Heart shaped boxes of chocolates and Conversation Heart are the tried and true Valentine’s Day gifts we give and receive every year. This year step out of the box and try making something different. Homemade Valentine treats will be a refreshing change for your friends and family.
Here’s some cute Valentine’s treats I found around the web, most of them are easy to make, and all of them look definitely yummy!
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate Love and Happiness. Here are some easy DIY ideas with free Valentine’s Day stickers to surprise your Valentine.
Lovely Planner
We all know that one person that writes down their plans, ideas, and goals. Why not surprise them with a customized planner? You’ll need a notebook, some decorative paper or some washi tapes, ribbons, and maybe even glitter. Let your creative juices glow. And don’t forget to print the stickers and apply one on the notebook, or inside of it with the inscription.
Adorable Coasters
They are easy to make, yet very useful. You just need to take some cork, cut it in wanted shape, print some Valentine’s Day stickers on regular or self-adhesive paper and apply them on the cut cork. You can use the coaster to decorate your house for Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day Card
There’s no doubt that Valentine’s Day cards are adorable, and so easy to make. Take some paper, fold it, and apply the printed stickers on the paper. Write a personal message to warm up the heart of your Valentine. This craft is easy to make, and can be a perfect crafty activity for kids to encourage their creativity.
Download these stickers, and start preparing for the holiday of Love!
Valentine’s Day is in less than a month. Valentine’s is such a fun holiday, specially for crafters! I made up this super cute set of Valentine Heart Hot Pads to use in my kitchen this Valentine’s Day. They make great gifts too!
Set of 3 Heart Hot Pads
Red Heart Hot Pad
Ring Holder
This pattern is very easy, it’s perfect for beginners! It uses rows of alternating single crochet and double crochet stitches to get the textured look. To make it heart shaped you just increase and decrease stitches at the appropriate rows.
I used Lily’s 100% Cotton Sugar’n Cream Yarn in Pink, Red, and White for the main colors and Azalea Ombre for the border and the matching ring holder. The holder is made by crocheting SC stitches in a plastic shower ring I got from Walmart. The shower rings come in a set of 12 rings and sells for about $1. You can buy them in different colors, but I like to buy the clear ones so that I can use it for several projects. It doesn’t really matter what color you buy as you will be covering it in yarn and will only see the ends.
You will need to make 2 hearts in the main color, the hearts are held together by the boarder. Using 2 hearts makes the pad thicker and less floppy. If you only want to make 1 heart you can, but it would be more like a washcloth, which are super cute too!
I used a J hook to make these Valentine Heart Hot pads, but really you can use any size hook you want as guage really isn’t an issue. Here’s the pattern, hope you love it!
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Supplies:
Hook size J
100% Cotton yarn in colors you want for the main color or colors – I used Pink, Red, and White
This pattern starts at the bottom point of the heart. Ch 1 at the turn does not count as a stitch.
Increases are made in the 1st. st of each increase row with a HDC & DC in the same st, and in the last st of each row with a DC & HDC in the same st. This adds 2 sts every time you increase.
Decreases are made in the First 2 sts of each decrease row with HDC decrease, and HDC decrease over the Last 2 sts. This subtracts 2 sts every time you decrease. Decrease begins on Row 18. To make an HDC decrease – yo (yarn over), insert hook in 1st. st, pull up loop (you will have 3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in 2nd. st, pull up loop (you will have 5 loops on hook), yo and pull thru all 5 loops.
With main color Ch 2
Row 1: SC, DC, SC in 2nd. Ch from hook, Ch 1, Turn (3 sts)
Row 2: HDC, DC in 1st. st, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (5 sts)
Row 3: HDC, DC in 1st. st, SC in next st, DC in next st, SC, in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (7 sts)
Row 4: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 2 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (9 sts)
Row 5: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 3 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (11 sts)
Row 6: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 4 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (13 sts)
Row 7: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 5 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (15 sts)
Row 8: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 6 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (17 sts)
Row 9: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 7 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (19 sts)
Row 10: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 8 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (21 sts)
Row 11: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 9 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (23 sts)
Row 12: HDC, DC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 10 times, SC in next st, DC, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (25 sts)
Row 13: HDC in 1st. st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 11 times, SC in next st, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (25 sts)
Row 14: HDC in 1st. st, (DC in next st, SC in next st) 11 times, DC in next st, HDC in last st, Ch 1, Turn (25 sts)
Row 15: Repeat Row 13
Row 16: Repeat Row 14
Row 17: Repeat Row 13
Row 18: HDC decrease over first 2 sts, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 10 times, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn (23 sts)
Row 19: HDC decrease over first 2 sts, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 9 times, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn (21 sts)
First Lobe of heart:
Row 20: HDC decrease over first 2 sts, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 3 times, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn – leave rest of heart unworked (9 sts)
Row 21: HDC decrease over first 2 sts, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 2 times, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn (7 sts)
Row 22: HDC decrease over first 2 sts, SC in next st, DC in next st, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn (5 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Second Lobe of heart:
Row 20: Turn work so that unworked portion is on the right side. Attach yarn to the 1st. st on row 19. Ch 1, HDC decrease over the same st you attached yarn to and the next st, (SC in next st, DC in next st) 3 times, SC in next st, HDC decrease over last 2 sts, Ch 1, Turn ( 9 sts)
Repeat Rows 21 & 22 of the first lobe.
Edging:
Round 1: Hold 2 hearts together and match sides and points. Attach contrasting yarn to the bottom tip of the hearts making sure you attach to both hearts. Ch 1, SC, HDC, SC in same st you attached yarn to. SC evenly along the side 20 times until you get to about row 16 ( the part that starts to curve out), 2SC in each st along the curve (15 times) until you get to middle point. SC in middle point st, Ch 7, SC in to the same middle point st you placed the last SC in (this forms a chain loop), 2 SC in each st along the curve (15 times) , SC evenly along the side until you reach the bottom tip, Sl St to first st, Ch 1, DO NOT Turn.
Round 2: SC in same st as join, SC, HDC, SC in next st (HDC of round 1), SC in the next 30 sts, (2SC in next st, SC in next st) 4 times, SC in next 12 sts – this takes you to the middle point, HDC into the middle point st you worked SC in the 1st. round, work 8 SC into the loop you made in round 1, HDC into the middle point st you worked HDC in, SC in next 12 sts, ( SC in next st, 2SC in next st) 4 times, SC in next 30 sts, Sl St to first st of round, fasten off and weave in ends.
Ring Holder:
Attach yarn to one end of plastic ring, attach to the main part of the ring leave the opening clasp free so you can open and close the ring. Work 40 SC in to the ring, bunch st close together so that the plastic ring is completely covered.
So you want to throw a Kids’ Valentine’s Day Party, how fun!
As you may know our family loves to throw parties, we use any excuse or holiday. So of course we think Valentine’s Day is a great day to have a party! A Valentine’s Day Party doesn’t have to take too much thinking, you already know your colors are going to be red and pink for the most part. And you have to have hearts, lots of hearts!
Here are some ideas to help you plan a Valentine’s Day Party!
All you need is a pretty glass container to fill with conversation hearts. The tulle pom poms add fun, but you can use lollipops, flowers, or whatever you can put on a stick![spacer height=”-20px”]
All kids love to give and receive Valentine Cards, specially those that come with a sweet treat.
The easiest way to give out Valentine Cards is to buy ready made one, some even come with the treat. Just print your child’s name on the card and send him to school with a bag of boxed conversation hearts or whatever.
I know my grandkids come home with lots of Valentine Cards and candies. But do you really want kids to have all that candy? Or if your child has allergies, like my grandson Jett, edible treats aren’t such a good idea. That’s why instead of candy we look for creative ways to send a non-edible treat to school on Valentine’s Day.
Here are 4 ideas for non-edible Valentine Cards to send to your child’s classroom. Trust me the parents will appreciate it!
Star Wars Card
Star Wars is popular again so why not send a Star Wars Card with a glow stick. This is one of my favorites!
Click here to find out how to make a Star Wars Card.[spacer height=”-5px”]
Dino-Mite Card
Print out these cute Dino-Mite cards and attach a small dinosaur on them. Kids will love it!
You can get a bag of dinosaur figurines at most discount stores. [spacer height=”-5px”]
Race Car Card
Instead of dinosaurs give out race cars! You can attach them to this card with a race track background.[spacer height=”-5px”]
Heart Cut Out Card
If you believe that all Valentine cards must have a heart then make these simple cards with a heart cut out. I used a a Sizzix Big Kit to cut out the heart design, but you can use a heart shaped punch or stamp instead.
You can stick or tie on these cards to whatever treat you’re sending to the classroom.[spacer height=”-5px”]
Baby Headbands, or any headband for that matter, are great projects to use up yarn scraps. They’re quick and easy to make. They’re also good projects for beginners. I made this cute Popcorn Stitch Baby Headband for my granddaughter Harper. I think she looks adorable in it!
I used #4 Worsted yarn for this headband, but you can use any kid of yarn you have, not to mention you of course can make it in any color. This is a great pattern to learn or practice the Popcorn stitch. It’s really a simple stitch, just 5 DC cluster that’s slip stitched together to make the cluster “pop” out. I like the way it gives texture and dimension to a headband or any other project. I think the headband is pretty enough on its own, but if you want to you can clip or sew on a bow, flower, or other decoration.
The headband I made measure 16″ when finished and will fit up to an 18″ head circumference. You can make it smaller or larger by making more or less FSC in the beginning.
Best way to measure for size is to measure the head circumference then make your foundation chain 2″ less than the measurement to allow for the stretching. If you make your foundation chain equal to the head measurement it will be too big and will not stay in place.
I used a foundation single crochet (FSC) to start this headband. I love this technique because I get bored quickly and hate making a foundation chain and then going back and making a row of SC. This technique makes the chain and SC together saving time. To learn this technique here’s a short tutorial from futuregirl.com.
Pop = Popcorn cluster – in same st work 5DC, remove hook from last loop, insert hook to top front of 1st. DC you made, pick up loop from last DC and pull thru the 1st. DC, Ch 1
Row 1: FSC 50, Ch 1, Turn
Row 2: *DC in next 2 Sts, Pop* Repeat across ending with DC in last St, Ch 2, Turn (16 Pop)
Row 3: *HDC in each DC of row 2, DC in Ch on top of each Pop in row 2* across, Do Not Fasten off
Border: SC in each st at the end of row 3 working towards FSC, 3SC in st at the corner, SC in each st of FSC, 3SC in st at the corner, SC in each st of end piece working towards row 3, Sl St this end to the other end to form a band. Fasten off and weave in ends. Be careful band does not twist when slip stitching ends together.