New Prints in the Shop, 3LambsIllustration

I've been trying to get ideas out of my head and onto paper lately, and these two new prints in the shop came from that. I think Valentine's Day probably influenced the red and white color schemes! This "Love You" print with hearts instead of o's has a watercolor-textured background and script/calligraphic-style lettering.

This piece features a heart with the word "yours" written over and over on it. So, naturally, it's called "This Heart is Yours". I like the idea that you can symbolically give someone your "heart" by giving them this print!

See more prints in my shop here.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! While I may not be an expert on what to get guys for Christmas (I usually just make him candy and buy a sweet card), I have an easier time picking out things for females. So here are things I think any female would like for VDay. Maybe they'll end up on your wishlist, too!

Most of the time, valentines feature cupids and birds. I like that this card by Artist in La La Land features a squirrel instead. It's quirky yet adorable!

I think I first fell in love with pave key necklaces when Tiffany's came out with some a few years ago. I like the more antique look of this pave diamond key necklace by LexLuxe, though, and the combination of silver *and* gold. I like its dainty size as well - it makes it more versatile so you can wear it at work during the day or out at night.

Lavender symbolizes devotion in the "language of flowers", so it works perfectly in these heart ornaments by Handy Happy Hearts. They'd be lovely hung from doorknobs, or from hooks on doors or windowsills. I'm sure they smell amazing as well!

This XO kiss hugs initials necklace by Sora Designs is simple yet lovely. I like that it can work as a gift from a significant other or as just a friendship necklace. I think I might even like this simple "x" and "o" version shown the best. It's like carrying a kiss and hug from someone you care about - whether it's a friend, family member, or partner - around with you all the time.

These remind me of the heart-shaped ones dotted with white paint that would be handed out during classroom Valentine's Day parties. These grown-up versions by Sophia Victoria Joy look like they taste even better, and the personalized tag is a cute touch.

I'm a sucker for tiny heart-shaped necklaces, so this rose gold vermeil heart pendant by Lustre Modern Jewelry became an instant fave. It's classic and will never go out of style.

Owls are very "in" right now, so these mom & baby owl cookie cutters by DIY Sweet Supply Co. would be perfect for "owl always love you"-themed cookies or brownies. They could also be reused later for baby showers or birthday parties.

The Hunger Games book and movie spurred on the arrow craze, but this could be Cupid's bow as well! This  golden bow and arrow necklace by Datter is my favorite version that I've seen. I like that the arrow is on a separate link so it trembles as you move.

This heart-dotted ceramic bowl by Ross Lab is great for VDay, but can also be used every day. I love the adorable little hearts and the bright pink interior.

This gold and moissanite bow ring by JC Metalsmith Jewelry harkens back to Victorian times. It's labeled as an engagement ring, but I think the non-traditional bow shape means it could be a statement ring or just a fun piece of jewelry as well. It's very rare to find an original Victorian version, so this modern vintage one is a great alternative!

What are you hoping to get for Valentine's Day? What have you bought for other people?

Homemade Sprinkles

Image from TheKitchn

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I came across this DIY recipe for colored sprinkles from TheKitchn (the cooking-based sister site of Apartment Therapy).

You can tint them whatever shade you like, and you could even toss in edible gold dust or glitter for a wedding, holiday, or New Year's Eve event. She uses powdered egg whites instead of the real thing so you don't have to worry about salmonella. Very smart!

My one, tiny little issue with these is that she says short ones are sprinkles and longer ones are jimmies. Now where I come from (the lovely city of Boston) jimmies means one thing and one thing only: chocolate sprinkles! It's one of the few language differences that immediately distinguishes you as either a Bostonian or "someone not from around here" as we say.

Click on the link in the first paragraph or the photo to see the recipe!

DIY Antique Victorian Padlock Pendant Necklace

Think of a symbol of love, and a heart probably springs to mind first. I'd bet every woman owns a heart-shaped piece of jewelry!

I decided to be a little less obvious, however, when I came up with this necklace. Don't get me wrong - I love hearts as much as the next girl - but I just wanted something a bit different. Since I love all things Victorian, I decided to seek out an antique padlock from the time period.

This one seemed perfect! It's kind of a stylized heart - with the narrower bottom and the rounded part at the top of each side - but it's not too obvious at first glance. I like to think of it as a "key to your heart"-type piece. It would make a great gift for a girlfriend, Christmas, or Valentine's Day.

To find your own padlock pendant, search on Etsy or Ebay!




I fell in love with the tiny door over the keyhole. It has a crown and the letters V.R. (Victoria Regina, or Queen Victoria) etched on it, and "patent" is etched on either side of the hole underneath. They're simple details, but they give the piece a lot of history and charm. I wonder what this was used for! Was it used by the Royal Household?



I tied it onto a piece of bright red ribbon. I thought it would be a nice change from a chain, as this one would require a very thick and chunky one so as not to break. Not quite my style, so I went with this. You could also use some kind of cording, like satin or leather!

I also left the slightly-rusty part around the top. If you find a lock with more rust, just file or sandpaper it off, wipe with a damp cloth, and then seal with Rustoleum (or something similar) to prevent further rusting.


Here's the keyhole underneath. I don't know if I could find a replacement key, but as I have no intention of using this as a lock, it's not important.

I think I'll wear this with the little door slightly ajar, so that you can see all the details of this fascinating little lock at one glance. It's a pretty versatile pendant - you can wear it with jeans and a leather jacket to add some sweetness and softness , or you can go boho and pair it with a breezy, gauzy summer dress. You could also put it on a shorter cord or chain and wear it as a bracelet.

How would you wear this? I'd love to hear your ideas.

DIY Heart Doily Door and Table Decor Project

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post a project to help use up all those extra holiday supplies. This simple-yet-lovely wreath is great for hanging on a door or using to decorate a table. It makes a great placemat for placing under your teapot, or under a tray of cakes and sweets at a tea party.


If you're anything like me, you have lots of these heart-shaped doilies sitting around after Valentine's Day. They get tucked away in a box, never to see the light of day until the next February 15th. Or you forget you have them and buy more (I have never done this...).



Using a glue stick or a bottle of glue, take two doilies and line them up. I lined up the bottom at the 5th scallop from the bottom, and the top at where the scallops just touched the outside border of the heart. Make sure the doily on the right is on top of the doily on the left.

Add another doily, placing it on top of the second doily, and lining it up in the same. If you line the doilies up at the same spots, they will naturally form a circle! Go around like this until the circle is complete.


Take a red (or other-colored) heart doily, and glue it in the center just at the points where it overlaps the circle.


There you have it! Let the glue dry, and then hang on a door or use as a festive, love-themed placemat.

This would also be a lovely way to decorate your wedding reception space. You could make a few circles and then lay them on every table, or group them together on a wall with marriage-themed words and phrases written on the center heart.

Quick DIY Breakfast Tray Project

Thinking of making breakfast in bed for a loved one on Valentine's Day, but don't have the perfect tray? You can make your own in an afternoon, and customize it with your favorite colors and patterns.

You'll need a basic wooden tray, stain or paint, brushes, patterned paper, scissors, glue, and an old credit card or gift card.

If you don't like the finish or color of your tray, or it's scuffed up, give it a quick sanding and a wipe with a damp cloth, and then stain or paint it. I used a nice dark walnut. Let dry.

Next, find a patterned paper you like. I chose a dark purple and white passionflower - a symbol of love - pattern from a local stationery store.


To size it, I just placed it inside the tray, placing one corner of the paper in a corner of the tray, and then I used an old credit card to smooth it and crease where it met the sides. Then I removed it and cut it a few millimeters smaller than the outline. You could also trace around the bottom of the tray, and then cut it smaller (measure the thickness of the edge and subtract it).

Brush ModgePodge or another craft glue on the bottom of the tray, insert your paper carefully, and then use the credit or gift card to smooth out bubbles before the glue dries. It helps to start in the middle and push the air out to the edges.

Let the glue dry, and then apply a few coats to the top for protection. If you're planning on serving drinks, use a stronger sealant or have your local hardware store cut a piece of glass or plastic to fit.


The finished product, ready for plates of homemade French toast or pancakes, accented with a strawberry heart or two! Wash strawberries, pull the leaves off but don't cut the top, slice almost down to the top but not all the way through, and then gently push the two halves past each other so there's about 45 degrees between them to form a heart shape.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you spend it with someone you hold dear, whether it's a friend, family member, or significant other.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

How lovely is this Rose Cake from I Am Baker? It'd be perfect for Valentine's Day. (Then again, cake is perfect for any day, right?)

I really like white and green together, so I think I'd go one step further and pipe tiny bright green leaves in among the petals. You could also accent the flower centers with small silver balls or edible glitter.

Get the easy tutorial here!

Victorian Puzzle Purse Valentine

I've always been fascinated by antique or vintage valentines, hand-drawn and created with so much love. So this year, inspired by this tutorial, I decided to make my own Victorian Puzzle Purse!

For the calligraphy, I used a hawk tip (left) for the words and a globe tip (right) for the drawings. I think the globe is easier to control for fine lines, while the hawk tip makes handwriting look charmingly imperfect and vintage. For paper, I used plain parchment. For a more antique feel, you could soak the paper in tea til it reaches the desired hue. This can make the paper more delicate, however, and cause tears. Handle gently!

Here's the front of the valentine. I made a scalloped-edged blob with red watercolor paint, and let it dry. Then I added petals using the globe tip, and added leaves. Then I finished with the first line from the Robert Burns poem "A Red, Red Rose".

Make sure you let the ink dry thoroughly before moving on to the next layer!

Close-up detail of the rose. You'll notice my lines aren't perfect (especially when it comes to the lettering). Don't think yours has to be flawless! The imperfections add charm and reinforce the handmade look.

The second layer, decorated with a center heart and the second line from the poem.

The inside! Add whatever sentiments you like. You could also add another stanza from the poem. I chose to go with a simple yet heartfelt "I love you" and another rose.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Hearts and Flowers

For Valentine's Day ideas for your loved ones, I thought I'd stray from the traditional chocolate hearts and fresh flowers and seek out gilded, shiny, long-lasting versions instead. Hope you enjoy them!

Handmade Valentine's Day projects coming later this week...

Edible Love Notes

Just in time for Valentine's Day - edible love notes!

AmberLee, the creator of Giver's Log, copied one of Shakespeare's sonnets onto rice paper using food coloring and a calligraphy pen and then wrapped a small cake with it.

Clever, heartfelt, and delicious!

Festive Banner

I made this festive red foil banner to hang over a doorway. It's easy to make, and can be customized to fit any space!


I had leftover cupcake liners from holiday baking, and decided to put them to good use.



Cut about a half-inch wide strip all the way around from the top of the liner. Save the bottom for another use. (You can cut out the bottom circle and use it as a gift tag!)

Grab the two ends of the strip. Twist in opposite directions, until you like the way it looks and the twist holds itself in place.


Thread a needle with whatever color you wish. (I used an offwhite, strong upholstery thread.) If you want the twists to appear to be floating, use monofilament.


I folded down the top of the twist before piercing it, so the knot wouldn't rip through the foil. I used a single knot, but you can double-knot it if you would like.


Space the twists however you like - I did every 6 inches. Though red and white are great colors for Christmas, they also work for Valentine's Day! (I think I'll keep mine up until then!)

You can substitute silver liners for a winter/New Year's Eve version, or make this in the springtime using pale pastel yellow, green, pink, and/or blue ones.