Making Unique Valentines

Why not spruce up your Valentine's Day methodology this year with some Valentines that they are sure to keep into March. Whether you are artistic or not, you can still pull off your style to say, "I love you" this year.

Not everyone can crochet, but this is one for needlepoint lovers. Cut out a heart shaped piece of construction paper that is sturdy enough to hold a size 10 crochet thread. Using a hole-puncher, make holes around the edges in an evenly spaced manner (for added fun, you can use shape cut outs too). Using a size 7 steel hook, take the size 10 crochet thread of your color choice, and shell stitch into each hole. You can do a shell stitch with 7 stitches or more if you want a slight ruffle. Just remember to slip stitch into each alternating hole, so that the border will lie flat when done. Finish off and weave in ends. Write your message on the front in gel pens for added flair.

Hand written notes beat out the Hallmark cards any day. So why not add a touch of romance to it as well. Before you give your dozens of roses, make little love notes on colored papers and roll them into scrolls. Attach the scrolls with string, ribbon, or yarn to some of the stems in the bouquet. Roses can be a little tricky with the thorns so be careful. This way they'll have more than a bouquet to appreciate.

Even if you aren't a kid anymore, you can still benefit from crazy cartoon Valentine's that you used to give to your Kindergarten class. Find a cartoon that you know they'll love and 'splurge' on the whole $2.00 box. You can either find a wreath form at a craft store, or maybe a wooden box. Either way, you will have a blast gluing and affixing these Valentine's. You can cut off the borders and round them to make it more aesthetically pleasing. With a box, you can overlap the Valentines around the entire box and glue them down, using an art seal finish on the top. This is a fun idea for giving jewelry or other keepsakes. If you opt for the wreath, than go all out by decorating with heart garlands and ribbons. Don't forget to add a few silk roses in your sweetheart's favorite color.

Now I know that those conversation hearts are not the best way to say I love you, but they do fit some personalities fairly well. Buy a box of these always stale confectionaries, and a bouquet of "silk" flowers. Make sure to find silk flowers that have semi-closed buds. Hot glue gun an appropriate number of conversation hearts inside each 'bud,' making sure to pick out sayings that seem to fit the best. The messages will be slightly hidden, but not inconspicuous enough to be missed entirely.

So have fun and make your Valentines unique this year!