Saturday, January 28, 2012

Quick & Easy DIY for Valentine's Day


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Do you have an extra 15 minutes for a quick & easy DIY for Valentine's Day? At no cost? I did, and came up with this cute little recycled Tshirt heart for a no-sew addition to your Valentine's decor this year. And when the holiday is over, poof!, it just comes right off to be stored with all your DIY goodies until next year.


What you'll need:

An existing pillow
A red recycled Tshirt
A cereal box (or any other recycled cardboard)
Stapler
Scissors
A large flat surface brooch or pin
Blue tack (which is white in this case)



Cut your Tshirt into small squares. Mine were about 3 1/2 inches, and they certainly don't have to be perfectly square. Actually, this project only required the back side and sleeves of my Tshirt, so I've saved the front to make one of these adorable recycled T shopping bags. Next, begin with a single square stapled in the middle of your heart (cut from the cereal box).




Flip over the side of that first square, and repeat again directly beside.




Here's what it looked like when I had the center row completed on both sides of that center square.




Then it dawned on me! Duh! Use the same technique that everyone is using with the coffee filter lamps. Fold over the square, and then fold it again. Then I finished off the heart by stapling these at the base of the fold and just kept moving from the center of the heart outwards to the edges.



When you are done with the staples, it may not look pretty from the back - but it doesn't need to!




Flip it over, stand back, and give a little smile of admiration to your sweet little recycled T heart.




To get that heart on the pillow without a sewing commitment (anyone else with me on my sewing machine phobia?), simply lather blue tack all over your flat brooch, pin it to your pillow, and press on your heart.




Voila! It's quick, it's easy, and it's temporary! No one knows the difference - so find that too-small red Tshirt hanging around your house and create yourself a smile today!












Until next time...
Mike



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Linked up at these fun parties this week!

11 comments:

  1. I love this. I'm going to have to go make one. Thanks for sharing

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  2. Awww, cute! o ma gawsh, did you make that mirror in the background? Its gorgeous!

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  3. Thats so very cute!!! I just love it!

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  4. This is such a fun idea, great for V-day, and for all the no sewers!!!
    A few blog friends and I are hosting our first link party tomorrow to finish off the Imagine the Impossibilities Challenge, we go live at 7amET. Today I revealed my project for the challenge, a gallery wall with only one screw in the wall. It would be great if you have a chance to check it out and link up! http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/the-one-screw-gallery-wall-is-here/
    Karah @ thespacebetweenblog = your newest follower

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  5. Fun idea! Love that you reclaimed something.
    ~Heather

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  6. Such a cute idea and it looks really easy to make! I would love for you to share it at my Valentines Party @ www.cheapcraftymama.com!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the invite, Kate! I'm linked to the party at #127 and #128. Great inspiration over there!

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  7. What a lovely idea! Looks great!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  8. I would have never thought of staples - you are clever and it looks great!

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    Replies
    1. Laurel - too kind, and thank you! If you have a look at any of my other projects, you'll know that I'm a sucker for cheats and cutting corners. I want high style, but I have limited patience :-)

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  9. Hello There- You have been featured on COM for today's Saturday Spotlight Talent Show. xo, jen

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I'm listening! And responding - so let's create some buzz together for recycled and repurposed arts and crafts.

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