Love is in the Air

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that a good portion of my life was spent well before the advent of many technologies which, today, I'm quite sure, I'd be helpless without (I clearly remember using my Grandmother's old rotary phone and ironically today am completely lost without my cell)
It seems much communication nowadays involves either being texted, tweeted, messaged or friended, so the idea of a handwritten, or even better, handmade, card is especially delightful. 

With that in mind I thought I'd use the popular theme of the heartfelt hand written missive in my projects to celebrate this Valentine's day. Though the actual origin of Valentines day is a bit of a mystery, many trace the card sending frenzy of our modern celebration back to France, inspired by the imprisoned Duke d'Orleans' romantic love letters to his wife. Since even my shopping list would sound more romantic in french I gave a nod to this idea and added some touches a la francais to my "amour" themed decor.

Joyeuse Saint-Valentin

Love Birds Mantle

I thought Valentine's Day would serve as a good excuse to spruce up my mantle (it looked so lonely since the reindeer left) so I repurposed some branches from my yard which I had spray painted white for my Christmas post "A Wing and a Prayer", adding some whimsical romantic and floral touches and of course birds.

These Dollar Store leftover Christmas doves got a rosy makeover thanks to a quick bath in food pink coloring

I dipped each one several times until I was pleased with the color

I used the Neon food coloring set for a truer pink

They will lighten when dry
* If you have cats, they will be very interested in "helping" you with this project

 I then added some accessories with hot glue. I cut a paper doily into a little crown

(you can see a white dove with silver crown in my December Wing and a prayer post) but adorn them any way you like.

I picked up some little birdhouses for $1 each at my craft store. They are so cute and can be re-imagined so many different ways.

Here they are easily transformed into a whimsical avian post offices with glitter, paint, paper and printables. I perched one on a $1 candlestick to add height.



Many of these fun Graphics are from the The Graphics Fairy! A fabulous resource for vintage images!

I added a French "I love You" banner using stick on gold letters on leftover pink damask scrapbook paper hot glued to ribbon with a scrap paper heart

 

Then I decked the mantle with some faux flowers, raffia, printable vintage letters (on our printables page) and nests and craft moss

Cupid Cupcakes

And to celebrate another Valentine feathered friend, Cupid Cupcakes: These easy "semi-scratch" cupcakes are simply store bought treats adorned with wings and arrows.

You'll need:

frosted cupcakes and/or mini tea cakes - homemade or store bought
Large and mini Marshmallows

white glitter sugar

large toothpicks

fruit roll-ups

 For the Winged Cupcakes

Disclosure: Little Debbie fans probably recognized the heart tea cakes.
The larger cupcakes were from my Giant supermarket bakery - who are far superior bakers to myself 

 Cut large marshmallows (on diagonal into 4 sections) and mini's in half.
Then dip cut sections in sugar sprinkles.

Gently stretch cut pieces to create feather shape. This gets a bit sticky.

Arrange into wing shape, by pressing pieces firmly together, starting with large pieces and adding small cut marshmallows on wing tips. Make extras as some wings will look better than others.

Insert carefully but firmly into frosting. Add a Cupid if desired.

 If they have trouble sticking attach with extra frosting as glue.

For the Arrows

Cut fruit roll-up to form tail of arrow. Press firmly around toothpick and snip edges to create feathery fringe. Insert on an angle into cake.

Insert on an angle into cake.

Enjoy with tea or champagne

Wishing everyone Lots of Love, Happiness and Sweet Treats this Valentines Day