Sweet Hearts for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Now one thing that you need to know about me is that I am not big on the candy, flowers, and tell someone "I love you" days. Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day, days like that are not important to me. I don't need a special day to tell my husband that I love him. I keep hearing "deals" for jewelry that's been marked down to prices that I still don't think is reasonable. But, what do I know.

To me the small gestures are the best. On our first Valentine's Day as a married couple my husband took the day off. We were working different schedules at the time, so this was a big deal. He offered to take me out. But, it was a Wednesday and I knew that the wait time would be way too long. We ended up getting pizza and staying in. For me it was not important because of the day that it was, but because of who I was spending time with. It could have been any Wednesday of any month and it still would have been special to me.

I think part of my disinterest of these types of days is that people feel obligated to do something. To me it is just another day either way. A small gesture whether on this day or another will still be just as nice. Maybe this just stems from my dad. He would always tell my mom that flowers and candy would not last, so how does that represent his love. Yes it is corny and maybe he was just being cheep, but I think he has a point.

Now that you understand my feelings on the day in general let me explain my favorite part of the holiday. The decorations are the best part and the only reason that I even acknowledge the day. I do not need a reason to want to decorate and switch out one set of decorations for another. But, Valentine's Day gives me one. A reason to pack up my Christmas decorations and put up something new. Sometimes I even get a little creative with it.

This year I decided to make a heart garland and hang it up in my living room window. Here are instructions on how to make your own Simple Heart Garland.



However, it can be so much more than a garland. I can think of a dozen ways to use these hearts. Here are just a few; sew onto a pillow, attach four together to make a centerpiece, use one as a coaster, put them on the bottom of a scarf or blanket, make a lot more and use it for a photo backdrop at a wedding or baby shower. I'm sure others can think of more ways to use them and have fun with it. To me that is one of the best parts of crafting. With a little bit of creativity the possibilities are endless.

Although I might not know how this pattern will end up being used, I do know two things.
1) This pattern is very quick. I made four or five while watching a movie the other day.

2) It is perfect for using up left over yarn that you have lying around.

This is a project that I had fun with and I hope you will too. Let me know if you have more ideas on how these hearts can be used. If you make any I would love to see them. Post a picture here in the comments section or on my Facebook page @Joywithyarn1. But, most importantly just have fun with it.