DIY: Fall in Love with 7 Easy & Fun Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

 

As we approach Valentine’s Day, here are seven ideas of things to lovingly make for that special someone—even if that special someone is you! There is something magical that happens in us when we take even a moment to create something. As Psychologist & Harvard Professor Howard Gardner once said, “Creativity begins with an affinity for something.  It’s like falling in love.” Rock Star Lenny Kravitz also has his take on it when he said, “Love, creativity, and opportunity is in the air. Take it in and do your thing.”

So for Valentine’s this year, do your thing by showing the ones you care about some of your unique expressions of love and creativity. While I am all about flowers and chocolates for presents for your significant other, these gifts will be appreciated and remembered well after the holiday has come and gone.

And all these DIY projects show some love for Mother Earth too, because you are reusing, repurposing and rethinking items that may have ended up in the landfill. These projects are truly a win-win, or shall we say a “love-love” situation for all involved!

1. Heart Collages

You’re gonna fall in love with this project which is fun for families and groups to do together. This project creates art from discard papers like old cards, calendars and out-of-date magazines.

Instructions

One approach is to use an old frame and fill it with hearts of the same size and shape.

• Measure out the amount of space you have to work and create a grid on the surface to be glued.
• Then cut both a small square and a heart pattern out of cardboard or a heavier weight of paper.
• Have fun going through magazines, cards or other papers to find colors on which to trace your heart and square then and cut them out.
• With Mod Podge, glue the squares in place. Then, adhere the hearts on top.
• When dry, place in the frame and you have a gift full of hearts that will make yours beat quickly!
• Cut or tear your paper then glue in on your frame. The second approach is more free form and just as fun.
• Cut out a heart and place in the center. Clipped from magazines, add works that are relevant like, “Love,” “You & me,” “Rock.” If you have them available, glue on old keys to align with the phrase, “Key to My Heart.”
• Let dry, then give it away or hang it up!
  

2. Painted Frame/Heart Stained-Glass Window

This gift will allow all to easily see right through to the love in your heart. An unused frame makes for an eye-catching “stained glass” window.

Instructions

• Take apart a small or medium-sized picture frame.
• Toss out all parts that hold it together and keep just the glass and the frame.  Be careful handling the glass as its edges could be sharp. If small children are involved, please do this step for them.
• Trace around the glass on a piece of paper then carefully set the glass aside.
• Inside the traced square paper, draw a heart in the center then lines to connect it and add visual interest.
• Once done, return the glass on top. With a black Sharpie, draw on the lines from your heart pattern.
• With craft paints, brush on colors in the various compartments.
• After it’s dry, add glue around the inside edge of your frame and return the glass piece, now featuring your painting on artwork, back into the frame.
• Let the glue dry, add a hook on top for hanging. This can be displayed in a window to let the love shine through!

3. Heart-Shaped Chalk Board

Reuse a pie pan, shaped like a heart, as a way to express loving messages.

Instructions:

• With some painter’s tape, add a line of tape along the inside edges of your pie pan.
• Brush on two to three coats of chalk board paint (picked up at your local hardware store), along the bottom of the pie pan and inside the painter’s tape.
• Allow time for the paint to dry between coats.
• After the final coat, let it dry overnight.
• Carefully remove the paint’s tape.
• Keeping with the repurposed theme, enlist an old belt as a hanger.
• Glue in place along the outside edge.
• Write in your message of love, then hang it up! Super easy—and very charming, don’t you think?

4. Jewelry Signs/Artwork

Create signs and art from repurposed jewelry for a sparkling way to express yourself.

 Instructions:

• Use an old frame and carefully remove and discard the glass.
• Glue a piece of burlap or other neutral colored fabric to the inside back part of the frame.
• With old costume jewelry parts and pieces, spell out “Love” or other meaningful words. You can also lay out your items in the shape of heart.
• Secure the jewelry with quick-drying epoxy glue for a strong and secure finish.
• Return the frame back on top for a wonderfully eye-catching and sparkly way to show your love.
  

 Ready to get shopping? Check out a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL near you to get the items you need.