Some fun ideas for valentine's day!

Do you feel the spirit of love in the air?  I'm sure you notice whenever you go shopping you are being barraged by hearts, cupids and the color red.  Well it's almost valentine's day.  I thought it would be fun to look for some interesting and unique valentine's day gifts that you can get on Etsy.  Why give your hard earned money to the usual department stores when you could show your support for an individual trying to live their dream by creating what they love?  Let's spread some love Etsy style this valentine's day!

I've always loved stained glass.  I actually took some stained glass classes and created a few pieces myself.  I know what kind of hard work goes into each of these creations.  When I saw these fun stained glass heart earrings from AfricanSand, I thought they were really a unique way to combine stained glass within a piece of jewelry. 

Stained Glass Heart Earrings by AfricanSand

Aren't those adorable?  I think so!  The artist, Angela, also has some eye-catching stained glass panels, candle holders, business card holders and lots more stained glass jewelry available in her Etsy shop. 

You've heard that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach haven't you?  How about securing your place in your man's heart with one of the gourmet pre-measured mixes available from Kimmi's Etsy shop, LipSmackinCreations?  You can tell her mixes are going to be delicious just by looking at the pictures!

 

Chocolate Luv Pancakes by LipSmackinCreations

What man wouldn't love waking up to the smell of some homemade pancakes with chocolate and peanut butter in the mix?  Yum!  Kimmi has lots of delightful mixes available in her Etsy store including spice mixes, cookies, hot chocolate and even a special treat for your dog. 

Everyone likes sending cards on Valentine's day to show that special someone how much they care.  Why not do it with a unique handmade card from Michelle's Etsy shop, papermichelle?  Check out this one, the Thief of Hearts:

Valentine Card- Thief of Hearts by papermichelle

Isn't that cute?  Michelle's cards are hand drawn and screen printed by her.  She draws small, silly things that make her happy.  She has a great variety of cards in her shop and I think you are sure to find one that makes you smile too!

Lots of men buy flowers for their ladies for valentine's day.  This year, why not get her something different and get a handmade ceramic bud vase for all those flowers instead?  She'll remember your gift all year round with a vase that can be used for a variety of purposes, and looks great all by itself too.  This vase is available in Marietta's shop, blueroompottery:

Ceramic Bud Vase by blueroompottery

I love the wonderful texture and color combination of this vase.  Marietta's Etsy shop is full of lovely and functional pottery that is really a work of art.

My last item to share with you today is actually one of my own pieces, I just adore it and I hope you do too.  It is an adaptable necklace in that it can be worn two different ways, with the heart charm centered in the front, or you can switch it around and have the heart hanging sexily down the back of your neck.

 

Chained to your heart beaded necklace by greygirldesigns

It features sparkling deep red garnet gemstones, faceted black onyx, a faceted black fire agate stone, sterling silver and the rust steel heart charm.  It is a bit goth, a bit modern funky cool all in a one of a kind piece of wearable art.  This beaded necklace is available now in my Etsy store, greygirldesigns, and there is still plenty of time for me to ship it to you for valentine's day.

I hope you saw something you liked from my valentine's day picks!  Of course this is just a small sampling of the wonderful things you can find on Etsy.  Take a look for yourself and see what I mean!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog today...I'd just love it if you'd leave me a comment and let me know you were here! 

Infinity scarves...my latest obsession!

Hi everyone!  I should start by saying Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is enjoying 2012 so far.  It has been so lovely here in Missouri, it really doesn't feel like January (not yet anyway, it is supposed to turn colder tomorrow).  Generally by this time of year, it has been cold and blustery for a few weeks already, and we usually have had snow and ice too.  This winter we've been blessed so far with warmer temperatures and as of yet we haven't had any snow or ice here where I live.  I love it!  Today it's in the 50's and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and ate my lunch outside- trying to soak up a bit of that vit D3 we all miss out on this time of year.  I know it probably won't last long but I'm trying to enjoy every day of it! 
Even though it's been warm, I've been getting ready for the cold blast to hit.  I shared with you a few posts back about the slouchy hat I crocheted from Julie at Gleeful Things website.  I decided to make a scarf to go with it and so I designed my own infinity scarf.  It was so easy and fun to make that I thought I'd share with you how I did it, you can easily design your own or follow my pattern and make one in your favorite color. 
To start off, I used a size J crochet hook and a Lion Brand Yarn called Tweed Stripes in the color Marble.  This yarn comes in 3 oz skeins and it took about 1 1/2 skeins to make one scarf.  Here's my pattern:

Row 1, chain 15.  Chain 2 more- this will be the first stitch of row 2. 
Row 2, double crochet in the fourth chain stitch from your hook (should be the 14th chain stitch from the beginning. Double crochet in each chain to the end.  Count your stitches, there should be 15 counting the two chain stitches at the beginning as one stitch.  Chain 2 and turn. 
Row 3,  the two chain stitches you just made count as the first stitch in this row.  Double crochet in the back loop only of each stitch across, starting with the second to the last stitch.  Chain 2 and turn.
Repeat this for as long as you desire.  I made mine about 75" long, which is long enough to wrap it snuggly 3 times around my neck.  When it is the desired length, hold the two ends together to form a circle and slip stitch the stitches together to join.  Then just weave your yarn ends into the fabric to finish. 

I hope those instructions make sense if someone tries to make their own!  I've never written a crochet pattern out before and I realize it may not be completely clear what I'm trying to say!  If you have experience crocheting it shouldn't be hard for you to understand though. 
Now that I am done with the scarf, I realize that usually you would chain 3 to make a double crochet stitch for the beginning of each row, but I only chained 2 and it turned out fine. If your stitches tend to be real tight, you may want to chain 3 for the beginning of each row. 
I had so much fun making my scarf that I made another one for my boyfriend.  I made his 20 chain stitches across to start, so it would be a bit thicker for him.  It is easy to adjust the pattern to fit your individual needs.  I'm now making another one just like the first one for my sister.  I hope she likes it! 

Two completed infinity scarves and a third in process.

If you decide to try making a scarf and follow my pattern, I hope you'll let me know how it turns out!  You could also leave the ends free and just have a regular scarf.  I have decided that the infinity scarf is definitely the thing for me though, I love how it stays nice and warm and where you want it without having to constantly adjust it.  I should be giving mine a lot of use before this winter is over.