Admittedly, I’m not a big decorator when it comes to Valentine’s Day. But then again, all the reds and pinks are a fun shot of colorful adrenaline to our homes after several weeks of winter. Either way, if you’re looking for some Valentine craft ideas to make and upcycle this year, then I’ve got all your inspiration right here.
Crystal Hearts
This is one of those Valentine craft ideas that looks so good, I might have to try it myself. Turning pink pipe cleaners into crystalized hearts for a V-day garland is a craft and science experiment all in one!
Valentine Craft Ideas with Pillows
Changing out your throw pillows for each season and holiday can be surprisingly expensive. Which makes this thrifty upcycling idea even more appealing. Clean thrift store pillows are embellished with heart shaped doilies and fabric for Valentine’s Day, complete with handmade felt flowers for an extra special touch.
Upcycled Bubblegum Machine
You know those jellybean bubblegum machines? Occasionally they turn up at thrift stores, making them the perfect piece to upcycle for Valentine’s Day. Doesn’t it look so cute and cheerful now?
Heart-Shaped Door Decor
Modern-day Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes just can’t compare to the ruffled, lacy, and flower-covered boxes from a few decades ago. And if you can get your hands on a vintage candy box like this, it only takes a few minutes to convert it into a sweet Valentine’s Day wreath.
DIY Flannel Patches
With a little bit of patience, you can make your own fabric patches in any shape you want- including hearts! And while these specific heart patches may not be very Valentine-esque, a pinker fabric would absolutely do the trick. And you could add these to anything for Cupid’s Big Day: hats, pillows, bags, etc.
The tutorial for this project can be found in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”.
Valentine Craft Ideas with Scrabble Tiles
Valentine’s Day and cute sayings go hand-in-hand (or heart-in-heart, as the case may be). Those little candy hearts are popular for a reason and it isn’t the taste! Either way, wooden Scrabble tiles (real or repros) are perfect for Valentine craft ideas like this thrifted picture frame upcycle.
Sweet Trinket Boxes
Hearts are a favorite cut out in woodworking projects, which means you can find any number of wooden pieces at thrift stores with hearts galore. And while some may look outdated in their natural state, a Valentine’s Day makeover in red and pink is the perfect reuse for them.
Valentine Craft Ideas with Cardboard
Garlands and banners for different holidays and seasons are as popular as ever. Whether hung on a mantel or somewhere else, they’re a charming way to mark time throughout the year. And in this case, cardboard hearts were strung together into one of the cutest cardboard crafts ever for Valentine’s Day.
Cross Stitch My Heart
If traditional cross stitch intimidates you or your eyesight can’t handle those dainty stitches, then this is the perfect solution. Oversized cross stitch on pressed cane is easy to do AND easy on the eyes- and a heart shape for Valentine’s Day is a great beginner’s project to try out.
Scrap Wood Signs
Tiered trays are incredibly popular for seasonal decorating, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. For this version, pieces of scrap wood were given pretty makeovers with hearts and love in mind. Such a great way to use up something from the garage in such a lovey-dovey way.
Vintage Valentines Display
Vintage valentines from yesteryear’s childhood are about as cute as it gets. From their quaint graphics to their cheeky slogans, the cards are highly collectible these days. And an antique rug beater in the shape of a heart is the picture-perfect way to display them.
Valentine Craft Ideas with Air Dry Clay
There are lots of fun ways to craft with air-dry clay, but this one is charming AND approachable. Small hearts were made with the clay to use as a Valentine’s Day bowl filler. And the addition of gold flake and sheer paint on some just puts these over the top.
Heart Scarf Wreath
Scarves are great for repurposing in any number of ways, and wreaths are a perfect example. Most scarf wreaths are made with a more generic winter feel but this one is red hot! And with a heart-shaped wreath frame, it’s such a cuddly way to celebrate Valentine’s Day on your front door.
Gifts for a Book Lover
Here’s a Valentine craft idea that doubles as a sweet gift for the reader in your life. Heart-shaped bookmarks made from any kind of fabric you love. Sometimes called Page Pockets, these are a great scrap buster craft project that anyone can make.
Valentine Craft Ideas with Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors from Habitat ReStores really are a fabulous canvas when it comes to making decorative signs and plaques. Even one for Valentine’s Day that doubles as a farmhouse-style vase for faux flowers.
Industrial Style Valentine’s Day Decorations
If red and pink isn’t really your style, this industrial-inspired idea might be right up your alley! Heart-shaped cake pans from the thrift store were assembled into industrial-style hearts for a unique spin on heart decor.
Button Collage Heart
If your button collection is getting out of hand, perhaps a button collage like this is in your future. And since hearts are one of the easier shapes to work with, this Valentine craft idea checks all the boxes. And the lace detail just adds a little extra touch of romance, doesn’t it?
Valentine Craft Ideas and Upcycle Projects
Even if you’re not much of a Valentine’s Day junkie, you gotta admit: there are some cute Valentine craft ideas out there! And with this collection, now you can keep your eyes peeled at the thrift store for just the right pieces to grab. Because upcycling keeps your crafting affordable and eco-conscience- and what’s not to love about that?
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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