I love Valentines Day…the notes, chocolate, flowers, cards, decoration, goodies…all. of. it. So four years ago, when I decided that my fireplace mantle needed a heart day banner, I wanted to make something decorative and meaningful. I’m a DIYer to the core. If I see something in a store, instead of buying it, I go home and try to replicate it. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I turn out a really cute creation. There’s a reason that Pinterest is my favorite app.
With an idea, I rummaged through my craft supplies in search of what I needed. I love stationary and pretty paper, so I always have a supply of it. After I found several heart-worthy styles of scrapbook paper in my supplies, some pretty string, a hole punch, scissors, ribbon and a heart-shaped template (thank you, Google images) I got started.
I traced and cut out several hearts in two sizes––large and small. Then, I punched out a hole at the top of each heart, put a string on it, and looped it onto a long, red ribbon.
On one side of my heart banner, there is pretty Valentines-style paper to add some decorative love to our home. On the other side, where the heart is blank, is room to write personalized notes to my family. Each year I write a note or two to my husband and three kids and date it. When most people come into our home, they see a pretty banner hanging up for Valentines Day. However, my husband and three kiddos know there’s a secret to that pretty banner. On the back of each heart is a special love note from me to someone in our family.
I still have several blank hearts hanging from our banner, which I plan to fill up over the next few years. I started this tradition four years ago, and it’s been fun for all of us to flip over the hearts and read special messages.