Valentine’s Tree

My decorations include some glittery hearts, small pink and white Christmas balls, and some vintage Valentine’s cards tucked into the branches.

This year I added a few new decorations, including these precious little golden owls that my friend, Lezlie, gave me for Christmas!

 Glitter Owl

I found this cool old painting at an estate sale and tucked it in the background – I love the winter scene and the pinkish hues in the sky and tree buds.

 Vintage Winter Landscape

In the mirror behind, I tucked in a vintage wedding photo I found years ago – as well as one of the paint chip Valentine’s cards I made last year.

 Paint Chip Valentine

Sometimes it’s nice to devote a small space to decorating for the minor holidays.

Do you decorate (even just a little) for Valentine’s Day?

Although I love to send vintage or vintage-inspired Valentine’s Day cards, I thought it might be fun to send out something like these instead:

 Handmade Valentines Using Paint Swatches

I picked up these paint chips at Lowe’s while I was shopping for lighting and plumbing fixtures for a client this week.  The paint swatches with the holes work great – just glue card stock to the back and stamp in the white spaces that show through.  You can get a million different decorative stamps and ink at Michael’s.  I got the idea from Vanessa over at Silly Eagle Books.

Paint Chip Valentines

Follow me on Pinterest and you’ll find my pinboard, Paint Swatch Crazy, for more ideas for crafts made with paint chips!

I was in Pottery Barn Kids recently and really loved the Valentine’s Day merchandise they’re hocking this year.  Not surprising that I was drawn to these items – they are mainly retro-inspired!

These melamine plates look like nostalgic valentines, don’t they?  I heart vintage valentines.

My favorite was this Valentine’s banner!  Now this is something you could use year after year.  Maybe I’ll try to hit the after-Valentine’s Day sale . . .

Couldn’t help but notice the super-cute stuffed fabric owl.  I have a weakness for owls, you know.

I remember making my own version of a dried flower-covered lampshade about 15 years ago.  It didn’t turn out quite as cute as Pottery Barn Kids’ version.

I love this polka-dotted old-style phone!  Would that look silly in my living room?

Photo Credits:  Me

This Valentine’s Day, why not take a really predictable gift (chocolate) and make it really special?  Buy regular packaged chocolates or other sweet treats and remove the plastic overcovering.  Take off the cover/top and do a little giftwrap job on it.  Or take strips of pretty paper and tape them around the package with double-sided tape.  A little ribbon pretties it up even more.

Pick up a few king-size candy bars and remove the paper wrapper only (leave the foil).  Wrap with precut scrapbook paper and add embellishments.  Who wouldn’t appreciate the extra effort put into this thrifty gift?

You could even write a love note on the inside of your paper wrapper!  How romantic is that?

Now, this is super easy – write sweet phrases on paper circles and place them beneath each chocolate in their individual wrappers.  Now your gift’s recipient gets a little surprise AFTER eating each chocolate treat.  In this picture, the idea was to write down all the different reasons you love someone.

Who knew a quick trip to Walgreen’s could produce unique and thrifty gifts?

Photo Credits:  BHG, Martha Stewart.

I HEART this idea!  Take an empty glass votive holder, drop a small gift inside, top it with an inverted paper cupcake liner, and tie with a pink string.

Coat tiny planters with metallic paint – try Ralph Lauren’s Regent Metallics paint.  Tuck in flower or herb seeds with a pretty label.  Or make your own seed packages like they did here – small colored envelopes, simple stamps, and pretty handwriting is all you need to make this gift special.

Buy inexpensive potted bulbs and repot them yourself into attractive planters.  Don’t forget to create a pretty personalized label on a stir stick or around the rim of the planter.

Buy a bunch of blooms from a floral warehouse or big-box grocery store.  Place the flowers in a narrow drinking glass and then place inside larger glass container.  Fill space between the two glass containers with red hots, candy hearts, or other colorful candy for a unique display.

Do you have a drawer full of extra buttons?  Grab some coordinating shank buttons that have holes in the back.  Lace with 12 inch cording and create a special set of napkin rings.

I hope your creative juices are flowing – only a few days left until Valentine’s Day!

Photo Credits:  BHG, Martha Stewart.

I’m not much of a cook, but food gifts are always appreciated at Valentine’s.  Especially if they are chocolate!  I thought I’d share a yummy and easy recipe I’ve used for Valentine’s gifting in the past.  Wish I had time to make some this year, but maybe you do!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package OREO chocolate sandwich cookies, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate using 2 forks or tongs;  place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs or colorful sprinkles, if you wish.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

These are really delicious and will be well-received by any chocolate lover!  Make it an even more special gift by placing in pretty paper boxes.  This is a picture of one of Martha Stewart’s Christmas paper box kits, but the colors make it perfect for Valentine’s, too.

Photo Credits:  MorganMoore, Martha Stewart.