Valentine Banner: Simple Projects

This was super simple...(the Valentine banner hanging from the shelf)

I found a few packages of colorful tags at Michael's for $1 per pack of 12. 

Add some red letters and jute twine and make a simple, yet super cute Valentine banner!

iLoveToCreate: $1 Michaels Heart Frame Chalkboard

This is a super simple Valentine's Day project that is easy on the wallet as well.  This would make a great gift for a teacher, gradparent, or friend.  It is also a great little project for decor in your own home!

 Supplies:

• $1 wooden frame (Michaels)
• Scrapbook Paper
• Collage Pauge (I used the matte finish)
• Chalkboard paint
• Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue
• Stain (I used a stamp pad)
• Scissors
• Sandpaper
• Foam paintbrush (or two)

Remove the center cardboard shape from your frame and SAVE for a little later.  Trace your entire frame onto the scrapbook paper and cut out; line up the frame and trace the inside shape and cut out.

Use the foam brush to paint on a layer of Collage Pauge directly on both the frame and the back of the scrapbook paper, work quickly to adhere the paper to the frame.  Sand all the edges to make sure the scrapbook paper is not coming over the edges and it all looks even.

Use a stamp pad or some stain aroud the edges of the whole frame and the inside shape.  Paint on several more layers of Collage Pauge and allow to dry completely.

Paint the inside cardboard shape with several layers of chalkboard paint.  (I think I used about 6 layers of paint to get the look I wanted)  Let the shape dry completely.

Turn over the frame and add a thin line of Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue to the inside rim where the chalkboard painted heart will go.

 Insert the heart shape and allow the glue to dry completely before using the chalkboard.

 Display in a plate holder or easel.

Featured! Felt Rosette Ball

I love being featured on other blogs!  Benzie: A Fanfare of Felt chose to feature my Felt Rosette Ball from last year in a Valentine's Day inspired post.

Check it out!  I see SO many other fun uses for felt. 

I am getting inspired.... ;-)

L.O.V.E. Sign | Valentine's Day Decor

Yes, Valentine's Day is over, but I needed to post this before next V-Day comes around ;-)

I found the letters on sale at JoAnn's (about $1 each) and thought I might Collage Pauge some paper on them, but as ideas sometimes go... this one took another direction. 

I found:

• a board of wainscoating for $0.50 at ReStore (our FAVORITE store right now)
• a strip of moulding from Lowe's (around $8)

I explained my new Idea to John and he painted the wainscoating, cut and painted the moulding, and glued it together using moulding glue.

I placed and glued the letters and badda-BING!

I just wish I had gotten it done BEFORE Valentine's Day this year!!



Handprint Hearts

Super easy.

The kids loved getting their hands all squishy with the paint.  I love that they were able to make a keepsake for the family AND that my Kindergartener was able to write her Valentine's message. 

I used acrylic paint because I had it on hand... but wouldn't this be a cute idea to use fabric paint on an apron, onesie, or Valentine's day gift bag?!?

I believe in giving credit where credit is due, but I can't seem to locate the blog that I saw this on... if I find it, I will link up!

Yarn Wreath with Felt Flowers - #1 | Valentine's Day Decor

I decided to try another project I found in the blog world and am now officially addicted!  I am not joking when I say that I am making one of these for every room in my house. 

Here was attempt number one, sort of Valentine's Day inspired. 

Check out the tutorial for the Cheery Yarn Wreath at Mrs Priss

iLoveToCreate: Love/Luck Reversable Blocks

These blocks are great!  Two holidays in one decoration!

One side says Love... 

and the other Luck.  Yes, those are the same blocks!  Basically, three sides of each are devoted to each holiday... and I am going to do my best to explain how to make a set of your own.

Supplies needed:

• Four wooden blocks (mine are a fence post cut down to 3.5/3.5 squares) sanded down
• Collage Pauge decopauge and a foam paintbrush to apply
• Decorative scrapbook paper, three Valentine's patterns and three St. Patrick's patterns.  Cut paper to the size of the blocks - four of each pattern
• Cut-out letters, either paper or vinyl - I cut white cardstock using my Silouette machine

Follow the diagrams below to figure the best way to arrange the paper...

I did my Valentine's paper first, applied my collage pauge and let it dry, then turned the blocks upside down to figure the best way to do the St. Patricks Day paper.  [The words for the opposite holiday will be upside down and not in the same order.  If you get to this point, you will understand.] 

It is very important to plan exactly where the paper will go!

I wanted to make sure I could see the proper holiday's color when the blocks were both set out four across (as above), and when they were set up on top of each other (as shown below).

• Once I figured out where the paper was going to go, I painted a layer of the Collage Pauge onto the block and another onto the back of the paper then stuck them together and smoothed the paper out.  I have found this to be the best way to do Collage Pauge to avoid bubbles under the paper.
• Repeat until all six sides of each block have been Collage Pauged...
• Sand the corners and edges of the blocks with an electric sander. 
• Distress the corners and edges with some distress ink or wood stain. 
• Add another few coats of Collage Pauge to each block, allowing time to dry between each coat.
• Voila!  Cute block decor for two different holidays!! 

Felt Rosette Ball | Valentine's Day Decor

I was very inspired by the Valentine's Day Heart Wreath from The Idea Room.  She does a great tutorial on the process and there is another great tutorial at Design Sponge. 

I was not quite up to trying an entire wreath, but I did think I could handle covering a ball, and I am so glad I did!  It is one of those little decorative items that makes a BIG impact :)

All you need is:

• Felt (1/2- yard, $4.99/yard at JoAnn's)
• Styrafoam ball, I think it was 4 inches, about the size of an orange
• Flat-head pins, the long ones if you have a choice
• Scissors
• Something to trace a 3-inch circle (I used a kids cup)

Process: I would be a good idea to follow the tutorials I have linked to above...

• Cut a TON of felt circles, I used the whole 1/2-yard of felt
• Fold each cirlce in half, and then half again creating a pie piece
• Push a pin through the point of the felt and into the styrafoam
• Repeat (about 100 times) until you no longer see any of the styrafoam

I think I might go for the full wreath next.  Maybe in a nice bright spring color?

LOVE letters | Valentine's Day Inspiration

I found these at iheartnaptime sometime during the summer and have been wanting to make them ever since.  What's great about Valentine's Day decor is that it can really be used anytime of the year, especially since these aren't completely pink and red!  

I know what your thinking... and yes, I do realize that this would be another Collage Pauge project... I am telling you, I'M OBSESSED!! 

project and photo from iheartnaptime

I am going to be looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, I think all of my Valentine's decor fits into a plastic grocery bag.  Sad!  If you have any ideas, for fun Valentine's decor shoot me a comment, I am looking to get crafty this week!!