Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope this day of love is filled lots of love and sweet treats. Even though Valentine’s Day takes place on February 14^th, you can still use this holiday as a theme for your craft projects anytime of the year. Share love all year round, and incorporate it into your craft projects. Take this heart side table. Here is a perfect example of how you can incorporate the feeling and theme of Valentine’s Day into an everyday item. This side table was created using FolkArt paints and FolkArt stencils. It would look great in a little girl’s room, and feel free to change up the colors on this project. With this side table you can add a little love to any room.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Bright Baby Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pumpkin, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Painting Stencils - Large - Filigree Heart

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Hot Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Wood nightstand
Sandpaper
3/8" Stencil brush
Stencil adhesive
1” Foam applicator
Foam plate
Paper towels
Ruler
Pencil

Instructions

1.    Basecoat sides and front of nightstand Wicker White; paint top Hot Pink using 1” foam applicator; allow to dry.  Sand rough areas using sandpaper.  Reapply basecoat. If desired, trim edges in complementary colors.

2.    When top is dry, measure and mark lightly with pencil the center vertically and horizontally. 

3.    Dip brush into Wicker White; wipe on paper towel to remove excess.

4.    Position stencil on surface using horizontal and vertical marks as guidelines to create even spacing; hold stencil in place using stencil adhesive.

5.    Begin stenciling in a circular motion by placing bristles on an uncut area of the stencil.  Move brush gradually into an opening of the stencil.

6.    Reposition stencil; continue stenciling until all four repeats have been stenciled. 

7.    Clean up with mild soap and water.

The clock is ticking down, and Valentine’s Day is just 24 hours away. All over the web there are so many cute Valentine’s Day projects, and definitely not enough time to create all of them. So with a limited time left to craft, we wanted to suggest a last minute project for you make. Create this sweet nothings DIY photo frame. Mel from Mama Buzz made this photo frame using Apple Barrel paints, and Mod Podge Rub on Transfers. This is a great project to make with your tweens and teens. It is simple to make and perfect for beginners. To see how this was made and to make one for yourself click here.

There are staple craft surfaces that are never going to go away. One of those surfaces is a frame. Frames give us the possibilities to adorn our memories of our family and friends. This Valentine’s Day create this modern Heart Zig Zag frame made with Mod Podge. Amy Anderson from Mod Podge Rocks created this frame. It is so cute and puts a different spin on the traditional frame. To make one for yourself or to give as a gift to someone see all the supplies and instructions below.

PLAID Supplies

·       Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint - Camellia Pink

·       Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint - Pink Dahlia

·       Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint - Habanero

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pure Gold, 8 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Satin, 8 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Dimensional Magic - Glitter Gold, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Wood frame
Wood hearts – 1 large and 3 small
Scrapbook paper in the color or pattern of your choice
Paintbrush
Pencil
Scissors
Craft glue

Instructions

1.     Place your frame face down on the back of the paper and trace.

2.     Cut out the paper using the scissors and set aside.

3.     Paint the edges and back of the frame with several coats of Habenero. Let dry.

4.    Paint the wood hearts with the remaining colors (see photo for reference). Let dry.

5.    Mod Podge the paper to the frame. Use a medium coat of Mod Podge and spread over the entire frame. Smooth the paper down and let dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

6.    Add a coat of Mod Podge over the top and let dry. Add a second coat and let dry.

7.    Glue the hearts to the frame as shown using craft glue. Let dry.

8.    Add Dimensional Magic to the tops of the hearts and let dry overnight, keeping the frame flat.

9.    Once the Dimensional Magic is dry, place a picture in the frame and display.

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day of love, you might be in need of just one more craft project to create. Here is an easy and simple craft that was designed by Cathie and Steve. Our crafty duo shows you below all the supplies and instructions you will need, to whip up this cute and easy Valentine’s Day treat.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

Clear heart shaped favor box, Bubble wand, Foam paintbrush, Scissors, Hot glue gun, Decorative paper, Wood heart, Ribbon or trim, Silk flower, & Rhinestone

Instructions

1.    Trace the lid of the box onto the decorative paper. Apply a layer of Mod Podge on the inside of the box lid and on the top of the paper. Place the paper inside the lid (print side should show through the lid) Press with your finger until smooth. Apply more Mod Podge as necessary.

2.    Paint the wood heart pink. Topcoat with 3 coats of Hologram Extreme Glitter. Allow to dry.

3.    Using hot glue, add trim around the box, the heart to the top of the box and a silk flower and rhinestone to the heart.

4.    Cut a piece of paper to fit around the bubble wand. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper, wrap around the wand and topcoat with a second layer of Mod Podge. Once dry, glue ribbons around the top and bottom.

Happy Monday :) . This is a great time of year to make cards. Not only are they simple craft projects to create, but you can get as creative as you’d like. One of the best gifts to give for Valentine’s Day is a lovely card. A designer of Plaid's, Sherri Ragsdale made this project. This cute, whimsical monkey card makes a great Valentine's Day greeting. See below for the supplies needed, and instructions on how to make this adorable car.

PLAID Supplies

·       Simply ® Stencils - Value Packs - Tween Girl

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lipstick Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Nutmeg, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Brown construction paper, Pink construction paper, White cardstock, 1/8" red ribbon, Glue stick, White craft glue, Scissors, and Stencil brush

Instructions

1.    Stencil monkey onto pink paper in Nutmeg. Stencil the heart in the center with Lipstick Red. Allow to dry. Cut out monkey.

2.    Cut out a piece of brown paper 1" shorter than the length of the card. Glue to card as shown in photo using the glue stick. Glue the monkey to card.

3.    Cut seven uneven 1" strips from pink paper in different widths. Glue to top of card.

4.    Cut red ribbon the width of the card front and adhere using the white craft glue in between the brown paper and the pink stripes. Tie a bow and glue onto card.

In less than a month your kids are going to begin bringing home tons of Valentine candies. Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out where to store all these goodies. These Valentine Candy Boxes will definitely come in hand. Help create these boxes with your kids. They will enjoy making them, and you will enjoy having a place to store their candy. These adorable boxes were made by, Cathie & Steve.

PLAID Supplies

·      

     FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

2 clear heart shaped favor boxes, Foam paint brush, Scissors, Hot glue gun, Decorative paper, Wood heart, Ribbon or trim, Silk or paper flower, and Rhinestones

Instructions

1.    Trace the lid of the candy box onto decorative paper. Apply a layer of Mod Podge on the box lid and to the back of the paper. Place the paper on the lid. Apply more Mod Podge to the top, press with your finger until smooth. Apply more Mod Podge as necessary. Smooth your brush strokes.

2.    Paint the wood heart pink. Topcoat with 3 coats of Hologram Extreme Glitter. Allow to dry.

3.    Using hot glue, add trim across the box, the heart to the top of the box and a silk flower and rhinestone to the heart.

Normally you may not think there are many recycled Valentine’s Day crafts. Well here is one you will definitely be amazed by. These Cereal Box Valentine Holders are so creative, and unique. Julie Lewis designed these. I could really see teachers creating these with their students. Kids would love this project. Not only is it a recycled craft, it is purposeful also. It’s a great way to store all your Valentine cards.

Other Supplies

Empty cereal boxes, Flat brush ½”, 1 ¼” foam spouncer, Craft knife, Ruler, Brown craft paper, Red grosgrain ribbon, Assorted gems and glitter stickers, 2 large red glitter stickers, Wood valentine appliqué,
Pink and red chenille stems, Glue, Double sided tape, and Scissors

Instructions

1. Carefully cut three sides of cereal box for lid with craft knife. Cut an opening for Valentines and poke two holes into top side of box for handles. Front of box will open from top and fold down.

2. Paint one Licorice and let dry.

3. Cut Craft paper to fit all sides of box and either glue or secure with double-sided tape. Cut and ‘X’ in opening for cards, fold paper to the inside and secure.

4. Apply Wicker White spouncer dots.

5. Cut length of ribbon for handle, or twist pink and red chenille stems together. Insert ends through holes and glue.

6. Cut lengths of ribbon for straps and glue around boxes as shown. Start at the top end of the front box opening and end at the front just even with card opening.

7. Glue embellishments and wood appliqué to box. Add large adhesive hearts to end of ribbon to close.

Decorated frames make for a great gift anytime of year, especially Valentine’s Day. Show the one you love how much you care by giving them a nicely decorate frame filled with your loved one. This Love Bug Frame was created by, Julie Lewis. Here is a great simple project that you can make with your kids. This Love Bug Frame also could be a great class projects for teachers to use with students.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lipstick Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

·       &VALUE FRAME HEART

Other Supplies

½” Fat brush
1 ¼” Foam spouncer
Wood love bug appliqué
Glue

Instructions

1.    Base coat frame Lipstick Red. Let dry.

2.    Apply several coats of Red Extreme Glitter paint to frame.

3.    Create Licorice dots with spouncer.

4.    Glue wood appliqué to frame.

5.    Insert picture of your love bug.

Alone or together, this gang of love bugs will sweeten your Valentine’s Day! OMG! Have you ever seen a cuter Valentine’s Day craft? I would bet you haven’t until now. These love bugs were created by one of our very talented designers, Julie Lewis. With Apple Barrel paint, and styrofoam the possibilities are endless. You and your kids are sure to have a blast creating these love bugs. So adorable, and would make a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift. To learn how to make these, click here.

By: Candie Cooper (To see more of Candie's work visit her blog, Candie Cooper's Journal)

Valentine's Day is about a month away!  This is a project especially geared for little ones, but I had a ton of fun making it so let's just say it's for kids of all ages. ;)  It's carefree and fun, no skills required.  Do you like it already?

You will need:  Apple Barrel paints in pink, light pink and purple, pink Martha Stewart glitter paint, paint brushes, a canvas in desired size, Mod Podge, and paper doily hearts.  You will also need a frame to fit your canvas.

Base-coat the canvas in desired color and then while it's still wet, let your child do the painting with a lighter color (i.e. dark pink and light pink).  I channeled my inner 3 year old here.
 

As the layer's dry, you can add the purple.  Here's where you have to be careful, because if you put the purple on, while the pink is still wet, you may get a "muddy" look.  You know the one.  I plugged in a hairdryer next to where I was working to quickly dry the colors.
 

Add a touch of sparkle with Martha's glitter paint.  This stuff is so fun!  Look at what it does to the surface in the next photo!

Just the right touch!  It is shiny when it dries, but don't worry because the Mod Podge in gloss will make everything shiny.
 

Lay the paper hearts however you wish on the canvas.  Here's one idea I thought about.  You can also use big paper hearts!

Use Mod Podge to adhere the hearts to the canvas.  Have you tried the Mod Podge brayer?  It smooths out all the air bubbles and wrinkles.  Very handy!
 

Optionally, you can use a paint marker to add initials, date, or sentiment.  Artists of all ages can sign their work, right?!  
 

You can leave it like this or paint a frame to match.  

Ta daaaa!  Sweet Heart Valentine's Art!

Get your own Mod Podge Brayer right here:  http://www.createforless.com/Plaid+Mod+Podge+Tools+Brayer/Squeegee/pid173914.aspx

Here's a spiffy way to recycle and reuse stuff you may have around the house AND  create a great Valentine. This little card holder is made out of an empty ice cream container and covered with scrapbook paper. Sparkle Mod Podge gives it an extra special touch! What other household items can you use to make a V-Day card holder?

I like to acknowledge all the hard work that is put in by my son's teachers-especially on special occasions like Valentine's Day - but don't always have the time to do something really elaborate. Here's a great way to give a gift that is both from the heart and simple to make. Pour teacher’s favorite treats in mason or similar jars and use scrapbook paper to embellish. To give the paper a super smooth shine or a little glimmer, seal with Mod Podge. There are so many variations on this idea - you can even plant a small flower or make a mini terrarium in similar jars.

Valentine's-Day is one of the most exciting celebrations for little kids. They love getting and giving cards and gifts for the friends and teachers. There are so many fun ways to make Valentine's special. Here is a cute idea that uses tissue paper and Mod Podge. I think this would make a great vase for a teacher. You could even adapt the idea for a class project-just use small, plastic cups or containers!

Valentine's-Day project featuring Simply stencils.

This post features something good to make and something great to eat. Little Birdie Secrets offers a mega post-a recipe PLUS a tutorial so you can deliver your treats in style! Follow this link for directions and LOTS of photos!