Pretty Little Heart Garland

The last two little handprint valentine cards that we made the other day have been addressed and are waiting to be dropped into the mail to their lucky recipients in different places across the US and Mexico :)

In one of the emails while exchanging addresses we chatted about how we as parents have just as much fun with these little exchanges as our children and you know it is so true! My children are crazy about receiving mail since it isn't an every day occurence for them and I have so much fun making the swaps with them and checking the mailbox right alongside them everyday for packages to *grin*. So when I found out that two wonderful mama's wanted to send us cards in return I was thrilled! I can't wait to see their surprised faces when they find those envelopes in the coming weeks :)

I've been crocheting up a storm today. I found a great little heart pattern at A Foothill Home Companion and it is so nice and easy that you can whip up a heart in a matter of minutes which is a good thing if you plan on making a large garland *grin*.

I didn't have any natural colored yarn for the chain so I thought it would be fun to crochet up some raffia which if you haven't seen it before has a papery texture but is made from plant fiber :) I think that it will make a nice addition to our valentine tree this year :)

I was asked what yarn I used and I thought that I would quickly add it here just in case you would like to know as well :) It is Red Heart 'Luster Sheen' 2ply sport/fine weight and the color is Cherry Red #0915.

What valentine decorations are you making this year?

Hugs,
Rosina

PS. Looking for more crafty ideas or inspiration? Pop over to Natural Suburbia's Creative Friday and see what others are up to :)

Valentine's Garland ~ 'Sew' Easy To Make!

We are totally into Valentine's Day mode around here! I know it's a little bit early but if we don't do it now we may not do it at all *grin*. I love paper garland and thought it would be so much fun to make a Valentine themed one.

I made some quick cardboard templates of X's, O's, hearts & kissy lips. Of course we had to have big kissy lips to go with our X's & O's which if you aren't familiar are for kisses & hugs. Perfect for Valentine's day :) I made the templates out of an empty cereal box and traced them onto construction paper and then my little crafty helper, L, cut them all out for me :) Kids and scissors just seem to go hand in hand so this was one fun project.

Then came the fun part for mom :) I took each piece, repeating them in a pattern and sewed them all together with the sewing machine. So easy!! I mean there is no work involved. The machine stitches through them without any trouble and as I finished each one I gently pulled it and the thread out in equal intervals between each piece.

Done :) We swapped the kitchen curtain and put up a fun red gingham one, hung our newly made valentine garland & added some cute little tin birdies that I attached to the curtain to :)

It is so stinking cute and anyone can make this! Have fun creating one of your own :)

~ Rosina