Wednesday, January 28, 2009

can't buy me love


As Valentine's Day approaches, I will be sharing a series of craft projects that don't cost a thing... or very little. Let's spread a little free love during these frugal times. I will be gathering supplies from around the house and thought you might want to start collecting materials also. I have some very well planned ideas and a few that I'll be making up as I go along. Here are some things we might be using:


In reds, whites, and pinks of course:
buttons, felted sweaters, newspaper, brown paper, old dictionary pages, rick rack, ribbons, pipe cleaners, craft paint, a potato or two...

Of all the holidays to make a handmade gift, what better one than the day we celebrate love? Pin It

24 comments:

  1. Hi Maya, my midnight blogging twin.
    Have I mentioned that frugality is my new favorite word. It is something that our generation needs to learn and quick before its too late for the health of our planet and the future of our children.
    Our valentines are always handmade in my home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh, I'm already loving the look of the newspaper hearts! I hope we hear about those soon!! I'll be armed and ready for all of your fun ideas!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oooh, I'll start collecting my materials! It's always a challenge I look forward to--thinking of a Valentine's craft that's well made but inexpensive and easy to reproduce for my kids' classmates. It looks like we're on the same wavelength!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I made some sewn paper hearts made from upcycled pages of Tolkien poetry and Alice through the Looking Glass... very simple and effective.

    http://meridianariel.blogspot.com/2009/01/paper-hearts.html if you are curious.. I used them for a tiny Valentine's display at my husbands photography studio.. though when it is actually V day I will probably bake chocolate cupcakes with pink vanilla icing! *g*

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, I shall look forward to these! We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day to a great extent here, like Halloween it appears to be a bigger holiday in the US. But, I think I will take inspiration from you and begin gathering materials, such fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ack! I keep meaning to break out my craft supplies and make some valentine's day crafts with my girlies. We did the melting crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper....that was amusing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love love love your ideas always! CAn't wait for these, and so glad you do projects that are recycled and free, something I am always looking for! LOVE this site!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Do you have an ideas for ones that boys can make?!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm ready for this project. Each year, my kids and I like to make homemade Valentines (and cookies) for special people. I look forward to your ideas.

    Jody

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loving your blog - especially those sack bags. Your Mom's sewing room is my dream. Beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your newspaper hearts are brilliant! We made a garland of hearts using the colorful graphic side of cereal (and other) boxes, but I never thought of cutting up newspapers. Is there any possibility that you would write book on eco-crafts or frugal fun?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! Totally looking forward to this. Great idea, and I'll start collecting materials too :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. OOOooo I'm excited! I love cheap crafts!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I will certainly be checking back to see what lovely things you create. Thanks for sharing all your ideas!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well said. I love the little newspaper hearts.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Valentine's day is probably our biggest handmade celebration of the year here. Looking forward to your ideas - we're always looking for new ones. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. this post was so inspirational! i loved your ideas and i couldn't agree more that a holiday about sharing love is simply the best. would you like to trade links? xo

    http://www.cupcakesandcashmere.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. We never bought Valentines at CVS like everyone else growing up. My amazing mom had us make them for all of our classmates from construction paper, doilies, and glitter. Thanks mom! And thank you for the reminder that we're never too old to send handmade valentines. I'm collecting!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I really look forward to your wonderful projects filled with love! I agree with your sentiments -- it is best to express love with a handmade gift.

    Last year, I made a "loving" tree for my husband. I wrote out reasons why I loved him on heart pieces of construction paper, tied them with ribbon, and hung them on cut willow branches I brought inside.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really love all of the materials you used for this craft! Especially the newspaper, and the wool and..well those are just adorable valentines!

    ReplyDelete
  22. i thought about you today as avery and i started folding origami stars made from pages of our old phone book. can't wait to see what you have to share!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for all the great (and thrifty!) Valentines inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete