LOVE POTION NUMBER 9

WHAT YOU NEED IS
LOVE POTION NUMBER 9

First of several Valentines I have been creating. I like to make them with a pocket to tuck in little notes or goodies. You can't have a Valentine without a crepe paper ruffle now, can you?

I love this song, so I'm going to include all the lyrics right here. I hope you have your speakers on.

LOVE POTION NUMBER 9
The Searchers
I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She's got a pad on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine

I told her that I was a flop with chicks
I've been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said "What you need is love potion number nine"

She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink

I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop at Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of love potion number nine

(Instrumental)

I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop at Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of love potion number nine

Love potion number nine
Love potion number nine
Love potion number nine

S.W.A.K.

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT

What's love got to do, got to do with it
What's love, but a sweet old fashioned notion

I'll tell you what love's got to do with it, Frannie's modeling her cute new Valentine shirt that was a present from grandma, that's what! She's also showing off my version of the Lemon Meringue apron from A Is For Apron. The fabrics are from Grand Revival Design. It has red rick-rack around the body of the apron and also outlines those really cute pockets (although I'm not sure they're very practical). So wear it when you get take-out. It's really an adult-sized apron, so I had to wrap the ties around Frannie a couple of times. I'd make this one again, but I have to say that even though I enlarged the pattern as directed, it needed more fabric for the body than stated (I'd purchase 3/4 yard - not 1/2), and I also had to cut a second waistband (the first one was not long enough (I needed to add another two inches to the length).

View entire lyrics here.

S.W.A.K.

HOOKED ON A FEELING

When you hold me in your arms so tight,

You let me know, everything's alright, ahahah
I'm hooked on a feeling, I'm high on believing,
That your in love with me.

View entire lyrics here.

One of those inexpensive, unpainted wall hooks that you can find at Michael's or A.C.Moore. I painted it black, decoupaged on white polka-dots all around to create a scalloped edge, and then topped it off with a Mary Engelbreit paper that I cut out in a heart shape. The side edge also has polka-dots on it. I made three of these for Frannie's room and one extra.

S.W.A.K.

I WANT YOU, I NEED YOU, I LOVE YOU

Hold Me Close, Hold Me Tight
Make Me Thrill With Delight
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
With All My Heart

This one has Thimbleanna's name on it. She was the lucky winner of the Baby It's Cold Outside giveaway. It is made from crystal clear beads, white thread and a silver-tone frame. with a kiss-lock closure. It also has a cute little heart locket charm attached to it.

S.W.A.K.

View complete lyrics here.

MY FUNNY VALENTINE

MY FUNNY VALENTINE

YOU'RE MY FAVORITE WORK OF ART

STAY, LITTLE VALENTINE, STAY

EACH DAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY

Another from the archives. Large oval paper mache box. Painted Folk Art Baby Pink and decoupaged with Mary Engelbreit Valentines. Crepe paper ruffle on bottom. Again, Mary Engelbreit border around lid. Top has large slit decorated with polka-dots and Be Mine letters. Love it!

Tissue paper nosegay sits next to the Valentine box.

Now, I know I usually just put some lyrics here, but ladies and gentlemen, THIS IS TOM JONES! Just have to have a video. Ladies, get your panties ready! :)

Tom Jones
(SINGING)
MY FUNNY VALENTINE

ENCORE!!! ENCORE!!!

Tom Jones
(DANCING - THAT MAN CAN DANCE!)
You've Got To Watch This
TREAT HER RIGHT

S.W.A.K.

P.S. If you ever get the chance to see Tom Jones live, grab those tickets, FAST! He puts on the greatest show. My husband and I have seen him three times so far and we'd go again in an instant. Last time, we brought our son, David, with us (he was probably about 14 years old at the time) - even he enjoyed it. We had third row, center seats at the Stamford Palace Theatre (one of those old refurbished theaters and there isn't a bad seat in the house). David had the pleasure of sitting next to Paul Schaeffer (you know, the orchestra leader for David Letterman). We've seen The Beach Boys and Johnny Cash there as well. Next time we go, I've got to bring Frannie with us, she'd love it!

THAT'S AMORE

WHEN THE STARS MAKE YOU DROOL
JUST LIKE A PASTA FAGIOLE

Moonstruck is one of my favorite movies and if you've ever seen it you know that the soundtrack features Dean Martin's "That's Amore". One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is because I am an outsider looking in. I have been married to a first generation Italian for just about, well, let's just say a long time, and I can tell you that throughout this time, I have come to know so many of those characters. Okay, maybe the movie is a little exaggerated, but only a little. :) It stars Cher, Danny Aiello, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, and Vincent Gardenia to name a few. If you haven't seen it before, the Valentine holiday is the perfect time to do so. Order yourself a pizza, or, better yet, make yourself a big pot of pasta e fagiole, pour a glass of red wine, curl up on the sofa and watch the flick. Mangia!

THAT'S AMORE

When the moon hits you eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fagiole
That's amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk down in a dream but you know you're not
Dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore

View the entire lyrics here.

S.W.A.K.

MR. POSTMAN

PLEASE MISTER POSTMAN, LOOK AND SEEIS THERE A LETTER IN YOUR BAG FOR ME?WHY'S IT TAKIN' SUCH A LONG TIME
FOR ME TO HEAR FROM THAT BOY OF MINE
C'MON DELIVER THE LETTER, THE SOONER THE BETTER

From the archives. Actual plain white mailbox that was purchased at Walmart and then decoupaged with Mary Engelbreit images, stickers, buttons, charms, and ribbon. Feet are made from unfinished cabinet door knobs (Home Depot), which I painted red, polka-dotted and then glued on.

View entire lyrics here.

S.W.A.K.

MY BOY LOLLIPOP

I'M SWEET ON YOU, VALENTINE!

Every year Frannie and I make these lollipop flowers. We use a heart-shaped paper punch with a scalloped edge and punch out five hearts for each one. Fold each heart in half (down the center) and punch a 1/8" hole near the bottom. Insert a Dum-Dums lollipop into the hole of each petal, push up as far as they will go, and add a dab of glue to secure. Finally, cut out a leaf shape, make a fold down the center and punch a hole, add a "To" and "From" on the back of the leaf, insert the pop, and voila!, they're ready to go. Frannie loves to deliver them to her class in a basket, so I place a styrofoam square in the bottom and put the lollipop flowers in all around to cover the base. It really makes a "cute" presentation, and the lollipops are held snug and secure.

S.W.A.K.

MY BOY LOLLIPOP
Written by Morris Levy and Johnny Roberts

My boy Lollipop, you made my heart go giddy up.
You are as sweet as candy, you're my sugar dandy.
Ha, ho my boy Lollipop,
Never ever leave me,
Because it would grieve me,
My heart told me so,
I love ya, I love ya, I love ya so,
That I want ya to know,
I need ya, I need ya, I need ya so,
And I'll never let you go,
My boy Lollipop,
You make my heart go giddy up,
You set my world on fire, you are my one desire,
My boy Lollipop, my boy Lollipop.

---

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Can you feel it? Now that the inauguration is behind us, it's time to bring on the next holiday - one of my favorites - St. Valentine's Day. No, I'm not a candy lover, although I do love those fancy boxes they come in, and I'm not much for a bouquet, although I wouldn't turn my nose up at it either, ;) but I do love all those pretty Valentine decorations. I remember when my son was three years old and attending pre-school - it was his first Valentine party, and, of course, all the children were to bring in Valentines for each other. Well, I thought, great, let's make some. Looking back on it, I'm sure I forced him into it, and probably did most of the work myself, but we created our own cards with red paper hearts, doilies, stickers, the works. They were beautiful and I was really proud of them. I certainly never thought that we, I mean he would be the only one to make his own. I'll never forget his teacher's comment: "Oh, I didn't think anyone did that anymore". What have we come to?!! Well, I've never forced him to do it since then. Always went out and purchased those icky boxed things. And, yes, Frannie likes the boxed ones too (how can I compete with Angelina Ballerina - this year's choice - Polly Pocket or even Hello Kitty?). But all is not lost, Frannie also makes handmade Valentines for those people who deserve something special. Just her classmates get the store-bought ones (although we always include a special treat for her class (I'll show you that in a later Valentine post). I still make my own Valentines too, and I hope to send some to a few of you out there.

So let's spread some

Won't you

Valentine?

(I made those two giant conversation hearts a while back, and each year they sit outside the door of my husband's business, Franklin Philip Salon. And, yes, I hand-painted those letters - we're not talking decals here.)

S.W.A.K.

I almost forgot...

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

John Paul Young

Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes

(Chorus)
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Go here to see entire lyrics.

Oh, yes, I'm going to try and do a lot of postings leading up to Valentine's day - some projects I've created, some things that are just pink or red, or anything else that just says Valentine to me. Of course, I'm planning to put up a different song each post too. ;)

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN'

My cousin, John, just sent some photos of my father that I had never seen before. I love this one in particular. If this were in color, you would see that he had blue eyes. That's where I got mine from, and Frannie, hers.

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN'
Hank Williams, Jr.

Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'?
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?

Hey, sweet baby, Don't you think maybe
We could find us a brand new recipe?
I got a hot-rod Ford and a two-dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill.
There's soda pop and the dancin's free,
So if you wanna have fun come along with me.

Hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'?
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?

View complete lyrics here.

S.W.A.K.

THE MULBERRY BUSH

Do you remember this nursery rhyme/children's song? Well, that's what I thought of when I took a picture of this:

Revamped this old desk back in 2006 for Frannie's room. Yup, it's pink alright - Folk Art Baby Pink to be exact, with some Wicker White mixed in to tone it down a notch. Had a Mary Engelbreit image that I enlarged and then traced onto the side and painted.

Hand-painted Frannie's name on top with a scallop border of Apple Green and white polka-dots. :) Created the font in Illustrator and traced it on. And just in case there wasn't enough pink, I found some glass knobs in the perfect color. I also re-did the chair (have I shown you that before?). Same pink with a seat I made (original was wicker that was not repairable). Drew a pattern for a plywood base, covered with foam rubber, batting and fabric. Also made some pink stripe piping to go around the edge. Love the fabric! If you'll notice, the desk is under the wall pockets. Someday I'll show you what I painted on the other side. Oh, yes, I decoupaged and painted the heart switch plate too.

THE MULBERRY BUSH

Here we go round the mulberry bush
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning...

...This is the way we sweep the floor
Sweep the floor, sweep the floor
This is the way we sweep the floor
So early Thursday morning

To view entire Mulberry Bush lyrics, go here.

S.W.A.K.

BABY, IT'S REALLY COLD OUTSIDE!

I'm talking single digits. But that's not why you tuned in, is it? You want to know who won the beaded purse, don't you? Well, the Grand Poobah herself (Frannie) has spoken, or should I say chosen, and the winner is: Hey, Thimbleanna, Come On Down!

S.W.A.K.

SOCK IT TO ME, BABY!

Okay, maybe I'm dating myself with that expression, and maybe these aren't really socks, they're stockings (although you could call them Christmas socks), but this was only song that came to mind that was even remotely close. And, yes, I know Christmas was several weeks ago, but I just got around the untrimming the tree today and I wanted to show you these stockings before they were put up in the attic until next Christmas. So here goes:

Stocking that was made out of a vintage, unsalvagable quilt, circa 1900. My husband gave this to me years ago. I still have the tag of authenticity on it.

I made this one, some years back. It is pieced and quilted by hand - I even applied the binding by hand - why? I don't know. It's just the way I do most things. Too bad you can't see the quilting in this. I guess the thread matches too well. But, hey, you can get a good look at my quilting stitches on the quilt in the background.

Here's a gem. Hand-knit by my sister, Roxanne. A gift from Christmas 2007. Soft and luxurious!

SOCK IT TO ME, BABY!
Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels

Sock
Oh, I'm so ready
Sock
Come on now, baby
Sock it

Honey in the beehive
Honeybunch, ha
Every time you kiss me
Hits me like a punch
Ready ready, ready, ready, ready
Ready or not
I want, yes I do, what you got
Sock it to me baby, baby
Sock it to me baby, baby
(Gotta) Sock it to me baby
Sock it to me, baby
Sock it to me, baby
Sock it

(Listen and View Complete Lyrics Here)


ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER

S.W.A.K.

ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME

A beautiful, vintage angel.

I made this one years ago. It's counted cross-stitch.

Tree topper for the last 29 years. A gift from my sister.

Lots of tulle. I love her.

Hand made out of wood with a scroll saw (I think). Gift from co-worker (her dad made it).

Blurry, but a real cutie.

Beautiful. A gift from my son.

So very delicate. Another gift from my son.

When I was a young girl, my sisters and I used to sing together, especially while riding in the back seat of our parents' car. We liked to sing in rounds, and these angels reminded me of one my most favorite songs to sing with them.

ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME

All day, all night,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All day, all night,
Angels are watching over me.

Sun is setting in the West;
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
Come now child, and take your rest;
While angels are watching over me.

All day, all night,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All day, all night,
Angels are watching over me.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep,
while Angels are watching over me

S.W.A.K.

SO MANY GREAT RESOLUTIONS!
It's Nice To Know I'm Not The
Only One With A Messy Sewing Area!

OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL(S)

Frannie and her American Girl dolls: Lauren, Samantha, and her newest doll, Julie, from the 1970's. I love the snowy chic oufit Lauren is wearing. Thank you, Janet, for the Christmas quilt. The winner from the Peppermint Twist giveaway is PamKittyMorning. Did you have a great Christmas everyone? Sharon, I'm making you a card. Everyone, have a Happy New Year!

FRANNIE S.W.A.K.

The above was Frannie's very first post. Hope you enjoyed it. My niece, Jenny, at Birtyboutique0i0 has just started her own blog. Won't you take a moment to wish her a Happy New Year and welcome her aboard? Don't forget to come right back here and enter the Baby It's Cold Outside giveaway!

You knew this was coming, so here are the lyrics. You can listen to this vintage audio here.

OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL
(1911)
Music by Nat D. Ayer
Lyrics by Seymour Brown

Hon-ey dear, Want you near,
Just turn out the light
and then come ov-er here,
Nes-tle close Up to my side,
My hear-t's a fire
With love's de-sire.
In my arms, rest com-plete,
I nev-er thought that life
could ev-er be so sweet Till
I met you, some time a go,
But now I know I love you so.

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
Let me put my arms a-bout you,
I could nev-er live with-out you;

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
If you ev-er leave me
how my heart will ache,
I want to hug you but I fear you'd break

Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, you beau-ti-ful doll!

Prec-ious prize, Close your eyes,
Now we're goin' to vis-it
lov-er's par-a-dise, Press your lips
A-gain to mine, For love is king

Of ev'-ry thing. Squeeze me dear,
I don't care! Hug me just as
if you were a griz-zly bear
This is how I'll go through life,
No care or strife When you're my wife.

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
Let me put my arms a-bout you,
I could nev-er live with-out you;

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
If you ev-er leave me how my heart will ache,
I want to hug you but I fear you'd break

Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, you beau-ti-ful doll!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE!

Be sure to check out the other great giveaways at Whirl Into Winter hosted by Quilting With Debi.

S.W.A.K.