Monday, January 18, 2010

Valentine Decorations

buttonwreath
Hi everyone! I think it’s time to get out a few Valentine decorations.

Last year I made a Valentine Tree using branches from my yard which I spray painted white, empty food boxes and some scrapbook paper.
cheeriosbox (2)
I pulled some cereal boxes and some goldfish boxes  out of recycling  because I didn’t have any card stock and it’s a good way to re-cycle those boxes.
cutouts
I traced a heart shape and cut them out. They’re really pretty colorful as they are  and I think they could be hung as is.But I added some scrapbook paper. Glued the two together (this way it’s not just floppy paper hanging), punched a hole and hung them off the branches with some red yarn.
Vtree
I saved those hearts and this year I added a few embellishments to them and once again used branches from my yard (wish I’d find  a white feather tree).
remadevalentines
I had some pipe cleaners left over from Christmas and a few other odds and ends that I used.
hearts
I hot glued the pipe cleaners around the outside of the hearts. Some I glittered, some I just added some little bits of this and that.
Valentines3
This is a fun project for the kids to do. If they’re old enough to use scissors they can cut out the heart shapes. Or you can have all the hearts cut out and give them some stuff to decorate them with. It’s like decorating sugar cookies!
Toilehearts
I used all different kinds of papers. But if you wanted a tree that wasn’t so whimsical, you could do something like all toile hearts.
tree2
I think it would be a cute centerpiece if you scale it down a bit. Anyway, it’s a really inexpensive project that you can do using what you have on hand and everyone can help make it!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a wonderful week!




89 comments:

♥Frann♥ said...

Hi dear...visiting ur sweet blog...add me in ur blogroll ok...i have a super cute blog too,alywas with great poems and posts talkin about the life,love and God.Big Hug!!

Almost Always said...

your "Love Tree" is gorgeous!! my daughter and i could have a fun filled afternoon doing our own version. thanks for sharing and also for dropping "Sew Fun"! glad to meet you!xo

Melanie said...

Very cute. Your blog makes me smile every time I stop by.

Ally's Corner said...

What a cute idea. I may try it with my girls.

Donna said...

Love this idea! So cute and so whimsical...love, love, love!

Vee said...

Yes, I remember it and it looks darling again this year with its new embellishments. I have time. I could try this. ;>

horse loving lineman's wife said...

Cute and frugal. I love it!

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Just darling! Such a cute and great idea. The simplest ideas are the best! Thanks!

Julie Harward said...

WHAT A CUTE..FUN..PRETTY PROJECT! I WOULD LOVE TO DO THIS AND HAVE MY GRANDS HELP WITH IT...SO DANG CUTE! THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GOOD IDEA! COME SAY HI :D

Lara said...

Oh that is just amazing and how frugal! I better same those cereal boxes! You are a true domestic goddess.
~Lara

Anonymous said...

Hi Manuela! this is just so cute! You're the smartest one and so creative!! Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Shari said...

This is my first visit here, I think. Love, love, love your Valentine Tree!!! The ornaments are fabulous. I would love to do this with my grandchildren. Think they would love it too!

Thanks for sharing this with us all!

Hugs,
Shari

Connie said...

Such a Cute idea!!! My grandkids would LOVE to help make one.
Thanks!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I love that little tree. So cute!!!

XOXO
Jen

Nadine said...

Too Cute! I am setting out the Valentine decorations also!

Blessings!
~Nadine

Unknown said...

Very cute. Is the top one buttons?

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Very pretty, Manuela! I think the toile heart is my favorite!

Melissa said...

This valentine tree is beautiful. I don't decorate for this holiday, but this tree makes me want to.

Darlene said...

Your Valentine tree is ADORABLE! I LOVE how you recycled the boxes for your cardstock. Just too CUTE!

Greyhaven Pines said...

Great example of making a silk purse from a sow's ear!

Elizabeth

Unknown said...

what a cute idea! I love it!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

What a sweetHEART!

Love the Decor! said...

Very cute idea!! You could do the same for Easter with easter eggs or crosses!!

Anonymous said...

I love your Valentine tree!! I left my little white Christmas tree up with the pink pom poms and think these little gems would look great on it!!

blessings
mary

Betsy Brock said...

That is just adorable!

Angie said...

I am starting my Valentine's Day decorating this week too. Love love love the tree!!!

Amanda said...

Wow, loving your "love" tree. It is just darling!

Carol said...

I adore your Valentine tree! Thanks for sharing!

Smiles,
Carol

Lorrie said...

Hello Manuela,

Your Valentine tree is adorable!

Katie said...

Oh! I love that! It gives me all kind of ideas. I especially like the part using the cereal and gold fish boxes. Smart!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

How cute ! I think my daughter said she was going to leave one of Christmas trees up and decorate it for other holidays.

Stephanie said...

Not only crafty, but CUTE! I wish I had a crafty bone in my body! Its easier to buy it already made! Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Adorable!

Melissa Miller said...

How do you do it Mauela?

You are just amazing and so creative with all of your ideas. Love this precious tree! :)

Becky said...

What a darling idea!! I think I may steal that one of these days!

You're so creative!

Molly Anne said...

We must be on the same brainwave. I walked by my recycling pile today and was thinking of cutting hearts out of my cereal boxes. :)

They look beautiful!

Simple Home said...

I think I like the sticks better than I would a feather tree for this. It works so well. I need to do some of these with my kids. I even have the sticks already out on my back patio. This looks wonderful Manuela!
Blessings,
Marcia

Dawn said...

This is fantastic! And I really love your frugal approach to decorating, it's so inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing this, it turned out beautifully!
xo
country girl

Barbara Jean said...

CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

thanks for the ideas.

blessings

barbara jean

Rochelle said...

Such a cute idea! And economical!
Rochelle

Carol said...

I love this project. I'm hoping the kids and I can make one and we'll link back to you. Thanks for the inspiration.

Kathy said...

How cute is that?!!! I have a 4 year old girly girl who would love that! Thanks.

Michelle said...

Hi Manuela~ You are SO stinkin' creative!!!! Not sure that Valentine tree can get any more adorable and I love how you did it frugally :)

Have a wonderful week, my friend!

Blessings,
Michelle :)

Stacey said...

Very cute! Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday and since there is not much to buy to decorate with I am always looking for cute things to make. Have a great day!

vintage girl at heart said...

Thanks for sharing your toile tips with us....they look so pricey and professional..you are just the MOST creative gal on the planet!!!I always love to pop in and see what you are up to!!!
Love your Valentine tree too. I will be on the lookout for a white feathered tree for you..are you looking for vintage or new?
Blessings!!

Julie said...

Your tree is so cute and pink! I've been out looking for a heart shaped form to make a wreath and everyone is out, how can that be!

Unknown said...

You my friend Manuela..are the most creative person I know!!! I love love coming to your blog..I was looking for something to do with the grandkids for Valentine..that would be frugal but fun!...Yes, your Valentine Day Tree is it!!...Thank you so much for sharing so much with us...

Hugs,
Oma

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Valentines! Yummmmmmm...

WE so need Valentines Day, in mid winter, do we not? Yes we do! :-)

GlorV1 said...

Manuela, I just don't know how you do it. You just celebrate each season, holiday, any day with your creativity. I like this idea of cutting out hearts out of used boxes. Very good. I would like to try that, I may try that, if I can get out of my laziness. Seems like this year I'm being lazy and sleeping in too much. Great job. Have a great week.

Cindy said...

Great idea, thanks, I have been looking for some simple ideas. I have a granddaughter turning six on Valentine's day. So making something like this with her would be PeRfEcT!!

Anny said...

This is just so adorable :)

Home's Where My Heart Is said...

Great minds think alike! I spent the better part of the morning yesterday tearing apart cereal and cracker boxes for a project, too. I knew there had to be something I could use those boxes for. :)
I used my heart punch, too. I plan to punch out more hearts with different papers and plan to use my hearts for a garland.

Your project turned out absolutely lovely. I love the papers you used and the way you added edging on them. Thank you for sharing your creativity.

Christine said...

Cute idea, all my branches are still buried in snow!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a great idea. I was just thinking I would like to make some little valentines for branches I collected a couple of weeks ago. I have sooooo many cereal boxes -- I make them into gift totes using scrapbooking supplies to decorate them with. Has turned out to be a great, thrifty project. I think I might be making some little hearts for my branches this weekend. Blessings for a wonderful rest of the week. Tammy

Diane Shiffer said...

Oh Manuela, I love your little button wreath!♥

And here is my personal take on your wonderful valentine's tree idea: make a smaller one to use as a centerpiece and hang heart shaped cookies from it! We usually do a big Valentine's Day cookie decorating party for hoards of children, but this year I wasn't sure what we'd do since Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday. My kids and I just might decorate up a bunch of cookies ourselves to hang from a Valentine's Day centerpiece tree. We have a mid-day meal at church, and wouldn't this be fun for the dessert table? WooHoo! I'm excited☺

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

What a darling idea! I want to do these with my girls! Thanks for sharing. Love it! ~Ann

Susie Q said...

You always have the very best ideas Manuela! You are so creative!
Visiting you is always a breath of fresh air! This is such a sweet idea and I think Gracie would enjoy doing something like this!
Love,
Sue

Jennifer said...

I love the tree.....And so easy to make! It would look so welcoming as you enter the front door.

Jennifer

Sami Jo said...

Love this idea! You are so creative and ON THE BALL may I add... <3, The Lady fo the House

Unknown said...

This is my first time to your blog, and wow, how pretty your valentine tree is, I cant wait to read more ideas! Thanks for sharing! Sue

Cheryl said...

How LOVELY! I think my girls would LOVE this idea!

Maggie said...

What a wonderful idea! So happy I found your blog!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I love it! It's so cute! I definitely think I can make this!

Auntie Cake said...

You are really such a clever girl! Love your candles, and I have so many boxes to make into pretty decorations, that I can't wait. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Love the black bureau with the silverware also. You had me drooling!
Kate

Sarah said...

Absolutely adorable! I may just have to make one of these for mysel. Love this idea! Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah

Rainy Day Farm said...

What a great project. I have been needing something just like this to do with my kiddos for my valentines tree! Thanks so much for sharing. I just love the colors.

Unknown said...

cute cute , specially the toile ones. mishelle

Kathleen Grace said...

What a fun project! I love the colors and white, so cheery:>)

Cynthia said...

Love it! I am so going to try to make one. Going to pull out the boxes from the recycle bin and begin cutting. Love your blog and will be adding you to my bloglist if you don't mind. Have a great day!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've been off line a few days outside in my yard. So this morning I had to see what you've been up to, and lo and behold, you've come up with another frugal decorating idea! Manuela, you are the queen of frugal and both elegant and whimsical decorating style. You just keep surprising me.
Brenda

june@craftyniche said...

This is so cute! I think my daughter and I will be doing this project together. :)

PattieJ said...

What a quick and easy way to make pretty Valentine hearts. Very nice! Love your tree. I still cannot find any branches to paint white, so my valentine hearts are still lying here with nowhere to be hung... lol.

Just Rhonda said...

oh how I LOVE IT!!! I am so making one with my kiddos!

joyh82 said...

That is adorable, thanks for such a sweet idea.

Unknown said...

It a full romantic tree!!! so sweet.

Hugs
Charo

Rosemary said...

Very cute and clever!!
Love it!
Rosemary

Helena said...

I am featuring this today on my blog :) I love it!

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

This is darling and so whimsical. Your blog never fails to inspire me :)

Amy

Mimi Sue said...

I love it so much. Great job. Mimi

1 Funky Woman said...

Oh that is too cute! Love the way you reused the cereal box. No sense in throwing away good paper, and its cheaper than card stock!

Carol said...

I love your decorations! So clever using boxes for the base. I love recycling, especially when it doesn't look like it! Clever!

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

OH my goodness Manuela...you are amazing yet again!! Brilliant, as always, and I LOVE your toile candles...you are always thinking. What a pleasure it is to visit here, always a wondrous surprise in store, and an inspiring idea(s).
Love,
Tracey
x0x

Ski's Lady said...

I am going to try this with my kids this year. What is in the base of your vase/tree holder?

Ski's Lady said...

Another question: What kind of glue do you use to add the paper to the hearts? I'm really challenged in the crafty dept, so I probably sound silly to alot of you. I need a step-by-step tutorial! LOL!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Hi Ski's Lady,
there's no email for you so I'll answer you here. I used floral foam to hold the sticks. You can purchase it at Michaels etc and re-use it many times. Or whatever styrofoam you may have, packing peanuts. It doesn't really matter. You just need to prop your branches up. You could stick balled up plastic bags around the branches in your container even - I've done that when I didn't have anything else and it works in a pinch.

I used Mod Podge, a substitue is plain white glue like Elmer's thinned with a bit of water. The pipecleaners on the outside of the hearts were attached with hot glue which I wouldn't let your kids use as I've burned my fingers many a time with hot glue. But anything else can be attached with Elmers.

Hope that gives you an idea of how to do the hearts!

Manuela

Sue said...

Hi Manuela....I love this idea for a V-Day tree...I remember it from last year but love the trim you have added this year. And thanks for posting about the toile candles...I forwarded it on tomy daughter...

Hedy King said...

Oh Manuela, what a great idea you have given me. I have a pink Martha Stewart feather tree and am so going to use your recycled grocery box idea to decorate it...right now. I have the boxes, the scrap booking paper, so no cost deco! Thanks so much. I love reading your blog.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Love all of your embellishments on the hearts, and of course, I love the toile hearts. I've been looking for one of those white feather trees too. Since I only look at sales, I think they are all gone before the sales start. I remember your tree from last year, and I really like the white branches. laurie

The Tablescaper said...

This is adorable. It reminds me of something I did with my daughters last year, but that was pre-blogging so I didn't take any photos. But this year I will!

- The Tablescaper