Valentine's Day Ideas

I had such a fun time making all of these projects using the EZScreenPrint product.  You start by creating just the design you want - yes, you use your own design - that's what makes this product so neat - you can totally customize whatever you want! 



Greet your guests with a cute hanging decoration.  I put cup hooks under the handrail on my stairs so I can decorate for all of the holidays.  A few of these would also look great hanging from your light fixture.

Use fabric paint and stencil on cloth or paper napkins.

 I love this centerpiece.  I stenciled the hearts onto heavy cardstock and while still wet, I sprinkled on glitter.  Let the paint dry. Cut them out, glue a skewer to the back and when they're dry, add them to your floral arrangement.

 Cupcakes are all the rage.  I stenciled on shrink plastic that's for use with ink jet printers.  Right after I applied the paint, I placed a paper towel over the paint and gently blotted it.  If you don't, your paint will get kind of furry looking and we can't have that!  Follow the instructions on your shrink plastic to shrink.  Oh!  For those who have never used shrink plastic (I have adored shrink plastic since I was a kid) you do your image on the plastic, put it in the oven and it shrinks about 60%, gets the thickness of a nickle and hard.  Great for making cupcake picks and tons of other projects.  Another, oh!  As you're cutting out each cupcake pick, leave about a 2" long x 1" wide piece at the bottom to insert into the cupcake.

 Come on over, I have cupcakes!



You'll want to make your gifts extra special too.  Stencil right on the wrapping paper, gift bag or card.  Sprinkle on some glitter if you'd like and be ready for a special evening.

This t-shirt adds a great touch to tie your entire Valentine's Day celebration together.  Add some iron-on crystals in a coordinating color and you're ready for the perfect party!

Ready to try screen printing?  Get started with a 15% off discount - just use joan15 when you're checking out and there's no minimum order.  Screen printing is as addicting as chocolate!  www.EZScreenPrint.org  Check it out!

Do It Yourself Screen Printing

I'm having a fun play day getting ready for Valentine's Day using the EZScreenPrint.  I was amazed that in less than an hour I could make my own custom silk screen stencils and be ready to make awesome creations.

Once you print your artwork, it only takes 1 minute exposure to the sun to 'develop' and a little bath time. Love, love, love EZScreenPrint!!!  For those who are having less than sunny days at the moment, they also sell a light kit so you can make screens 24 / 7. (Since I live where we sometimes have dense fog, I know I'm going to be using my light a lot.) Check out the Customer Showcase for year round inspiration.  www.ezscreenprint.com 

Want to create your own custom designs for an upcoming family reunion, sports team, birthday party, craft ideas, etc., etc., etc.? Get 15% off when you use coupon code JOAN15 at checkout - no minimum!!!

I'm outta here and back to making Valentine's Day projects with the beautiful hearts.  Check back because I'll post my finished projects very soon!

Love Feast

It was my turn to host the newcomer's club gourmet dinner group so I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day a little early and have a Love Feast...(this was the first time the group has been to my house - before I moved five months ago my house was tooooo small to host any kind of gathering)

Yes, we can call people to invite them to a party or send an e-vite but I'm an old fashioned mail an invitation kind of girl (both of my parents worked for the post office for years). I made a quick invitation using Word with some fun hearts - make your invitation fun - it sets the tone for the entire party and gets your attendees excited in anticipation as to what the evening will hold.

Next was my menu (wish I'd gotten pictures - it was too hard to fix the entire meal and get photos too). We had yummy appetizer salads served in mini martini glasses. Then it was on to chicken wrapped in puffed pastry with, of course, hearts on top cut from puff pastry. We had root vegetable au gratin, fresh tarragon green beans, sundried tomato and basil rolls (thaw Bridgeford frozen bread dough and knead in the tomatoes and basil - yummers) and for dessert a chocolate cake with caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Needless-to-say after all that I've added more walking to my to do list this week.

Carnations on my front door

I got my China out of storage (haven't seen them face-to-face in over six years) and added a vase of carnations for each of the guests to take home. I found the vases at the dollar store - they had LOVE written all over them. I also found cute Valentine's Day socks for a buck - they made great inexpensive favors - one person even put hers on right then and there. Yep, you'll notice the sliding door was open - the weather has been gorgeous!!!

Appetizer Salads in Mini Martini Glasses - I cut hearts from red peppers to add a 'loving' touch.