{DIY Round Up} Valentine's Day Projects and Printables

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and let's be honest, we all love love. You remember in grade school, making boxes covered in felt hearts and feathers hoping for a flood of those flimsy V-day cards; you know, the ones you agonized over buying with your mom who thought any ol' card would do. Yeah those. I slowly opened each one, savoring every crooked signature. Sigh. Third Grade.

Photo courtesty of Let's Talk About This

Some say V-Day is a Hallmark holiday but many embrace it and enjoy the pomp and circumstance around that little winged Cupid.  I say bring it, the more love and good feelings in the world, the better.

Here at de Lovely Affair, we focus on practical planning and a DIY Round Up is the perfect way to get you prepared for the big 2-1-4 (Feb 14). We've gathered the best, easiest DIY projects/printables for your perusing pleasure. Remember, don't hate the V-Day, just spread the love to your neighbor, co-worker, spouse, children cause we all need a reminder that we are special.
  
18 Free Printable Valentine's Day Cards: Sweet sentiments to make someone's day! These PDF lovelies were created in a simple postcard style - use a heavier weight 8.5" x 11" cardstock, print and let the fun begin.

 

You can cut out the conversation bubbles or leave as a postcard.  Write a love note on the back and leave around the house for your sweetie; in the sock drawer, in the bathroom, send him on a hunt that leads right to you. One reader suggested making garland out of smaller printouts. There are so many ways these can be used to spice up your V-Day!

Click HERE for the 18 free Valentine's Day Cards in PDF form. Credit and thanks goes to Thank You Cards Shop Blog for letting us share.

Paper Heart Ornaments This great project from Paper. Scissors. Superheroes. shows you how to turn old magazine pages or lovely scrapbook paper into these super sweet Valentine’s Day heart ornaments. (They work equally well for other important days too.)

Photo courtesy of Paper. Scissors. Superheroes.

Grab a visually delightful publication, some thread or Baker’s Twine, and a few handy adornments, beads, baubles, your favorite charms. Here are the PDF directions, which were originally published in Paper Crafts Magazine. 

Sweets for Your Sweet: These picture perfect cupcakes are sure to please the sweet tooth in everyone! I mean, who doesn't love a cupcake right...what a thoughtful way to say I love you.

Photo: Courtesy of Hello Naomi

We found this easy to follow, super quick recipe over on Brides.com. You'll need regular cupcake ingredients plus some extras, like fondant and gel dye, both available at your local craft store.

Goodie Bag. Once your oven is off and cupcakes complete, store your yummies in this cute DIY treat bag, brought to us by Twig and Thistle. Grab some kraft treat bags and use their printable template. And don’t forget the milk and adorable paper straws!

 Photo courtesy of Twig and Thistle

Hope you enjoy our Valentine's Day DIY Round Up and use these ideas to bring joy to your life. At the end of the day, it is all about love; giving, receiving, loving who you are, what you do and the people around you. If you like what we do, please show us some FACEBOOK love by LIKING our page and FOLLOW us on TWITTER. Thanks, you are the best....and remember....

 Photo courtesy of Cool, Cute, Clever, Crazy

...is always a nice thing to say.

Go with the good stuff!

 

Papel Picado Wedding Invitation - DIY Style

In continuation of our Mexican Wedding inspiration week, here is a super cool project for the creatively inclined....a Papel Picado Invitation I found on Once Wed.  Literally meaning 'punched' or 'perforated' paper, papel picado is a traditional cut paper folk art found throughout Mexico and the former colonies of Spain as well as in the folk traditions of many other countries. 

The invitation DIY project shown here happens to be for a rehearsal dinner/fiesta but I think you could probably use and embellish this idea for any wedding related event needing an invitation. This project is fun, super easy and makes a big impression for the relative ease of construction. So gather your ladies together and spend a day putting these beauties together.

DIY Papel Picado Invitation Project

For this project, you will need:

- 4-Bar flat note cards - Paper Source is a great place to purchase the 4 Bar note cards or any size you need for that matter. They are my personal favorite and got me through my own wedding!  You can also cut 4-bar sized cards out of regular letter sheet.  

- Scissors

- Glue stick

- Mini papel picado banners: You can purchase mini banners here. The mini banners typically have 10 sheets. This project calls for 5 per invitation. Another more economical option although time consuming is to actually make your own. Here is a helpful instruction guide and cutting template.

- 4-Bar vellum envelopes

After printing your note card, begin assembling the invitations themselves. If you choose to use these banners, which are ten per strand, simply cut the banners in half, allowing for 5 tissue sheets for each invitation.  Next, place a small line of glue on the same area as the string on the first piece of tissue on the papel picado banner.  Center this piece on the notecards and glue into place.  Repeat for the last piece of your cut banner.

And Voila! Wait, that is French...anyway fold together, one flag on top of another, arranging the two notecards as if it were a bi-fold invitation. Slip in your vellum envelope and mail off the fun!

Project by Denise Mieko Cherry


Have a deLicious Day!