Love is in the Air...DIY Valentine's Day Gifts

It's getting to be that time of year...candy hearts, chocolate, roses. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I've put together a lineup of some fun tutorials for  DIY Valentine's treats, decor and gifts. Enjoy!

52 Reasons I Love You

Paper Vine

This amazing tutorial can be found over at  PaperVine.   This blog is full of fantastic tutorials...trust me, you'll be addicted!

Yummy Treats

These little Smarties Parfaits look delicious and oh-so-cute!  Visit  Bubbly Nature Creations for the how-to.

Bubbly Nature Creations

 How about these Strawberry Heart Oreo Cookies from Thirty Handmade Days.  Adorable!  And, there's a cute little {FREE} printable to go along with.

Thirty Handmade Days

 For the more adventurous, here's a great tutorial on creating natural perfume from my friend Amanda at Escentual Alchemy.  And if you don't think you want to tackle this project yourself, just head on over to Amanda's shop and pick out one of her already made creations!

Natural Perfume

Natural Perfume Tutorial

And also a tutorial on making your own bath salts from Stephanie at Alchemy Lifestyle and Wellness.   Woudn't this be a fun project for a girls night in?  Or a mommy/daughter day?

Bath Salts Tutorial

And finally, how about some cuteness for you home?

Love, Laughter & Decor

I found this adorable Valentine's Day Tree over at Love, Laughter & Decor!  I will make this...soon.

I hope you enjoy some of these fun projects!  If you decide to tackle any of these great ideas, I'd love to hear about it here or on my Facebook Page!

Happy Hearts Day to you!

Not a baker, but I make a mean Galette

You all know that I am not a baker.  Besides my super-easy cupcakes and an occasional secret family recipe for the-most-delicious-pound-cake-you've-ever-put-in-your-mouth, I don't do much baking.
So when we were invited to dinner with some great friends, what do I say?  What other than "I'll bring dessert!"

Um, what was I thinking?  Not only do I have 457,000 10 orders from my Etsy shop, I DON'T BAKE!!!!!

I scour the kitchen to see what's available.  Pears from Nana's house...check.  Brown sugar...check.  Cinnamon...check.  Butter...check.   Pie crust?  Nope!  So I send Mr. Company to the store to buy one of those refrigerated pies crusts that you roll out, fill and bake.

I remembered reading an article in Real Simple Magazine a while back about 3 ingredient dishes.  One of those was a Plum Galette.  Galette is a general term used in the French cuisine to designate various types of flat, round or freeform crusty cakes.  It can be sweet or savory.  One of the most famous galletes is the King Cake which is eaten on the Day of the Epiphany.  Or for us Southern folks...during Mardi Gras!

OK people...this thing is so easy...even I can do it!

Fruit Galette

• First, roll out your pie crust.  I used my trusty pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.
• Slice whatever fruit you like into thin slices.
• Layer the fruit around the center of the pie crust leaving a 2 inch border around the edge.
• Sprinkle some brown sugar and cinnamon on top.
• Cut 2 T of unsalted buttter into tiny bits and arrange on top.

• Fold your crust up around the edges.

• Brush the crust with water and sprinkle Turbinado Sugar (Sugar in the Raw) on the edges
• Bake at 375 deg. until the crust is brown and the juices are bubbly. (approx. 30-40 minutes)

• EAT!

My galette got rave reviews.  And it was so easy and delicious that we made another one the very next day!  Try it - you'll love it!

Christine
www.etsy.com/shop/christineandcompany