Valentines day crafts
Fourteenth February has fondly been assigned Saint Valentine ?s Day on the calendar, an occasion when couples cozy up to celebrate the most exalted emotion of all - love. The scope of this day extended with time as it came to stand for love ?s celebration not just among couples but any relationship that one deems worthy of rejoicing. Thus gift-giving and sharing became an essential part of Valentine?s Day. The trend continued to this day if not with greater vigor and alacrity. A whole market evolved around valentine day revelries. People flock to malls to make expensive splurges to commemorate love. But this year let?s attempt to break away from herd-rules and attempt something different to make the act of gift-giving less mechanical and more intimate and original. Let?s etch out a piece of artifact that has the stamp of your love ?s labor and originality. They are fun to make and also an opportunity to revisit the childhood passion for creative expression.
Making one is easy and with your creativity on the roll, you might as well whip up something from the scraps of art material gathered in your own house; or run a quick errand to a departmental store you will find craft materials galore.
Here are some valentine craft ideas that are easy, inexpensive and quick to build . These projects can be pulled through in no time yet they make the cutest gifts for presentation to your near and dear ones.
HEART NECKLACE:
Make yourself or someone else a heart-shaped necklace with the use of just a few materials.
Supplies:
Red clay or play dough, yarn, heart-shaped cookie cutters and straw .
Instructions:
Make a dough of red clay or play dough and roll it out to ? inch thick. Use a straw to make a small hole at the top of the heart . Let the clay harden. Pass yarn through the hole and tie the ends . Use clear acrylic spray to make the hearts glossy . Put some sequins or glitter to make the hearts sparkle . Your hand-crafted necklace is ready to be worn or given as gift to someone who matters.
VALENTINE?S FABRIC HEART PILLOW:
This pattern makes a novelty heart shaped pillow that is approximately 6 1/2 inches by 6 inches. Give them as gifts to anyone with their name stitched atop and nothing can get more personalized than that.
Supplies:
Holiday oriented fabric, thread, cord - 6 to 8 inches, piping or trim, a print out of heart pattern and stuffing material such as polyester Fiberfil.
Assembly directions:
Cut two pieces of fabric to the shape of a heart . Put a custom pattern or an embroidery on one face of the fabric . This could be attempted with the help of an embroidery machine or simply scour the internet for a Valentine Day pattern index. Now add trim to one side of the heart . Attach the cord at the center-top of the heart right below the converging lines. Place the right sides together and stitch the hearts leaving a small area open to turn them inside out . Use small stitches to keep the seam in place. Clip and trim at the curves. Turn right side out. Press gently to get the heart-shape neatly laid out. Stuff lightly, with stuffing material. Stitch to close the opening.
Pointers:
For a larger pillow-case simply enlarge the pattern with the help of a copier machine.
GliTTERING HEART BROOCH:
This brooch is simple to make and can be an ideal romantic gift for teenaged
girls. By dint of the few materials and low level of risk involved this piece
of craft may be attempted by grown-up kids with
safety.
Materials needed:
Square of fabric, buttons, gold fabric paint, heart-shaped wood, brooch pin and craft glue.
Instructions:
Start by brushing glue onto the top of the heart shape wood and lay the fabric down on it. Press with your fingers moving away from the center to the edges until it is completely glued to the base. Allow it to dry before cutting the excess fabric away from the heart-shape. Now give a glistening border to the heart with a carefully drawn line with gold fabric paint. Decorate the center of the heart with some squiggles. Using glue, stick some buttons haphazardly for that crazy patchwork look. To finish off, stick the wooden heart to the brooch pin and allow it to dry securely before wearing.
HUGS BOX GIFT CRAFT:
This could be a sweet romantic gift ideal for lovers. Write a touching personal message filled with thoughtful ideas and your lover will be incessantly reminded of the warmth of your loving embrace.
Supplies:
Small box, tissue paper, glue and paper .
Instructions:
Cut several 2 inch squares from a tissue paper . Lightly brush some glue on the box and stick the squares so that they overlap each other . Set aside to dry. Once dry, lightly brush the box with the glue-water mix to make it durable and shiny. Once dry, tie a curly ribbon as you would, tie a wrapped present . Finally, attach a gift tag. Engrave the tag with a beautifully scripted personal message .
HEART-SHAPED FLORAL CENTERPIECE:
Flowers speak the universal language of love . Arrange them decoratively in a heart shaped basket or container and give them as gift to your sweetheart or anyone you care for. Depending on the message and sentiment you wish to convey you can make this arrangement as elegant or as whimsical you want it to be.
Supplies:
Store bought heart shaped basket (about 4 inches deep), florist foam, plastic lining, flowers of at least two varieties - large flowers of same color such as Carnations or roses for center and filler flowers for accent.
Directions for the centerpiece:
Line a heart shaped basket with heavy plastic . Cut a piece of florist foam in the shape of a heart so that it covers the entire basket. Wet foam in water and place it in the basket . Cut carnations or roses to as much length as the depth of the basket . Stick the flowers into the foam in a heart-shaped pattern . Use as many flowers as may be required to conceal the foam completely by the arrangement. Now decorate the outer rim of the heart with accent flowers until the foam gets completely covered. Your center piece is ready for display at your own table or as gift for others.
Try these craft ideas at home and bask in the glory of your creativity. Play with your imagination and make it a fun exercise to be enjoyed with family and friends. Give them as gifts or put them in your house as a piece of artwork that bears the stamp of your personality and expression ? either ways it is bound to bring a glint in your eyes and a smile on the faces of those that are presented with a token of your ingenuous love.
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