Embellished Heart Lights

Hey there SBLC friends!  Amy from Plucking Daisies here to share a quick and easy Valentine’s Day decor project.  Today I’m going to show you how to update a set  of string lights and turn them into ribbon wrapped heart lights.  You probably have all the supplies you need to create this project and if not a quick trip to the dollar store will have you “Lighting the way to LOVE” in no time!
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I’m in the midst of a MAJOR studio purge and found this beat up set of heart lights (among other things) squirreled away in my stash.  These heart lights were looking less than “lovely” so I decided to give them a makeover.

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How to make Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights

If you don’t have a set of Heart lights in need of an update regular white string lights will work just fine!
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 1:  Start by cutting a length of thin ribbon.  Don’t worry about measurements, you can always cut more if you run short.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 2:  Attach one end of your ribbon (as close as possible to the light) with a drop of hot glue.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 3:  Wrap ribbon around wire allowing some of the white to show through as you go.  Be sure to hold it tight to prevent unraveling.  Keep wrapping until you get to the end and secure with Hot Glue.
*If you run out of ribbon simply cut another piece and attach with hot glue wherever you left off.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 4:  Trim off any excess ribbon so it is flush with the wire.

Embellishing Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights

Now for the fun part, embellishments!  You can use whatever your little “heart” desires to embellish your lights.  Use your imagination and especially your stash!  Anything goes here so put a pom-pom, a bird or whatever you want ON IT!
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
For my lights I used Heart Table Scatter, Glitter Heart Stickers, and Felt Heart Stickers from Dollar Tree.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 1:  Count the spaces between each light and select the items to embellish your lights.  Lay them out creating a pattern if you wish.  Cut a 7 in piece of thin wired ribbon to hang a large embellishment between each light.  *I used felt heart stickers from Dollar Tree.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 2:  Attach ribbon to back of embellishment (Felt Sticker) and place a matching piece on top to secure.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 3:  Curl your ribbon around a dowel or paint brush handle.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
STEP 4:  Find the center between the lights and wrap the end of your curled ribbon around it.  Secure with Hot Glue.

Adding Floating Hearts

The last time I was here at SBLC I showed you how to create floating stars using Monofilament (Winter Tree project) .  Monofilament makes it easy to create a whimsical “floating” effect on almost any project.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
I used the same technique for the felt hearts only this time with monofilament.  By layering Glitter stickers from Dollar Tree onto a 3-4 in piece of monofilament I was able to create floating hearts on either side of the felt hearts.
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
To attach floating hearts just add a dab of hot glue to the back of your light string (preferably on the ribbon wrapped part).  *Remember a “Dab’ll do ya!”
Ribbon Wrapped Heart Lights | @PluckingDaisy #DIY #ValentinesDay #DollarStoreCraft
That’s all there is to it folks!  Now simply hang and enjoy your new and improved heart lights.   Kick back with a box of Russell Stovers (in a heart-shaped box) and let your “Love” lights shine!
Have a Lovely day!
Amy*

Find me at Pluckingdaisies.com | Pinterest | Facebook | and Twitter for more creative ideas and tutorials.

Tiered Stand From Dollar Store Dishes

Dollar Store Tiered Dish Tutorial #DIY home decor @savedbyloves

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All the talk of repurposed dishes in this week’s 50+ ways to upcycle dishes roundup got me thinking.  I was at my local dollar store and scooped up three glass dishes in small, medium and large.  In a project that took all of 5 minutes, I created a fun tiered display stand with them.  This is great for decorating seasonally since I can fill it with various colored stones and decor to go with the holidays.  Now I have it filled with plastic hearts (also from the dollar store) and ceramic hearts from the local fair trade store.

Dollar Store Tiered Dish Tutorial #DIY home decor @savedbyloves

The spindles I scored at Habitat For Humanity Restore… a whole box of them!  I wasn’t sure what I would do with them, but I knew I would use them somehow.  I have like 40 more of them, so this is not the last project they will appear in!

TUTORIAL

Glue spindles to dishes, with largest dish on bottom, working up to smallest dish.

Dollar Store Tiered Dish Tutorial #DIY home decor @savedbyloves

I used Flora Bond that I got at Joann Fabrics.

Flora Bond

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Dollar store craft repuroposed upcycled dishes @savedbyloves

If you like Dollar Store Crafts, check out our roundup of over 60 of them:

More repurposed dish crafts can be found in that 50+ roundup:

Make Vibrant Artwork in A Snap (+ Love Printable)

Corinthians 16:14 Dylusions ink background art print by @savedbyloves

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This post was originally shared at Fox Hollow Cottage.

 I have been playing with Dylusions spray inks lately, and am in love.  Why?  Because you can create gorgeous art with the spray of a bottle.  Using a background I created in about 1 minute with this dye, I made you a Corinthians love verse printable to download and frame.  Want to make your own? Scroll down for the video and get creating.

 

Free Love Verse Printable by @savedbyloves #Dylusions #Valentine'sDay

 

 

Right click the image to pull up the full res 8×10, download and print!

Maybe you wish it were a different color, or had a specific saying.  That is why I am going to show you how to create your own vibrant, watercolor background using spray inks, and how to get your custom text/designs on there.

SUPPLIES:

Dylusions spray ink (Bubble Gum pink and Post Box red used here)

Watercolor paper

Water spritzer

Paper towels

Stencils of your choice (I used hearts to go with my love theme)

Hair dryer or heat tool

Transfer paper, design to transfer, and pencil (or just pencil if you want to freehand your design)

Micron artist pen in black or other permanent black pen (size 03 used here)

Here is a quick video showing you the simple process:

If you scan the background, the editing possibilities are unending.  Use it as the base for subway art with my DIY subway art tutorial.

Change the hues, add text and images, digital scrapbooking, even use it as your blog background.  Here is an example of a Dylusions background that I hand stamped, scanned, and altered the color of the butterfly:

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Digital scrapbooking, dylusions ink background, art journaling

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Easy Valentine’s Day Heart Garland

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

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Cupid’s arrow hit me in the decorate muscle, and I’ve been making paper hearts zealously ever since.  I stacked and strung some paper hearts and scrapbook embellishments together for this pink, red and white Valentine’s Day heart garland.  It is quick, easy to make, and I am digging it.  See how to make your own…

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

SUPPLIES

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

Red, white and pink cardstock paper hearts

Valentine’s day themed scrapbooking embellishements (I got felt sticker hearts and pop up hearts at Michael’s)

Paper Doilies

Glue dots or other adhesive

Hole punch

Twine or other string

Scissors

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

TUTORIAL

Adhere smaller heart embellishments onto larger cardstock hearts.

Create enough layered hearts to make your garland the length needed for its intended space.

Take a leftover scrap bigger background heart, fold in half and hole punch on outer edge (both sides at same time in same spot since folded in half) where you want to thread for hanging.

Unfold and use as template for placement of holes in layered hearts by lining up on back of layered heart and using holes as guide for hole puncher.

Lay out the hearts and move them around until you are happy with the order.

String and hang!

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

Valentine's Day Garland #DIY #Craft @savedbyloves

Find over 50 ways to decorate for Valentine’s Day:

50+Valentine’s Gifts to Make

Monogram Art From Washers

Make Monogram Art from washers with Love Grows Wild, featured @savedbyloves

It is no secret I love a great repurpose project.  Outside of the box thinking is all over this washer monogram art by Love Grows Wild!  Liz gives a detailed step by step so you can make your own.

Dollar Store Valentine’s Decor

Dollar Store Valentine's Day Decor EASY and Cheap @savedbyloves

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If you are looking to get festive for Valentine’s Day, and decorate quickly for little cost, this is the project for you!  I made it to the dollar store yesterday for the first time in way too long (ok, since Christmas), and found myself in a wonderland of pink, red, LOVE and hearts.  I noticed some fun Valentine’s Day gift bags, and the wheels started turning.  It occurred to me that I could frame them for a lovely mantel, cupid style.  I grabbed three bags, 2 frames.  For that $5 + some items I already had, and about 10 minutes of my time, I created a lovetastic scene.  So can you!

Supplies:

Frames (one I had on hand, the other 2 are from Dollar Tree), bags from dollar store, scissors

Dollar Store Valentine's Day Decor EASY and Cheap @savedbyloves

Tutorial:

Cut area of bag to fit frame and insert.  The end!

Dollar Store Valentine's Day Decor EASY and Cheap @savedbyloves

For the smaller frame, I removed the 3D heart that was on one side of the gift bag and placed it on the outside of the frame for depth and interest.

The little pink and red heart scatter are from Dollar Tree too.

Dollar Store Valentine's Day Decor EASY and Cheap @savedbyloves

Not bad for under $10, huh?  I have the other sides of the bags to create with too!

Don’t forget to visit our Valentine’s Day themed 50+ Roundups!

IF you want to see more Dollar Store Valentine’s day projects, or want to share your own, be sure to visit the Dollar Store Themed Valentine’s Day Link Up hosted by Fox Hollow Cottage and Debbidoo’s!  Click the thumbnail below…

50+ Ways to Repurpose Old Drawers

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Over 50 projects to make from old drawers #upcycle #repurpose @savedbyloves

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Don’t get rid of that old dresser just yet.  Did you know there are tons of  creative ways to repurpose old drawers?  I didn’t know there were that many, until I got started on this week’s 50+ roundup.  You will be amazed like I was!



Printables & High Res Watercolor Background

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Free butterfly watercolor printable, digital stamp, Dylusions ink, from @savedbyloves

Free butterfly watercolor printable, digital stamp, Dylusions ink, from @savedbyloves

Digital scrapbooking, dylusions ink background, art journaling

I have been a busy girl, playing with spray inks, stamps and my new printer (which I scored over the holiday for a steal)!  As a result, here are a couple of free printables for you to enjoy!  This is a watercolor paper sprayed with Dylusions for the background, stamped with inkadinkado Insect Amalgam cling stamp, and touched up with white gel pin and black Pitt pen for depth.

Just right click the link under the thumbnails to pull up the full res file and save it to your computer or print.  I also included just a watercolor background for you to play with in Photoshop.

***UPDATE:  After much research on printers for mixed media art, I landed on the Epson Artisan 837, and am loving it!  Gorgeous scans, prints, wireless, vibrant, perfect so far.

 

EPSON MFP image

HERE

 

 

Free butterfly watercolor printable, digital stamp, Dylusions ink, from @savedbyloves

HERE

 

 

Photoshop watercolor background texture

HERE

 

Alter these any way you want.  Please do not sell or redistribute as your own, but instead, direct people here for the files!

 

Wood Pallet Mixed Media Art

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Matt210CollageDIY mixed medial collage tutorial @savedbyloves[pinit]

This mixed media Christmas verse piece is made from recycled pallet wood, crepe paper circles, old sheet music, a wood tree, and upcycled soda can star.  It is so fun and challenging to see what you  can come up with from what you have in your stash.  With creative layering of paint, paper and ink, the possibilities are endless.

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Here is how it went…

Supplies:

Acrylic paint in red, aqua, white

Paint brushes

Brayer

3D aluminum can or other star

White Gesso

Old sheet music

Matte gel medium or mod podge

Pencil

Pitt pen or other permanent black pen

Wooden tree silhouette

Adhesive dots

The “canvas” for my background came from this chevron pumpkin piece I showed you in the fall.  It is composed of pallet wood.

TUTORIAL:

I wanted to update it to Christmas, and decided to cover the chevron with a festive, snowy background for my tree.  The inspiration for this piece came from Claudine Hellmuth’s holiday layers card over at Ranger.com.

To start, I painted on a layer of Gesso.  I didn’t really care if the chevron peaked through, so I just did one layer.  Wben that dried, I used red fluid acrylic paint to lightly cover the gesso.  It is ok to leave parts white.  Not going for perfect here.

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When the red paint was dry, I added pieces of torn sheet music to the bottom to form a hill shape.  Apply matte gel (or Mod Podge) to paper and adhere to canvas.  Once in place, cover with layer of matte gel.

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I stamped aqua acrylic paint randomly.

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Once I was happy with the background, I painted on a thin layer of matte gel and let dry.  I used my sizzix Assymetric rings die to cut rings and circles from white crepe paper and adhered them onto the layered background to create snow.

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When I had all the rings I wanted, I touched them up here and there with white acrylic paint, then coated the entire piece with matte gel and let dry.

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When that dried, I painted a blue scalloped edge at the bottom, outlined it with black Pitt artist pen and covered the entire piece with one more layer of matte medium.

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To create the tree, I painted green acrylic paint and doodled the verse with pencil  first.  I  went over the text with Pitt artist pen.  There will be a tutorial on how to do this in the future.  I adhered the completed tree with permanent glue dots.

The star was made with Sizzix 3D star die from a coke can.  I dipped it in Mod Podge and sprinkled glitter on and let dry.  Adhered it to tree with permanent glue dot.

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I am a little bit in love with it.  It may be the last transformation of the pallet canvas.  It is ok.  There are more pallet pieces in my garage just waiting to be pieced together for the next piece.

Holiday Topiary from Thrift Store Finds

#holiday centerpiece topiary from thrift store finds

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#holiday centerpiece topiary from thrift store finds

Today I want to share with you this festive “Let it Snow” topiary that I created in a few simple steps with some thrift store finds.  I love how it turned out, and for under $4 at that.  There is so much potential at garage sales and Goodwill with some spray paint and creativity.  I rarely buy anything new because of it.  It feels good to reuse what has already had a life, and to transform the discarded into the beautiful!

TUTORIAL:

How to make a centerpiece

I found this topiary for $1, and some nested planters (5 for $2).  One of the planters was the perfect size for the topiary, so I spray painted it red with Krylon Dual, painted the rim with black acrylic paint and stamped “Let in Snow” on the front.  That was it.  Topiary placed in updated planter and adorned with lights.  Magic.

Christmas Decor DIY

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