DIY // How-To Give Your Mantle A Fresh Update

While our son was napping, I took the opportunity to give our "little" mantle a fresh look.

Since the crash of the mirror that hung on our mantle, this area has been lacking some serious style. {who knew hanging it from yarn would be a bad idea?  Those quick fixes always seem to find a way to bite me in the ass.} I threw up the octopus painting but the scale just wasn't right, plus everything was too dark for my taste.  Not to mention, nothing went together.  The only thing they had in common was the fact they were all dark.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 13 Handmade Valentine Cards

It's day 13 of 14 Days of Valentines, my attempt at one Valentine's inspired craft each day.

Here's two handmade valentine cards that only required paper, glue and scissors (oh, and that googly eye.)  Pretty inexpensive and pretty darn cute!

I Only Have "Eye" For You Monster card.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 12 Paper Heart Bookmark

It's day 12 of 13 Days of Valentines, my attempt at one Valentine's inspired craft each day.

The hubs and I both share the reading bug and we NEVER have a dedicated bookmark to save our spots.  (We're not really corner folders...we love our books too much.)  I've found myself using the closest thing I can find to save my page...like an Amazon gift card, someone's business card, a stray piece of paper, or a tissue (clean, of course!)

Well, not anymore!  We've got our very own set of colorful heart shaped corner bookmarks.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 11 Stamped Heart Card

It's day 11 of 14 Days of Valentines, my attempt at one Valentine's inspired craft each day.

For day 11's project I repurposed a champagne cork into a heart shaped stamp and, with the help of my little man, made some cards and wrapping paper.  A very simple project, but one that won me over and I can't decide if it was due to having a handsome little helper or the bubbly.

I absolutely love champagne and sparkling wine.  I could drink it every single day.  (Don't worry, I don't.) 

14 Days of Valentine: Day 6 Paper Bag Lunches

It's day 6 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

Today's project is simple in craft, but a little more work in final execution.  I was never one to pack a lunch ~ not in school and not for work.  I never knew what to pack and I would ALWAYS forget it at home.  Luckily, I always worked near some great food spots.  That is not the case for my teacher husband, who barely gets a chance to breath let along go anywhere for lunch.  There's always the hot lunch option, but you can only handle so many cheese zombies.  Or can you?

As a sign of love and appreciation, I chose to make my husband's lunch (like a good little wife) for 7 working days.  I prettied up the regular brown bag with hearts cut out from my son's first piece of art and hid some funny little math valentine messages under the flap. I've got all seven bags finished, day 1's food covered ~ leftover bbq chicken sandwiches, but Day 2 is causing me much grief.  Curse you, sack lunches!

Messages (thank God for google!):

• You're the numerator to my denominator.
• You are my sweetie PI.
• Without you, I'd be a fraction of myself.
• You are sum-thing special.
• You are the independent variable to my life b/c I depend on you.
• You and I are living proof that one plus one equals three.
• Wanna multiply?

14 Days of Valentines: Day 4 "14 Reasons Why I Love You" Banner

It's day 4 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

What was intended to be Day 1's project made its grand debut at Day 4.  I just didn't get the "14 Reasons Why I Love You Banner" finished in time, so my valentine will be getting 4 days of "why I love yous" in one day.  Nothing to complain about, I dare say.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 3 I Love You Alphabet Print

Day 3 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

I fell in love (pun!) with this free I <3 You Alphabet printable from Oopsey Daisy and couldn't wait to put it up on our mantle.  Our printer, always the let-down, was been funky so all I could print was a 5x7, so I mounted it on some red card stock and stuck it in an extra frame.  It totally works and I can never get enough red!

14 Days of Valentines: Day 1 Coffee Filter Flowers

This is Day 1 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

Love the look of fresh blooms, but hate the whole wither & die aspect of them?  Lacking a valentine or have one that drops the ball on the whole flowers bit?  Here's a simple craft to make your own blooms that are guaranteed to last.  Now, if you miss the sweet fragrance of fresh flowers ~ try this with your favorite dryer sheets!

Supplies: