emails truly bring a smile to my face.  Thank you for spending a little piece of your day with me each day.    I’m signing off for a little bit to spend some time with my family, but I’ll pop in every now and then just cause I’ll miss you all!   I’ll be back soon with lots of great things in store for the new year. 

until then….

Merry Christmas

-t

I’ve been loving working with felt lately!

Leave a comment here letting me know your favorite….I know some of the names are obnoxiously long…so you don’t have to use the entire name    If you FB or blog about it let me know so I can give you som extra entries. 

Again, winner will be announced on Monday.  Winner must contact me within 48 hours of post to collect your prize or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck!

**Just realized I forgot to announce the winner of Mia Regazza last week!! YIKES!!!  Congrats to Kim “I love that holiday peasant dress.” Send me your contact info and I’ll get that skirt out to you!

Have a great day!

-t

I am SO excited!!  The debut of {Picture Perfect} is almost here!!  January 4th we open the virtual classroom to teach all you DSLR owners that never leave auto mode how to actually USE your camera  and get GREAT results.  Would you like to join me and a classroom full of excited students???  I’d love it if you did!  

Would you like to WIN free tuition…a $200 value???  Leave a comment letting me know why you would love to take this class and I will pick a winner on Wednesday.   To find out more about the class and see if it’s a good fit for you check out {Picture Perfect} here.

Tuition makes a GREAT Christmas gift for the photo enthusiast in your life!

If you have already registered for the class and your number is chosen as the winner your tuition will be refunded. 

Merry Christmas from me to you!!

Good Luck!!

-t

These amazing capes are made out of the softest most beautiful wool, fully lined with darling prints (like this whimsical mermaid print) and have double button closures.  The ruffles are just darling.  Ash keeps calling it her princess wrap.  These definitely turn everyday into a special day. 

We are SO lucky.  Sarah has graciously volunteered to send the winner of this giveaway a cap of their very own.  I am so jealous!  I want one in every color!  You should see the purple herringbone!!

So, head on over to Red Possum and check out all the darling items Sarah has for sale.  Come back here and leave her some comment love and then we’ll pick a winner on Tuesday.  Just in time for a little extra Christmas cheer.   Rememebr to FB, tweet and blog about this for extra entries!

Good luck and have a great day!
-t

I think it’s about time we give away some gorgeous accessories…what do you think?  When I found Florabond needless to say I was stunned.  These pieces are knock-your-socks-off gorgeous.  The first thing that came to mind was anthropologie.  I am a lover of all things anthro.  These however, are even better.  Custom, handmade and for a better price.  Can you beat that???  Floral bib necklaces that make a statement.  Think silk handmade florals, vintage buttons, lace, antique sequins…YUM.

Be prepared to be blown away…(and not just by the gorgeous model)

Nicole has graciously offered one of her stunning vintage statement headbands to the lucky winner of this giveaway.  So, who’s it going to be??  Head on over to Florabond, pick your favorite item and let us all know about it here in the comments.   If you blog, FB or tweet about it let us know in a separate comment for extra entries. 

As always, winner must contact me within 48 hours of winner announcement or another winner will be chosen.  Winner will be announced on Tuesday. 

and the Mellon Monkeys winner is…congrats to Leilani!!  It’s your lucky day!!  Send me your contact info and which ties/sizes you would like and I will send them off to the cute girls at Mellon Monkeys to get them in the mail for you!

Good Luck!!!

-t

Today’s giveaway is from another DARLING etsy store Mia Ragazza Designs.  When Kathi sent me these adorable items to review I rushed right out to take pictures.   There are so many fun things to choose from in the store!  Aprons, bows, dresses, skirts, purses…SO cute!!  A little girl’s dream!  

I know it’s the holiday season but this darling peasant dress makes me want it to be spring!!  The good news is it comes in a darling red too…perfect for the holidays and your little valentine!  

I just love that orange, green and blue combo!

And then there’s the skirt…you KNOW I am loving this one too! 

I am constantly amazed by the QUALITY of these clothes.  They are BEAUTIFULLY made.   You will love them and so would anyone on your gift list!

So, who wants to win one of these DARLING skirts?  You know what to do!  Visit Mia Ragazza Designs and leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite item in the store is. 

Winner will receive the ADORABLE skirt pictured.  Winner will be announced on Thursday.  Winner must contact me withing 48 hours of announcement with their contact info to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. 

Good Luck and Happy Monday!

-t

saw this a few months ago and locked it away to share at a time like this.  if you’re thinking about making homemade goodies for friends and family this year check out this cute idea..everything just looks cuter as a brown paper package tied up with string!

you can pick up cute white, pink and SOMETIMES kraft bakery boxes at your local wal-mart in the wedding section…have fun!

I’m on antibiotics finally, so hopefully I’ll be back in full swing by Monday!!

Have a great weekend…the Christmas countdown is ON!

-t

(john hates that I gave him a faux hawk for these pics by the way…he keeps asking why he has a fin on his head. I LOVE it!)

Aren’t those the cutest???  You can have them custom made in a milion different fabrics and colors.  FINALLY something fun and different for boys!

But wait!  It gets even better!!  If you have a little girl you can get MATCHING dresses to go with the ties!!  How cute is that??? 

The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive TWO yes, you read that right, 2 ties in any size and style of you choosing.  Just in time for the holidays your little guy can look too cute.   You know the drill…head on over to mellonmonkeys and pick your two favorites.  Let me know here in the comments which ones are your favorites.  Winner will be announced MONDAY.  If you FB, blog, or Tweet about the giveaway let me know for some extra entries. 

Winner must contact me at tammylmitchell@cox.net within 48 hours of announcement otherwise a new winner will be chosen. 

Good luck!
have a great day!
-t

I know that I’ve been a bad blogger when I start getting phone calls…”are you ok?  i haven’t seen you post anything in a few days…” then I know I’m loved!

So, I thought I better get ths 10 days of giveaways started with one of my favorite things…eekleberries

when I first stumbled across this…my heart fluttered a bit…

Isn’t it adorable???  It is made of the softest fine courduroy.  Simply adorable.  Ash couldn’t wait to put it on…

absolutely darling!!  and SO well made.  Fully lined and everything.  I just spotted it in this cute color combo too…

You know we will soon own this version too.

Micaiah is an absolute doll to work with and she has volunteered a Jemma dress to the very lucky winner of this giveaway!!!  Are you SO excited???? I am!!  I wish I could win so i could get it in the next size up for next year!! lol!! 

Here’s how to enter:

visit Eekleberries and check out all the cool goodies and leave Micaiah some love in the comments here.  She is SO talented!!

If you FB, tweet or blog about it, stop back by here and let me know for some additional entries.  Winner will be announced on FRIDAY, so check back here to see if you’re a winner.  Winner must email me at tammylmitchell@cox.net to claim your prize within 48 hours of announcement otherwise another winner will be chosen.  Good luck!!!

have a great day!

-t