Valentine's Day Soiree with Friends....

For all that know me, know that Valentine's Day is not a HUGE celebration between my sweetheart and I.

I know, it's hard to believe, with us being us, but, well, I'm NOT a big "pink" girl - even though he and friends have tried and tried to make me a convert...I DO love chocolate, but, well, I eat chocolate on a pretty regular basis, so a big 'ol heart-shaped box of chocolates doesn't do it for me.

Neither does a giant boquet of roses. Roses aren't even a favorite flower for me.

Ok. So enough of my poo-pooing the reasons we don't celebrate in the traditional way...

and on to the fun I had with the girlfriends last Saturday.

About a month or so ago, my dear friend, Kristen Robinson invited me to join her and a host of other friends, mine and hers, for a Valentine's Day valentine and cookie swap. Yippee, Skippee. I love to bake and decorate sugar cookies.

Of course, I am a proverbial procrastinator or very busy with numerous irons in the fire or a procrastinator...lol. So, I was off to CHA with good intentions of making my valentines when I returned. Well, one germ led to another and soon I was ridden with a migrating head and chest cold. Couldn't make up it's mind!

Suddenly, I was out of time and pushing hard to create something worthy of the guest list....and make cookies (but I would have made those fresh, at the last minute anyway!)

The party was fabulous. The company was grand. The cookies yummy. And the valentine's truly delightful and creative...

Here's a tour....

 Little cups for sweet chocolate morsels...

 Darling conversation heart rings...Baby Doll, Go Go Go, Kiss Me...
just don't wash your hands..the rings become a "blank", sticky mess....DUH!!!

Yummy delish finger sandwiches...sans crusts...chicken salad and cream cheese/cucumber.

Yummy individual salads. Cookies (like we needed more sugar!) & red velvet cupcakes (more sugar!)
Can you say "sugar buzz" ???

 Goodies.

More goodies.

My AQUA - not pink! - heart-shaped sugar cookies wrapped in soft layers of white and aqua tulle, embellished with a white monogram chipboard letter.

Serendipitously, the china plates I found were made in Japan and are named "Grace"... one of Kristen's favorite words!

 My Forget Me Not valentine. Altered vintage graphic from Graphics Fairy.

Painted wooden ceiling tile, topped with painted muslin, glass vial filled with Forget Me Not seeds, wire wrapped with some aqua glass beads, and sealed with strips of polka dot painted tape.

Topped with a big 'ol taffeta bow.

We exchanged cookies and valentines. Shared some good stories. Ate and laughed.

These creative little numbers were by Jania, Ty's girlfriend (my oldest son). They were so fun. She made them as valentines to give the man in your life. Such a great idea!

 Sculpted Paper Clay Heart with Wings by Laurie; housed in a vintage heart tin.

 A darling hand-made, zippered pouch with a red felt heart by Kelly.

  A sweet mix of PINK and AQUA valentine greeting by Kristen's mom, Pat.

 A very elegant ribbon bookmark embellished with glass and metal beads by Ginger.

 A hand dyed velvet bracelet coiled around a wooden spool.... by Ruth Rae.

...hidden beneath a strip of muslin stamped with Kristen's Love Lines stamp set...

Beautiful vintage-look collaged valentine by Janice. I think I'll repurpose this one with a baby photo of Phillip and I within the hearts and frame it.

 Clockwise from Bottom Left: Janice, Pat, Jania, Deb, Kristen

 Clockwise from Top Left Center: Jania's Legs, Deb, Kristen, Laurie, Kelly, Ginger

 Clockwise Bottom Left: Ginger, Janice, Pat, Ruth, Jania, Deb, Kristen's Legs, Kelly's Hair

 Pat and Laurie.

Kelly wearing the darling T-shirt she made. Three red felt hearts on her sleeve to show her love for her Valentines... her husband, her son, and her daughter...How sweet is that?!!!

 Jania just being naturally cute as ever!

 Jania and I wearing the Red Felt Valentine Pins Kristen made for everyone.

 Me and Janice "posing" in Kristen's studio...

 Kristen, Pat, Jania and I in deep conversation in the kitchen...

Kelly having a good laugh at me being a goof-ball sticking my tongue out at Janice behind the camera!

This was a great time had by a great group of creative and happy women. We must do this annually!

Maybe next year, I'll even wear some PINK! NOT!!!

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