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Story by
missbatch
Published on February 10, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
When I was in first grade, my teacher Mrs. Cechetti would bring in hand-crocheted ornaments for each holiday. (For all twenty-five plus kids in the class!) There were black cats for Halloween, ice skates — complete with paper clip blades! — for the winter holidays, Lincoln hats for President's Day, and white bunnies with pink ears for Easter. I remember thinking, even at six years old, "Wow... That's a lot of work, she must really like us!" (This was in addition to the pure delight and admiration I felt for her magical ways with yarn.) That direct hand to heart connection still resonates, twenty-five plus years later.
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time to highlight fun hands-on ways to show you care? Here's a round up of some of the sweetest treats to make and share... xox
Red Velvet Cupcakes
"Intimidated by baking, assembling, and decorating a homemade red velvet cake for Valentine’s Day? Give cupcakes a try instead!" says Nicole of Pinch My Salt. These decadent Red Velvet Cupcakes "aren’t pink, they aren’t reddish-brown, they are a dramatic RED, perfect for Valentine’s Day! And in addition to the beautiful color, these little cakes are light, tender, and downright delicious!"
Yum! Click here for the recipe and share them with someone special.
Amigurumi Love Birds
Made for each other in complementing yarns, this pair would do Mrs. Cechetti proud! Make your own set to share with your lovebird. Get the complete pattern at Lionbrand.com.
Thanks to WhipUp.net for highlighting this super-cute duo.
Tic Tac Toe Hearts
"When you think Valentines, what comes to mind? Hearts, red & pink, and crafts, right? Well I've included all three of those elements into the classic game of Tic Tac Toe.
(Oh, and chocolates are included too, which I was eating as I was crafting these red & pink hearts!)"
By Marie LeBaron, care of AlphaMom.com.
Make Your Own Valentine
Don't have a Valentine? Why not make one? That's just what Erika Kern, of myimaginaryboyfriend and craftstylish did.
"I must admit I'm not a big Valentine's Day fan. You see, I've never actually had a Valentine, but I suspect that even if I had, I wouldn't care for it. It seems to me that Valentine's Day only exists to make people in relationships feel as though they must spend spend spend to prove their love and to make the single out there feel as though they were the loneliest sots in all the world. Still, I am a romantic, and though Valentine-less, I still hope for love. This Valentine's Day I've decided why wait for Mr. Right when I can just make my own! Wanna make your own, too?"
Get the full instructions here.
Do you remember your first-- or your favorite-- handmade Valentine? Tell us about it in the comments below.
67 comments Login to add your own!
Sumikoshop
ninaandtom
AREjewellery
looks like ill be needing a myimaginaryboyfriend!!
love the little birds too - adorable!
ptitebaloue
...really do want these cupcakes but really don't want to walk to the supermarket... ...mmm haha
gloilocksandbody
kittytrishia
My favorite handmade valentine that I received was in 3rd grade, a cute little boy with blond hair and bright blue eyes that I had a crush gave it to me. It was a clothes pin with silk flowers glued to it with his photograph on the front and a magnet on the back. He said his mom made it for him but he told her what colors and what to put on it. He said he wanted me to hang this on my fridge and look at his photo because he thought I was cute. I still have it after all these years...somewhere. Ha ha ha, he was soo cute, dang boys were a lot more romantic back then.
Great picks too, I really love the little Valentine Wooly XD
DeNovoStyle
Lovely! I remember in grade school trading the little valentines cards with class mates - I couldn't wait! Now I buy them for my son (4 years). Such great memories!
waysideviolet
craftgasm
This adorability is totally inspiring me to skip the planned sleepover at my boyfriend's house tonight and to make him a Valentine instead! (I think he'd prefer the sleepover, though.)
soule
laralewis
baconsquarefarm
Going shopping tomorrow for ingredients to make red velvet cake for my sweetie.
makye77
BabbidgePatch
OrganicPanic
One of the nice things as an artist, is giving something I made and receiving cupcakes in return : ) Love this holiday.
rasideas
doingitherself
Yay! Gifts I can actually finish in time for Saturday! Thanks for these great ideas!
KellesKitchen
Awesome story! That red velvet cupcake looks divine...sigh :)
thegratulatest
I'd love to see some instructions for other DIY valentine's gifts!
BlueTerracotta
I want to make the cupcakes!
We exchanged Valentines in grade school, anonymously, so everyone would get one, and no one would feel bad. I loved the ones made of a red construction paper heart glued onto a paper doily!
IcingOnTheCupcake
What a great teacher! I remember making our own little mail boxes and then the class stuffed them with fun cards.
KimFelsen
ohfrench
I love the whole atmosphere of Valentine's day. There's just something about the red and pink...and I threw out all of my elementary school valentines! :( Why, Katherine, why?
worksofwhimsy
The first Valentine's Day after my husband and I were married, I made him a big card with the story of how we met, written, in part, with conversation hearts that were glued in place. It was silly, and romantic and he still has it.
BlackStar
timesandchimes
How sweet was that teacher! What a neat story! I need to hurry and whip something special up for the three special guys in my life!
LaireMarie
SASessories
voleurdebijoux
omg!! i'm gonna make those yummmmy red velvet cupcakes!! thanks for the recipe :D
GemmaBeads
Super duper! Vintage sewing notions are always a favorite of mine as well as heart beads. Yummy!
JoyandWhimsy
Hispanic Countries Forgotten Activities, Songs, Poems, Games guide for teachers and parents from 1943- includes some sweetheart pieces but great for year-round and is a beautiful picture book too at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
ShiezasLiving
MeAndBoo
The Amigurumi Love Birds are soooooo cute - I need to learn how to knit!
HungryDesigns
LOVE this article. and i am going to make the cupcakes. can't wait! ^_^
careysquirks
What an awesome teacher! If she's still around, I'm sure she woud love to hear of the impact she made on you!
EarthBabyDesigns
Mmmmmm....cupcakes....
Those woolie stitch markers are the bomb! Too bad I don't knit.
My favorite handmade valentines are the ones my 4 year old has given me over the last few years.
Piggy
pinkshowercurtain
great picks! LOVE red velvet cake, must try that recipe. thanks for sharing it. :)
Creativewithclay
westcoastbeads
Valentine red hearts are a classic. Love this list. How about some great velvet heart beads?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
...Or for those that prefer black hearts!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
polkadotdreams
What a wonderful story that was! It's always wonderful to make a good impact on children like that. Your teacher was very dedicated!
CutieDynamite
FlutterbyFibers
Wonderful picks! And that red velvet... mmmm... drool. : )
KellyBaldwinDesign
I just love everything about this holiday!!! Off to print that cupcake recipie!
bellasparty
The Red Velvet Cupcake looks delicious. I’ll get the recipe. Thanks!
atozart
My daughter was born on Valentines (but you don't have to have a birthday to do this fun tradition). We decorate a wooden tree (that I found @ a thrift shop and spray painted silver..), and made felt hearts of all colors with sparkle glued numbers from 1-14 on each one.
Each day leading up to the big day (in our case 2 big days:)
we start with the number one (feb. 1st) and hide the valentine. When it's found it's time to put your hand in the "Valentine" bag which is full of miscellaneous dollar things, or old stuff recycled, and that's the valentine treat for the day. It's fun to hide and seek them! During this activity of about 15 minutes, we also DECLARE something we'll do during the day to encourage and show love to someone else. We LOVE February. and life.:)
KelseysKreations
bijouxboutique
I got married on valentine's day. I love the lovebirds, I may even make them for an anniversary present
AzitasSurprises
tljoy58
DipNSipSpoons
allnaturalme
infusion
Those little birds are adorable. WhipUp.net is an awesome resource!
graciebellabutterfly
I adore the Tic Tac Toe hearts! The sweetest idea is the amigurumi love birds. Wow! Such a cute idea!
Iammie
Cute stuff!
Don't forget to see more items:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
Thanks
yifatiii
KattyKinns
jodieflowers
grapesofcraft
Wonderful ideas. The cup cake recipe sounds great, I think I will try it. The tic tac toe hearts is so fun looking. All of it is really so cute. Happy Valintines Day to all.
WaldeckDryGoods
cooksie
those cupcakes look sooo yummy! and mr valentine is very cute
happy valentines day everyone!
QuercusSilver
ilovehearts
NaniStore
vivilian
tinyspace
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