Valentine's Day Evening

We know some people are under pressure at work (or looking for work) right now. So some Valentine's Day advice: maybe it would be better to wait until the weekend to celebrate in a more elaborate manner. Meanwhile, here's Valentine's breakfast-for-dinner inspiration. And a sweet card idea...you can definitely do this at your desk or at the kitchen table. If you don't have watercolors, dash to the nearest drugstore. Whatever you do, have a great evening.

ciao-♥-meow/GGCM

(Paris by Irene Suchocki - visit her lovely shop)

My Funny Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day a bit early from Julie the Cat aka Giulia Geranium. (Do you see the two hearts?)

ciao-meow/GGCM

Bees, the Sweet Alternative

Perhaps you aren't so excited about the consumerism surrounding Valentine's Day. GG's editor isn't but doesn't want to ignore it all together. That's why we enjoy looking for free or inexpensive card projects, cookie & candy recipes, & DIY craft projects.

But on the theory that people spend money anyway, why not consider a gift of bees for $30.00 via Heifer International? Especially if you're looking for a project for an annual year of giving (as suggested here). Heifer has a little valentines section with suggestions & a PDF of (free) cute vintage-inspired kid's valentines cards.

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: Here are two more wonderful DIY card ideas: A sweet easy watercolor project & a whole Flickr set from generous Samantha Hahn (see her pretty Maquette blog, too).

(illustration via Reusable Art/GG collage)

Catapalooza 2012

Catapalooza 2012: a Valentine’s Day adoption open house and celebration of all things feline at the Washington Animal Rescue League (71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, DC 20011). More than 50 cats for adoption. All cats spayed or neutered, vaccinated, examined by a veterinarian and a behavior specialist, and tested for feline leukemia and FIV. This day only the adoption fee for all cats is a “just the two of us” $2. Free mimosas, cake and cookies, cat-themed grab bags, children’s Valentine card making. Admission is free. For information call 202-726-2556 or write warl@warl.org.--via WARL

GG's editor, a cat nerd, looks forward to Catapalooza with a somewhat disturbing enthusiasm (according to a few friends, ahem). Even if you're not in the market for a new family member, you should make plans to stop in. Check your local shelter for similar goings on because a quick search showed 'Catapalooza' events.

ciao-♥-meow/GGCM

(Andy Warhol illustration via Warhol Museum)

Make Vintage Valentine Cards

We quite understand that you can't time travel to make some valentines. (Please tweet us if we are mistaken, for it would be utterly cool to receive a time travel tweet.) What we mean is, visit Vintage Holiday Crafts, The Graphics Fairy, Karen's Whimsey, & The Vintage Moth to download images you like (there are many different styles of vintage) & then put together some cards. (Or get everything ready & then have children or friends make some cards.) If you'll be hand-delivering, these doily envelopes are pretty, easy, & inexpensive.

ciao-mushy-meow/GG's editor

Valentine Prep

Remember last late January? Or the year before that? Surely, sometime in the last few years, you've thought: I would love to make valentines (or a present) for _____. Or many ____. If you have children or work with them, that goes without saying. You probably have it written down already: start the Valentine's Day crafts.

Or not.

Then...oops. It's February 12th (or worse). Well, we here at GG Central (OK, the editor & the redheaded feline) have decided to do a few prompts for Valentine's Day. Starting now. Maybe GG's editor seems to rely too much on Martha Stewart, but why start elsewhere? The site has links by holiday. Another excellent site is Poppytalk; here's their 2012 valentines label. We'll work our way through some other sites the next couple of week & post them (also on Twitter).

ciao-♥-meow/GGCM

(photograph by the lovely Beata Rydén)

DIY - Cameo Valentines

This lovely project is by Olivia of A Field Journal for Victoria Magazine last year. There is a free download to get started, here. GG's editor thinks that lots of the Jane Austen blogeuses would like these.

If you have a paint strip collection (apparently way too many of you do), here's an easy & cute idea while cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. (You are, aren't you?)

ciao-lurve-meow/GGCM

(photo via say YES! to Hoboken)

Vermont Valentine

From Paul Moody's Vermont set.

"Slightly enhanced (shot intentionally dark, I lightened the heart shape to isolate, and I enhanced the top of the heart's notch) but this rock already looked so much like a heart naturally. Its in my western rock wall - I do love this place."

We're off to Catapalooza to visit with cute, adoptable cats & kittens for a few hours!

ciao-♥-meow,
GG' s valentine

Don't get carried away! - Week's End

Happy Valentine's tomorrow Have fun whatever your plans & relationship status. Bisou, baci.

(photographs via scan of Vogue Italia, Giugno 2007,Pure Wonder series, Ellen von Unwerth)

ciao-♥-meow,
GG & her editor

Catapalooza! Valentine's Day Cat Appreciation Day

The progressive Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) is having a special adoption/open house event on Saturday, 14 February 2009 (Valentine's Day for the forgetful!). Catapalooza Day is dedicated to all things feline. Herewith essential info. (And for those unattached, ahem, there's a wine & cheese social hour.)

Ever since WARL opened their new open shelter a few years ago, adoption rates are up for both cats & dogs; the length of time until adoption is shorter, too. There are special rates & available health care for the Silver Whiskers Club for Cats program; a similar program, Hope For Dogs, helps those who adopt older dogs, those with manageable disabilities, & chronic health problems. There's a special place in heaven for people who are willing to adopt these little ones. Please try to help even if you cannot adopt. WARL is very active in animal rescue & became well-known nationally during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath Whenever there is a disaster, anywhere, WARL shows up. Always.

On GG's Adoption Day (4 February 2006!), we were surrounded by "Katrina dogs." So.many ended up here in the DC-area. This was one of the first events in which those pups unable to be reunited with their families were available for adoption. It was simultaenously heartbreaking & uplifting. We saw a few pups & people that we'd met while volunteering at the Washington Armory directly after Katrina. What horrible days those were (& for many have not ended, BTW).

On GGAD, we sat amidst what can only be called a circus. Hundreds of people poured in to the adoption event (which was not at WARL but many animals had been medically treated -- or initially rescued -- by WARL) ready for the challenge of adopting traumatized animals. GG (aka Julie) watched all of this with an openness & equanimity that was impressive, not only to us but to professionals & would-be adoptee families, too. "What a calm, funny little cat" was pretty much what we heard over & over for the next few hours. She had been worth the wait. During this terrible time of economic meltdown, there are many people who need help with their animals; they shouldn't have to give up their dogs & cats (& bunnies, & other lil creatures), too. GG's editor is not ashamed to say that her friends are helping her. Not everyone is so blessed. Please help those who are not so fortunate in your area.

So, we're thinking that this Catapalooza thingy looks like a lot of fun. Even if you have big plans on Saturday, the event is from 11am until 5pm, so drop by! You never know who will be there. (And of course, you can check out the cute dogs, too!)

ciao-woof-meow!
GG's editor

PS: And why post one ridiculously cute photo, when you can post several? It's Catapalooza, people! Also, go to Small Expectations for drawings to squeal over, no matter how cool & hip you (think) you are. No one has the nerve to tell you what we will: you aren't that cool.

(photos via Cute Overload:) & The Daily Kitten/(collage made from GG Hangs Out & 2 Daily Kitten photos)
1-Next week on the Guiding Leash (this is hilarious)
2-There's a Sale at KITTENDALES - we think this is rather Matissean, non?