Saturday, February 9, 2013

It's heart work

That's my worst pun ever.

Not much going on here, so I thought I'd post a bit of a blog heart attack: Heart Valentine decor, a heart wreath, and Baby Hart :)

This post is a bit of a lovefest, so skip it if you are one of those people who says things like, "I hate Valentine's Day because it's just a Hallmark holiday!"

Okay, you cynics, don't skip it because I have something for you too:


There you go: some inappropriate Valentine humor!

But back to my decor...

Dan teases me about being all about a mantlescape.  It's kind of my secret shame, but I love it like that awful Sandra Lee likes her tablescapes.  It's full-on cheesy and Martha Stewarty, but I love 'em!  At least I limit them to just Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Oh, and now Valentine's Day:

I decided to go with red and tan, instead of the usual pink action.


$2 Target bowl filled with Dan's favorite chocolates:

I got crafty this month! 

First, I made these Cupid arrows with dowels, felt, and a couple feathers.  I borrowed the idea from here, and I love them!  Somewhere a fat baby is missing his ammo...

Aren't they cute??


I threw a couple of cards in old frames:






Second craft:  I made this romantic eye chart (ripped off from here on Pinterest).  It was super easy; I used Arial font and put the lines in varying sizes and printed it in color.


For the banner, I just took some clothes pins that I used to display pictures at our wedding and clipped up some tiny Valentine's day cards:



 Lastly, I got crafty by making this argyle heart wreath!!

It was basically a ton of wrapping yarn around the wreath.  I wrapped for an entire episode of Parks and Rec and Office.  Then, I just cut out the hearts and criss crossed them with more yarn.

For full directions, you can go to the website where I blatantly stole nicely borrowed (and gave credit) the idea from: here.

Thank goodness for creative people on the interweb for giving the rest of us good ideas! :)



My friend Mali had her baby!  Her last name is "Hart", so I ran with the theme and made her a little "Hospital Survival Kit" in a sparkly heart pail.

Nothing fancy: just healthy snacks, comfy socks, and an eye mask to use when in the recovery room (she had to have a scheduled c-section).


Mali waited to find out if it was a boy or a girl. And she had... little Miss Ruby Elizabeth Hart.  Ruby Hart!  I think my gift was definitely appropriate!  Mom and baby are doing great.  It was over-whelming (so many emotions: wistful, happy, in awe) and wonderful seeing her as a mom when we visited. 

I have to include the below picture because Dan decided to hold her but was scared of her flimsy baby neck and had his arms uncomfortable propped up around her in the most awkward way.  The usually quiet Miss Ruby started wailing.  I think she could sense his fear, like a dog.

He got the hang of it after a minute or two though!


Dan and I tried a new Valentine tradition that I'll share later this week.

Until then, I'll leave you with one more snarky Valentine pin:

Via here
Valentine wh*re card via here

11 comments:

Strand Family said...

I love your mantlescapes. I want to make that wreath. A little late this year so I'll pin it for next year :)

Love the photo of Dan and Ruby! Chris never held an infant before Penelope. His mom was shocked by that since he has tons of younger cousins but he pointed out that with his 2 sisters hogging the babies why would he have ever held one? It was a pretty funny realization for his mom.

Christen said...

Haha I love that his sisters were bogarting the babies!!

Jennie said...

Super cute mantel! And, randomly enough, I made those same argyle wreaths for our windows, too! They must have made the rounds on Pinterest. :)

Anonymous said...

Christen, I love your valentine decor and especially the color scheme. Ruby is beautiful. Give me Mali's address and I'll send a card. Love, Mom

Aubrey said...

I LOVE your Valentine's mantle! I'm so jealous... we have our TV hanging above our fireplace/mantle so it's extremely difficult to decorate... Even Pinterest has been no help :(

Also, love the pic of your hubs with Ruby (such a perfect almost Valentine's baby name!)!!

Erika said...

LOVE the Valentines mantel!! So awesome! And also love your red front door. Red definitely matches the most holiday decor (Christmas, 4th of July, AND Valentine's) and it looks super fab with your wreath!!

Christen said...

Thanks!! Yeah, I think those wreaths are definitely making the rounds!

Christen said...

Thanks for the vday props, guys!! I had fun being crafty for once :)

Christen said...

Thanks for the vday props, guys!! I had fun being crafty for once :)

Josie said...

Christen, you're a holiday-decorating genius. I love that pretty print and your fun wreath!
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

Nat said...

Hahahaha that Dwight pic is the best! You are so cute with your V-day decorating and your little baby gift for your friend!!

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