Thanks to Pentel for sponsoring today’s post in conjunction with The Brand Connection; all opinions are my own.

Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is less than a month away! It’s time to start thinking about ways to show the most important people in our lives how much we love them. Today, I want to share an idea with you that’s really affordable and easy to create but will mean the world to whoever receives it.

Is there anything more meaningful than a handwritten love note? This DIY Valentine Love Note Box is designed to help express the things you love most about your spouse, child, or friend. It’s completely personal, including the fact that the love notes are written in your own handwriting or lettering, and your loved one can pull out and re-read the notes anytime they need a reminder of just how special they are to you! Here’s how to make your own in half an hour or less.

Materials:

Heart shaped box {mine is from the Dollar Spot at Target}
Pentel Arts Watercolors
Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush
White paper or cardstock
Scissors or paper cutter
Pentel Arts Sign Pen, Brush Tip {I used Pink, Grey, and Ochre}

Painting Your Valentine Box

For this part of the project, you’ll need your watercolors, specifically red and white, and the Aquash Water Brush. Fill the barrel of the brush with clean water.

Squeeze a small amount of red and white paint onto a paper plate or palette. When it comes to watercolors, a little goes a very long way, so start out with just a tiny amount. You can always use more later if you need it. Dip the end of your water brush into the red paint.

Gently brush the paint onto the surface of your box lid. The water in the brush will help to thin and spread the paint, giving it a watercolor effect. If you like, you can gently squeeze the barrel of the pen to release more water. Again, a little pressure goes a long way, so use a very light touch until you see how the blending works. Once the lid has a base coat of red, you can move on to the sides of the box’s base and paint those too.

Next, load your brush with white paint and begin adding it to the sides and lid of the box. As the white mixes with the red, you’ll see various shades of pink starting to appear! Use the water brush to blend and spread the paint until you are pleased with how it looks. Set the box aside and allow it to dry completely.

Writing Your Love Notes

Time for the best part! While the box is a lovely handmade project, it’s the handwritten notes inside that make this gift such a personal treasure.

Start by cutting your paper or card stock into small strips. Mine are 1 1/2″ by 4 1/4″.

On each strip of paper, write one reason why you love the person! Another variation is to use the papers as little I.O.U. coupons the recipient can “cash in” for things like a back rub, a movie night, a big hug, and more. Since I absolutely love hand lettering {I mean, I did “write the book on it”…HAHA!} I naturally decided to write my notes for hubby using brush script. I used Pentel Arts Sign Pens with a brush tip; they’re very responsive to changes in pressure and they’re available in some really fun, vivid colors!

If you’ve never tried hand lettering before, there’s a really easy way to fake this brush lettered look with “Faux Calligraphy“; check out my step-by-step illustrated instructions! Or, if you want to master the true technique, head to my Beginner Brush Lettering Series. I even have free uppercase and lowercase practice sheets you can download to get you warmed up and ready to write. If hand lettering isn’t your jam, I still encourage you to use your own handwriting, whatever it might look like, when you create your notes. Your writing is a reflection of your personality and a little piece of yourself, so it makes a much more personal gift than something that’s been typed.

The final step is to fold your little love notes and tuck them inside the box. You can write as few or as many as you like, as long as you can fit them inside. Feel free to add in a few pieces of candy or any other little trinkets you think your recipient would enjoy.

I’m so pleased with how my Love Note Box turned out and I can’t wait to share it with my hubby so he has a stash of written reminders of all my favorite things about him. I’m thinking about buying a few more of these boxes so that I can create one for Little Crafter too and maybe even my best friend Erin.

Who in your life would love to receive this special and personal gift for Valentine’s Day? What are the most treasured handwritten notes you have ever received?

To help you create your own personal handwritten gifts, Pentel is offering One Artsy Mama readers a chance to win a backpack filled with art and writing supplies valued at up to $250. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway