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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 2, 2012

Getting our craft on for…14 Days of Love!

 
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Welcome!! We are so excited to be participating in the 14 Days of Love

Cherished Bliss

 
hosted by Ashley at Cherished Bliss!
 
A series where several bloggers are showing off their fabulous Valentine’s Day ideas!
 
 
Up first Vanessa is sharing a fun and special way to show your children in a tangible way how much they are loved.

Valentine Countdown
 

I have to be honest, I have always felt that Valentine’s Day is such a sweet “holiday” but I never really got into it too much…until I had kids!  Now I see it as a wonderful opportunity to raid their candy jars after they have gone to sleep not just give them treats, but to have a good old-fashioned love fest and help beat these winter blahs. I decided this year I would create a way for us to count down the days until V-day and also share with my rascals some of things we adore about them.

This little cupboard was a Clearance aisle find at a local store about a year ago.
I thought it would be the perfect place to house our countdown.
I like to think of myself as the “every woman’s” crafter…my crafts are simple and easy and inexpensive!
I found these little white paper bag/boxes at the Dollar Tree.

And, each one received a stenciled number to help us count down the days.
I had to get a bit creative in how they all fit into the cupboard!
The kids will take turns each day receiving a bag and discovering what lies inside.
I thought we could use this as a way to speak into their lives and affirm the wonderful qualities we see in both of them.

Of course I couldn’t resist adding a little sweet treat along with the sweet words!


On the last day, this is what they will find.

It is the perfect addition to the little Valentine’s Vignette I created in the playroom!
Now it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little candy…but instead of eating this candy (okay so we did eat one bag for ourselves. grin.) I decided to do something crafty with it instead.
Candy Topiaries
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I created these cute little candy topiaries using Dollar Tree Styrofoam shapes, a bag of heart shaped candies from The Christmas Tree Store (do you have one of these? I LOVE this place!!) and some old candlesticks (one that was even broken, so don’t throw those away!) that I painted silver.  This is another one of those no brainer crafts…that comes out so cute!
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I was able to make two topiaries from one bag of candy and made my third by making a “tree” out of scrapbook paper.  This little vignette ended up costing a whopping $3.50 in craft supplies!
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So we hope these two projects prove that decorating for holidays like Valentine’s Day do not have to be expensive! It’s the little touches that can make it extra special!
Have you had a chance to see some of the other amazing projects in the 14 Days of Love Series? If not be sure to check out yesterdays Day of Love from Southern Lovely and and  then don’t forget to come back tomorrow to visit Ladybird Lane Ln!
A big thank you again to Ashley for inviting us to participate and a big thank you to the sponsors of 14 Days of Love!
This event is sponsored by…
Lily Bella Fabric Ribbon Jar Whimsy Couture Seemingly Smitten
Book Craft image The Little Bird Vixen Made
Joonie Beads Merdith's little shop Liberty Original
Be sure to check back in with Cherished Bliss for a fun linky party and a fabulous giveaway at the end of the 14 Day of Love!

Thank you so much for joining us,  and be sure to enter our $100 HomeGoods giveaway going on right now in celebration of our Blogiversary! We also have a $50 Homegoods Giveaway going on right now at our Facebook page, so make sure you’re following us over there to enter to win!
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This post is partying here:
DIY By Design: Winter Blues Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants: What’s it Wednesday
Chatty Chics: Wild Wednesday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
From My Front Porch To Yours: Treasure Hunt Thursdays 
Decor Chick: Valentine Link Party
2805: Potpourri Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
A Stroll Thru Life: Table Top Tuesday

25 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Good Thoughts, Guest Posts, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Absolutely adorable!! LOVE the cabinet…how clever!! And the candy topiaries are too cute!! Wish we had one of those stores!! Great job as always!!

    Reply
  2. Lisa @ Before Meets After says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    These are so dang cute! I want to run out and make my own right now!

    Reply
  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Oh what a precious idea. I can’t believed you glued all those candies on the cones. Amazing. Cute, but oh the work. Hugs, marty

    Reply
  4. Cherished Bliss says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    You ladies did such a fantastic job! I love the little note on the last day : ) So perfect!!

    And those Candy Topiaries…not sure how long those would last in my house. I have two sets up little hands and a husband who would think it was an appetizer, lol! They are just too cute!! : )

    I’m so excited to have you wonderful ladies a part of this series! Your blog has been such an inspiration since I started and I am honored that you are taking part : )

    Reply
  5. classic • casual • home says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    I love this so much…especially the last note.

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    February 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Such a cute idea to count down the days until Valentines Day like that. It reminds me of the advent calendar for Christmas. I’m sure your kids will remember this holiday by you making it more special.

    Reply
  7. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    February 1, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    Very cute! Love the topiaries!

    Reply
  8. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G says

    February 1, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    Super cute ideas! LOVE the topiary trees!

    Reply
  9. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 1, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Love everything topiaries..Love candy ones are the cutest ever!!..Great cabinet with the white boxes..so clever and adorable. How wonderful to do that for your children.

    Reply
  10. NanaDiana says

    February 1, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    What SWEET ideas. I love the little daily “I love you” objects for your kids and those toparies are just darling! xoDiana

    Reply
  11. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    February 1, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    How fun! I am SUCH a Valentine’s Day nut . . . I think I decorate almost as much for Valentine’s Day as I do for Christmas!

    Reply
  12. Becca says

    February 1, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    So cute … love the treats for the kiddos !! I love the candy topiaries, too … festive and whimsical !! Thanks for sharing. xo

    Reply
  13. Debbie says

    February 1, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Two absolutely wonderful ideas, Vanessa. I wish I had done something like that when my girls were little.

    Reply
  14. Marla and Steve says

    February 1, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Adorable ideas. My youngest is a Valentine’s girl so the day is extra special since we all celebrate her birthday 🙂 I’m making little jars of kisses for my friends and family for Valentines using leftovers from my craft room.

    Reply
  15. Judy says

    February 1, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    That cabinet is awesome. Such a clever idea. I text my kids a couple of times a week saying positive affirmations and things I love/admire about them. I think it’s so important to write these things and not just say it. Somehow I think they “hear” it more. Your candy topiaries are super cute. Love your vignette.

    Reply
  16. https://findingsecrettreasures.blogspot.com says

    February 2, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    Everything looks so cute!

    Reply
  17. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:52 AM

    Love the candy topiaries! They are so fun and festive and really pretty!!

    Reply
  18. Ladybird Ln says

    February 2, 2012 at 5:12 AM

    What great ideas, I love the countdown idea! It was so fun to find you on the 14 days of love!

    Carlee
    http://www.ladybirdln.com

    Reply
  19. The DIY Show Off says

    February 3, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    SO pretty! What an inspiration to decorate a little this year! 😉

    Reply
  20. Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook says

    February 3, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  21. Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook says

    February 3, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    How sweet and such a creative way to inspire your children! I adore your candy topiaries such a great Valentine accent 🙂

    Reply
  22. Liberty says

    February 3, 2012 at 11:57 PM

    I LOVE these projects!! They turned out absolutely amazing. :)) I’m sure the kids are going to love their countdown to Valentine’s day. My mom always made Valentine’s Day special for us so I try to do the same for my own kids.

    Reply
  23. Honey at 2805 says

    February 4, 2012 at 3:05 AM

    Sweeeeet! Thank you for sharing your wonderful project at Potpourri Friday!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 12 Fun Ways to Countdown to Valentine’s Day | Valentines Day says:
    January 9, 2013 at 3:36 AM

    […] 14 Days of Love from At the Picket Fence. For each day add a note to a bag, box or envelope that explains why you love them! See more At The Picket Fence. […]

    Reply
  2. 14 Days of Love {Round Up} - Cherished Bliss says:
    January 31, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    […] At the Picket Fence – Valentine Countdown & Candy Topiaries  […]

    Reply

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And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
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Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

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Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
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Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

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