Too much Valentine?

So the hubster and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. And it's not because "everyday is Valentine's Day!" -- seriously, gag. If/when I celebrate Valentine's Day, it's not to share it with that special someONE, it's to let my friends know that they mean a lot to me. 

And it also coincidentally coincides with the hubster's birthday. Well, his birthday falls just a couple of days prior, but that's close enough. And this year in particular, the 14th was shared with Lunar New Year (of which I am fully aware of and alert to, yet not a big participant of). So with both the birthday (and birthday party on the 13th), and Lunar New Year (and all the preparation, celebration and traffic jams around my neighborhood), Valentine's Day was kind of forgotten. 

Until I went to Party City to pick up some of those little fuel canisters for the chaffing dishes. The moment I stepped into the store, I wanted to turn and run. Is there such thing as "too much Valentine"?

Photo doesn't quite do it justice - it was a SEA of red and hearts. Good thing the balloons were all mylar or else I would have needed a medic.

Last minute holiday attempt.

So last minute, it came and went!

Every year I tell myself, I'm going to be on top of things this year! and proceed to purchase my Christmas cards... in August.  And then I tell myself, Oh, there's plenty of time until Christmas! I'm doing good. And like every year before (and probably every year after)... Christmas comes and goes, and the box of Christmas cards is still sitting there. Well, somewhere.  So this year, I didn't even make an effort to buy cards. But what do I do? I decided I'd make them. Yes, because that is even less cause for procrastination? 

But you know, I actually did do it. Well, some anyway. I made precisely enough to hand out at work... and never got around to making more. I'll make them as 'Thank You' cards then, I fooled myself. Yes, another thought, blown away.

But while they were still here:

 

I started off with red cardstock paper in 4-bar size (since I had just purchased some gold 4-bar envelopes at Paper Source's super clearance) and surprise surprise, I scalloped the bottom edge. Then I looked around for something and pulled out two ribbons: a thin green ribbon, which I double-sided taped onto a slightly thicker brown fringed ribbon. And then topped off with two beige flower cutouts I had leftover from a bridal shower over 2 years ago (like a reverse poinsettia flower, I convinced myself). And then I found a little tiny Christmas tree embosser thing I bought years and years ago from Michael's dollar bins, which I used on the back flap of the envelopes. 

Sorry I never got around to making more and actually sending them out. But I thought about it the whole time!

Snips n snails, and puppy dog tails

About two and a half weeks ago, the hubster received a text from his former co-worker that his wife (the former co-worker, not my hubster) was going into labor, and that he would text again once the baby was born.

Not hearing anything all day, we finally received word that she had to undergo an emergency cesarean and thus... little Baby Evan was welcomed into the world! Wanting to be prompt in sending our congratulations (as I'm usually such a procrastinator), I sat down at my desk and rifled through my bookcase looking for appropriate items. They were mostly scraps and I had to make do:

The brown textured paper were leftover scraps from my sister's baby shower invites (more on that later), which I cut and folded in half to a 4-bar size. I found a scrap of the giant polka dot paper about an inch wide, and a sheet of corresponding dog-related scrapbook paper that came from Target's $1 section. I covered the paper edge with some teal ribbon I picked up during Michael's ribbon sale some time ago, and at the ribbon intersection, added a little footprint charm which I also had leftover from my sister's baby shower. I love those charms! And then... what for the largest area? *shrugs* So I just starting typing... and then printed onto a cream sheet of paper (leftover from a friend's wedding program), and, who'd have guessed I'd scallop again after all the scalloping done for my sister's baby shower?

And then I realized how late it was, and the card would have to be "good enough".

Hannibal Jasper

My first art entry won't be on one of my own, but of baby Jasper's.

I woke up the other morning and the curtain was partially drawn back, allowing just a bit of light to enter our bedroom. It was overcast and I could hear the raindrops falling. I stepped onto the carpet, and saw a trail of stuff. I wasn't sure what it all was, it looked like "stuff" - bits of random scraps and whatnot. I walked around the bed and saw a bigger beige-colored blob on the floor. I stared at it, unsure of what to do (I was still partially asleep and was therefore, not entirely coherent). I touched it with my foot. It was soft. I looked over to Jasper, our 10-month old German Shepherd, snoozing away against the door. I flipped the soft beige blob over with my foot, and stared again. 

Wait, I thought to myself. That looks... like... a smile...??? And then it dawned on me. I looked at Jasper again, and spotted a teddy bear (which I clearly do not remember ever giving to him, much less remember having it) by his front paw. I flipped the teddy bear over and... *gasp*!!!

It looked like a brand new teddy bear, except, there was no face. Our little baby Hannibal Jasper ripped it clear off. And left everything else. Including the bow.