Incredible Edible Valentine's Day Card

When deciding on a Valentine's Card for someone special, I usually go to the card isle in the grocery store. Spend hours reading everyone of them. I love cards and choosing the right one. Not this year. This year I got a little creative with it. This year I did something different.

 Who says a card has to be a flat piece of paper stock?

I perused The Graphic Fairy's site for a vintage graphic and printed it. One was a Valentine's Cherub and the other was a Valentine's heart. The heart said, " An Offering of Friendship"

very sweet

I then cut out the graphics and cut off the "wings" of the cherub and added my own feathers.

It adds that little something extra to the print.

I usually cut around the graphics I use.I like adding more detail too. I think this makes it more your own.

Then I glued them to this adorable glitter plastic cup, I love cups like these. I found them at the dollar store, so very inexpensive.

I gathered some crepe paper and ruffled it to use as a trim on the inside of the cup.

I added a key to the bow I wrapped along the handle and filled the cup with chocolate Kisses, mints, and Reeses. I will roll a little note when I present it and stick it through the key.

I think this is a fun alternative to a regular Valentine's Day Card. It is a 3-D version!Everyone likes a sweet treat.  A new Valentine's idea! The Incredible Edible Valentine's Day Card!

Have you started thinking of Valentine's Day yet?

How To Get More Views From Facebook

It took me along time to get a Facebook page but when I did I loved it! Whether you have a business or not it is a great way to interact with your readers. Facebook likes switching things up though and that has made it difficult for many people to see your posts.

OK I am going to stop here. I want you to "like " my Facebook Page by clicking HERE!

This will be a start of our interaction together. Now to make sure you see it hover your cursor over the "like button" and click on "show in feed" like this

ADDED: For a "like" to count you must like someone from your personal page!

So now what?

Well it is like blogging. You leave comments. Comment, likes and shares all help in keeping the posts you see interactive which will keep your post more visible to your readers.

WARNING: Do not post too often!

Unlike blogging, posting too much can cause people to hide your posts. They don't want to seethat you are going to the grocery store, or that you had an itch on your right thigh LOL. Keep your posts engaging.

Do show photos! Just showing text is boring. The text often gets overlooked. Photos are more likely to be shared and sharing helps the views of your page.

Check your stats on Facebook. This will tell you the posts most viewed and the range of people viewing it. Make sure you play around with the timing of posts. Some will be viewed more after a certain time than others.

Promoting posts cost money. Let's face it, this is why Facebook limits the views. They want you to spend money promoting it. If you do this you get more view and your reach is extended. I have been told that this works. I am not interested in spending money for this but if you have a certain business this could be helpful.

Get more interaction by asking for feedback. Asking questions, offering coupons, fill in the blanks any thing creative that can keep people coming back and responding to your posts. This keeps the views going.

Have friends and other bloggers share your page. Like in blogging the more exposure the more traffic.

Quotes are another way to get more views. People love them and will feel connected when one hits home.

source

Be funny but don't force it. Be positive and happy. People like sharing stories that have a happy ending.
It doesn't have to always be this way but being a downer will make people move on.

Keep things short. Many times I see posts that are like a chapter in a book. I scroll past these. I love Facebook for the fact that it keeps me engaged without spending a lot of time.

I hope this helps!

If you have any other ways to increase your views, please share them in the comments below.
I hope you will follow me on Facebook and we can help each other grow!

Do you have a Facebook? Did this help you? 

Leave your link below and we can all like each others page!!

A Word to Inspire

I have to admit, I was feeling a little pressure. Why? I don't know. I wanted my first post of 2013 to be fabulous. I contemplated on redoing a room, painting a piece of furniture or crafting something spectacular. Then I thought about the new year and what that means. I started asking the questions of how I would make 2013 the best yet. That is how this post came to be.

Many blogs came up with a "word" to inspire them rather than a resolution of the New Year.

 OK I can do that one....

My 2013 word is

........................................................................  FLY

I have to admit the real reason is to keep the travel thing going this year!

If you keep things in your sight you seem to accomplish them. You have a focus. I love to travel but never get the time. My 2012 resolution was to travel more. I think I did better when I wrote it down and said it.  I did go to NYC in January, Georgia a few times, did two weeks in Florida in the summer and back to New York and New Jersey at Christmas. It worked. Now I want to do more!

That is why I choose "fly"

But the word really means more to me. I like the word for what it suggests.


                                                                                         ......m...o...v...e...m...e...n....t....

                                 If you know me you know I don't like to sit still.

It keeps me creative.       On top of things.          It keeps me fresh with new ideas.

FLY

Another reason for the word...

Definition: To move through the sky by means of wings

OK I am not a bird. I am not taking this literally. I would like to think of angel wings. NO I don't think I am close to that one. lol

How about move through life " by means of wings"? I love the way that sounds.

By making a difference. By helping others. By giving back. Yes that is what I will make of it!


So I will travel more, be more creative, and do more giving back!

...........and I have to admit, I am excited! Of course I will share it all with you!

Do you have a word? 

Would you share it with me in the comments below? 

Top 12 of 2012-Most Viewed

I had fun showing you a few of my favorite things in my last post. Some months it was hard to choose! As I was checking the posts I liked I decided to write down the most viewed posts of 2012. These would be YOUR favorites! Funny some of them match mine too.
Enjoy the countdown!

Remember to click the title link to the whole post if interested!

Number 12
This was one of my favorites too!

How to Remove Veneer/Laminate

Number 11

Duncan Phyfe Table

Number 10

Paper Christmas Trees

Number 9

Craft Room Makeover
Very proud of this one! Another Favorite.

Number 8

Bumble Bee Clock

I even used this for Halloween.
Favorite...

Number 7

Vintage Magnetic Eraser
This one cracks me up. It is so easy!

Number 6

Chalkboard Art

This was a fun piece.

Number 5

French Provincial Buffet

This was a fun two-tone.

Number 4

How to Make a Dress Form

Number 3

How to Make Paper Flowers

favorite

Number 2

Snowy Meltaway Cookies

Yummy cookies! favorite

And the Number 1 post of 2012 is..........


                                                         ......insert drum roll here........

French Painted Tea Cart

Thanks for joining me for my New Year's Eve Countdown of 2012! Looking forward to making new memories with you in 2013!

Happy New Year!!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things-A Year in Blogging

Another year is gone! Can you believe it? What a year it has been. I am so happy to have you here still on my journey. For those of you who are new here, welcome! Blogging has been a blessing and I have met so many beautiful people!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your projects day to day.

I am recapping my year with you! Highlighting the things by month I think are my favorite things.

Enjoy! and if you want to read more about it just click on the link!

January

One of the hardest pieces I had to redo was this roll top desk redo! It was spray painted over latex to look camouflage. What a difference the after is!

February

This was the month of plays my daughter was in. The Effects of Gamma Rays and Blind ED.
I love when she performs so this was my favorite in February.

March

In March I played around with paper! My favorite was making Paper Flowers. It was one of your favorites too! I used these the rest of the year in my booths and at the barn sale. It kinda was my signature.

April

There was a lot I liked in April but this project was one I am glad I tried.
It made this table go from garbage to a beautiful seller. Now I have a great technique I use all the time.

May

My husbands mishap became my inspiration for a creative piece with my bumble bee clock.
Loved it so much it sits on my fireplace.

June

June had to be my first blogging conference...Haven.

July

July was one of my favorites with my craft room makeover that became a finalist in HGTV Shaw Floor contest.

August

I had fun trying something different with this painted hutch. It sold as soon as I dropped it off.

September

This months favorite has to be meeting one of my favorite bloggers and participating in my first Barn Sale.(which is my favorite in October)

October

My first Barn SalePart1 and Part 2 was a HUGE success and my favorite thing in October.

November

This was my favorite month of projects. If you get a chance go check them out. My favorite was my Snowy Meltaway Cookies. It is a great recipe for Christmas or anytime.

December

Last but not least was this story of surprise!

This year came with heartache too but I like to focus on the positive.
I hope the world can heal, my heart can heal, and I have learned something along the way.

I will continue blogging. I hope you will continue to be here too!

I wish you Peace and Love in the New Year! 

Ralph Lauren Christmas

So sorry I haven't had any words to share. Losing our sweet furbaby has put me at a lost. We had such joy with the return of our cat only to loose our dog a couple of days later.

We are trying to get ready for Christmas. The joy of Christmas is knowing that no matter what, it comes with all the glory and joy of our savior. Christmas IS sooo much more!

So back to my post...

When I was in NYC I got the chance to visit the Ralph Lauren Flagship stores.  I wanted to share this with you.

This is the beautiful scroll work in the entrance.

The gorgeous windows are like no others. Love this mirror!

When I entered the store I was greeted by a salesman that was so helpful. He brought me some water with ice in a glass. I wanted to take pictures but no pictures allowed in the stores. He did give me these beautiful books to show you.

One of the things I loved in the Women's store was the staircase. I took some pictures of the book pages so you can get a glimpse.

There were so many floors to shop on. My favorite was the home floor.

He had the women's store, the men's store across the street and the children's store next to the womens.

This was the women's store.

The men's store inside

The childrens store

I had a blast shopping there! Love Madison Avenue!

Hated the walk though! I think I walked 52 blocks that day UGH!

Hope you enjoyed the glimpse in the world of Ralph Lauren. I did! No one I have ever met can design and decorate as classy as he.

Merry Christmas to all my followers and visitors! May the New Year bring joy and peace///1