DIY: Valentine's Heart Banner

If you've read my blog for awhile, 

you're probably already aware I love to decorate.

(Proof can be found here, here and here!)

And if I can DIY the decoration, that's even better!

While I have quite a bit of Valentine's Day decor already,

I wanted something new and different this year,

and I'm a fan of DIY banners so that's what I set out to make!

After a little research online and very little thought,

I decided on a super simple heart banner in two different red patterns.

Take a look below to see how I made it! 

The Goods:

Scrapbook Paper*

Heart Stencil

Craft Rope or Twine

Slim Utility Knife

Scissors

Pencil

*I used two different red patterns, but use whatever you'd like!

Depending on the length of your banner,

trace as many hearts as you'll need.

I used five of one patterns and four of another,

and actually originally traced and cut out eight of each.

It was WAY more than I needed because of the size of my stencil.

On the reverse side of the patterned paper, 

draw little lines where you'll make cuts for your rope. 

Using your slim utility knife,

cut slits over the lines you just drew.

Slide the rope through one slit and then the other,

alternating between the two red patterns.

Lastly, hang your banner for all to see! 

Valentine's Day Decorations

Valentine's Day is officially less than TWO WEEKS AWAY!
Even if I don't have Valentine every year, I still love to get in the spirit and decorate!

Who am I kidding...I like decorating for pretty much ANY holiday

I go all out for most "big" holidays and have individual plastic tubs for each stored away waiting to be used year after year.

Without saying much more, take a look at all my fun Valentine's Day decorations I have up around my apartment this year!

Hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!!

Cookies and Cream Covered Pretzels

Valentine's Day was a few weeks ago and I didn't make ANY treats for the holiday. Shocking, I know!!! To be honest - I was quite busy at the time and it kind of just slipped my mind. I am sorry family, friends and co-workers for not bringing or sending you any treats this year.

One of my friends and old neighbors DID make Valentine's treats and posted about them on her blog!  As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted to try them and would make them soon! They looked so simple and only required pretzels, Hershey's Hugs and plain M&M's. It doesn't get much easier than that folks! 

While enjoying a heart shaped cookies and cream chocolate candy last weekend, I realized that those little suckers would probably be a good substitute for the Hershey's Hugs. I had mini pretzel twists and plain M&M's so I just HAD to make the delicious looking treats.  

The Goods:

Mini Pretzel Twists

Heart Shaped Cookies & Cream Chocolates

Plain M&M's

Line cookie sheet with Parchment Paper.

Place one chocolate on top of each pretzel. 

Bake at 200 Degrees for about 5 minutes until chocolate is shiny and slightly soft. 

They will still be in the original shape and not completely melted. 

Place an M&M in the center of each chocolate and press down lightly.

MMMMmmmm!

They were AMAZING! I have yet to try them with a Hershey's Hug, but I'm sure they would be just as tasty. 

It doesn't have to be Valentine's day to enjoy these, so make 'em, eat 'em and possibly even share 'em! :)