Ok, friends, I waited as long as I could stand it…now it’s time to start breaking out the Valentine’s Day projects and decor! It’s cold outside {or as LC likes to quote me as saying lately, “It’s freaking freezing!” oops…}which makes our whole family feel like cranky bears who just want to hibernate. So, why not start looking ahead to a fun holiday that’s all about love? Here’s a quick, cheap, easy {yup, the big 3!} Valentine Centerpiece I think you’re going to like!
This is actually an updated version of a centerpiece I made last year. I have this hurricane vase that I got on sale at Michaels about two years ago, and I always have fun trying to think of ways I can switch out the contents seasonally. Check out my
original post to see how I’ve used it for all kinds of seasons and holidays!
Anyway, last year, we had two bags of the little conversation hearts that I poured in the vase around a white pillar candle {no I never burned it}.
This is the quickest, easiest version and requires no tools or supplies other than a vase, candy, and a candle. I originally planned to do the exact same thing this year, but then a few things happened. First, when we went to Target and I told Little Crafter to pick out the hearts he wanted, he decided he wanted BIG ones. Isn’t he a cutie pie?
{Random note: To see a full photo-story of that particular trip, including us playing dress-up with hats and sunglasses, check out my G+ album! Guarantee it’ll make you smile!}
Anyway, these are the ones he wanted. He’s been waiting all year to get them again…they’re one of his favorite treats. Personally, I think they kind of taste like colored chalk {not that I actually know what chalk tastes like, honest…although I once knew a kid who ate chalk…}, but hey, whatever makes him happy.
It kind of cracks me up the way they update the sayings to be current with things like, “Tweet Me.” If someone had given me one of those when I was a kid, I’d have though, “What in the world…?”
Anyway, I only got one bag because I thought bigger hearts would take up more room. Except that they didn’t. So when we poured them in, the vase was less than half full and looked kind of dorky, like I just dumped them in there because I didn’t have a bowl. I thought about adding the candle but thought that might just make it look worse. Plus, last year, between Little Crafter, my “brother” Matt, and the rest of our Bible Study group, they all just kept taking the candle out anyway so they could get their hands in there and eat the hearts.
Soooo….enter my beloved Cammie {the Silhouette Cameo I got for Christmas}. I just ordered a bunch of adhesive vinyl from MyVinylDirect.com, including a great hot pink color that’s just perfect for Valentine’s Day! I went into Silhouette Studio and made up this little design using a heart I bought from Silhouette’s online store and a fun font I have. If you’d like to download it and use it for your own projects, be my guest!
I just cut it out using good ‘ol Cammie, peeled it off the adhesive backing and stuck it on the vase like a big fun sticker. Which, essentially, is what it is. If you don’t have a Cammie of your own, you could always just freehand or trace a heart onto some adhesive vinyl and cut it out by hand. The lettering part is a bit trickier, but at least the heart would be simple enough to do without a cutting machine.
I made sure to use the removeable adhesive vinyl {Oracal 631} for this project since I do reuse my vase each season. When Valentine’s Day is over, I’ll just peel it off. I plan to stick it back onto its backing and save it for next year.
I think the heart gives it the perfect touch…and makes it look less like I just randomly dumped some candy in a vase because all my bowls were dirty or something. What do you think? Should I buy another bag of candy and fill it up more?
Hugs & Glitter,
You had me at quick, easy and cheap! 😉 That turned out so cute…and we love anything with conversation hearts!!
Gorgeous! Love the bright colors! You can’t go wrong with vinyl…=)
Adorable! Come over later and link them to our Pinworthy Projects party! And, I’m with you…I strongly dislike the candy hearts…but I do like the sweettart ones :)….blue are my fave!
I love these hearts, I have to get them every year just for me! Thanks for linking up to Talkin’ About Thursday – http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party4/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
Very pretty!
Oh, I didn’t know that they had updated the conversation hearts to go with texting and tweeting! I definitely need to get a silhouette! I’m so glad you shared this at Loving Valentines Day!
TGIF!
Marilyn