Creative Valentine Gifts

by FabricGreetings

We would have to live in a bubble not to know that Valentine's Day will be here in less than a month. The B&M stores are already filled with hearts and chocolates and lacy things. And there is nothing wrong with that - if you are a hearts and lace and chocolate kind of person. However, there are some other great options available from shops on etsy.

I am a member of the FriendsofHeartsandHandsUnited Team on etsy. Our members are scattered across the world and their shops are just as diverse. What I am going to do here is introduce you to some great finds from these shops. They are not the traditional type of Valentine, but are gifts that would be well used, enjoyed and appreciated.                 

                                                 

Our team leader runs Robin'sFlight - a shop 
that is well stocked with lovely crocheted 
purses, wallets and gadget bags. Everyone, 
young and old alike can use a gadget bag. So 
take a look.www.RobinsFlight.etsy.com


If your special person is at all crafty or sews, then something from this shop is sure to please. The shop is called Sewsouk and is run by a Brit living in Morocco. The shop is www.Sewsouk.etsy.com and is chuck a buck full of colorful items.


Jeanie is a knitter and her shop features some wonderful cold weather items. Who wouldn't be thrilled with a knitted cowl or fingerless gloves to get through the rest of the cold weather. It sure isn't over yet. Be sure to visit www.JeanieBeanHandknits.etsy.com


Is your special someone into vintage? We have a vintage seller who specializes in vintage buttons as well as other items. Personally, I have never met a button I didn't like. She is well versed on buttons and can answer your questions. Her shop is www.NouveauxRetro.etsy.com

Jewelry is always considered the "go to" gift for this holiday. And we are lucky to have several jewelry shops on the team. Each has its own niche. You need to check them all out and find what works for you.

Getting married soon? Then head on over to KC's lovely shop. She specializes in unique wedding accessories not only for the bride, but for the groom, the attendants (male and female) and the parents of the bride. Her memory charms are a huge success. www.KCowie.etsy.com

We have a Southern lass who does very pretty dainty items. She has a flair for the flirty but with a lot of class. Trish runs www.JewelsbyTrish.etsy.com

Resin jewelry is the specialty of our Aussie member. Topaz offers a wide variety of colors and shapes with her resin accessories. The color combinations she gets are wonderful. Her shop is www.TopazTurtle.etsy.com  She is a busy one and also has a décor shop called www.TwoCrackedJars.etsy.com

Inspirational necklaces, definition necklaces and map necklaces can be found in a shop run by Lisa. Her pendants are not something you will find everywhere,
The shop is www.JewelrybyJakemi.etsy.com

How about a lovely piece of stained glass? There are so many ways you can use it - a sun catcher, a wall panel, a nightlight, a decorative box, a stand alone ornament. This shop is sure to have something special. Nancy runs two shops.  www.DesignsStainedGlass.etsy.com says it all. 

Her other shop has a softer side and features fabric purses, pillows, cat toys and other fabric items.

That shop is www.NancyEllenStudios.etsy.com

We have another Aussie on our team. Belle also runs two shops - both very distinct and miles apart. If you have a cat, you will love what she offers in her shop www.Kiteepee.etsy.com  for your feline friend. She has just started offering kitty tee pees. They are wonderful as kitty hidey holes or litter box covers. And while you are at it, check out www.BeljaysFeltnArt for lovely scarves and belly dancing accessories.

April is on a roll with her magnet boards and organizing items. So if you are buying for someone who wants to stay neat and tidy, be sure to pop into www.MooreMagnets.etsy.com Her countdown calendars are also a huge success.


Last but not least are the shops I run. If you are looking to send a unique and special Valentine card, you will find some ideas in my shop. I also offer pillowcase greetings which work well for kids big and small. All of these can be found in www.FabricGreetings.etsy.com  If the special person happens to be an 18" doll then check out www.ADollsNecessities.etsy.com

So there you have it...a wide variety of items. Actually, there is something for everyone if you brose through those shops. And nothing says love like Handmade.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Today we have a guest blogger from our Friends team, affectionately known to us as Topaz.  She and her sister have two Etsy shops: TopazTurtle and TwoCrackedJars.






This beast of a stove and oven in my new house had me pulling out baking tins packed away for the move .


With limited pantry options (until I do my next grocery shopping trip), I settled on this easy pineapple upside cake to put this oven through its paces. I never have been a fan of this cake, being more pudding in consistency rather than cake in my previous attempts to make it. However, this time it turned out as a soft and fluffy cake delicately balancing moist pieces of pineapple. I am definitely making this cake again.



Brown Sugar Pineapple Upside Down Cake

20g (4 tsp) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
440g (15 oz) pineapple rings in natural juice
90 g (6 tbsp) butter
125g (1/2 c.)soft brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
125g (1/2 c.) self raising flour


Preheat oven to 180C (350F/Gas Mark4)
Grease a 20cm (8 in) round ring tin
Pour the melted butter into the tin and tip to coat evenly
Sprinkle with brown sugar
Drain the pineapple rings and reserve the juice
Cut the pineapple rings in half and arrange in the tin

Beat the extra butter and sugar until light and creamy
Gradually add each egg, beating well after each addition
Add the vanilla and beat until combined.
Fold in the flour alternately with 1/3 cup of the reserved juice

Spoon the mixture evenly over the pineapple and smooth the surface
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when inserted into cake
Leave in tin for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.

Thank you Connecticut Construction!

This week we welcome a guest blogger, a member of the Friends of HHU team, etsy shop KPTography.


Last week my mom and I came back from our annual mother/daughter trip. Instead of going south we went north so I could see the Vanderbilt mansions in Newport. Our drive was an uneventful one until we got into Connecticut. I do believe the entire state is under construction but because of that I got to make one fabulous stop. I stopped at a rest area because I needed to stretch my legs a bit and they had the most intriguing little shop within the area. I bought some postcards and a little Yankee’s man and happily went to the check out counter. It was there that I spotted it. It was lying on the counter, all colorful and glossy. It was an advertisement for the Pez Visitor Center or as I affectionately call it Pez World. I picked up the advertisement and couldn’t believe my eyes. 3,000 sq feet of Pez! Mom looked at it and said that it was right down the road from a planned stop and asked if I wanted to go. Since I was driving that was pretty much a given. I could barely contain my excitement as we pulled into the parking lot. I opened my car door and took a deep breath and there it was. The wonderful smell of Pez (the same kind you get when you open the package). When you walk into the entrance you notice several things, the bright, colors, the wall of 750 Pez dispensers and overhead the Orange County Chopper Pez bike. My experience got even better. I had coupons (oh yes, I had coupons for admission) and with the price of admission you get two things, another coupon for money off your purchase and a lanyard with a huge piece of cardboard Pez that you get to keep. I will be sporting that next year at school!

When you walk in it is Pez overload. There is Pez trivia, thousands of Pez dispensers from all different years. Mom was astonished to see that one Pez dispenser sold for $3,000. They have several of the old Pez making machines on display along with a view of the workroom. They were packaging Halloween dispensers that day. I also learned that it takes 3,000 lbs of pressure to produce one piece of Pez. It’s the diamond of the candy world! It’s hard to say what my favorite part was. Was it the different dispensers, was it the wall of Star Wars dispensers, or was it the bucket you could buy for $4.99 and fill it with your favorite flavors. I was proud of myself for not buying the Lord of the Rings set but I did buy my mom’s godson a Boston Red Socks one (being a Yankee’s fan that took a lot out of me).

One either likes Pez or doesn’t but for me it’s the memories. I used to get a Pez dispenser every year in my Christmas stocking and this was like Christmas in June. What was made it even more special was I got to spend the time with my mom. My wonderful mother who had to put up with the massive sugar high I had from enjoying some of my bucket of Pez that very evening. Thanks Mom! I think we should go back next year!