Valentine's Day 2009- my titles are so boring!

I think everyone needs a valentine's tree. This is my rendition.
Don't you love the classy XO XO neon?? I do. :)
This silver card holder was a great find at the Kirksville clean up. That means I found it in a pile of trash in front of someones house, and I love it.

These photos are my way of saying Happy Valentine's day to all of you out there. I hope it's filled with lots of love for each of you. I told Paul that if he loved me he would plan something wonderful for V-day this year. Is it wicked to use that kind of shameful persuasion to get what you want? Is it even worse if you tell him that the day before Valentines day? Well, bring on the wrath. We deserve a date. I have gone overboard the past few years doing all kinds of valentine's surprises for Paul, and girls.. seriously, what a waste of time! We all know what men really want. They don't want heart shaped hamburgers or heart covered pillowcases or hearts all over the inside of their cars.. that just embarrasses them (or so Paul says). So this year, I'm making Valentine's easy. And you all know what I mean... and he can plan the date this year.

I'm loving up my sweet tadpoles this week. Eirik got the paint out and painted this entirely on his own. He wanted to paint a deep blue sea for Joren since Joren LOVES fish and water so much. Isn't that so sweet! He said he would give it to him as soon as he woke up from his nap.

It's 1:00AM and over the baby monitor I just heard the cutest giggle from one of my dreaming children. That's one of those moments that make life fun. Another one happened this week. Eirik was "helping" me make dinner.. (translation: not helping) and Joren was playing happily in his room. I could hear him growling with all his dinosaurs over the monitor. Suddenly we heard the cutest angel voice confidently say "Eyeick! Eyeick!" I guess Joren learned to say his brother's name and was calling him to come play! We all ran to the bottom of the stairs to see if what we heard was real, and Joren had come to the top of the stairs to call his brother again. Mind you, Joren has not yet said Mom or Dad, but he was calling for his brother! Eirik excitedly climbed the stairs to see what his brother wanted to show him. Paul and I cried and jumped up and down in happiness. Bless that little Joren. He is so sweet. That was a week ago and he has not said Eyeick since, but they have been playing together so much. We are so glad we listened when the spirit told us that Eirik needed a brother right away!

Another great thing that happened this week is that I finally finished all three of my pillows I have been working on and I think they turned out really great.

This leaf pillow was an idea I really lifted from World Market. (Thanks World Market.. I love you.) I was with Kristen (of course) when she said, "we could make that" and then she found a jacket at a thrift store later that day with this nice wool, and then she gave me scraps of her green fabric.. and voila. The sleeves of that wool coat turned into a cute little bag for Eirik too. That wool jacket was a great $4 investment.

And here is the penny pillow I mentioned in a former post. This little project was such a lifesaver. I have sort of an anxious personality and need to stay busy. Stitching and stitching and stitching is really relaxing. I liked having this project to work on while my kids were in the bathtub or while I sat by their door at night while they went to sleep, and they liked it too because I can interact with them and still keep my hands busy. I had to force myself to stop working on it once they went to sleep though so that I would have something to do the next nights. I was so sad when I finished that I immediately started another one and it is almost done. I might be on to some little money maker here.. or maybe just a really fun time waster. Anyone want to buy one? You can choose the colors. :)

And this pillow is sort of my little baby. I fell in love with the pillows on Koko Company and they were so inspiring I thought I would see what I could come up with. Of course mine is way different than any of the AMAZING pillows on that site. I mean seriously, aren't they great? Anyway, I got the orange and grey chintz fabric as a birthday gift last year. (Paul took me to Joannes and waited in the car for like an hour while I picked out a gift for myself. Isn't that awesome?) And the felt that matches exactly is from a scrap pile in my mother -in-law's basement. Cool huh! The french knots were an idea from my friend Peggy. I think it tuned it really cool. I want to make more... lots more! This design turned out a little more predictable than I anticipated. My next one will be much more abstract I think.
I let my kids drink their milks while laying on it a few minutes after this photo and Joren threw up about 2 inches from it. So, enjoy the pillow in pristine condition because it won't last long in my house.

So Happy Valentine's to everyone! We love you!

PS. What is up with everyone loving blue and white and dainty vintage prints? Doesn't anyone else love 1970's warm earthy colors anymore?
What's the deal. Am I the only one? Cause I'm not changing. :)
I don't care how cool you all are.