Spread a little “LOVE” with your Valentine Car

Valentine’s Day is coming soon and (I’ll bet you would have never guessed this, but…) I love to decorate my home for this holiday of hearts. 😉

This year, I decided to spread the message of “LOVE” a little further, by adding a few hearts to my car.  People add wreaths, ribbons & lights to their cars at Christmas time, so why not express a little JOY for Valentine’s Day too?

It was easy & inexpensive to do.  I found a glittery, weatherproof Valentine heart at Michael’s Crafts and added self-adhesive, felt pads to the back (to protect my car) and finally, zip-tied it to the front grill.

Next, I found some fun, inexpensive Valentine magnet sets.  They’re marketed for display on a refrigerator or dishwasher, but I added a few to the back of my car.  There are so many in the package, that I can share with neighbors, family & friends!

(If you are unable to find the magnet sets, I have a limited supply in my SHOP)

So, if you decide to spread a little “LOVE” around your own town, it won’t matter if the other drivers are in front of or behind you because, either way, they’ll enjoy your subtle message of “LOVE”…  and I’ll bet it brightens their day too!!

Enjoy the Creativity!

EILEEN

Filling Apothecary Jars – without emptying your wallet

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Filling Apothecary or Glass Jars, for the seasons & holidays, is easy, especially if you’re using large items, like faux squash (for Fall) or ornaments (for Christmas), etc.  However, if you’re using a small filler, such as holiday candy (e.g. jelly beans, conversation hearts or candy corn), it can be quite pricey to completely fill up a 14″ tall jar like this one. 

But, I have an easy way to fake-fill these larger jars!  Simply roll-up poster board, thin cardboard or card stock into a cylinder-shape, measuring apx.  1/2″ less (in diameter) than the diameter of your Apothecary or Glass jar.  Trim the height (of the poster board cylinder) to a height apx. 1″ below the top of your jar (without the lid).  Stapling or using tape to hold your poster board dimensions will help it stay in place while you’re trying to accomplish the next step.  Insert your poster board cylinder into the jar, also placing a (slightly smaller – in diameter) container in the center of the poster board cylinder (I used a tupperware container), which will keep the poster board or card stock from collapsing under the weight of the candy as you fill the open 1/2″ space between the jar and cardboard.

Now, all you have to purchase is apx. ONE bag of candy to fill the void between the poster board and the side of the jar.

Another way you can accomplish this is to find a cylinder vase that is 1/2″ less (in diameter) and no taller than your jar.  If you are lucky enough to find that perfect of a fit, it is truly the best solution.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Valentine “Memories” Wreath

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Often, I am invited by different groups of young Moms to speak about the importance of practicing family traditions (the subject of my book).  This week, the group I spoke to also asked me to help them create a memorable Valentine’s Day wreath… one that would mean something, for years to come.

I purchased a 24″ foil, heart-shaped wreath and several small, silver frames (see bridal section of any craft or party store).  In each of the frames, simply add family (and pet) photos and attach them to the wreath, using red pipe cleaners twisted around the frame stand and then, the wreath frame.  You might also consider adding a favorite family “saying” if you want to add an additional frame.  My favorite – “Family is a gift, wrapped in sweet memories and trimmed in LOVE”

Then, I found “foamie” hearts that had a filigree edge, which allowed me to use fishing line to suspend it in the center of the wreath, by tying 4 pieces to the heart and also, to the wreath frame.  I also purchased a box of “foamie” self-adhesive embellishments, including alpha letters, which we added to the “foamie” heart before hanging it into the center of the wreath.

This “personalized” Valentine’s Day wreath turned out to be a very memorable design that can be updated (with new photos) as the years go by.  I also suggested they could add some  individually wrapped chocolate kisses (maybe one week’s worth) to the wreath (using small dabs of hot glue to lightly attach them), which can be removed, each day, as a Valentine’s Day countdown.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

“Simpler” Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas

Sometimes, I just want to keep my holiday decorations simple (I know… that’s hard to believe!) LOL   It’s usually when I know family will be out-of-town or I’ll be MIA, a lot, from the house.  So, when my home life is more minimal, my decorations reflect that as well.  Below is an example of a couple of those simpler decorating ideas, for Valentine’s Day.

On my living room fireplace, all I added was a $10 wreath (www.biglots.com), a $5 felt heart garland (www.pierone.com) and a $5 candle & holder (www.homegoods.com).  And in my foyer, I hung a sparkly pair of cupids – $5 (www.biglots.com) – from a white ribbon and placed some “Lip Smack” (removable) stickers $2 at http://www.target.com – on the surrounding mirror, with another $10 Big Lots wreath on the opposing wall.  Simple, yet still pretty…  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

FOYER

 

"LIP SMACK" Stickers (close-up)

New Twist on my Valentine Yard Decor

Those of you who are familiar with my blog may remember this Valentine yard decorating idea, which I posted a simpler version of a year ago (see Original Post under VALENTINE’S DAY Category, on right).    But, this year, I had a few more candy canes to add into the mix, courtesy of a yard sale find.  Yea!  My display could grow & maybe cover the WHOLE garden bed eventually.

I was SO excited to add them to my Valentine yard display, but suddenly, I realized something was wrong when I took them out of their box…. the new candy canes  were not only a little larger but are mostly clear with a thin red stripe, whereas the candy canes I already have are mostly red.  (drat!)  No matter how hard I tried, I could not come up with a good way to mix them in the yard, mainly because (as you will find, if you try this idea) the sets typically come with an odd number of canes so the last one has to connect to the first one to complete a heart shape. 

Then, it dawned on me – why do they ALL have to go into the yard?  So, I hung the new sets on my shutters and it created an even more interesting yard display.  I simply had to share it (photos below) and hopefully, any new candy cane sets (I come across at future yard sales) will match my old ones so I can eventually fill the entire garden bed.  Something to look forward to! 🙂

DAYTIME View

Getting Darker....

NIGHT View (bad photo... sorry)

Inexpensive Decorations for St. Valentine’s Day

[click on any photo for a larger view]

It’s SO MUCH FUN to shop the Christmas and Clearance aisles for Valentine’s Day decorations – it’s almost like decorating for free and this post will teach you my cost-saving tricks!

Look for heart-shapes! While checking out the holiday decorations at TARGET this year, I noticed that they had some filigree, pressed felt, heart-shaped ornaments… for ONLY $1.00 each!  Typically, I always find “heart-shaped” ornaments left-over after Christmas because most people prefer “traditional” holiday ornament shapes for their trees, wreaths and garlands.  So, their loss is your gain!   As predicted, I found seven of these ornaments for sale when TARGET lowered their prices 50%, making my total purchase only $3.50.  Then, I purchased a roll of satin red cording at the craft store ($1.99) and fed it through the hangers of each heart ornament, tying a knot at each (heart) location so they don’t slide (on the cording).

Once I strung all of my felt hearts onto the cording, I had a sweet, heart garland for around $5.00.

Look for Red decorations and Angels! Also after Christmas, I shopped a department store (DILLARD’S) once they had reduced their items 75%.  There, I found 3 beautiful, cracked glass, battery-operated pillar candles (hey… they’re red, so why not?)  Originally $19.00 each, I got all 3 for around $15.00.  I found my beautiful stone Garden Angel last week at Hobby Lobby, while their garden statuary was 50% off, and only paid $7.00.

Placing these items together, along with some other low-cost Valentine decorations I already owned from previous years….

Rose Wreath (Big Lots – $10), “BE MINE” sign (Home Goods – $5.00), embossed glass candle holder (a gift – free!), white candle holders (already had these, but also picked them up on clearance – all 3 for under $10) and finally, one bunch of silk roses (Michael’s – $5), which I removed some flowers & also individual petals  from the stems

… came together to help me create a budget-minded, yet beautiful mantel for the official holiday of hearts –

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY!

Christmas tree becomes Valentine cutie!

More and more at Christmastime, I love to create decorations that are more versatile… for other seasons or holidays.  I’ve found that small changes still create the same JOY ( in my home) during other holidays, but with much less effort!

This idea is a prime example.  For Christmas, I placed my tabletop, white, feather tree in a black container (found at Home Goods).  The container has a white, winter scene painted on the front.  To the tree, I added small black glittery ornaments, a star tree topper and completed the look by adding lime green (ornament) accents.  As I was creating this decoration at Christmas, I already had plans to re-purpose it for a sweet, quaint Valentine’s Day decoration.

To re-purpose my Christmas decoration into a Valentine cutie, all I did was remove the lime green ornaments and replace them with some inexpensive ($1.49 ea. from Hobby Lobby) black, shatterproof heart ornaments that have hot pink, glittery accents, which I hung on the tree using hot pink, satin ribbon.  I kept the black, glittery ornaments on the tree and also added a touch of the hot pink ribbon to the black & white checked ribbon at the top of the tree.  Then, I moved that bow up to the top of the tree (to replace the star tree topper).   Finally, I spun the winter scene-side of the container to the back so it was no longer visible.  Next week, when I have a moment, I might add a little gift bag shred, in a hot pink color, to the base of the tree to bring out my new accent color even more.  As you can imagine, I am already thinking of how I will transform my little feather tree for Easter, but in the meantime…. here’s the end result… for Valentine’s Day:

A Different Flower for a Valentine Wreath

My bet is –  you’re like me and have never thought of daisies as a Valentine’s Day flower.  But, check out this this adorable wreath I found at one of my favorite local stores and I think you will be convinced that they DO go great with the season of hearts!   Sorry, this store doesn’t ship, but just look at how easy it would be to make this yourself!  All you would need is a styrofoam or grapevine wreath… round or heart-shaped… some pink, white and red Gerbera daisies and a little Valentine themed ribbon.  You can either cut the flower stems, leaving enough to push into a styrofoam wreath form or simply hot glue them on to the wreath.  My only suggestion would be to first draw (on newspaper or kraft paper) a duplicate of  your wreath form and lay out your flower pattern on that.  Then, transferring the flowers to the actual wreath will go quickly, without any “oops”.

Also, if you don’t glue them and choose a round-shaped wreath, think about other possible color combinations, for upcoming seasons.   If you choose the flower colors shown here (for Valentine’s Day), maybe for spring  ~  you could remove the red flowers and add another pastel color to the pink and white… like yellow.  Then, for summer, put the red back & pop it with  bright yellow and/or orange daisies.  Moving on to fall, keep the red & orange, adding in a few cream-colored ones.  You get the idea – with a few simple changes and a new “seasonal” ribbon, you could end up with a nice perpetual wreath!

Quick Valentine’s Day Decorating Touches

If you’re still exhausted from Christmas and putting things away, you may not feel like putting up some more (heart-filled) holiday spirit.  To make things easier, below are a few simple and inexpensive ideas for adding a little LOVE around the house.

Use inexpensive clear suction cups (with hooks) on windows anywhere around the house to display a group of simple, heart-shaped ornaments –

 

If you have a photo display hanging around the house, change it up by temporarily replacing the photos with a few Valentine’s Day greeting cards –

Finally, if you have some outdoor chairs, pop a couple of heart-shaped pillows on them for an “instant” Valentine’s Day look!

 

 

Stay tuned for more ideas… coming soon!

LARGE Valentine’s Day Decoration Idea

Design/Image/Idea copyrighted by Creative Families, LLC. All rights reserved.

I’ve been hearing from a lot of readers of my book that lighted Valentine’s Day decorations are extremely hard many times, especially large ones!  So, to help solve this problem and continue with my theme of recycling Christmas decorations, here’s another idea for you to try:

First, determine where you want to display a large lit, red Valentine’s Day heart on the exterior of your home.  Consider the windows or a large exterior wall in the front of your home.  Once you’ve decided where it will hang, pull out one strand of 100-count “RED” Christmas lights (preferably with white wire, but this is not a necessity) for each red heart you wish to create.  Determining where you will be hanging the light strand heart will also guide you as to what type of hanging tools you need to use.  As you can see in the photo below, the heart I created is on the front of a window.  Placing my light strand heart in this location also made it easy to hang.  I purchased a package of small suction cups that have hooks attached and placed them (apx. 18” apart) in a heart shape on my window panes.  Starting at the bottom (where I plugged in the light strand), I used the hooks to keep my light strand in place while creating the perfect heart shape.  So, if you have a lot of red lights, go ahead.. have some fun!  And if you take any photos of your creations when done, please share… I would love to see your creations too!

P.S.  Don’t forget to place heart pillows on any outdoor chairs you have… cute!

[Do you like this design and the other unique decoration ideas on my blog?  For more ideas like this and some heartwarming ideas for creating traditions to go with them, check out my book at www.CreativeFamilyTraditions.com]