Tomorrow and the rest of the week will be filled with giveaways too! I know how you all love to win! We have some special giveaways lined up from Betty Crocker, the new cupcake book from What’s New Cupcake authors and of course you can win MY new book too…Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness!

A little while back, I shared our Home Goals List with you, and told you about how the office really needs to be finished. Specifically a new desk {currently I’m working on a folding table} and also an area to organize paperwork.

I have been looking for some inspiration and trying to figure out just how I wanted Doug to build a new Office Desk for me. I’ve been adding some ideas to my Pinterest DIY Board and came across a couple that inspired me.

This desk is part of an amazing Craft Room shared by Being Brook.  She used the instructions from another great blog that is new to me, Ana White Homemaker, she has amazing ideas with lots of instructions.

I love all the storage under this desk from Between Naps on the Porch.

So we headed to The Home Depot, looked around and got some prices and figured out what we wanted. Then Doug and Andrew headed over yesterday to pick up the wood.

Stay tuned for the DIY instructions, update and then the big reveal!

What has inspired you this week?

Have you ever loaned out a key to a neighbor or contractor to allow them temporary access to your home and had them lost or never returned? The Kwikset SmartKey lock gives you the ability to re-key your locks without removing them from the door. Making those lost or unreturned keys useless and giving you piece of mind.

And the Kwikset SmartKey’s re-key technology features a patented side-locking bar that replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design that is particularly vulnerable to increasingly popular lock-bumping attacks.

Installation of the Kwikset Lock

1. I removed the old deadbolt lock set and sanded the door to touch up the paint
2. A couple new coats of paint
3. Remove the new Kwikset SmartKey lock set from it’s packaging and review the directions and familiarize yourself with the parts.
4. Install the latch (deadbolt in this case), and place the exterior of the lock in place
5. Place the interior of the lock in place and insert included bolts
6. Tighten bolts til snug
7. Install the interior cover
8. Check lock for proper function

Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts can be purchased online at www.thehomedepot.com and at your local The Home Depot store.

***Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Here’s a short video to show you how easy it is to re-key the Kwikset SmartKey lock …

Follow The Home Depot on Facebook and Twitter for more information and to stay up to date on the latest deals.

Disclosure: The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their KwikSet Lock product. As part of this promotion, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

In case you missed any of the Valentine’s Week ideas, here’s a little re-cap for you…

• Pink Lemonade Pie
• Valentine Mantel
• Valentine Envelopes
• Valentine’s Mug

And don’t forget! Each blog has an AWESOME giveaway for you to enter too!

Today, we have a special little something for you! A VERY special Thank You to Charlotte from The Paper Cupcake for designing the Valentine’s Day Subway Art! If you haven’t been over to her Etsy Shop lately, you MUST go! She has the best party printables ever!

Oh YES! Isn’t it the cutest ever? AND there are two sizes for you to chose from…Charlotte is AWESOME like that!

So here’s what you need to do…

Click HERE to download the Valentine’s Day Subway Art in 8×10 size

Click HERE to download the Valentine’s Day Subway Art in 11×14 size

The link will open to a PDF file and simply print and use to decorate with or even give as a gift!

THEN, head on over to The Paper Cupcake Facebook page and tell Charlotte how awesome she is…I’m sure she will love to hear from you!

Linking to…Made By You Monday, Works For Me Wednesday

Now, it’s your turn to add your Valentine’s Day Ideas to the Party, simply click on the little blue button where it says “add your link” and your posts will show up on ALL 4 blogs – The Shabby Creek Cottage, The Idea Room, Nest of Posies and right here! How cool is that?

Oh and don’t forget…we are pinning your ideas too!

For many years, I have been putting together Love Buckets for our boys. It’s one of those family traditions that you can never be too old for. I’ve shared our Love Buckets the last couple years, in fact exactly one year ago today I shared the small plastic Love Buckets that I put together.

But this year, I decided to get a little more crafty with these metal buckets.

I just love all the chalkboard inspiration, so I decided to use the directions for making chalkboard labels and give it a shot. Here are the supplies you will need…

Love Bucket Supplies:

• Bucket – any kind will do, we found this one at Big R Tractor Supply, it was under $4
• Chalkboard Paint – found in most paint departments, I used a 40% coupon and bought this at Hobby Lobby
• Labels – you can use any size or shape, I wanted an oval shape on the bucket, so we found Avery Shipping Labels that came in a full sheet, at Walmart

How to Make Chalkboard Labels:

1. Place label on cardboard, and spray with chalkboard paint – be sure you take it outside, just like with any spray paint
2. You will need 3-4 coats, letting it dry in between each coat
3. Then let the sheet dry overnight

1. Draw your shape on the back of the labels – we used a cookie cutter to make a paper template. Cut it out.
2. Attach label to bucket
3. Add words or symbols with chalk – I used the same trick I used on the Winter Mantel Chalkboard
4. Add a heart for the gift tag – I had some extra hearts left from the Valentine’s Day Garland, so I glued together 3 sizes and tied it on with twine

Now it’s time to fill the Love Bucket…

You can of course use anything you like to fill the bucket. I typically buy things for the boys that they “love”, like their favorite candy, books, magazines, toys etc. etc. This Love Bucket is filled with gifts for a girlfriend; some fun Valentine stickers, a magazine, Valentine socks, candy and a pretty necklace. I bought everything at Walmart and spent about $13, but you could certainly spend less.

The other great thing about the buckets is that you can use this idea to create endless organizing and craft projects. I’m seeing a fun project in the future for our office.

Tomorrow it’s YOUR turn to share! Link up your Valentine recipes, crafts, decorating, pretty much any love filled idea you have to the Valentine Party and it will show up on ALL four blogs at the same time! Pretty cool huh?

AND you won’t want to miss the FREE Valentine Printable from The Paper Cupcake! You are going to FLIP out over it!! I also created a Pinterest Board for Valentine’s Week, and will be pinning your awesome ideas! So follow along and gather some ideas!

Linking to…Show & Tell Friday, Made By You Monday, Tips & Tutorial Tuesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Saturday Seven, Sundae Scoop

To start off the week, I shared a perfect dessert for your Valentine, Pink Lemonade Pie. Then yesterday, Gina shared her Valentine Mantel. And of course, giveaways on both days too!

Today it’s all about crafts! Kellie made some darling Valentine Envelopes! I think I might just dust off my sewing machine to make a few!  Oh and don’t miss out on the giveaway from The Shabby Creek Cottage Etsy Shop!

I have made several Heart Garlands over the last couple years, one using a cookie cutter and sewing it to a ribbon {sorry about the pictures, I’ve come a long way},then another one using a paper quilling technique, but I this one is definitely my favorite!

These kitchen cabinets were in need of a little pick-me-up after the holidays, so I gathered all my Valentine sprinkles, a few extra decorations and pulled it all together.

The hearts are cut from Lifestyle Crafts die cuts. They have a super cute Valentine selection with lots to choose from. You may remember the snowflakes, paper lanterns and most recently the cupcake wrappers I also made with their die cuts!

I just love these hearts, they come in a couple different styles, I used the nesting eyelet die cut.

To make the Heart Garland, you will need…

• Scrapbook paper
• Heart die cuts
• Glue stick
• Twine or ribbon
• Mini clothes pins or another way to hang them

Directions:

1. Cut out hearts in different sizes
2. Fold heart in half, right sides together
3. Spread glue along the folded edge and add to larger size heart
4. Measure and add twine to the area you are hanging the garland
5. Add hearts with mini clothes pins or you could hang them with thread or fishing line

The rest of the cabinet has some fun little Valentine decorations I thought you might also like.

I’m ready to decorate lots of cupcakes and cookies for Valentine’s Day with the jars full of sprinkles. In the upper left photo, you can see Valentine cupcake liners in a clear tall jar, and scattered throughout are some vintage Valentine cards that I’ve had for years. On the bottom shelf, I filled a red heart shaped basket with cookie cutters, and added a Scentsy candle warmer too. Watch for a giveaway next week for one of these cuties!

And then I couldn’t stop at the cabinet, I just had to add some hearts to my ladder that hangs above the kitchen sink.

Let’s take a closer look…it’s kind of hard to see with the window behind it. We took down the curtain in preparation for the Kitchen Remodel…remember, it’s on our Home Goals list?

Cuteness!! The hearts just make me smile! The letter “L” was left from Christmas decorating, and I simply changed the little chalkboard tags to read “Be Mine.”

We wrap up our Valentine Week tomorrow with Amy from The Idea Room, she will be sharing a fun Valentine gift idea, and of course a giveaway. I will be back with Love Buckets too!

On Friday, it’s YOUR turn to share! Link up your Valentine recipes, crafts, decorating, pretty much any love filled idea you have to the Valentine Party and it will show up on ALL four blogs at the same time! Pretty cool huh?

AND you won’t want to miss the Valentine Printable from The Paper Cupcake! She sent it to me a little bit ago and you are going to FLIP out over it!!

I also created a Pinterest Board for Valentine’s Week, and will be pinning your awesome ideas! So follow along and gather some ideas!

Photo credit – Positively Splendid

Interested in these cool products from Lifestyle Crafts? Head on over and be sure to use Promo Code…HOOSIER to receive 20% off your order!

And don’t forget to enter their giveaway…it’s HUGE!

Yup…that’s some pretty cool stuff! Learn all about the giveaway!

Disclosure: I received some products to try from Lifestyle Crafts and as always, the opinions are my own.

Linking to…Show & Tell Friday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Made by you Monday

They add such excitement to the buffet, for the kids and adults as well.

Let’s gather our supplies…

Chinese New Year Party Favors Supplies:

• Printed Dragon Party Favor design from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade
• Cardstock to print them on or toilet paper rolls can also be used
• 1 piece {8 x 10 1/2 inches} red tissue paper
• Glue stick or glue dots
• Clothespins for holding them until they dry
• String to tie the ends closed
• Gold metallic filler to add to the ends
• Candy, coins or other small toys

1. Print out the Party Favor {found HERE} onto cardstock and cut out. Glue together and use clothespins to hold if necessary
2. Roll up tissue and slip into tube
3. Tie up one end with string
4. Fill with candy and coins
5. Tie up other end
6. Add gold filler to the ends for decoration

The Chinese New Year Party Favors were also quite frugal too.  Depending on what you fill them with, you can make them for about $.50 cents each. I think they would be super fun at a child’s birthday party as well.

In case you missed the Chinese New Year Celebration, here’s a little re-cap for you…

1. Orange Mango Chicken
2. Dragon Puppet – print and color
3. Dragon Cupcakes
4. Party Favors
5. Wonton and Mushroom Soup
6. Decorations and Drinks
7. Veggies with Dipping Sauce
8. Chinese New Year Celebration

Join us in the Savvy Living Community! We chat about ways to help you save money!

Linking to…Saturday Sevens, Sundae Scoop Party, Made by you Monday

On Monday, we kicked it off with a delicious main dish that was perfect for this Chinese New Year Celebration, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner…Orange Mango Chicken. This dish is a must try…your family will love it!

Then yesterday, I shared the cute and oh so fun…Dragon Cupcakes. They were easy to make and could also be used for a child’s birthday party. Today we are sharing how we put the Chinese New Year Celebration together, complete with a fun project for the kiddos {or even you}, the Dragon Puppet. Everyone gets a surprise in the Party Favors, I’ll be sharing those tomorrow.

We found most of the decorations, except a few that I already had in my stash, at Factory Card Outlet. A simple red plastic tablecloth and gold metallic filler covered the buffet.

The red envelopes with gold on them {see them, laying on the buffet?}, I learned from Steamy Kitchen that the envelopes are for gifts for children. You want to add dollar bills, at least $2 and as much as you want, but always in even numbers, as happiness comes in pairs. I printed out and colored the Dragon Puppet, more on him later.

The little take-out boxes were filled with Fortune Cookies, chop sticks, a fan and napkins to match completed the decorations. I bought Chinese Yo-yos for the Party Favors, but they didn’t fit, so I just added them to the Buffet.

Chinese New Year Recipes

Orange Mango Chicken was not only delicious, it really brightened up the Buffet. Oranges, Mandarin Oranges and other fruit symbolize good health, good fortune and happiness and are an important part of a Chinese New Year Celebration.

We tried our hand at Wonton Soup, Doug even made the Wontons himself. They were pretty easy after we figured out the best way to fold them, Doug made a short video showing you how to make them. We are sharing the recipe over at Pocket Change Gourmet today.

And for a quick side dish, skewers with fresh veggies; broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers and leaf lettuce. The dipping sauce is Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and World Harbors Island Mango Marinade {extra leftover from the Orange Mango Chicken}. I displayed them on a bed of Chow Mein Noodles to add a little texture but also for snacking.

And, here is The Dragon Puppet. I found the pattern over at Craft Jr. and simply printed him out on cardstock paper and used my son’s Prisma colored pencils to color him. I love to color, it’s so relaxing! To make him into a puppet, I simply cut out the head and tail, added a strip of red construction paper about 1 1/2 inches wide, and glued on wooded skewers. And he’s sitting in a bowl with Fried Rice.

I think these would be a perfect activity for the kids to work on too. Even if it’s not for a Chinese New Year Celebration, it will keep them busy for quite awhile.

I’ll be sharing the details on the Party Favors tomorrow, so stay tuned for those. The drinks are orange juice mixed with Sprite, served in a wine glass and garnished with an candied orange slice on a skewer.

Update: Directions for the Party Favors

And for dessert…Dragon Cupcakes! I shared all the instructions on Cupcake Tuesday.

According to Feng Shui Forecast, “the year 2012 holds much promise and may be a major transition in your life. Whether it turns out extremely good, or really bad, will depend on how you ride the mighty Water Dragon!”

Hmmm…what do you think? I hope I can ride the Water Dragon well, so any transition in my life turns out good.

Be sure to come back tomorrow {Thursday} for a fun Chinese New Year Giveaway and the Party Favors!

Steamy Kitchen shares more traditional Chinese New Recipes and ideas, from 2011 and 2012.

Linking to…Transformation Thursday, Show & Tell Friday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Saturday Night Special, Made by you Monday