Valentine's Day?! But Maggie-Pie, it's still January, have you totally lost your Bird-Brain? Let it never be said this Bird is not thinking ahead. Also, Valentine's Day really sneaks up on you -- we have the end of December and November for typical holidays, but February 14th is coming up faster than you can say, "box o' chocolates." The holiday is about as stealthy as a Cupid's Arrow being shot right into your behind, so get your tailfeathers moving, Lovebirds, and send some sweet St. Valentine notes to Special Someone's!

I was blessed in early January, by my good friend and fellow blogger, Radish and Rose, who sent me an early Valentine, a sweet stand-up paper doll card made by illustrator Brigette Barrager. This totally inspired today's post, because it was a sweet reminder that Valentines don't have to be romantic -- give a handmade or hand-picked note to a BFF, a relative, a totally awesome workmate who always buys your latte when you hit the Starbucks. We are all blessed with Special Someones, so why not send them something clever in the mail? 

So here are some Jaunty picks that I thought would fit anyone, be it friend, family or the one who is lucky enough to have your precious heart: {1} Guitar Valentine Card Kit from Paper Source, {2} Dress Shoppe, 12 Paper Doll Notecarcds by Brigette Barrager on Chronicle Books, {3} Hand-drawn Valentine cards from Creation Faeries on Etsy, {4} XOXO Robbie Robot Mini Valentine note cards by Papertivity on Etsy, {5} Love: King and Queen of Hearts stamps from US Postal Service

Jaunty Fine Print:  images from listed shops above - get those Valentine's Day notes ready!

This Bird has often been told, "Get an Etsy shop." And guess what? I still don't have one. But I am very pleased to say that the Magpie's love of crafting handmade notecards has not gone unnoticed and am very fortunate to now have a local Washington shop selling some cute food-themed cards! Look out, Hallmark, here comes the Magpie! 

If you find yourself on Orcas Island, in the lovely Pacific Northwestern land of Washingtonia (not far from Portlandia), stop into the town of Eastsound and head to Lily, a shop of sweet, savory and total local charm. It's an ice cream shop that will likely have a line of visitors leading into their ice cream-bannered door, eager to try the sweet flavors of ice cream locally made by Lopez Island Creamery, or a lunchtime treat of hand-rolled sushi. Lily is like a transplanted bit of Aloha, from one island to another, as owner Lisa Nakamura is from Hawaii and this is like so many snack shops there, offering a mix of local treats. 

I was very blessed to be given a little spot to show off my Bento Notecards, which, much like Lily, is a little bit of Aloha, by way of Washington. Original illustrations of happy Hawaiian-themed food include shave ice, wontons in soup, the must have two scoops of rice and mac-salad, and yes -- Spam musubi. But it's a smiling, friendly Spam musubi! Packets of notecards are now available at the shop, so if you happen to be in the area, do stop by and take a peek. I guarantee you won't be able to leave without a big scoop of ice cream on a waffle cone. And you can get some notecards and write a cute letter to a friend telling them they should visit Orcas Island! 


Jaunty Fine Print:  cards and photos by Denise Sakaki