I found these cute little felt hearts at Hobby Lobby and strung them on some silver thread.  It only took a few minutes and I like how airy they look. This is a quick and very inexpensive decoration for Valentines Day.

Step 1.

Thread the needle with silver thread and then poke it through the bottom of the first heart. Tie a knot to secure it. Then thread the needle through the top of the second heart as shown.

Step 2.

Continue threading the hearts, leaving space between each one,  until you have your string as long as you want it.

I made these strings of hearts using o rings (in the jewelry section of craft stores) and the glittery hearts were from Wal Mart and only cost .97 cents a package. I only needed two packs to make mine and it is at least a couple of yards long. The hearts were in the Valentine’s Day section but they have things like this at most craft stores too.

Materials:

• o rings (Get the kind that can be pulled open and then closed. The slip in kind won’t work for this.)
• hearts (I have seen lots of different hearts sold as table scatter or scrapbooking supplies)

Step 1.

Punch a hole in each side of the hearts. I used an eyelet punch but any small punch will work. You can use an ice pick if you don’t have one.

Step 2.

Slip the o ring into the first hole. Connect the next heart by slipping the o ring into that hole. I used the kind that you just spread open and then squeeze shut. It’s a lot easier than trying to feed them through the other kind.  Repeat this step until your string of hearts is long enough.

This fleece scarf is very easy to make and would be a great gift. You can make a fleece scarf from a small remnant because fleece is 60 inches wide. I got all the fleece for this scarf from a remnant bin. The vintage postcards are made using fabric paper.

Materials:

• 10 – 12 inches of white fleece
• small piece of pink or red fleece
• 1 sheet of fabric paper

Step 1.

Cut out six hearts for each end and six more to sew on scarf.

Step 2.

I have a cd of vintage post cards that I purchased online but I have also seen vintage postcards that you can print for free online. I printed these out on fabric paper in wallet size using the photo problem that came with my computer.

Step 3.

Pin three hearts across both ends of scarf. Turn it over and pin backs on all the hearts. Stitch around edges making sure to stitch through the front and back of the hearts.

Step 4.

Pin hearts onto scarf as shown. Slip the post cards that you printed on fabric paper inside some of the hearts and stitch around all edges.

These cookies are made from fabric and ribbon that is gathered to look like frosting.  These are faster to make than real cookies !

Materials:

• small piece of linen or muslin fabric
• ribbon
• stuffing

Step 1.

Cut out heart shapes from fabric and then stitch around edge with right sides together. Leave an opening to turn.

Step 2.

Turn to outside and then put a small amount of stuffing inside.  Hand stitch opening closed.

Step 3.

Using a basting stitch sew down the middle of a long piece of ribbon.  Pull the thread to gather the ribbon.

Step 4.

Pin gathered ribbon to cookie and then stitch by hand or machine.

I made this apron using a basic apron pattern but made some changes and added pockets made from vintage post cards and fabric paper.  I found a website that offered free downloads of vintage cards and the quality was great.  You could make this apron to fit any holiday or occasion.

Materials:

• pattern  ( I used Mc Calls M5386)
• fabric  ( pattern will tell you how much to buy)
• additional yard of contrast fabric for ruffle and pockets
• fabric paper
  
• vintage post cards
• one set of half ring strap holders
  

Step 1.

Cut out apron pieces according to instructions.  You will need to cut some additional pieces later that aren’t a part of the pattern.

Step 2.

Post card pockets

To make pockets cut two pieces of contrasting fabric. I used a solid and a mini dot print.  From the solid fabric I cut two pockets 8″ x 9″.  From the mini dot I cut two pieces 7″ x 5″.  Narrow hem all sides of the solid pocket pieces.  Now fold over the top of the pocket pieces to the inside about an inch and a half and press.  Take your two smaller pieces and narrow hem all the way around.  Press.

To make your post card pockets find a vintage post card online and then print them onto fabric paper.

(I went to hubpages.com and then typed in victorian valentines on their search bar.  These are free downloads and are very good quality. )

After you print up your cards on the fabric paper follow the manufacturers direction to set the ink. Now take your pictures and center them on the smaller pocket  pieces.  Pin in place and then stitch around edge.

Now place the smaller pieces inside the larger pocket pieces and center them. Pin into place and then stitch all the way around.   Pin into place on front of  apron and stitch into place.

Step 3.

I rounded off the edge of the apron using a paper plate as shown.

Step 4.

Ruffle

Cut two pieces of solid fabric that are six inches wide and  a yard long.  Stitch them together.  Now baste along edge  using a basting stitch and then stitch again 1/4 inch away from the first stitching line.

Pull the threads to gather and then pin to the bottom of  your apron adjusting the ruffle to fit. If you want a loose ruffle you won’t need the whole fabric strip.  Stitch into place and then turn to front and stitch along edge as shown above.

Step 5.

Narrow hem both sides of apron as shown.  Narrow hem the top of apron. Now fold over 1  1/2 inches on the top. Stitch

Step 6.

Neck strap

Take your tab piece and fold it in half right sides together. Stitch as shown.  Turn to right side and press.  Fold it in half and slip one end through your rings as shown.   Stitch securely to one side of apron.

Step 7.

Hem the edges of your neck strap piece and attach it to the other side of apron top as shown.

Step 8.

Apron ties

Hem all edges of apron tie pieces. Attach them to sides of apron as shown.

This project is made from four pieces of balsa wood and some string.  It’s a simple project that is fun to make and very inexpensive.  This would be a fun project for kids with just a little help.

Materials:

• four pieces of balsa wood
• string or twine
• glue
  
• drill
• wire
• paint

Step 1.

Draw out letters and a heart using glue on your four pieces of balsa wood.

Step 2.

Fill in the glue with string going around each letter twice as shown.  Let dry.

Step 3.

Drill holes at  the top and bottom of each piece as shown.  These holes will be used to wire the four pieces together.

Step 4.

Paint all four pieces red.  It will need two coats to completely saturate the string.

Step 5.

Cut six pieces of wire about three inches long.  Stick the wire through both holes as shown and then twist it together at the back as shown.  Leave enough slack at the front so that each of the wood pieces will bend at the wire connectors and will stand up when you’re all finished.  You could also tie it together with string if you’d rather.

This looks good with a candle burning in front of it because the light illuminates the string.  As with any candle you should never leave it burning unattended.

I made this wall plaque for my granddaughters room here at my house. I covered wooden letters with scrapbook paper and the large heart with chenille fabric that was left over from a quilt I made for their bed.  I added wooden beads to the wire that I used to hang it for a softer look. This is  also a great Valentines project and is quick and easy to do.

Materials:

• piece of 1 x 4 pine measuring 17″  long
• 3″  wooden letters
• scrapbook paper
• one wooden heart (I used one that is 6″ across
  
• scrap of fabric to cover heart
• piece of wire at least 28″ long
• pink paint, off white paint, crackle glaze
• wooden ring used for hanging curtains
• one small eye bolt for top of curtain ring
• one small wooden peg
  

Step 1.

Paint board off white.  Let it dry well then coat it with crackle glaze.  Let dry well and then add a coat of pink paint over that.

Step 2.

Trace around letters onto scrapbook paper.  Cut them out and then glue them to the wooden letters.

Step 3.

Glue the letters and the heart to the board.

Step 4.

Trace around heart on back of fabric and then cut it out and glue to wooden heart.

Step 5.

Drill a hole for peg and then put glue in the hole and push peg into hole. I used a piece of yarn to tie wooden ring to peg.

Step 6.

Drill a hole in both corners of board for wire hangar.  Paint enough wooden beads to cover wire.  I used two different size beads and painted half of them off white and the other half pink. Thread them onto the wire and then put the wire through the holes to secure it to board.

I made these sugar cookies from an old recipe but you can use the ready to slice and bake dough from the store if you want to save even more time.  I used canned frosting which I tinted with food coloring.

Materials:

• Cookies ( my recipe below)
• can of frosting
• decorating bag, tip, and coupler

Step 1.

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

4   1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1   1/4 cups shortening

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

Stir together flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.   In a large bowl beat the shortening and then add sugar.  Beat until fluffy and then add eggs and vanilla.  Now add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to the shortening mixture. Beat well.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

I always have to add some flour to the dough to make it easy to handle and roll.  When it’s ready roll out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and cut out desired shapes.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 – 12 minutes. This will make about 24 large cookies or 48 small cookies.

If you don’t have any buttermilk you can add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of regular milk.  Let it stand for 5 minutes before using it.

Step 1.

Open can of frosting and add a few drops of food coloring.  Mix it well.

Step 2.

Prepare your frosting bag by putting the coupler inside the bag and push it all the way down to the tip as shown.  Then place the tip (I use a wilton #21 ) on the outside of the coupler.   Secure the tip by screwing the ring onto the coupler as shown.

Fill your bag with frosting.

Step 3.

Place the tip on the cookie and squeeze out a large dot of frosting.  Lift the tip and place it on the cookie next to the first star you made and repeat this step.  Do this all the way around the cookie.

You can practice first on a piece of wax paper.

I made these conversation hearts out of  a 2×4 but you could also make them out of the pre packaged wooden hearts from the craft store if you don’t want to cut them out.  I just painted and stenciled them and that’s all there is to it.  This is a fun project because you can write anything you want on them which would make them a fun gift for someone special.

Materials:

• small piece of 2×4 or a package of wooden hearts.
• paint
• stencil

Step 1.

Cut out hearts from 2×4 and then sand the edges so they are smooth.  Or you can just use pre cut heart shapes if you want.

Step 2.

Paint the hearts different colors and let them dry.

Step 3.

Using a stencil add whatever words you want and you’re done !

These clothespins are very quick and easy to make and I like them a lot better than anything I could find in the stores premade.  You just need a pack of mini clothespins, small wooden hearts,  and some scrapbook paper.  I use them to hold up strings of hearts which,  in this case,  are made from chenille fabric.

Materials:

• mini clothespins
• small wooden hearts
  
• scrapbook paper
• glue
• chenille fabric to make hearts

Step 1.

Spray paint clothespins.

Step 1.

Trace around wooden hearts.

Step 2.

Spread glue on wooden hearts and then attach paper hearts.

Step 3.

Glue wooden heart to clothespin.