Valentine Pocket Hangers and Garlands {Upcycled Mixed-Media}

A couple of years ago, I found a great deal on old LP's in a local Goodwill. They were ten cents a piece, so I grabbed a stack of albums that met one of two criteria: good album, or good cover graphics.

We keep an old stereo at the beach house, so LP's get plenty of use, but since not all the vinyl was in good shape, I was looking for album covers that could easily be re-purposed. I found a melted LP, with beach themed graphics and decided to make some Valentine pockets with it.

Easy Valentine's Day Ideas

Are you looking for some easy Valentine's Day ideas? I don't usually do a lot, decor wise. I'll hang a wreath, or hang a garland on the mantel, but that's about it.  After the frenzy of the holidays, I'm not ready to go crazy on Valentine's Day!

I do like to do a few small things, though, whether it be a special recipe or a simple craft.

These cute valentine ornaments couldn't be easier to make, using supplies from the dollar store.

This easy garland was made from old book pages and cardboard from the recycling.

Who wouldn't want cobbler from their sweetheart on Valentine's Day?

These faux tin LOVE letters are so easy to make, using recycled cardboard.

What better way to start your Valentine's Day, than with the world's best Bloody Mary?

This little sweetheart wreath was made from recycled cardboard, vintage book pages, and recycled wool sweaters!

Okay, so this post is not about making anything -- it's all about hooking up!

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Love, in the Time of Hearts and Kids

I will admit that I do very little for Valentine's Day.  I often have great plans, but then spend January and February simply trying to recover from the Holidays.  Before I know it, Valentines Day has come and gone, and I'm still trying to finish up the Christmas cards.  I once had a stash of vintage heart-shaped candy boxes that I was going to use to make all sorts of wonderful stuff.  It never happened.  After about twelve years, I donated the boxes to Goodwill.

 Someday, I want to make something wonderful like this sweet heart.

A simple craft, a display of heart-shaped cookie cutters, a couple of vintage valentines tucked into a bookshelf -- that's about all I try do anymore.  There was a time when we made Valentines for the birds, using white bread cut into heart shapes, spread with peanut butter, and coated with birdseed.

The bird valentines we made with our young children were very similar to these darling hearts.

It was a fun family project, and the children enjoyed watching out the window, as lots of sweet little birds visited the tree where we had so lovingly hung their gifts.  Then one year we got a kitten.  Naive little family that we were, we made our traditional valentines for the birds.  A few days later, as we pulled into our driveway after school, we noticed feathers all over our lawn!   Oh, the trauma -- there sat our sweet cuddly kitten, watching, and patiently waiting for the next victim. The kids were really understanding about our kitty's hunting instinct, and really loved their kitty, but they loved the birds, too, so we all agreed the bird treats had to be taken down.

I think my daughter must have been a trendsetter, Etsy shops are full of these 

humorous and sweet anatomical heart valentines .

When my oldest child was in preschool, her teacher requested a parent meeting right after Valentine's Day.  She was concerned that our daughter was not performing at grade level and was not going to be ready for kindergarten.  When I asked her why she felt that way, she pulled out a manila folder, opened it up, and removed an art project my four-year-old daughter had done.

The drawing our daughter's teacher presented looked more like this heart than a typical Valentine heart!

It looked weirdly familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.  The teacher explained that she had instructed the children to draw hearts on their papers, and our daughter was the only child in class who seemed unable to draw a simple heart shape. After a half-hour of listening to the woman's drivel, I left -- without the heart.  The heart, apparently was part of our daughter's "permanent record".  As it turned out, our daughter thought it was really weird that her teacher wanted them to draw hearts.  She gave it her best effort, having only seen a heart once -- on a PBS documentary on open heart surgery.  She thought it was strange that her classmates were getting it so wrong.  She's in her twenties, now, and still remembers that project, and her bewilderment at being asked to draw a HEART for Valentine's Day!  I sure do love that kid.

Mod Podge Rocks!

Amy, over at Mod Podge Rocks, hearts my British Invasion Love sign!  She hearts it so much that she's featuring it as the project of the week.  

If you heart Mod Podge, and you haven't seen Amy's blog, you'll definitely want to pop over for a look around.

I hope you are all having a sweet Valentine's Day!

I Heart Wreaths, a Collection of Favorite Valentine's Wreaths

Don't you just love all the heart wreaths and Valentine's wreaths we're seeing right now?  So many of you are so talented -- I'm continually blown away by the creativity that abounds in blog land!  Here is a lovely sampling of favorite wreaths that I heart right now.   Be sure and stop by these ladies' lovely blogs and check them out!

The combination of texture and form on this wreath from Aaron at Mudpies and Marigolds makes me want to swoon. 

This wreath even sports a "corsage" on the shoulder -- so elegant, and rustic at the same time.

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Andrea never disappoints, with her dreamy concoctions.

This wreath captured my heart last year, and still has a hold (must be that love potion on the tip of the arrow)!

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Jessica, at Sweetie Pie Bakery, created this darling wreath from pompoms she made herself!  You can see her tutorial here.  And while you're there, check out her gorgeous Anthropologie inspired shower curtain (with tutorial)!

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How much more sweetness can a girl take?  This little framed number is just way too cute!

Head over to Tales From an OC Cottage to see how the artist and Marie Osmond created this lovely piece.

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Here's one that's not fussy, but is absolutely elegant in it's simplicity.  I'm totally digging the gingham ribbon and the little pop of pink on the arrow!

Go see Maggie at Black and White, Side by Side,  for a link to the full tutorial.

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Becca, at Nap Time Journal, made this adorable fabric wreath, and put it in a thrifted frame.

So cute! Aren't you just loving all the framed wreaths we're seeing?  I just love the layering.

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This sweet little up-cycled wreath from Christina, at From One Momma to Another is so lovely in it's simplicity.

I adore anything up-cycled and creative.  I like that it's not overly fussy, but still packs some punch!  Check out the tutorial -- you'll never believe how easy and thrifty this project is!

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Can I show you one more  (or does this one count as two)?  This sweet little pair of hearts, made by Heather, at Straight Stitches is about as darling as it gets! 

I heart these wreaths!

Do you have a favorite Valentine's wreath that you've made or seen?  Link it up in the comments section -- I'd love to see what's inspiring you.  Be sure and visit these talented ladies, and share some of the "LOVE"!

Sweetheart Wreath With Felt Flowers and Vintage Paper

Has anyone ever done something really kind and unexpected and wonderful for you?   Well, someone did something for me the other day.  On New Year's Day, there was a knock at my door.  We were so surprised to see our friend Joy standing outside, with several plates piled high with traditional New Year's fixins (with just a bit of a Cajun twist)!

Amazing black-eyed peas, for good luck, collard greens, homemade cornbread, smoked turkey, rum cake -- it was incredible!   Joy didn't realize we had been sick, and hadn't eaten in days.

We were starving, but didn't have the energy to cook!  She saved us.  And a thank you note could never express our gratitude.

So, I created a sweetheart wreath for Joy.  Because she is a sweetheart.

She actually drove into the city on her day off to bring us our feast!

And did I mention, we were starving?   And recovering from being sick?  While we were standing in the doorway, she admired this wreath, explaining how she knew which door was mine.

So, this week I made Joy a wreath.  Inspired by my simple vintage wreath, but created for a sweet lady who knocked on my door and brought me good luck.

This wreath was made from two layers of corrugated cardboard rescued from the recycling.  The cardboard was cut into the desired shape, and the layers were glued together.  The cardboard was then covered in strips cut from a vintage Latin prayer book.   Here is a look at the back of the wreath.

Thrifted sweaters were felted and used to create the sweetheart roses. 

The wreath will be darling hanging from a loop of jute upholstery webbing, don't you think?  I think I like the play of textures...

I hope my friend likes it!

If you'd like to see the recycle gift bag this wreath was packaged in, click here.

Enjoy what is left of your weekend!

This post is being linked to:
Copy Me Challenge at Miss Mustard Seed
It's So Very Cheri
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Remodelaholic's Anonymous
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
Show and Tell at My Romantic Home
Air Your Laundry at Freckled Laundry
Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life
Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville
Crazy Cute at Between U and Me
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
A Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday
Transformation Thursday at Shabby Chic Cottage
Thrilling Thursday at Paisley Passions
Upcycled Awesome at the T-Shirt Diaries
Hookin' Up with HoH
All Things Inspired at All Things Heart and Home
Catch a Glimpse at a Glimpse Inside
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage
Handmade Tuesday at Ladybug Blessings
What's Up Wednesday at Sew Woodsy
Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
A Little Birdie Told Me at Rook No. 17
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Craft Catwalk at Embellishing Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Made with Love at Sew Chatty
Mad in Crafts Mad Skills Party
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts
 Tootsie Wootsie
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Share Day at Just a Girl
Inspiration Friday at Southern in My Heart
Tickled Pink at 504 Main
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Style Feature Saturday at Perfectly Imperfect
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming 
Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime