I Made This Valentine on Shutterfly

Whoo Loves You Valentine's Day Card

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I made this Valentine for Ari to pass out to her friends for Valentine's Day- she'll have custom Valentine cards instead of the traditional little cards this year

What Valentine's Day Means to Me- Shutterfly Valentine Card Giveaway

I love this owl card.

A romantic at heart I have always loved Valentine's day- flowers, wine, romance... and chcocolate.

It's fabulous.

Even as a kid I loved Valentine's Day- I always got excited when it was time to decorate our card boxes or bags for the class Valentine party and my grandma and I always made cute handmade Valentine's. Even though my childhood is long gone and my grandma passed away over a decade ago I still have our heart shaped box full of heart shapes, cutouts and stencils. I've used my grandma's designs to make Valentine cards with my kids over the years.

I think Valentine's Day is about more than just romantic love- it reminds us to tell anyone special in our lives that we love them. It's sweet, it's sappy and it's exactly what we need sometimes- a heart and a smile and something sweet.

In 2002 Valentine's day became extra special to me.

My boyfriend and I were going on two years together and we were pretty serious but I didn't know if I was the type to get married.

He was.

That Valentine's Day he proposed in a simple but super sweet and kind of unique way.

He handed me my Valentine card and a pen. I had no idea why he handed me a pen. or why as I opened the card he knelt down on the floor in front of me. As I was reading it I came to the bottom of the card where he had written

"Will you marry me? Check yes or no."

And there were two little boxes for me to choose from.

I didn't even have to think about it I said yes and checked the little box. When I looked up again he was holding a ring box. The ring was beautiful. The proposal was sweet and it's something I will never forget. And yes, my husband is a George Strait fan for those who recognized the reference to the song "Check Yes or No".

So now Valentine's Day means something really special to me- it's the day my husband proposed.

I still share Valentine's with friends and family- especially our kids.

We love making cards together when time allows.

And now thanks to Shutterfly we can make cards extra special by adding fun family photos to them.

Shutterfly has a gorgeous selection of Valentine's day cards to design with your photos.

Shutterfly also has great personalized gifts you can create with your precious photos as well.

Would you like to win 25 Free Photo Valentine Cards from Shutterfly?

Then tell me and Shutterfly what Valentine's Day means to you- or tell us about one special Valentine's day memory and you'll be entered to win 25 free cards from Shutterfly.

Include your email address

A winner will be chosen & announced

this Friday Feb 4th

Disclosure: This contest is sponsored by Shutterfly. I received 25 free cards for participation.

A Little Cabin Fever Relief Thanks to CSN Stores

Two things I am considering buying from CSN for the kids' swingset

I don't know about everyone else but I am suffering from cabin fever.

The cold weather has me all bundled up and ready to hibernate- but since I'm not a bear I can't. I also don't want to go outside. I'm not a fan of cold weather. I'm definitely not a fan of bundling up like a Sherpa just to go to the store.

So I stay inside and dream of warmer days.

I've started to plan my garden. I am deciding what vegetables to plant this year and see what seeds I have to buy. I am working on some landscaping designs- thinking of adding a few bushes or small trees.

I also want more outdoor living space. I would love a deck or patio out back with a nice fire pit and comfy outdoor furniture.

That has lead me to online shopping- or right now browsing.

CSN Stores has an amazing amount of outdoor stuff making me wish spring was closer and my pocketbook was fuller.

They have everything from sheds to greenhouses to kids playhouses. They also have fire pits, and patio furniture.

CSN even has outdoor toys, slip and slides, trampolines and swing sets for kids.

CSN also has swing set accessories. My kids need new swings so I'm adding those to my wishlist for sure.

Even if I can't enjoy spring yet at least I can fantasize about what I'd like to do to my outdoor space once it gets here- thanks in part to my wishlist shopping at CSN Stores.

What would you love to add to your yard or garden once spring gets here? A new bench? Maybe a porch swing? I wish I had a porch big enough for a swing :-)

Whatever you're wishing for check out CSNStores.com, I bet you can find what you're dreaming about thanks to their 200+ stores to choose from.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post paid for by CSN Stores