The Lettered Cottage

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Valentines Day Crafts

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Question: What do you get when you cross an Evan Garrett Cooper with a Lettered Cottage Layla in the month of February?

(pictured above: Evan Garrett Cooper, the “wonder wall” in our dining room, and an Etsy calendar )

Answer: A dining room decked out in sweet, Southern-style DIY Valentines Day decor, and lots of YUMMY cupcakes!

Evan (whom I have officially nicknamed, EGC) is as crazy about photostyling as I am, and it was such a treat to be able to work with him on this project! Here he is in action on some other photoshoots and events he had a fun working on…

And here’s a fun fact about Mr. EGC: Back before he got too busy photostyling and event planning, he used to make and sell his own “Cooper Cupcakes”…

Is that the coolest cupcake logo, or what? And Holy cute cupcakes, Batman! I was so excited to finally sample one two three of his red velvet ones in the days following our Valentines Day shoot!

And speaking of our shoot, it basically started with a text from me to him a couple of weeks ago that went something like this, “Hi Evan! It’s Layla Palmer. Do you want to help me style a shoot chock full of inexpensive, DIY Valentines Day craft and decor ideas?”

Well, 204 texts later (I’m not kidding) we managed to pull it all together and have a whole bunch’a fun in the process! We came up with quite a few ideas I want to blog about, so I thought I’d just introduce the fabulous Mr. Cooper here today, and then blog about all the things we worked on together over the next few days. Here’s a sneak peek of some of the ideas we’ve got up our sleeves…



Click the badge below to visit EGC’s website, or to see what’s he’s up to on his blog…

You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and at @evangcooper on Instagram!

Happy February!

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Comments

  1. Sarah

    Oh my goodness! It is all just too lovely for words! Can I just copy everything you guys ever do?! You’ve never once done a project I haven’t completely loved. Please just come invade my house and work your magic. 🙂

  4. Katy

    Love the pics, love Evan, love it all!!! I love holiday decor on the cheap. Great work, guys!

    PS: Tell Evan to get a Facebook page so I can “like” him too.

    • Layla

      Thanks Katy! And you can find a link to Evan’s Facebook page at the very end of the post! 😉

      • Katy

        Sorry!!! I go so excited about clicking on the graphic that I totally missed the WORDS right underneath it. Duh! I’m off to like, pin, etc!!!!

      • Laura

        And wouldn’t being able to style those soirees for a living be a dream job!? 🙂

        P.S. I checked out Evan, he is talented!

        • EGC

          Thanks Laura for your kind words! means so much! So excited about working with Layla on many more projects in the future! 😉

  8. Brittany

    It is all so pretty I might just squeal! How fun to have someone come to style things with you and everything looks just fabulous! Can’t wait for all the reveals!

  9. Kim in Iowa

    Oh what a teaser! My birthday is on Valentine’s Day so I really love to decorate. Can’t wait to see what the crafty projects are going to be!

  10. megan

    I love Red and White! Truly I do. I guess that’s one of the reasons I love Christmas and Valentines Day. I mean it’s all about the decorating isn’t it! Oh and the Love of course 🙂 Looking forward to what you have done Layla- thanks for the tease!

    • EGC

      Hey Jeanette–
      I found them online. shopsweetlulu.com, but an inexpensive alternative is Starbucks frappuccino bottles. The ones you can purchase at the supermarket or the gas station. Just peel the label off and you’re ready to go. If you know someone that drinks them, just ask them to save them for you instead of throwing them away! They look identical. Hope it helps! 😉

  16. [email protected]

    Y’all make me want to go live with my extended family in Alabama. Just to be close to you ;). Everything about this post and series delights me. Can’t wait to read more!!!

    • EGC

      LOL, Sarah!! Alabama is where it’s at!! 😉 We thought this post was delightful too! We had a blast putting everything together!

      • [email protected]

        What part of AL are y’all from (Yes I say “y’all” too because I’m a Texas girl :)). My family is up north– Elkmont/Hunstville/Florence. Every time I visit I tell myself I’m never going to leave.

  19. diana

    I could not keep my hands off of those cupcakes!!! I mean the ones made from cake batter BTW… ;-p

  21. Ellen

    I love what you’ve shown so far… can’t wait to see more and get all the nitty gritty details! Looks like the two of you had way too much fun! And those cupcakes…. they look delish!!

  22. Robyn Farmer

    I’m obsessed with bunting and that one just about does me in. All the different textures and colors makes my heart skip a beat 🙂

    • EGC

      Hello Suzanne–
      I was telling Jeanette above that I purchased the milk bottles and straws online. shopsweetlulu.com, but an inexpensive alternative is Starbucks frappuccino bottles. The ones you can purchase from the supermarket. Just peel the label off and you’re ready to go. If you know someone that drinks them, just ask them to save them for you instead of throwing them away! They look identical. Hope it helps!

  24. kelly in georgia

    preciously cute!!!! love love love all the red. and those cupcakes???no way i could resist red velvet cupcakes! (you did well to only have 3)

  28. Jay @ wilbur road

    The sweetest! I, too, have been enjoying decorating for Valentine’s. It must be really fun to have another creative soul to collaborate with. All of that creativity and love comes through in your pictures, they are delightful.

    I especially love the place settings, just precious!
    Can’t wait for the how-to’s!

    • EGC

      Jay–

      We had a blast! Thanks for the kind words!! It was pure joy working with Layla. Keep your eyes peeled for how to’s– so simple and affordable! 😉

  29. Venita

    Do you have a good source for your cute striped straws? We are looking for some for our daughters wedding reception – root beer floats! The pictures are so inspiring, gave me some good ideas already!

  31. Melinda

    So cute! I can’t wait to see the rest. Our anniversary is on Valentine’s Day so this is welcome inspiration for a celebration! I checked out EGC’s website and blog – what talent. The collaboration between you two looks wonderful and I hope to see more : )

    • Layla

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Melinda! (PS- I’m texting with EGC right now about another project I’d like to work on with him!) 😉

    • EGC

      Hello Melinda-

      Thanks so much for the kind words! It means so much. Layla and I had a blast working together on this post! We are in talks for the next project! So exciting! 😉

  32. Amy

    I have always been a fan of Evan. So glad the world is getting to see his amazing talent. Love the shoot. And from experience, those cupcakes are addictive! 🙂 Try the key lime next.

  33. Laurie Blaswich

    Hi Layla,
    Love your table runner idea, it’s just charming and fun! As well as your other Valentine’s day ideas. Small milk jugs w/ red and white straws!!! 🙂

    Fondly,
    Laurie

  34. Natalie

    loving the burlap, doilies & hankies…what a great combination!

    If you road trip this way our barn will be doing occasional sales starting in March. Would love to have you stop by for a visit…better yet redo a room in our home!

    check out our blog http://www.littleprairiegirlwordpress.com
    or like us on facebook
    Little Prairie Girl