Ahhhh….Valentines Day. As a married woman, the day is less stressful than it used to be {single} however, there’s probably a lot less pressure to make it extra special too.
Just in the interest of sharing Valentines stories….
I was a loser. I never dated anyone. I didn’t even get asked to prom.
No one sent me a Candy Gram during class.
No one sent a stuffed animal to my work.
Truly, a sad story, indeed.When I met my husband, he got to hear all my rantings against the “heart-ed holiday”. And on our first Valentines day together, he took me out to a yummy dinner. One of our friends was a waiter at the restaurant. My husband had him bring a stuffed animal, and balloons, to our table with a note saying,
“I would have sent you Candy Grams EVERY valentines day”
Needless to say: HE’S A KEEPER!!
But this idea isn’t just for your Valentine. In fact, the one I made isn’t for my spouse at all. (shhh…..they don’t know yet….I gotta go take it to the post office!)
And it’s not exclusive to Valentines Day either. It’s just a great way to say “I love you!” any time.
I started off with a paper-mache box. I loved this one that is hinged, and pretty big. I got it at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. (i think it was 40% off about $7)
You could start with ANY container. And in a crunch, you don’t even have to decorate one. Just get something cute. Or better yet….re purpose something you already have!
For another idea for a “box” check out my gals at eighteen25. They have a great idea for notes as well.
This technique is so EASY and great for left over scraps.
- Tear some paper into little pieces.
- I like to separate the pieces that have a straight edge. That speeds up the process!
- Use Mod Podge to put them all over your box. Like a puzzle.
- Tear some to fit in holes. And overlap where necessary.
- Use the straight edge pieces and corners for extra straight edges.
- Not a science. Just DO IT! (sorry Nike!)
I thought I’d throw in this photo in for those of you that have mentioned that your kinda scared of “The Podge”. I understand. It is a little daunting to cover your hard work in white sticky stuff. But just look at this. This is what it’s SUPPOSED to look like. I promise the result will be FAB!!
- After your initial Mod Podge layer is dry (I used glossy Mod Podge this time…..my poor Matte Mod Podge thinks I don’t love it any more. And in a way….he’s right)
- Embellish the box as you’d like. I went for some coordinating papers and 3-D embellishments, and some ribbon.
- I also like to Mod Podge over most embellishments. I love the plastic look it gives ribbon. Plus it makes it really durable. That’s totally up to you.
- while you’re waiting for your Mod Podge to dry, print out your “Love Notes”
- this box is filled with over 100 notes
- they are funny memories, things we love about this person, and just little “I love you’s”
- if you’re making this for someone you REALLY love, it shouldn’t be too hard to come up with things. This box has notes from a bunch of people.
(you wanna know who this is for….don’t you….I’m sorry! I can’t spill the beans!)
- Here’s the template for our “Love Notes”
- You can print it out and hand write your notes, or you can bring it into a computer program and type your notes like I did.
- Please follow the regular rules about LCMF printables.
Do not repost without linking back, do not alter or claim as your own. Personal use only.
The final box is dry, filled with notes, filled with love, and ready for a special someone on Valentines Day! I can’t wait!
Do you still have time to make this? YOU BET!
I made it in the last 2 days. You TOTALLY have time. And isn’t it worth it? Let someone know how much they mean to you. I made one for my husband a couple years back, and he took it to work and took one note out every day for several months. You could also add new ones as the year progresses. Tons of fun ways to tell someone that they’re special to you!
Can’t wait for Valentines!!
Linked to:
Very cute! It is similar to something Eighteen25 posted in December.
Your husband is the sweetest! I love your LOVE story!
We made memory jars for our mom for Christmas. We all came up with enough memories from growing up that she could read one every day for the whole year. We just stuck them in a jar but this would have been MUCH cuter! And I adore that story about your hubby. He is a keeper!!!
I need to know who makes that fabric in the background. I've been searching for it.
Way cute Lara. do you mind if I link back to this in the next week or so? I'm doing a "love notes" theme on Thursdays during February- I'd love to share this.
xoxo,
Amy
LOVE this idea!! How cute would it be to make things like this to store doll clothes or barbies??!! I think I have an idea brewing!!
You don't have to go to the post office to get that box to me. I will be right over!:)
i can't tell you how many times i sighed and said aww… while reading this post. what a good man you found!!
and your box turned out awesome!! i love how you filled it with lots of love notes to take out and read when they need to hear they are loved.
so… are you gonna tell us who you made it for?? it would be super cute for a grandparent.
Very sweet, Lara!
Such a cute idea! Your hubby sounds so sweet. Glad you found a keeper!!!
Lara,
I'm so glad you joined our little love party! Thanks for sharing your beautiful box, and I want to know who all those love notes are for. What a lifelong treasure.
Kisses!
Very cute! I have a hunch of who this would be for but I may be wrong. I'm guessing it starts with a B. We did a memory jar for my parents a few years back. The container was not nearly as cute as yours but the memories were so fun to read and hysterical. We kind of do this when a sibling turns the BIG 3-0. Each of us siblings write 30 memories of that person. It makes for a great laugh! I love having mine more then a $5 present. It means so much more.
PS-I always hated Valentines too. Pretty sure we spent a few together. Prolly making home videos and eating O'Boises! You were a better date anyways! Smooch!
Super cute Ms. L. Even cuter? Your husband. How sweet is he?
Perhaps I am a bit of a bummer, but to be honest I've never been much of a Valentine's Day supporter either. It's more a of a kids holiday for me
Thanks for another great template. I have them all printed and cut for the kids in church tomorrow.
@Gretchen…
The background is actually wrapping paper from Hobby Lobby. But it WOULD be darling fabric.
Thank you , thank you , thank you for posting this! My son and I made one of these for my hubby! He was so moved that we thought all these great things. He said it made his day and he kept reciting over and over in his head all the wonderful things we said about him!
I am a brand new follower (and a super new crafter), and I am in love with this!! I have a box that I totally want to revamp, and I wasn't sure how too. You have totally inspired me!! I am looking forward to looking through your blog and finding more great ideas!
Tiffani
thoughtsfromtiffani.blogspot.com
Somehow missed this post! Such a good idea. I'll bet she loved it
That guy of yours is a keeper. I never got any candy grams either! And Rob never hears the end of it! (He DID know me then, and dated other ladies!) Remember the "It's a Boy" party….oh wait…you didn't show! That wasn't for your hubby anyway though…still makes me smile at the memory.