Shot Through the Heart: DIY Valentine's Garland!

I'm supposed to be sewing up a storm for my big project, but I've been lying around the last two days with a yucky cold. It's funny, though, how you can get a crafty idea in your head and then all of a sudden you feel full of energy! ;o)

That was me yesterday when I thought of using these twigs from our backyard to make a little Valentine's Day garland. I had all the "ingredients" already, which is good, because even craft-energy wasn't enough to get me to Walmart.

To make one you'll need:

• small twigs
• scraps of leather/pleather (or you can use cardstock!)
• glue
• glitter
• leather cording (I got mine in the beading section at Walmart for $1 and it comes in several colors!) or ribbon, string, whatever.

Trim the twigs to about 6''

Print and use the templates to cut out the hearts and arrow pieces.

Hot glue the leather pieces to either ends of the stick.

Cover the hearts in glue. (I used a glue stick, but in retrospect, I wish I'd used Elmer's.)

Then cover in glittery goodness.

 Tie the arrows to the cording about 18'' apart. You might want to tie at both ends if you want your arrows to point in a certain direction.

Then hot glue the (dry) hearts in between each arrow. Glue the cording between the back of the heart and a small scrap of leather/fabric.

Templates:

I hope you enjoy it!
I picked a pretty neutral, grown up color scheme for mine, but you could do any color combo that you can think of!
If you don't have leather scraps lying around, ask upholstery shops for throw away scraps or use an old handbad or jacket. You really need to do that, honestly, because leather (or pleather, for my vegan friends!) is so fun to work with for little scrap crafts. I have a nasty looking 90's leather jacket that I cut up and use for things like this. :o)
Also, this would be a fun one to do with the kids! One made with cardstock paper in bright, Valentine's-y colors and pink and red glitter would be so fun and cute.

I hope your day is just smashing!

Love,

Disney