I purchased a small box of plaster last week and went to work dipping a sampling of bright fuax flowers. Mixing + dipping my varieties took about ten minutes and then I hung them upside down for a day to dry. The flowers have become the center of our Valentine’s Day decor. This pink, single stem came out as my favorite! What a perfectly fun (and unique) bouquet they would make wrapped in brown craft paper.

Make these surprise yarn balls to pop the ever important “will you be my bridesmaid” question! A fun idea for a small brunch or get together to announce your good news. They’d also be a splendid gift to receive when wrapped up and mailed to friends far away.

To make your surprise yarn balls look great, download the ten different color options (a couple shown above) by clicking here!

You will also need a carton box, one large bead and a ball of yarn. Secure the chosen tag at the end of the yarn with a knot. Start wrapping the tag in yarn until you get a yarn ball.End by securing the bead to the yarn with a knot

Project by Alessandra Aghila for Styled. issue four.

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I am excited to share a couple projects to celebrate the holiday with subtly and style. These milk heart cubes are a sweet surprise for your man’s morning coffee or a tall glass of milk. As they melt, the milk turns pink (the twins were in love!).

To make the milk cubes, combine milk and a few drops of red food coloring together in a small bowl. Fill an ice cube tray, my heart one is from Ikea and freeze overnight. So easy, right!?!

PS. A few other Valentine favorites you might have missed… individual mini fondue, sweet love brownies, stitched hearts (these would make adorable Valentines), crocheted heart cake toppers and one of my first DIY blog posts painted love bottles.

I found the brightest fortune cookies last month at my local World Market and grabbed a bag of them immediately knowing they would be useful for a party. Using tweezers I took out the sayings that came inside of each cookie and replaced them with my own hand written, “thanks!” creating this super easy, bright and festive idea for wedding and party favors. See the complete tutorial and a link to buy bright fortune cookies online over at Project Wedding.

Thanks to an old Real Simple Magazine issue, I’ve discovered the easiest way to frost a cake… with a comb! I tried it out and it works. Genius idea for last minute parties and homemade goodies.

This is brilliant… pretty dress, clear bag, big bow! A perfect Valentine for your guy.

Photo via Style bubble

A most subtle way to wrap a Valentine… With black paper, thin string and a sprinkling of large confetti. If you don’t own a two inch hole punch you should really invest the eight dollars, it is a short-notice confetti life saver and you will use it all the time. Promise!

PS. I packed mine for any spontaneous confetti needs at Alt. See you there!

Photo by Lieschen Mueller.

blessings.

Stamped with love they are perfect for Valentines Day. Stamp with the words party, joy, or happy for a birthday. Stamp with the word eat for a whimsical dinner party appetizer addition. The fruits are not only pretty but also edible! See the complete tutorial at Project Wedding.

blessings.

Making miniature table-top grills is a really fun way to serve small foods at your next party. I designed these with simple materials you can find at a craft store and they come together in about 15 minutes. Once assembled set them up on your table between every 2-3 seats and serve small shish-kabobs, meat or use them as a table top marshmallow roast for dessert.

To make the grills, use one small terracotta planter, wire mesh and two miniature adjustable cake pans. Using a drill with bit attached drill holes into one of the cake pans. Measure the bottom of your planter and cut out a wire mesh circle to be placed inside. Stack two cake pans with the holes drilled pan at the bottom (for oxygen) and glue together. Set the terracotta planter inside the two stacked pans, fill with charcoal and top with the wire mesh. Light and enjoy grilling small foods (it’s fun!).

blessings.

Simple stars with a pretty vintage floral print, because sometimes you don’t need to over think it! Use these bold and easy cake toppers for weddings, showers or parties this season. Check out the tutorial over at Project Wedding today.

blessings.