Handmade Valentines

Valentine's Day last year was kind of hectic.  The weekend before, we spent 3 days in ICU with Caridad.  She developed pneumonia so terrible.  It was a scary week or so, including the days that led up to her hospital stay. I had no idea that the symptoms she'd been feeling for almost a week before, were leading up to what she went through.  She fought for every stinking breath for those 3 days she was in the hospital.  Needless to say, she did not get to participate in her class party.  And I didn't get around to finishing this post.  But, when she returned to school she did have a bag full of "love notes" from her classmates waiting for her.  And she did get to pass out her creations as well.     

Below was our process for Valentine's last year. 

I wanted to do something different for Valentine's Day celebrations at school.  I can remember being a little girl and I loved making boxes to collect all those "love notes" from my classmates. 

With my son participating in his first ever Valentine's Day Party and with my daughter's suggestions and preferences, these were the "love notes" that they passed out. 

My Materials:
1}  Felt
2}  Yarn
3}  Pen, Scissors and cross stitch needle.
4}  From Scrapbooking Supplies Acid-Free Paper I used a couple of the Printed Sheets from the Valentine Collection.   

Sissy chose 2 patterns for the boys and 2 for the girls. 

I made a heart pattern out of regular paper and traced the hearts onto the back side of the sheets of felt.  The 2 sheets of black felt we handled differently.  Mommy just cut heart shapes without the outline to work with. 

Then we cut all the hearts out. 

Then Mommy and Sis sewed 2 hearts together so that the hearts were colorful and the patterns covered both sides. 

And we attached a little piece of Valentine's Day paper to write who the "love note" was from.

There were really fun to make.  And Sis enjoyed helping...Mommy enjoyed the help!

Do you do something crafty for Valentine's Day treats for your children to pass out to their friends?  I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments section. 

 

Mommy Sauri~

Shepherd Costume ~ Sauri Style

SO... You remember Caridad's 2011 ~Halloween Costume~ right??  Yes, it was originally made for the Nativity Play at church on Christmas Eve 2009. 

She and Reynaldo decided that they wanted to participate in the Nativity Play last year.  We originally thought that Ernest would make a great lamb for Rey to "shepherd" but when it was time for play practice, Ern was having nothing to do with it. 

Men size T-Shirt and different types of rope

His name was crossed off the sign up sheet!  Poor guy he's still drinking a bottle for goodness sake. 



Babies Sauri with Papi.  Excuse my shadow...





Aunti Vi sewed Caridad's Angel outfit in 2009 but I didn't feel comfortable asking her to whip something up for Reynaldo this time around.  Granted, I did not yet own a sewing machine, I figured that I would rely on my fellow bloggers in blogland to help me with ideas. 

I used ~her~ method and I think it worked out perfect. 

Listening to instructions.  Caridad looks a bit confused wouldn't you say?

After all, I do not imagine that Shepherds back in Jesus' day were draped in gold and fine linen.  Wouldn't you agree that they probably wore simple cloth that was not immaculate and not prim and proper? 

Don't get me wrong, I will sew something up for Rey the next time something like this comes along but I vow to make it simple and fitting for a Shepherd, not a King.     

My beautiful Shepherd and Angel Sauri

May 2012 ~Scrapbooking~

Kindergarten Graduation Day, May 20th 2011.

I absolutely love this picture of Sissy. 

My Materials:
From SEI's Sunny Day Collection
1} Umbrella Glitter Paper (front)

2}  trellis Pink Foil Paper (front and back)
3} Puddle Foil Paper (back)
4} Rain Puddle Solid Cardstock (front)
5}  Golden Sky Solid Cardstock (back)
6} Garden Variety Perforated Paper (for journal spot, month title and flower)

7}  From Zig
Photo Signature Purple Pen

The blue color of her cap and gown really brought out her eyes.  I have another picture from this day that someday I will scrap to show you.  But until then, my May calendar page will have to do.

 

I need to work on the photo matting idea.  A year later I am looking at these and thinking there are so many things I could have done differently.

Other 2012 layouts.

~January {A}~~January {B}~ and ~January {C}~

~February~

~March~
~April~

Mommy Sauri~

Ernest's 2nd Birthday Party

As promised, I am posting some photos from Ernest's BOOK PARTY.  We celebrated the completion of his 2nd year here on this beautiful Earth completely Sauri Style. 

You remember the ~Happy Birthday Garland~ I made for the front windows?  I made a couple others that you notice in these pictures.

I made the topiaries too...at 0 hour the night and morning of the party!  So frustrating but totally worth the stress.  They were a huge hit. 

All the scrumptious desserts, MADE THEM!  I told you all in ~this post~ that it's been super crazy for us lately.  This may have had a little to do with the craziness. 

Click ~this link~ for the step-by-step instructions for this yummy ~Sweet Rice~.  I had to hide a cup for Papi otherwise I may have gotten in trouble by Grandma Mela.

For some reason our baby boy has become camera shy and even adverse to other people touching him???  So believe me when I tell you this is one of the few pictures that were caught of him smiling. 

We had a lot of fun eating pizza and Grandma Donna's yummy macaroni salad.  I will definitely share that gem of a step-by-step someday.  And a party at Casa de Sauri is not complete unless Papi makes bar-b-q.  We tried to stick to just pizza but people demanded it! 

And all the preparation leading up to this day might all make sense now.  We've been busy little bees at Casa de Sauri.  Take a look for yourself.

~book party invitations~

~March wreath~

~happy birthday garland~

~book party thank yous~

Even~this~ activity was BOOK THEMED!
~table centerpiece~
I want to give a special thank you to Teliece Garcia for all of the fantastic photos.  She is super talented at photography and I hear she's even more talented at baking.

THANK YOU TELIECE! 

And thank you ~ECA~ for hooking me up!

Mommy Sauri~

Book Party Thank You's

I feel terrible that I've neglected my lovely space here in the blogosphere these last couple of weeks. 


We had a really fun birthday party for the BABIEST of Babies Sauri a couple of weeks ago. 
Then T-Ball started and then we celebrated Easter and then we all caught some bug or another so I'm behind I know. 


Today I'm sharing my hand stamped and home made thank you cards for the guests at Ernest's Book Birthday Party.

My Materials:
1} Book Pages
From The Paper Studio

2} Cream Cardstock
From Stampabilities

3} acid-free pigment ink pad in black & gold

4} double sided tape (I'm sorry I threw away the original box but I believe it is Scotch foam double sided tape)

From Zig

5} Photo Signature Black Pen

6} Scissors

I used the same "spreadsheet" idea I used for the ~Party Invitations~ but this time around I made a folded card. 

I inked the edge of the front of the card with gold ink.

I folded a book page around the actual card, simmilar to my method for the ~Party Invitations~, to act as an envelope and I mailed them out.  I'm sure the folks at the post office don't appreciate my choice of envelope to mail my correspondence but I do pay extra so they can just get over it.

I'm happy with the outcome from the entire party celebration and I'll be back next week with a round up of the festivities.

Please follow my blog.  You won't be disappointed, I promise!

Mommy Sauri~



Giveaway at ~Sew Can Do~

I am a new follower of ~Cheryl~ at Sew Can Do.  Her blog flew into my radar when I noticed she hosts a link party every Monday.  She is a very talented semstress. 

Today she is hosting a giveaway from Pellon.  Go and visit her giveaway!  Most importantly follow her blog.  You will not be disapointed. 

~Stock Your Stash: The Quilting Goodies Giveaway!~

Mommy Sauri~

Happy Birthday Garland ~Sauri Style~

Once again I'm here using our trusty book pages.  This time around we are going to be making a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" garland to hang from the 2 windows in the living room.

You remember our good ol book we've been using all month for our crafting don't ya?  We've made a ~centerpiece~ for our dining room table, ~party invitations~ and a ~beautiful star~ to hang on the front door!  Well, those book pages are back again.

My Materials:
1} Old book pages

2} From  The Paper Studio
    Cream Cardstock
3} Craft paper
4} Scissors & Hot glue

5} Large Pinking Kraft Edgers

6} From Stampabilities
    acid-free pigment ink pad in gold and black
    The Paper Studio, Clear Stamp Alpha Set, Handdrawn Upper
7} From Hemptique
     True Hemp Crafting Cord, I used the yellow in the Topaz collection. 

When I cut out my invites, I ended up with scraps of cream cardstock.  I used similar sized ones to fold into the accordion looking shape, and hot glued one onto each banner.  Notice I also inked the edge of each banner with my gold ink pad. 

I have a whole bunch of fancy scissors so I figured I'd use them, instead of purchasing a circle punch.  I simply drew a circle on one side on the brown craft paper then cut them out using the fancy scissors.  Not as perfect as using a circle punch but WAY cheaper because I didn't have to buy said circle punch.
I hand stamped happy birthday onto the circles and glued them to the banner.  Then I folded the top edge over my twine, and hot glued each banner in place. 

Sorry, I know the pic is terrible but it gives you a feel for the texture of the banners.

So what do you think? 

Man I had no idea that paper punches and stamps were so expensive.  I splurged on the stamp set but I just couldn't bring myself to spend money on the circle punch, even though I really really want some.

Thank you for stopping by.  For those of you that are new to my blog...please follow me.  Please??  It warms my heart every time I have a new comment and even more so when I receive a new follower.

Until next time
Mommy Sauri~

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March's Wreath ~Sauri Style~

To keep in line with the BOOK PARTY theme, why not something book inspired, to welcome everyone through the front door.

I used ~this idea~ I found on a blog that I follow.  These 3 ladies are super talented.  Go check them out.  

   

My Materials:
1}  Cardboard

2}  Scissors & Box Cutter ( how do you think I cut myself)
3}  Old book pages

4}  Homemade mod podge (1 third water 2 thirds Elmer's Glue)

5}  Paint brush

6}  Pencil
7}  Hot glue
8}  Gold Glitter
9}  Spray Adhesive
10} Yellow Ribbon

I started with my star shape cut from a large piece of cardboard.  Sorry I didn't take a picture of this step but I can tell you, I cut my hand in the process.  See it, OUCH!

The library in my parent's neck of the woods has a bin where they put books that they are giving away.  You can read and return, or read and keep anything in the bin.  Dad snagged me this hardback so we will use those pages throughout the month.

I ripped the pages out of the book, removed as much of the clear border as I could, and glued the pages to my star shape.  I made some "mod podge" glue by adding some water to Elmer's Glue and I used a small paint brush to brush glue onto the cardboard, placed the torn pages on the glue and then brushed with glue again.  I completely covered one side of the star, let dry for a day and then repeated the process on the other side.

This was an early morning project hence the cup-o-jo

Once my star was completely covered, front and back, we moved onto the border.  Here is the process in pictures thanks to the lovely Caridad...She's such a great helper.

When we accumulated a large amount of the rolled paper, I simply glued them to the border of my star.  Cutting them to fit when necessary. 

So I have to tell you that I felt super guilty butchering a book that I didn't bother to read first.  Something about not using the book for its intended purpose left me with a feeling of betrayal.  In an effort to disguise the contents of the book as much as possible I tried to make the words as far from its original state as possible. 

The corners where the paper rolls met were quite weak so I had to "reinforce" the structure a bit.  I hot glued the large ribbon on the inside leaving 2 long tails dangling out the bottom. 

I took Papi's comments about ~January's Sweater Wreath~ and I tried to help this gem to stand out just a bit more.  Why not some glitter!  I also had to use my creativity to attach it to the front door because this time of year brings heavy winds.  The carved E helped to weight down the entire thing.  

 

And here it is, beautiful on the front door.

I hot glued the small ribbon to the back of the E to hang the star on the screen door.  You can also see the large yellow ribbon that I used to reinforce the inside of the star shape. 

The outside of the star I sprayed with spray adhesive and poured glitter on.  I think it looks great.  You can also see where the tails exit the inside to hang down. 

Sorry book and sorry to the author too. I had to ignore your original contents so as not to affect my final outcome. 

It was kind of hard to control the spray adhesive so what was meant to be only a glittery outside became an entire star that was glittery.  You see how the tails sway in the breeze?  I love that.  I look forward to the birthday balloons that will hang down on baby boy's big day.  

Can't wait to see you again.

Mommy Sauri~    



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