A DIY approach to Valentine’s Day

Emily Markham, Associate Reporter

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Love is in the air, and we all know what that means: chocolates, flowers and a romantic evening with that special someone. Or maybe your evening will consist of watching Ryan Gosling tell Rachel McAdams, “I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day,” and wishing your life was like The Notebook.  Either way, this year for Valentine’s Day, do something special for your friends, family or significant other—make their gifts or cards.  Homemade gifts are always appreciated because that person knows it’s coming from the heart.
Cards are an essential part of Valentine’s Day, and they are really easy to make.  All you need is cardstock, pipe cleaners, buttons, a hot glue gun and crafting scissors.  For the first card, take one of the pipe cleaners and mold it into the letter L.  Next, take another pipe cleaner, and form it into the letter O. Continue doing this to form the letters V and E, as well.  You should have the word LOVE spelled out in pipe cleaners. Now, take the letters and glue them onto a folded piece of card stock.  Once the letters are down, use the crafting scissors to create a decorative edge, and you’re done.
For the next card, all you need to do is create a heart out of buttons, glue them down onto a folded piece of cardstock and voila!  After the glue has dried on each card, open them up to write a cute message inside.
Now, it’s time for the candy.  Anyone can buy a box of chocolates and slap a ribbon on top, but it’s way more fun to decorate your own containers and fill them with the candy you know they’ll love.  What you’ll need are mason jars, ribbon, some cardstock, a hole-punch, scissors and candy.  First, place the candy in the jar.  Then, take the ribbon and tie it around the jar.  Cut the cardstock into a piece big enough to write a little message on.  Have fun with this—cut out different shapes like a heart or a circle.  After you write your message on the cardstock, take the hole-punch and punch a circle through the top.  You can either use more ribbon or some string to attach the message to the jar.
And last, but certainly not least, the gift.  Everyone loves a good picture frame, and when it doubles as chalkboard, it’s even better!  What you’ll need for this are wooden heart frames (easily found at craft stores), chalkboard spray paint, sand paper and white chalk.  First, spray two coats of the chalkboard paint onto the frames and wait at least 24 hours for them to dry.  Then, if you want to give the frames an aged look, use the sand paper to create the effect.  Afterward, set the frame by rubbing a piece of white chalk all over.  Gently wipe off the chalk, and your frames are good to go!  Show someone you care this Valentine’s Day and give one of these fun DIYs a try!