Friday, January 26, 2018

Valentine's Day Is Coming


Can you believe it?  Yes, we are talking Valentine's Day.  This year my goal is to make a lot of handmade gifts and greetings and I plan to do just that for Valentine's Day.

 I cut out heart shapes from cardstock and covered them with pink paper.

I went through my stash of stuff (I still have sooooo much crap!) and pulled out Valentine's themed bags I'd bought at Dollar Tree a few years ago from my gift wrap bin.  I also went through my scraps of paper and made these super cute gift tags.  You know how to make them now because of yesterday's post!

Tag bases cut from cardstock & embellished heart shapes.

Hearts added to tag bases and bakers twine ties added.

I plan to make some sugar cookies from scratch and ice them with some simple powdered sugar icing.  I'll decorate the frosted cookies with a little red sugar I made from combining granulated sugar with a couple drops of red food coloring.

Traditional Sugar Cookies

1/2 c butter                              1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c shortening                     1 tsp. baking powder
1 c sugar                                   1 tsp. salt
2 eggs                                       2 1/2 c flour

Cream butter, shortening and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix in baking powder and salt.  Gradually add flour and combine to form a ball.  Cover bowl and chill for one hour.  Remove dough, roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutters.  Place cookies on a lightly oiled baking sheet.  Sprinkle tops with sugar ant bake at 400° for 5 to 8 minutes, until edges just begin to brown.  Do not over bake.

Candy is a big part of Valentine's Day so I will also make a batch of English Butter Toffee.  That will thrill my girls to no end.


English Toffee

1 c butter                                            1/2 c chocolate chips
1 c sugar                                             1/4 c chopped pecans
1/4 c water

In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter, add sugar and water, stir well.  Bring to a boil and continue stirring until temperature reaches 285°.  Pour hot toffee into a lightly oiled 9" X 13" baking pan.  In a small bowl melt chocolate in the microwave, spread over toffee.  Sprinkle with nuts.  Cool and break into pieces.  Store in an airtight container.


I'll put all of my goodies into the treat bags and tie them off with red or pink ribbon from my sewing stash and the gift tags I made.  Everything I need to make all of this is stuff I already have on hand so no additional cost or $$ spent from our household budget.


Yay, yay, yay!

16 comments:

  1. Your toffee looks amazing! Cute ideas!

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    1. Thank you. I made a pan at Christmas and it was gone in no time.

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  2. I love these latest projects of yours.Its fun to do a craft I can complete at one sitting,it makes me so happy. I like the idea of surprising people with these valentine treat bags. I make popcorn and drizzle white chocolate(found on clearance after Christmas) and then crushed candy canes(leftover)toss and that's it. Sounds a bit odd but a hit around here .lol. I enjoy your blog very much!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you are enjoying these posts. Like you I really enjoy a quick project I can fit in between other things I have to do. That popcorn sounds delish!

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  3. Yum, english toffee!

    I got a Valentine's Day card from the dollar store for my daughter in college. I tried to find the cheesiest, most childish one as a joke. I've sent her a couple notes and cards for things like her move-in day, final exams, and the most recent one was to wish her good luck on starting her second semester classes. She likes getting them especially when they're really goofy :)

    The dollar store is great for that. I cannot believe the price of cards at other stores, I just saw one for $7 ($6.99)!

    D.

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    1. Cards are crazy expensive. If I buy one it comes from the $$ store. I'd rather add the $7 to the gift! Funny, I did stuff like that to my son when he was in basic training. I'll do the same for my girls at college too. I'm glad you do that for your daughter. So special. :)

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  4. Those are just darling. I may need to get out my scrapbook supplies this weekend and play! But I am supposed to be quilting... decisions decisions. :)

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    1. Oh, I know. I need to do my taxes. I'd much rather craft stuff.

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  5. love all the tags you've been making...your Valentine's gift ideas are sweet...makes me thinking of making some heart themed items for friends...hot pads or pot holders comes to mind...little hooked rugs...creating for gifts is my favorite...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kelley. I like your ideas too. I really love to make gifts.

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