Easy Craft: DIY "I Love You Because . . . " Dry Erase Board

This craft was inspired by Lianne's "Love" Message Board tutorial on the A Content Housewife blog.  I changed a few things to make this project a good fit for me, as you will probably change some things if you decide to do this super-easy craft.

I decided to do this craft in honor of Valentine's Day because our house is a busy, high-stress place.  We always remember to speak up when something needs to be done, when something is bothering us, and when something is wrong.  We do not always take the time to make sure we focus on the positive things about each member of our family.  That is why I decided to make one of these "I Love You Because" Memo Boards for my husband and each of our three children so that there is always a positive message to each of them prominently displayed on our living room wall.  These would also make a great gift for an anniversary, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and even a birthday.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

12x12" or 12x10" glass front picture frame

1 sheet scrapbook paper

alphabet decals

dry erase marker

scissors

permanent markers (optional)

Step 1:  If you chose a picture frame smaller than 12x12", use scissors to trim the scrapbook paper to the correct size by using the insert that came with the frame as a guide.

Step 2:  Use the self-adhesive alphabet decals to write out the desired message, making sure to leave enough room underneath for you to write your message.

Step 3:  (Optional) You can add anything you would like to the paper, such as a drawing, using a permanent marker.  For example, I added the 3 dots after the word "because" with a marker because the decals I purchased did not come with enough periods for all four memo boards.

Step 4:  Insert your finished page into the frame.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

Step 5:  Write your first message on the glass front of the picture frame using a dry erase marker.

Step 6:  Find a prominent place to display your message board(s) so that everyone can see why you love your family.

Ways to make this project your own . . . 

• Lianne used her computer printer to put the text on her paper.  ( I was too worried that I would make an error with positioning the text, so I went with decals instead.)
• Also like Lianne, you can use hot glue to add embellishments to the frame.
• If you have great penmanship or know calligraphy, then you could forego the decals and the printer and hand write "I love you because . . . " right on the paper.
• You could use fabric instead of scrapbook paper inside the frame and embroider "I love you because . . . " right on it.
• If doing this project with a child, you could use stickers or ask him or her to draw some original artwork to use as your background.

If you end up trying this easy craft, I would love to hear about how it turned out.  You can also share a photo of your creation on the 3G2S Facebook page.

Platinum (and Diamonds) to Celebrate a 20th Anniversary

Diamond jewelry is the official modern-day gift to mark the milestone of 10 years of marriage.  Our 10th wedding anniversary has come and gone.  In fact, this year my husband and I will be celebrating our 12th anniversary.  When our 10-year anniversary did arrive, I thought to myself that ten years did not feel like a long time.  No, we did not feel like newlyweds.  However, although we have gone through so much together, it still felt like there was a whole lifetime in front of us of reaching goals, making new ones, and watching our children grow inside and out.

The official gift for 20 years of marriage is platinum.  I have decided to declare that the gift should actually be platinum AND diamonds.  By 20 years, our oldest will be thinking about college and the twins will be entering high school.  We would be in a completely different phase in our lives.  Now that is something worthy of diamonds!

If you read my shopping blog or follow me on Pinterest, then you know that I have a thing for rings and that, for diamond jewelry, I am a fan of jewelry designs by Simon G.  When I have an extra moment or two, I enjoy browsing for uniquely designed rings, especially engagement rings.  Although I am always drawn towards princess cut diamond engagement rings, I always go back to round cut diamonds, like the one pictured here from Kranich's Jewelers.  I absolutely adore my round cut diamond solitaire platinum engagement ring, but it is fun to wonder once in awhile . . . What if we went with a bridal set? or Maybe we should have chosen a sapphire engagement ring?  In the end, I would never trade in my ring for anything, but I would want something different in platinum and diamonds for our next major milestone.

Holiday 2010 Giveaway: Dakota's Personalized Gifts ($50 GC) [CLOSED]

Last month, my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary! Since we did not have the money to go on an elaborate vacation getaway, I kept my eyes peeled for affordable personalized anniversary gifts to commemorate this milestone. I made a photo book that was just for our family to share, but I also wanted something that we would see everyday that would remind us of how far we have come during these past 10 years.

The Our Family Welcome Doormat from The Anniversary Rose seemed like just the right thing for us. It proudly displays our family name for anyone who comes to visit to see. The Anniversary Rose has a vast selection of keepsakes and gifts for couples.

We have our mat inside our front foyer. It has a finished edge and a non-slip backing. Although the description on the website stated the edges were suppose to be black, ours did not arrive with a black edge. I personally think it is more attractive without the black.

The Anniversary Rose has a sister site called Dakota's Personalized Gifts. This site offers many of the romantic gifts offered by The Anniversary Rose, but also has much more, including personalized holiday gifts, birthday gifts, graduation gifts, and baby keepsakes.

More about this family business . . .

"We started in a spare bedroom about 5 years ago more as a part time hobby than a business with The Anniversary Rose making roses for the traditional anniversary gifts (i.e. 1st year paper, 2nd year cotton, 5th year wood etc) cutting rose petals by hand with scissors. It quickly grew from a part time hobby to a full time business, adding help and equipment to keep up. Then, we started expanding into personalized anniversary gifts. We started getting many requests from our customers for personalized wedding, Mother’s & Father's Day and Christmas gifts etc. That's when we started Dakota's Personalized Gifts. Soon the business took over a second bedroom and the garage, the following year it occupying two bedrooms, the garage & a full basement. With no room left to expand we were forced to move into a commercial location in 2009. We continue to expand with new products and updated equipment all the time which allows us to produce most of the personalized items in house."

Both sites have flat rate shipping for orders shipped within the continental United States. For business addresses, the flat rate is $5.95 per order and $7.95 for residential addresses.

Thank you to The Anniversary Rose for sending us a complimentary sample product to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a $50 gift certificate code to Dakota's Personalized Gifts.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of personalized products offered by Dakota's Personalized Gifts. Then leave a comment telling me the name of the item you would use your gift certificate towards if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND DakotaGifts.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

7)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, November 29th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Review: The Gift of Oneida Flatware

As I recently mentioned, my husband's and my 10th wedding anniversary is coming up next month. Yes, it is an exciting milestone, but it also means that everything we received on our wedding registry is at least ten years old. Even though steel is the traditional gift for the 11th year anniversary, I still think stainless steel flatware makes a great gift no matter the occasion . . . anniversaries, weddings, housewarming, Christmas, and more. Even if someone does not need to replace their current set of flatware, he or she can always use extra forks, knives, spoons, and serving utensils for hosting events, parties, and dinners.

When we made our wedding registry over ten years ago, my husband insisted on the plainest flatware possible. This time around, we selected the Flight pattern from the Oneida Modern Flatware collection. It is simple and contemporary with just a touch of style so it is not completely plain. We went with the bright finish, but this flatware is also available with a satin finish.

The five piece serving set shares the same timeless look. I love that the pierced spoon has very small openings, as our current one allows more than just liquid to slip through the holes.

To find stylish and useful gifts this holiday, visit Oneida.com for flatware, dinnerware, drinkware, cookware, and more. I have one eye on the new Oneida Chef's Table dinnerware, but I am not quite sure I am ready to replace our stoneware yet. For a limited time, you can receive Free Ground Shipping within the U.S. when you spend $99 or more.

Thank you to Oneida for sending us sample flatware free of charge to base this review upon.