Cake Ball Valentine's "Chocolate"

 I made these little chocolate cake balls this year for Valentine's Day.  I took a piece of wax paper and 'traced' the size of the inserts left from the chocolate I ate.

 I took the cake balls I had previously made and frozen into balls and I used a knife to shape the cake balls.

 I did make them a little 'tall' so the box couldn't close, so....I need to make them a little smaller next time.

I then took the box and traced the shape on some scrapbook paper and added the chocolate cake balls I had dipped and decorated with Wilton Chocolates I bought at the craft store.  

I added pom poms and tag because.....well, does this require explanation?  And a Happy Valentine's was had by all b/c I sure did cover up any calorie information from the chocolates I ate and the faux cakeball chocolates I made I ignored the ingredient list and I'm sure any guess on the internet is wrong.

DIY "Vintage" Valentine Card

Here's a quick little Valentine I put together.  I found a free printable online of a vintage valentine.  I printed it and fussy cut it out.  I then just glued it down to a pink card with some other scrapbook paper, twine, and tickets, and then stamped a message inside.  I've been trying to MAKE my cards, but I don't always stay ahead of the game, but I'll have you know, I'm ready for Valentine 2020 right now…..just nothing else starting tomorrow.

Vintage Valentine Tree

I have a white tree I have out at Christmas, and this year I decided to turn it into a Valentine Tree.  It's something I'll add to as I find the right cards at antique stores as I'm out and about, so it's just the start, but it's  a great way to display the few Valentine's I had already, an get a few more months out of my tree.  

 I had some white felt balls already, and I used some pink thread and felted some hearts and made a little garland for the tree.

 I collected a few more Valentine cards this year, I love the Mechanical Cards with moving parts.

 I want to add more garlands etc, but I'm trying not to rush the process and just let it grow through the years.

 I bought some little heart clips on Amazon I'm using to clip the cards to the tree so they aren't damaged.

Galentine's Gifts

 Last year a few friends and I decided to go out for Valentine's....it was my second year to do Galentine's with a group of friends.  I'm not one that is bothered much by Valentine's Day regardless of my relationship status, BUT I AM one who is always up for a little holiday celebration.
I decided some cake balls were in order.

 Let me pause and say I never have perfected the cake ball, the chocolate cooking time, or the perfectly round balls of cake, but....I've perfected the taste, so.....I can live with that.  I bagged up my cake balls...

 ...and I put them in these little jewel boxes I got from Stampin' Up.

This is not an ad, I don't sell stampin' up, but when my Mom got into scrapbooking a few years ago I wanted her to have fun learning some simple techniques and I found out about this monthly club called paper pumpkin.  It's less than 25 dollars (depending on how many months you do) and they send you a kit each month where you can make banners, cards, favor boxes etc.  This was one she got and didn't use, and so I used some Valentine's Stamps in place of the original stamps.  They turned out really cute if I do say so myself. 

Valentine's Day Tag Banner

 I made this cute little banner with some clearance Jolee Cupid stickers I got for a buck, a few ribbon scraps (from Hobby Lobby Rolls), a piece of left over glitter paper and one sheet of scrapbook paper.

 I cut six 'tags' out of the paper, using one I had bought as my template.  I inked the edges, glued the ribbon to the bottom and just embellished away with little bits and pieces I had around my stash.

 I used my Cricut to cut out the word Love and glued them to the tag.  I added some hole reinforcers I had and strung it all together with some red twine.

 Not too shabby for two dollars worth of odds and ends.

UnBEARably Easy Valentines Gift

I found some cute little bear containers at a store called Daiso a few months back (it's a Japanese dollar store-though everything is 1.50).  I bought them and thought it would be a fun mailing vessel for Valentine's Day.  My godchildren and all their siblings live in different states, so I try to make an impresion via the mail since visits are few and far between.  I searched for bear shaped chocolates, but didn't have a lot of success, but I finaly found some individual size gumy bears, Teddy Grahams, and small enough stuffed bears (at the Dollar Tree) to squeeze inside the jars wiht a note (I googled and found fre 'bear' related tags to print).  I'm going to put the address on the lid and the mailing label on the backside.  You'd be surpised what you can send through the mail!  Well, unless you deliver mail to my godchildren, then you know all sorts of strange things can be shipped via the mail.  For more mailing ideas, hit this link. 

Felted Heart Banner

 I became obsessed with felting these days.  I bought some packets of flt at a local dollar (50) store, but you can also find them at any craft store.

 I took out bundled....

 Unfolded and divided them into two pieces.

 I then spread apart the fibers.

 Next I folded one.

 I took the second piece and folded it around the first piece the opposite direction.

 I bought a felting needled (a special needed with barbs-again they sell them at craft stores) and I saved some Styrofoam (not necessary, but it prevents me from stabbing myself!)

 I started by stabbing the middle a bunch of times to create the v.

 It will look like this after about 30 stabs.

 Then I took the needled and started stabbing it around the sides.

 You just poke it to form the shape.  When it starts to get firm you can then thread it onto string.  I tied a knot, took some rubber cloves to 'pull' it through the hearts (it helps with grip).

Once I threaded the heart I tied a knot on the opposite side and then repeated until they were all strung off.

Pocket Letter Valentine

 This is a really simple Valentine I put together for my goddaughter who just pulls all my cards apart anyway....so I sent her a pocket letter where all the pieces are already deconstructed and she can just play to her hearts content.  I did a youtube video with the instructions, please pardon the fact that I'm off screen a bit in the last portion....I'm learning!

 I don't send her much candy, but I did tuck some twizzlers inside-a favorite of her mama's and I that we introduced her to when I last visited.

 The great thing about a pocket letter is it folds up and fits perfecting into a long mailing envelope.

Valentine's Box (Recycled Laughing Cow Cheese Box)

 I was recently charged with making some project for something called Art Abandonment.  It's a facebook group that makes art and 'abandons' it with a note for people around their city.  Add to that I wanted to use products from a store in Denton called Scrap that is filled with things people donate.  Artist run the shop/and buy the supplies for their art work.  I love to go there and get inspired....this go 'round....I was inspired by these Laughing Cow Cheese Boxes.

I also picked up some lace, yarn (I crocheted into a heart shape), vintage Valentine's Cards, and a bottle of sequins.  

 I used some scrap papers to cover the box.

I covered the sides with ribbon.  I filled this box with chocolate because it's for someone I know, but I'll 'abandon one' with some little sheets inside to make a scrapbook b/c I figure strangers won't want to eat my chocolate.  The top was decorated with little scraps I picked up at the store.  This isn't an add, just a fun find (in stores), and fun project.  

Heart Garland

I saw a garland like this on instagram a few months back and I had just the stash of felt scraps to make it happen.  

 I cute up all the smaller pieces in my stash until I had a big ol' pile of hearts.

...and then I just went to town sewing them with a little space in between each one.  I didn't make them all down the center to give it character.  

I knew my hoarding ways would pay off....