DIY Felt Heart Garland

I've had my Valentines decor up for some time now actually! In fact, the day after I took down Christmas I pulled it all out!

If you are on Pinterest, chances are, you've seen this garland (or one like it) all over the place! They've become quite popular! And for a good reason, they are very easy to make!

Step 1. Choose your felt. Now, lets talk felt for a second... if you were to ask me which felt to buy a month ago, I would of told you to just go pick up the cheap stuff from walmart and you'd be fine. I will not tell you that now however. Wool felt people. WOOL. Yes, its a tad more pricey, but if you can find it, it's softer, its not so puffy, it cuts a million times easier and it doesn't fray. I got mine at Joannes next to the regular bulk felt. I think I payed like $1 for 1/8 yard.

Anyways, so as you can see, I chose red, grey and white.

Pin your fabric over about an inch and a half (NOT exact, just guessing) and go ahead and cut hearts to your hearts content!  (pun intended)

I think I cut like 25 in all or something.

 Once you have all your hearts cut, bust out your sewing machine. Or, if you are like me and have been doing countless baby girl projects, it will already be set up on your kitchen table :)

 

 Take your first heart, and sew a straight line down the center, then, when you are almost to the edge, grab your next heart and start feeding it through immediately behind it. It take a little pushing, and once in awhile I had to lift the machine foot to get it under there, but it's really quite simple after you get the hang of it!

Then just repeat with all your hearts!

Be My Valentine..

Be My Valentine Blocks



Ok ladies! Its been a while since Ive posted anything!!! So I thought I would share what I did for the hubs for Love Day! Maybe you can share the Love and make one yourself!

Items:

3 blocks (Cut into ANY size you want)

Paper

Vinyl

Mod Podge

Wire

Directions:

*Cut your blocks to any size you want. I did 5 1/2, 4 1/2 and 3 1/2. Just make sure they stack, then sand your blocks to your liking. 

*Cut your paper and mod podge it onto your block

*Cut the vinyl I stuck with 2 1/2 in. for the top 2 blocks, then 1 1/2 in. on the bottom.

*I then drilled holes on each block..

-Bottom has a total of 6 holes ( 3 on each side)

-Middle has 4 holes (2 on each side)

-The Top has has 3 holes, smack dab in the middle, although I did stagger the holes a little bit (to put my girly touch of cuteness on it)

*Final step I curled the wire and stuck it in the wholes.

WAHOO, The blocks are made! NOW for the special touch .. I wrote "I Love...." notes on 13 little pieces of paper, and stuck them on the curled wire. But then I thought, why stop there.. so I wrote about 30 "I Love.." Notes and bunched up around the blocks. Now ladies, its fun to write the cutesy stuff, but it is Valentines day.. get creative (he is your hubby). I did write a couple naughty things, for my hubbies eyes only!

He absolutly LOVED this gift!!! He laughed at some, smiled at most. It didnt cost me anything, I had everything lying around. And the best part is I got to tell him "I love you because" in a cutesy way! Now every Valentines I can use the blocks.

Hope your Valentines day is special.

Tasha Bracken

Valentines Printable

Okay, okay... I know that we've only had our Christmas decor down for like 2 weeks... but I am really excited to start thinking about Valentines day!

I have a soft spot for Vday! Always have!

So in hopes of getting all of you as excited as I am, here's a printable!!

8x10 Download

i love us {Free Printable}

Awhile back, I did a post on my Barn Door Shelf, and to be quite honest, I think the 'i love us' block was just as popular as the shelf itself!

 

I have had multiple emails asking if I sell the blocks, and to answer them, no I dont, too much stress and work goes into to selling things like that! Trust me, I've tried it!

However, printables are FREE and EASY! So, I whipped a few up for you! They are formatted to a 5x7 photo size, so you can just send them into costco (or wherever you print your pictures) or just print them out on your computer.

I have to add first, that I got the original idea here.

Download

Download

 this would also make a GREAT valentines decoration! If you think that far ahead! :)

Valentine’s Day Goodies

I was reading through Parents Magazine (February 2011 issue, page 104-105) and came across the most yummy looking Valentine's treats! I can't wait to make them for grandma's and grandpa's for Valentine's Day!! It's also a great way to involve your children in the treat making process…

Do they not just look DELISH?!

Peanut Butter Balls

Mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temp, and ½ tsp. vanilla in large bowl.

Knead mixture until smooth, adding up to ½ cup more powdered sugar as needed to prevent sticking.

Roll dough into 1" balls and set on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet; chill 1 hour.
Line 2 more cookie sheets with wax paper; set aside. Place assorted sprinkles in shallow bowls.

Microwave 1 ½ cup light cocoa candy melts, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. Drop the balls 5 at a time in the melted chocolate to coat. Remove balls with fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Roll balls in sprinkles to coat. Place on lined cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining balls, then chill until chocolate is set.

*Makes about 40 peanut-butter balls. (Keep your pint-size candy makers busy rolling the dough into balls.)

Cream Cheese Melts

Mix 4 oz. cream cheese, 1 Tsp. butter, 1 Tsp light corn syrup, and ¼ tsp. mint extract in a large bowl until smooth.

Gradually beat in 3 cups powdered sugar. When the mixture starts to come together, turn it out onto a clean work surface and knead, adding up to ½ cup more sugar to prevent sticking, until dough is smooth.

Divide dough into three even pieces. Tint one part Dark pink, one part light pink, and leave third part white.

Roll each portion into a 15"-long rope. Twist the 3 ropes together and roll into a single rope about ¾" wide; flatten slightly and cut into ¾" tri-colored pieces.

Spread the mints out in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets; cover and chill about 4 hours.

*Makes about 50 pieces.

This is just 2 of 4 delishous looking recipes that you should try. Check out Parent.com for more awesome Valentine's Ideas.