Valentine's Day is just around the corner! The tree's been down and the house devoid of anything Christmas for about a month.  Though lovely with a bit of simple winter decor, with all the white and gray and brown outside, I'm hungry for color.  And since red is one of my favorite colors (I can't pick just one!!), and since I'm a wee bit of a romantic, I do have fun throwing some red around the house, with a few hearts, too. If you're feeling a little bit like me, you are ready for some no cost or low cost DIY Valentine's Day decorating ideas.  To make it easier for you, I've gone into the archives and … [Read more...]

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? Every year I look forward to adding an unexpected bit of whimsy to my decor in red and white for Valentine's Day. After the Christmas decor is stashed away for the season, our homes are usually re-organized and pared back a bit.  I think that's why I love to bring out some red for February.  I'm ready for a pop of color and the extra bit of life it gives my home decor in the midst of the loooong winter. Today I'm sharing an easy craft that will make your heart sing....   Beaded 3-D Hanging Paper Hearts Tutorial   This fun project requires just a few … [Read more...]

There's something special about a bundle of love letters wrapped up in ribbon. Want to top that?  Create a lovely stack of letters that is a treasure box in disguise...     Sweetest Day is just around the corner! Those of you who live in the Midwest are undoubtedly familiar with the special celebration in October called Sweetest Day.  Saturday, October 18 is Sweetest Day, this year.  It's a day created by Cleveland, Ohio confectioner manufacturers back in 1921.  You might have thought this holiday was a creation of Hallmark since the greeting card manufacturers are enjoying this day … [Read more...]

If you've been hanging out here for any amount of time, you've come to know that I believe that it's the little things that make life extraordinary.     There is absolutely no need to have pretty embellished valentine towels in your powder room or bath. Truly, we don't need fancy towels.   What if your friend gives you a bit of fabric? What if ivory hand towels the precise color of the fabric are discontinued and on sale for just $2.09 each? What would you do?  Get out the scissors and sewing machine and embellish a few towels for Valentine's Day? Seems like a good plan … [Read more...]

  How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Usually my husband and I choose to make a lovely dinner together and I decorate the table in a way fitting for the day.  We have been doing this for several years.  It really is more fun than going out.  And more economical, even if we splurge for special menu items or ingredients.     This time of year we are inundated by offers from jewelers and florists and chocolate shops.  At our house, we don't place any pressure on exchanging gifts and cards, but if we choose to give a gift, it probably will be in an unexpected kind of way.  One year my … [Read more...]

  For the past several years I've been seeing sweet hand pies popping up here and there.  They look delicious and fun and imperfect. Maybe it's their rustic imperfection that has me drawn to them.     After playing around with a few butter pie crust recipes, I settled on this one.  It provided the most wonderful envelop for our savory chicken pot pie, so I thought I would sweeten it and try my hand at...yes...hand pies.  Sweet hand pies to be exact.   But, now that I've made these...I see some savory hand pies on the horizon.     With Valentine's Day on the … [Read more...]

Recently I was invited to share a creative crafts tutorial over at It's Overflowing.  My mind was spinning with so many possibilities, but finally I settled on these Easy DIY Dangling Beaded Heart Ornaments.  I know, that's a mouthful!     As you know, I always enjoy sharing projects that are low or no cost and require just a few items.  I love these dangling beaded heart ornaments because they are a great example of using whatever you have on hand and turning it into something truly extraordinary. Here, the are making an appearance on my valentine mantel.   To see how I used them in … [Read more...]

Raise your hand if you have decorated your valentine mantel or some area of your house only to have members of your household tell you it's pretty ordinary? Did you see my hand go up? Yup.  It did. That's what they said in not so many words. It's not a good thing when your blog name includes the word, "extraordinary."     Remember my winter birch branch mantel with the hand cut book page snowflakes? I liked that "mantelscape."  It was different.  And it seems that since it's being featured a few places, some of you like it too. Why not tweak it just a bit for Valentine's … [Read more...]

In a few days the calendar will turn to the 14th. Valentine's Day. The day when the florists' couriers have the best job in the world. The day when we all have an excuse to do something amazingly kind and loving for our co-worker, our neighbor, our parent, our spouse, our child, our significant other, the person in line before or after us, almost everyone with whom we brush shoulders. Or not.   It's a day that makes it abundantly clear that how we live our lives is all about choices. On this day, we can choose to receive the love of God and in turn, demonstrate it to others.   Especially … [Read more...]

I've had Valentine's Day on the brain lately. Finally a few projects are starting to come together and should make an appearance on the blog very soon. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to revisit this Simple Valentine Moment I put together last year.   This sweet framed pewter heart was enjoyed way beyond Valentine's Day.  It was one of those little projects that put a smile in my heart.       You all showed some incredible giftedness and talent this past week at Project Inspire{d}! I was amazed at all the lovely Valentine inspiration … [Read more...]

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. To make it easy for you, I've put together ideas for valentines, delectable treats, wreaths, gifts, and decor.     Have fun spreading love and joy to those in your path with these...   14 Ways to Make Valentine's Day Extraordinary   When I first spied these valentines, I totally flipped. Every kid (or adult-sized kid) would love to get one of these. I've Got My Eye on You Valentine by Feelin' Crafty     Do you feel the pressure to have cute treats for your child's classmates or friends, but really don't have … [Read more...]

The Valentine bug has hit me.  My head has been whirling with projects. This little project from last year is one that I enjoyed way beyond Valentine's Day.  It just made my heart smile.  So, I thought I'd bring it out from the archives.  And, since this little blog has grown a lot since last year, you probably missed it the first time around.  It's super easy and you can follow the framed dimensional heart tutorial here.     And now on to our Extraordinary Link Party....   Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline    ~   Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie Chan from The Silly … [Read more...]

We are just a month away from Valentine's Day. Are you looking for a little Valentine's Day decor inspiration? Here's a post from the archives for a super simple Valentine Vintage Window.     I love simple and easy projects and this Valentine vintage window certainly was all that and delivered a huge bang too.  Plus it's been pinned nearly a thousand times.  Click here to pin-it.   And now on to our Extraordinary Link Party....   Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline    ~   Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie Chan from The Silly Pearl    ~    Diane from An … [Read more...]

  Lovely. Floating. Flakes. Gathering. Whiteness. Snowfall.     The other evening we had an unexpected snow at dinner time. Look closely and you can see the large falling snowflakes. It was a magical few hours.   Truly extraordinary!! Supper was ready and I sat down to eat.  However I could not contain myself. It was getting late and the light was getting low.   So, I excused myself from the table, grabbed my camera, and attempted to capture the moment.  The windows which had been locked against the winter winds were cranked open to capture this photo and many more.   Such a … [Read more...]

  Happy Valentine's Day! On this day of hearts... red and white and words inspiration to live a life of Love.   Images ~ White Keyhole :: Sweater Heart :: Heart Knocker     Images ~ Red Door :: Tin Heart     Images ~ Barn & Banner :: Heart Cookies :: Gift :: Ticking Hearts :: White Twigs     Images ~ Red Mug :: Red Door :: Patterned Heart   And now I leave you with this.... "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Teresa OO & XX Diane P.S. This photo gallery is an … [Read more...]

  The other day I wanted to do something fun for St. Valentine's Day. And I wanted to do it quick. Let me present to you this sweet...   Framed 3-D Valentine Heart  & Tutorial   This is a quick and easy bit of Valentine home decor to make.... using a photo frame, a piece of fabric, magazine pages, scissors, and glue.     This day of love will be here before you know it!   Here is a great way to use things you already have on hand to create a sweet, heart-moment for that perfect spot that needs just a little bit of loving. But before we take off on our little … [Read more...]

  Winter came roaring back this week.  Cold temps.  High winds.  And plenty of those frozen crystals that fall from the sky. Though we would like to be seeing daffodils and tulips....it's still a bit early. With that in mind, I spent this week embracing winter.  Inside.     This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link An Extraordinary Day will receive a small commission which will help with the costs of this site.  Thank you!   St. Valentine's Day will be here soon.  But, as much as I enjoy hearts I want Winter to be the lead with St. Valentine … [Read more...]