Article by: Kim ChristophersonYouCanMakeThis.com

Remember the days when you couldn’t wait to open that special valentine card filled with a paper note and conversation heart candy. I just KNEW that those conversation heart candies meant TRU LUV when given by the boy I had a crush on.:)

Years later, those special “valentines” are still ones I look forward to giving and receiving. A handmade card and artwork from our children are some of the best, aren’t they? A small handmade gift from a friend says, “I’m thinking of you”. Those kinds of things are memorable and treasured because you know that it was made with a lot of thought, time, and care. You know that while they were making that item, they thought about you, and could just imagine what it would be like to have you receive it!

Well, I have those same feelings, too, when I am making something special for a friend or family member. And because I love to do just about anything “DIY”, now is the perfect time to begin some simple projects to give this Valentine’s Day.

At www.YouCanMakeThis.com, we have a variety of downloadable projects that are quick, simple, and perfect to give to someone you care about. Here are a few ideas:

Make a Lotus Flower and attach it to a card for a friend. This flower can then be added to her favorite handbag or even used as a brooch.
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{MAKE IT} – A true queen of the DIY, Brassy Meg is sharing a fun free tutorial on her blog (Brassy Apple) on how to create this darling party banner. Customize it to suit your party decor, it’s awesome!

Pretty up your next party with Brassy Apple! >>

Greetings Boutique Cafe Viewers! It’s been awhile since our last show, my apologies for taking a break from podcasting over the past few months due to illness in my pregnancy. Thankfully, in a moment of renewed strength today I found this video in our “Boutique Cafe Vault” from Fall Quilt Market last year. This unseen interview is with the amazing and lovely Anna Maria Horner! I truly hope you’ll enjoy it and leave comments for Anna Maria as well.

In our chat, we discuss her book “Seams to Me”, Good Folks fabric line, new patterns available, and her exciting pregnancy coinciding with a Little Folks fabric line as well. Since we taped this back in Fall last year, Anna Maria’s beautiful little son Roman indeed arrived and is beyond precious. Congratulations again Anna Maria! XO!

Now CLICK the Button to View our Interview! (you may also view our video on YouTube here)

Those who know me well know I’m not a crafty mom. I don’t do projects with my children and hide the glue, glitter and pipe cleaners. Okay, I don’t hide the pipe cleaners but if my kids want to do projects they’re on their own. That’s why I love those foam sticky things–easy to do and easy to clean up!

Speaking of easy to do and easy to clean up (and fun and creative and great fix for boredom), Lauren recently got to review one of Kidzsack’s back sacks. These cute backpack-like sacks come in eight screenprinted designs ready for coloring using the washable, non-toxic markers included in the package. The really cool thing is this isn’t a one-time coloring fix; you can wash the Kidzsack and start all over again. This is really important because if your daughter spends a long time coloring in the Sea Life Design, takes the sack to a pool party, puts her wet suit and towel in it, it will bleed and she will be disappointed–until you tell her it’s washable and she gets to play artist one more time!

An artist by nature Lauren loved coloring in all the fun sea creatures. I wish I had a picture of it before it met a wet swimsuit but as usual the batteries in my camera were dead. But it really was super cool and she’s anxiously waiting for me to wash it so she can do it again. I’m actually thinking this washable feature is great for a family with multiple children who all want to take a turn coloring the Kidzsack!

Did I mention that Kidzsack is mom invented, made in the USA and manufactured using recycled fabric? The fabric is made by combining recovered 100% cotton scraps and recycled polyester made from plastic soda bottles. So it’s mom friendly (i.e. keeps the kids entertained and it’s washable), kid friendly and environmentally friendly. Gotta love that! Another nifty thing is along with Kidzsack’s standard designs the company can create custom designs for customers. We’re talking the perfect gift item for aquariums, company picnics, resorts and even preschools.

Kidzsack recently won Creative Child magazine’s Preferred Choice Award for 2008 and the Dr. Toy Award for Best Vacation Toy. No surprise there! This product has creativity written all over it–well, written all over it once your child gets those washable markers in hand! –Emily

NEW SHOW! On Boutique Cafe this week, Daria is joined by Tina Givens for a video interview at Houston Quilt Market. Tina shares the plans for her upcoming book, and invites YOU to help her name it!! We also get a birds eye view of her beautiful booth at Market, and all of her exciting projects for children and babies. Thank you so much Tina for supporting Boutique Cafe, we were thrilled to see you again!

You Name It!! Boutique Cafe has teamed up with Tina Givens to assist in naming her new book!! Submit your suggestion to tina@cidpear.com or by leaving a comment on Boutique Cafe. If Tina chooses your suggestion, she will award you with an Autographed copy of her book as well as some beautiful fabric!! Good Luck everyone, we’ll be sure to share what happens with you!

** To VIEW our new Video Interview – click the “watch the show” button” or subscribe to us in iTunes! Thanks everyone.

This year, while many are struggling with great decorating ideas for the holidays on a tighter budget I have a small suggestion. I recently have seen a few Christmas trees that have been adorned with Christmas Crackers (you know, the kind that are classically at the dinner table and snap open to reveal a trinket or toy) – THEY LOOK SO COOL! I think it’s a brilliant idea, Christmas Crackers have a unique and festive shape and fill space well, they are light weight so they won’t weight down your tree branches. The bonus is that they typically come in packages of 8-12 and are relatively inexpensive.

For even more bang for your buck, you can DIY your way to Christmas Cracker bliss. All you need is some gorgeous wrapping or scrapbooking paper to get started. I found these great directions with step by step pics and instructions. Fun for your holiday table or ON your tree as festive and fun ornaments. Fill your crackers this year with sweet treasures, or personal notes of praise for your family members. What a treat on Christmas morning to snap open a little love note.

Assignment Share: I’d love to see pictures of the crackers you design this year, blog about your DIY Christmas Crackers and then come back and share the linky to your blog. We’ll all come over to Ohhh and Ahhhh over creative you! (I’ll be sharing pictures of these snazzy crackers on our tree too!)

Can’t wait to see! – Daria

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