Valentine’s Day isn’t usually a holiday we really get into around our house. Sure most years, I make valentine cards for Kash, or bake goodies for his class parties, but Kes and I tend to keep things pretty low key. Typically we’ll just cook a nice meal for one another or catch a movie. It’s been years since we’ve exchanged gifts and I can’t remember any year where I’ve felt the need to decorate the house. This year however, with everything going on in the world I kinda feel like we could all use a little more love in our everyday lives. I decided to make this DIY Valentine string art to inject a little ‘heart’ into the Dreamhouse – and to serve as a gentle reminder to show love for one another, no matter our differences. I was initially planning to put it on the mantle, but somehow it seemed a bit more fitting to place it on the media console just under our tv.

Our project is just one of the 25 Sweet Valentine’s Day Ideas, being shared all week by the super talented group of CANADIAN bloggers we’re proud to be collaborating with. Yup, all Canadian, all amazing ladies! Be sure to check out the links at the bottom this post and come back to see what each of them has in store for you every day this week. From sweet treats to crafts & decor ideas, there is something for everyone. Because a little love is all you need!

DIY Valentine String Art

Here’s what you’ll need if you want to make one of these yourself:

• a piece of scrap wood
• a few different shades of your favourite stain
  (we used the Minwax Wood Finishing Cloths in Walnut, Dark Mahogany, Chestnut, & Maple
• 1 piece of cardstock
• scissors
• hammer
• 1″ panel nails (black)
• red craft string

Start with your piece of scrap wood and cut it to size. This will become the backing board for your string art. Kes and I have a bunch of off cuts laying around from when we installed our hardwood floors, so I decided to join together 2 boards and cut them down to make a square. I used the back side of the boards because I thought the texture on it was visually interesting.

Stain your backing board using your desired stain. Because of the unique texture of the boards I was working with, I decided to play with a few different stain colours and alternate them with the natural colour of the wood. Using some painter’s tape, I taped off the section of the board I wanted to leave natural, and then proceeded to stain each of the alternating rows of wood using my staining cloths.

While your stain is drying, use the scissors to cut 2 heart shapes out of the piece of cardstock; one large and one small. You will use these as a template.

Place the large heart shape in the centre of your wood board. Starting at the 2 middle points of the heart (top and bottom), work your way around the perimeter of the heart on each side by hammering the panel nails about 1/4 of the way into your board. Take care to ensure the nails are evenly spaced. Depending on the size of the heart you’re doing (meaning more screws or nails) or how easy you want to make it for yourself, you may instead want to use something like these self drilling screws that you’re able to drill through the board to eventually wrap your string around.

Remove the large cardstock heart and repeat the above process with the smaller heart aligning the 2 hearts in the middle.

Once all your nails are in place, it’s time to start your string art. To create my string design, I started by tying the end of the string onto the top centre nail of my smaller heart & looping it around the center nail of the large outter heart. I then continued zig zagging the string around, looping it from nail to nail working my way clockwise around from each nail of the inner heart to every other nail of the outter heart.

Once each nail was looped , I continued to loop the string at random, zig zagging across the heart until I was satisfied with the look. There really is no right or wrong way to do this so just be creative and have fun with it. Once you are happy with the design of the string art, tie off your string in a knot around one of the nails to secure it (the centre nail is probably the most inconspicuous) and then cut the end of your string.

You’re done. Step back and admire your work!

25 Sweet Valentine’s Ideas

Looking for some more Sweet Valentine inspiration?? Well, look no further, because we’ve got you covered! Come back & visit each blogger’s post on their day below to get your fill of Valentine’s inspiration. You can also follow along on Instagram with the hashtag #CBValentinesDay!

Monday

Heart Shaped Pizzas for Valentine’s Day by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life
Blood Orange Limoncello Cocktail for Valentine’s Day by Tara of Suburble
Ombre Cake Makeover from a Grocery Store Cake by Colleen of Lemon Thistle
Valentine’s Popcorn by Janella of Ma Belle Vie
“Warm Heart” Hand Warmers by Sarah of Flourish & Knot

Tuesday

Valentine’s Day Embroidery Projects by Heather of Home to Heather
Valentine’s Candy Inspired Table Setting by Andrea of Personally Andrea
Valentine Heart Strawberry Pop Tarts by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Valentine’s Day Date Night In Gift Basket Idea by Christina of The DIY Mommy
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookies by Shauna of Satori Design for Living

Wednesday

Felt Valentine’s Day Cards by Alex of Northstory
Lovey Dovey Vegan Chocolate Bark by Joann of Woman in Real Life
Valentine’s Day Wall Hanging by Thalita of The Learner Observer
DIY Valentine String Art by Tash of The Dreamhouse Project
Fluffy Valentine Sugar Cookies by Kendra of Joy In Our Home

Thursday

Easy DIY Valentine’s Wreath by Laurie of VinYet ETC
Raspberry Pie Mousse Cups by Daniela of Lifeovereasy
Valentine’s Day Breakfast by Dannyelle of Life is a Party
Valentine’s Mantel by Jen of Rambling Renovators
Boyfriend Bouquet | Floating Heart Terrarium by Cynthia of Cynthia Zamaria

Friday

Embroidery Hoop Valentine Art by Christine of The DIY Dreamer
“You & Me” Wood Sign by Lindi of Love Create Celebrate
Chocolate and Coconut Coated Heart Mini-Cakes by Jane and Sonja of Sustain My Craft Habit
DIY String Heart Wall Hanging by Melissa of The Sweet Escape
Heart Shaped Marshmallows for Valentine’s Day by Christine of Amidst the Chaos

 

 

 

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