A Handmade [With Love] Valentine

(A homemade valentine from a few years back)

I love valentines. I especially love handmade ones, whether it is one that I receive or one that I make and give away. It doesn't take a ton of effort. Only a little creativity and a lot of heart. You can recycle an old newspaper, gently used wrapping paper from Christmas, a rock (see the heart-shaped rock in the valentine featured above?), or even a Shakespeare book. Don't be appalled, it was already falling apart and begging to be turned into a creative project, or two, or three... I know, it seems sacrilegious but honestly, this book love to be used in valentine projects, handmade cards, heart-shapes for a drawing, or even cut into oversized heart-shaped confetti for bridal showers, just to mention a few. And besides, the romantic words of Shakespeare get to live on in a different way. I think old William would approve.

So anyway, there are still a few days left to make your valentines (or galentines - valentines for your gal friends - a clever idea that I unfortunately cannot take credit for). So pull out your scissors, some Elmer's glue or a glue stick (even tape works in a pinch), some colored markers, an old newspaper, magazine, string, etc. Use your creativity. The recycle bin is your oyster. Jot down your favorite love quote, some words from your heart, or something silly and fun... you name it!

Of course, you could also sing a song for your loved one and perform interpretive dance at the same time in lieu of a valentine card. Speaking of dancing, maybe this year my husband and I will have to come up with a special Valentine's Day dance! Hmmmm.... The Heart Shaker? Or maybe I'm Wild About You? Maybe I should just stick to a handmade card instead? ;-)

Whatever you do, be sure to share a special moment with someone you love. Call your mom or a friend you haven't spoken to in a while or surprise someone at work with a cupcake or similar treat!

Heart-Shaped Fun

Since Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays, I thought I would devote this week to love and all things romantic. I love "love." Most days it could be said that I view the world through heart-shaped glasses, maybe even rose-tinted. I am a hopeless romantic and the symbol of love - the heart - has always been one of my favorites. In fact, my husband has been known to say that I am running out of tokens for bringing home hearts-shaped objects.

I actually understand his fear of having our home overrun with hearts, since i do have a tendency to collect them, but there are times when I just cannot restrain myself. I come across a new heart and it seems to smile up at me, which then makes the corners of my own mouth turn up, and then we go home together. If something so small and so simple can make me smile, should I pass it up? My thoughts exactly, of course not!

I'll admit that we do have quite a few but there's always room for one more, right Whether the heart is a true work of art, or simply a stone with an abstract heart shape, found while foraging at the seaside, the joy they provide is immeasurable.

Lucky for my husband, hearts that I find or make around Valentine's Day usually have a destination and aren't around very long. Below are a few images from my heart-shaped, valentine-making fun...

Chocolate cupcakes... recipe compliments of Jo Burley. :-) The frosting was my own creation - chocolate cream cheese - mmmmm...

Heart toothpicks made by recycling a brown paper bag...

"Layered cake" valentine with paint "frosting"

Another angle...

Bike love. What more needs to be said?!

Pondering Valentines

Have you started thinking about valentines yet? I've been thinking about them for a while now, being that Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays, but so far I only have a few ideas tucked in the back of my mind. Do you prefer store bought valentine's or homemade? If I come up with a good idea, I love making my own but there are times when the store bought ones make their way into my valentine stash. Sometimes the good ideas just run dry. 

This year I have what I think is a good idea for layered valentines. Assorted paper, magazine clippings, glue and paint... Like a layered cake but only with paper and glue... and paint for frosting. It sounds weird I know... I'll be back in a few days with more on that... and let you know if store bought valentines are on my horizon.

In the meantime, what are your plans for Valentine's Day? Any fun surprises up your sleeves? I'd love to hear about them! 

Oh, and I absolutely love the Valentine photo below by my friend Danette Mitchell. She does incredible photography work AND she has a fabulous blog too called Danny In The City, where she writes and posts her amazing photos about life and happenings in Los Angeles. 

Photo courtesy of Danette Mitchell Photography. 

Model: Her daughter, Piper.