All Signs Lead to Love, Repurposing a Wood Plaque

Love Makes the World Go 'Round.

Love the One You're With.

What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.

And the list goes on and on and on.  

So many beautiful lyrics.

With Valentine's Day in a few days, I decided to update a chicken wire frame that read "NEST."

While this might be a great word for a birdhouse, I prefer something a little more meaningful.
And softer colors.  With a little paint, I covered the blue frame with ASCP Old White and lightly distressed it.  Then I covered the red square blocks with Duck Egg Blue.  I stamped L, V & E on three of the blocks.

I transferred an old-fashioned graphic in place of the "O."  This graphic reads "Check Mate" on a heart with two people playing a game.  Then I added a little red & white twine.

Easy as can be.  

It left me plenty of time to bake some Valentine's cookies.

Happy Valentine's Day!

In case you missed a post, you might be interested in this repurposed project:

Repurposed Desk into Beverage Station

Be My Valentine

I l.o.v.e. this time of year. 

Rainy days, hot popcorn,

catching up on movies,

and

crafting!

Right around early February, I invite friends over for a Valentine's craft-fest, also known as Creative Therapy!  I provide inspiration and all the supplies they need to create an altered art project. 

Next week we're going to make this adorable Valentine's gift, embellished with ribbon, rub-ons, wood hearts, tags, stamps and, of course, CHOCOLATE!  [I thought that would get your attention.]

Starting with a plain tin "take-out" style box (which comes in red, white and silver), I added an "only YOU" rub-on to the front of the container. Then I glued a wooden red heart to the clasp that locks the lid in place. I found some puffy stickers, and adhered a "Be My Valentine" sticker on this heart.

Ribbon adds so much color and texture to a project.  I gathered a combination of red, white and black ribbons, and tied about a dozen 5" strands to the handle.

Then I stamped "sealed with a kiss" onto a circle tag, embossed it, and tied it to the handle as well.

The last step is adding the chocolate kisses! I lined the bottom of the tin with shredded paper, and then filled it to the top with red & silver Hershey Kisses. 

I got a GREAT DEAL: when the holiday candy went on sale [50-75% off], I bought several large bags. After eating removing the green pieces, I used the red & silver wrapped kisses for this Valentine's project. [No one will be the wiser.]   If there are any leftovers, I'll save the green kisses for St. Patrick's Day!

The best part of these craft-fests is that everyone has their own style when it comes to choosing their ribbons and embellishments.  This means that every project looks different, making it truly unique.  I love spending a few hours together with my friends while we relax, chat, and craft.  Creative Therapy is just what the doctor ordered!

 What are your crafting plans over the next few weeks?

Want more Valentine's ideas? 

I [Heart] You Mailbox

 

You Had Me at Hello

A Coordinated Ensemble

Find me having fun at these linky parties

and

Life With Lorelai Home Matters

French Country Cottage

Art is Beauty

Organized 31

I Gotta Create

From My Front Porch to Yours

Knick of Time Vintage Inspiration Party

Fox Hollow Cottage

Cupcakes & Crinoline

Whipperberry valentines-day-link-party

One She Two She

An Original Belle

Pull Tab in case of [Chocolate] Emergency

You know the kind of S.O.S. I'm talking about:  those nagging children issues and feelings that only chocolate cures! 

While the bag of chocolates sits in the pantry, package already torn open, ever so slightly, it is just too easy to sneak one piece here, nab one there, a few later, a few sooner...until the next time, when you find the bag is completely void of any chocolate remains except for the slight aroma of cocoa. 

"Who ate the last piece of chocolate?" she screamed, echoing down the long carpet-less hallway.  "Not me!" replied Thing 1.  "Not I," yelled Thing 2.  The dog?  Thankfully, not.  That could only leave one suspect:  "Yes, I confess, Mommy stole the last of the wonderfully decadent chocolate kisses once again."  [Sigh] 

Where is the willpower?  Where is the lock and key? 

The answer:  Create an altered art project.
Thanks to Erin at Making Memories, this project fits the bill.

All you need is a [small] can with a pull tab, a [Pampered Chef] can opener

and an UNOPENED bag of chocolate.

[The blueberry muffin is optional.  It tasted good with the juice.]

The first thing to do
is turn the can upside down. 

Using a can opener that doesn't leave ragged edges, carefully open the

bottom end of can and set aside.

Drink the contents.

Gather fun scrapbook paper and embellishments with a chocolate theme. 

For this project, I also used a tag punch, twine, stamps and a sticker.

Measure the circumference and length of the can,

adding 1/2" to circumference, allowing for overlap.

Cut paper and adhere to can.  Add additional paper if desired. 
I like polka dots.

Punch tag shape from solid cardstock.  Stamp chocolate sentiment on tag. 

This one reads,
"CHOCOLATE:  It's not just for breakfast."

Tie onto pull tab.  I used twine cord.

Using computer, print out

"Directions:  In case of sudden chocolate craving, pull tab."

onto cardstock. Cut out and adhere to can.

Add additional embellishments.  I added a sticker and ric-rac. 
Seal paper with Mod Podge.

This is the difficult part: 

Open bag of chocolate kisses [or chocolate of choice], and fill can to top.

Do NOT [let anyone see you] eat any chocolate during this step.

Using hot glue gun, adhere bottom end back to can. 

That's it! 

Only you and I will know how you got the chocolate in there! 

This makes a great gift, don't you think?

 Or....
I might keep it on my own desk
for emergency chocolate cravings....just in case.

Score:  A 6-Pack!

Enjoying great ideas at:

Craft Love Learn

Ginger Snap Crafts Wow Me Wednesday

Happy Hour Projects, A Glimpse Inside, House of Hepworths, At the Picket Fence,

Fireflies and Jelly Beans, Somewhat Simple, Serenity Now, One Artsy Mama,

Katherine's Corner, The Answer is Chocolate, Chic on a Shoestring, Be Different Act Normal,

Summit Street Joy, Flamingo Toes, Keeping it Simple, Craft-o-Maniac Monda,

CRAFT Monday, DIY Home Sweet Home More the Merrier Monday, Making the World Cuter Monday,

Polly Want a Crafter [Monday], The Girl Creative, Serendipity and Spice Manic Monday, Nifty Thrifty Sunday,

Alderberry Hill, Positively Splendid, Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl-Up Party, A Bowl full of Lemons,

Creating Your Home, Vintage Wanna Be, Get Outta My Head Please, Polish the Stars

You had Me at Hello.

The title says it all.  For anyone who's never seen the film, "Jerry Maguire," it is the best Valentine's movie EVER. The phrase, "You had me at hello" is one of the more iconic phrases in my vocabulary, and it is the creative catalyst for this altered art project.  And best of all, I used materials from my stash! 

I started with these somewhat "cugly" striped coasters 

which I immediately painted with black acrylic paint.  Bye stripes!

While the coasters dried, I cut out three squares of beautiful vintage

scrapbook paper to fit the coasters, and rounded the paper at the corners.

Next, I adhered the paper to the coasters with matte Mod Podge. 

I usually use a glossy finish for my projects; however, this matte finish

lends itself nicely to a vintage, romantic feel.

One more coat of MP on the top.

I edged the coasters with a bit more black paint, giving it a distressed look.

Then I dug deep into the dark corners of my craft closet in search of love--

love-themed embellishments, that is. 

I hit it big when I found a set of large white chipboard hearts. 

The chipboard has great texture, so I decided instead of covering them,

to stamp a French script design using black ink.  Voila! 

I continued embellishing the coasters with love-ly charms, acrylic flowers, baker's twine, chipboard, washi tape, acrylic tag, and a rub-on.   Then I typed up the wonderful phrase, adhered it to red chipboard and finished all three coasters off with additional Podge.

Then I contemplated how to display these coasters.  For those who know me, you are probably thinking well, of course, she is going to use a lot of ribbon.  That's what I thought.  However, I decided to return to the dark depths of my craft closet to see what other crafty treasures await. 

Lo and behold, I found a distressed green wooden frame. It was one of my Home Goods clearance finds I bought a few years ago for $3.50.

Only problem:  the signage.  It reads:

That will never do.  Unless this project is a gift for my dog.

How nice that Coconut already taped up the sides of the frame, so all I had to do was paint the inside of the frame in a warm antique white hue.

Then I adhered the coasters to the inside edges of the frame.

  

I kinda like it. 

And I know Tom C my husband will like it, too. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Having fun at these parties
A Delightsome Life
Love 2 Upcycle


Two Little Birds Decor
Adorned from Above
Sugar Bee Crafts
Whipperberry
Mad in Crafts
Dear Lillie
Summit Street Joy
Lollipops Cards
Vintage Wanna Bee
Lil Luna
Blue Cricket Designs Show & Tell
It's Overflowing with Creativity
Passionately Artistic
Making the World Cuter
Today's Creative Blog
Polly want a Crafter
Cowgirl Iink up party at Ivy Cottage
A Bowl full of Lemons
At home with K
Serendipity and Spice
Homemaker on a Dime
Ginger Snap Crafts
The Girl Creative
Tator Tots and Jello
Craft-o-Maniac
Skip to my Lou
I should be Mopping the Floor
Under the table and dreaming
All Things Fee
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
I Heart Naptime
Flamingo Toes Pink Sunday
Serenity Now
The Answer is Chocolate
Positively Splendid
Young and Crafty,
Measured by the Heart