Home Decor: Gothic Valentine's Day

 

This was actually my first Valentine's Day project this year and I've forgotten to post it! When I showed it to Mr. Chocolate his response was "Isn't it a little early for Halloween?" and I had to remind him that he's married to someone who loves the macabre and that there is a sub-genre of Valentine's decor that's Gothic! Besides, my decor style is best described as "Do what you like".

Supplies:

• Ornate Frames (Dollar Tree)
• Multi-Surface Paints (Craft Smart and Waverly)
• Vinyl (Cricut)
• Embellishments 

These frames from Dollar Tree were my inspiration. Have you seen them? Have you picked any up? I got the oval and rectangle shapes. But Carol, why do you have gold paint if they're already gold. I'll tell you later.

This is what it looks like when you take the frames apart. There's a two-part backing. 

I painted the frames with the Waverly No Prep Paint which worked so nicely on these because they're plastic! The color is Silver Lining. Here's where the gold comes in. I dry brushed it over the silver to give it a good gothic aged look. 

I found images I liked in Cricut Design Space, sized and cut them from white vinyl. Then I applied them directly to the backing from the frames. 

Put the frames back together and:

Yes, I kind of goofed on the Til Death Do Us Part vinyl placement but hey, "handmade" isn't always perfect, right?

I'm still not sure Mr. Chocolate gets the concept, but my Other Child (my girlfriend's eldest) totally gets and appreciates them! 

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Valentine's Decor: Tiered Jeweled Hearts Tray

 

When you're on a roll, keep rolling! I am in a groove on Valentine's projects and made some more ornaments using fillable plastic hearts. You can see my first set here. This time, I applied paint straight to the surface.  

Supplies:

• Fillable Plastic Hearts (Dollar Tree)
• All Surface Paint ( I used Waverly No Prep Chalk Paint)
• Ribbon
• Hot Glue
• Heart Shaped and Other Self-Adhesive Rhinestones

I decided to apply the paint directly to the surface of the hearts. This paint really does go on anything! I used a sponge spouncer to apply which distributes the paint evenly and without any streaks.

Apply the paint until each heart is covered.

I don't recommend having medical procedures that get you sent home with things like surgical tweezers or hemostats but if you happen to have them...they make great crafting tools! I use my hemostats regularly to hold things in place!

Once your hearts are painted the fun begins! I pulled out some ribbon from my stash and used hot glue wrap it around the hearts, and used more ribbon to make bows which I also glued to the tops.

I picked up these heart-shaped self-adhesive rhinestones at Dollar Tree and decided to use the two tones of pink. 

I placed three of them in the middle of each heart, then placed small self-adhesive rhinestones on the hearts as shown.

I was making them to use on a thrifted tiered tray I switch out seasonally.

And then I added some other hearts I'll post about this week! 

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Valentine's Or Anytime Decor: Dollar Tree Tile Heart Topiaries

 

I'm late to the Dollar Tree Embossed Tiles even though I've had some in my stash. I used one to make these two "topiaries" (fauxpiaries?) since I don't know what else to call them! 

Supplies:

• Dollar Tree Embossed Peel and Stick Tiles
• Dollar Tree Faceted Bottles
• Waverly White No Prep Paint (Walmart)
• Bamboo Skewers
• Hot Glue and Glue Gun
• Scrap Cardboard

So let me say up front, that based on the size heart I used as a template, you can cut two hearts from one tile but you won't be able to do it an center everything so if you're OCD, use two tiles. I didn't think about it until I'd already cut them out and despite my inner Virgo screaming "UGGGHHHH" I stayed the course because I didn't want to waste the tile!

I grabbed my Waverly No Prep Paint that goes on ANYTHING and spounced some on the cut out tiles using foam paint spouncers. I wanted a very antiqued look so I wasn't going for opaque coverage. 

Since the tiles are thin and I knew I needed them to stand up I used the same template to cut out some cardboard to back my hearts with. I saved several shipping boxes from Christmas to repurpose in projects this year. This earned me a "What are you doing NOW" comment from Mr. Chocolate when he woke up one morning to find me on the floor cutting down a box. 

I painted the cardboard hearts with the same paint.

I've mentioned I'm working on using stash items that have sat in my craft closet so I pulled out some cup chain I had from a previous jewelry Design Team stint and hot glued around the edges.

Dollar Tree has upped their game lately and I found these smoky faceted glass bottles on a recent trip. 

I took out the corks (and saved them for another project of course!) and then trimmed bamboo skewers (I debated between these and chopsticks) to the cardboard side. Then placed them in the bottles!

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Valentine's Decor: DIY Shabby Glam Heart

 

I had so much fun with this! I'm currently working on another project inspired by it. Have you seen the large foam hearts at Dollar Tree?  Get one! OK get SOME!

Supplies: 

• Large Foam Heart (Dollar Tree)
• Coffee Filters
• White School Glue
• Ribbon
• Beads and Embellishments

These are the hearts. I got two so I still have another one to play with. I've seen some great ideas on Pinterest too.

I've done this technique before with tissue paper but if you're like me, you're the ongoing recipient of usable things other people buy but can't use, like these coffee filters my Mom accidentally bought the wrong kind but she "knew I'd do something with them". Confess...you're this person too!

Since I didn't know how this would turn out I saved my Mod Podge and figured I'd try Elmers. I love back to school season which is also great for Makers. I stock up on things like white glue and glue sticks which are always on sale then. 

I tore the coffee filters in pieces and applied glue to the heart, then applied the coffee filter and covered with more glue until fully covered. Once dry, I dry brushed with some gold and silver acrylic paint. I wanted light but visible coverage. 

Now the fun part! I love after Christmas deals too and found some great ribbon at Walmart for 75% off so of course I bought a few rolls. At 9 yards for $1.25 c'mon! Better than a Dollar Tree find. I wrapped the ribbon around the heart, securing with hot glue along the way and added some oversized rhinestones.

While I'm still picking up new stuff this year, I'm also very focused on using stuff that sits in my stash. You know how it goes! I found this heart shaped mini-frame by Recollections and had an aha moment. It was already white so I dry brushed it with some of the same silver I used on the heart (Craft Smart Bright Silver Multi Surface). I left it on the plastic backing it came with and just trimmed around the shape. I filled the heart with white seed beads then squeezed Diamond Glaze (a dimensional glue) to cover the beads creating a resin/epoxy look when dry. 

Diamond Glaze dries clear and I love it for small projects. I also added some heart and key charms from my stash and used the same ribbon to create a hanger for the heart.

To finish, I strung a few beads and another charm onto a head pin and pushed through the bottom point of the heart securing with a dot of glue.

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Valentine's Decor: Dollar Tree LOVE Frames

 

This is the easiest project ever! I'm almost embarrassed to share it. 

Supplies:

• Dollar Store Silver Frames
• Themed Scrapbook Paper (This is by American Crafts)
• LOVE Wood Stickers
• Foam Squares

I found these wood LOVE stickers at Dollar Tree, and picked up two of these 4x4 frames. The paper, I already had in my stash. I cut the paper to fit the frame size (so really 5x5) and then used the mat that came with the frames.

Once I reassembled the frame with the paper and the mat, then I added one of the LOVE stickers to the top of the glass using a foam square.

That's it!

I kept my entry table simple with two of these and some black velvet ribbon I got a JoAnn after Christmas for 70% off.

I had some wood heart stickers in my stash and stuck them to the candles that stay on this table. I'm actually surprised they've stayed stuck to the wax but they have and they're easily removed. 

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