I'm not exactly a Valentine's Day fan - I'm more skull & crossbones than hearts & teddybears. But I am a fan of go big or go home, so please enjoy this ridiculously huge, candy filled homemade Valentine's Day card tutorial.
Skip right to the instructions.
It's hard to pass by a bulk bin filled with the shining foil wrappers of Hershey's Valentine's kisses. They're the only thing grocery store fluorescent lighting can actually make look good. On a whim I shovelled what I thought was about $10 worth (but ended up being $25 worth) of them into my cart and started planning.
I didn't know exactly what I was going to do with them. All I knew was that only good could come from $25 worth of kisses. (Unless they're kisses from a scabby, cocaine addicted prostitute. Only bad can come from that.)
A couple of days later, sure enough, I knew their purpose.
A giant, DIY, candy filled Valentine's Day card. Even though I don't like Valentine's Day and frankly had no one to give the card to.
The actual card is two pieces of Dollar store foam core board and some construction paper.
The inside, a great big heart of Hershey's kisses which through the magic of technology (a hot glue gun) can be plucked off the card and eaten.
DIY CANDY VALENTINE'S CARD
Want to make the most ridiculous Valentine's Day card in the world? Here's what you need.
Materials
3 lbs Hershey's Kisses ($25-$30 depending on whether they're on sale)
2 pieces of foam core board
Construction paper (2 sheets of black, 1 sheet of white)
Hot Glue and gun
Instructions
1. Lay Hershey's kisses onto foam core board in the shape of a heart. I chose to let the red fade into the pink at the bottom. Just fool around with it.
2. Once you're happy with the look, lift each kiss up, put a very small dab of hot glue* on the bottom of the foil and stick it back in place on the board. Continue until all the kisses are glued down.
3. Cut a 6" wide strip of white construction paper lengthwise. This will be the spine of your card.
4. Lay your card heart side down with your other piece of foam core 2" to the right of it. If you'd like the back of your card to be black like mine, glue a piece of black construction paper onto the back of the foam core on the left. (the one with the chocolates on the other side of it).
5. Glue your strip of construction paper on both side of the foam core to form your spine. You need the 2" space between the foam core boards to allow room for the candy inside.
6. Decorate the front of your card with anything you want. I chose to cut out a black heart from construction paper.
7. You can also write on the heart with a white marker. Here are a few ideas.
I mean, I'd never use any of those cheesy sayings, but Valentine's Day seems to bring out the cheese. Actually, I wish it would literally bring out the cheese because I for one would applaud any man who showed up at my door with a $75 block of cheese as opposed to a $75 bunch of red roses on Valentine's Day. I would applaud him, grab the cheese, shove him away, then shut the door. Because it's my cheese and I don't feel like sharing.
The total cost of this card is around $30 if you get your chocolates on sale. Which is probably about what you'd spend on a card and a small gift or box of chocolate anyway and THIS one is much more fun. Plus you can make it a custom Valentine. Write anything you want in it or on it.
If you think this is just a little too big, you're wrong. BUT, I'm willing to bend here a little bit so if you'd like to make this card smaller, you could do it half the size with half the amount of chocolates and therefore half the amount of money.
These are two DIY gifts that I think would work really well for Valentine's Day.
DIY Valentine's Gift Ideas
Easy Embroidery Hoop Art.
Instead of using fabric samples in the emboidery hoops, use a favourite tee shirt, or ... and this would be GREAT ... something incredibly thoughtful and sentimental like an article of clothing one of you wore on your first date.
"Antique" Cheese Board
I featured this over Christmas, but again, I really think cheese and Valentine's day should be a thing, lol. This homemade cheese board with a nice hunk of cheese would win anyone's heart.
Is this a completely ridiculous Valentine's Day card? Yes. Yes it is. But Valentine's Day in general is ridiculous and as far as I'm concerned, any man who went to the trouble of making this for me as opposed to buying me overpriced fragrant roses knows the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, not her nose.
Unless she's a scabby cocaine addict of course.
But for future reference? I'd still prefer the gift of cheese.
Su
Oh my gosh you look amazing!!! LOVE the dress and the shoes??? super, super cute!! :)
love the idea... probably will just give the guy the bag of kisses and eat half myself, but still love the idea...
Tigersmom
That dress is so amazing.
Louise
DAMN, Girl! You do look good! I'm jealous!
I notice that you have plenty of Kisses left over; you clever girl! Maybe you can eat those so that you don't destroy your very creative card before Valentine's Day.
Leslie
Love this Karen!
Oh, and you're hawt! You look gorgeous!
Karen
Thanks Leslie. That means a lot coming from the Queen of yoga! ~ karen!
Alexandra
Actually I think the pics of you in that cute dress on that cute sofa with that cute cat, looking at that cute (and also sort of monstrous) card would make a pretty good valentines day card too! :)
Suzanne
I nineth! I think I'm the 9th person who wants to know what you eat in a day AND the week. Also, what do you do to work out? Running? Kettle bells? Yoga? Do you have a gym membership or is it all done from home? Etc... waiting with bated breath for your next post!
Maureen Locke
Count me in on being nosey about what you eat. :) You look absolutely scrumptious. Love the dress, love the shoes, love the hair, love the house, love your life and love that I can live it through your blog. Thanks for sharing Karen... enjoy the chocolate. :)
Louise
I agree with everything you said, especially " love your life and love that I can live it through your blog." Although this makes me feel a bit pathetic . . . But heck, Karen's life seems much more fun than mine!
janni
Wow, Karen! Amazing photos! Worthy of a glossy magazine spread ~ kudos .
p.s. Love the card, one can never go wrong with Hershey Kisses ! :)
Connie S.
I third it :)
and Yes , you look marvelous!!! green with envy here. Dieting since the New year ( yuk) broke down and had my first bag of chips this weekend, well 1/2 a bag anyway. Felt very rebellious doing it too but i'm sure i'll regret it in the morning.
PS: also bought a jar of Kraft chocolate peanut butter this weekend - no regrets there ;)
Cynthia
That's three. I am sure we've got three. First request plus two seconds. Does that count?
Don't get mad at me. Please. I worked all day in the house and I am bored and tired now, so I am watching the blog entertainment and over-posting and eating a little chocolate.
Herschey Kisses are a rare thing in Oz and the ones I have bought for sentiment's sake were stale. I just ate a piece of Lindt 70% Cocoa Chocolate with Sea Salt. OK, but a little weird.
Cynthia
Let's not start a tidal wave asking her about any guys. It all got too much with another saga, and then there was the Cuddles epidemic where we almost drove her insane with our own fears and naggings.
Karen, what did you eat when you went out to dinner? Promise that's all we care about. Oh, and what did you wear? The halter neck 50's dress with a fur over the top? Or Cuddles?
Karen
LOL. Well I may just do an eating/fitness post because people seem to be interested. And I think I have an interesting answer. As for dinner the other night I had a beet and feta cheese salad, duckbreast with duck leg confit with Jerusalem artichokes. Creme brule for dessert. ~ karen!
Teresa J
I second the motion! What do you eat........and who is the new fella? or at least give us hint of what he is like! No fella here so I am going to Tulum in Mexico!!! Cuz I can!
Cynthia
Have I missed a post? A mysterious Robert AND a dinner date? What did you eat?
Grammy
Robert's Rules of Order, Cynthia.
Cynthia
Who the hell is Robert and why does he get so much power?
Come on guys, 'yay' up for who wants to read what Karen eats in a day and a week?
I do know if involves such a huge amount of bread and butter pickles that she really does look like a scabby hooker with a wrinkly mouth and bits of green in her teeth.
But, that's okay, we love her anyway and we know what she's been doing.
Karen, I have a cream and coffee lace fifties-style permanent-pleat Pengnoir Set that would suit your fifties look.
Trouble is, it would drag along the floor and collect sticks and cats, because I am pretty sure, you are what is called "a short-arse" in Australia.
Let me know if you want it. I tried to give it to the weird Marilyn Monroe woman in the city but she keeps hiding from me when I want her.
Love your dress and shoes. Funky. You could get away with the 50's liquid eyeliner look too.
Liz
This is such a sweet post, and anthem to your awesomeness. Fiercely raw. Favy pic is the one with your giant book. Is that a ledger, seed log, or list of kisses?
Karen
lol! It's my gardening log. :) And thanks Liz! ~ karen
Laurie
Oh Karen, you managed to make my smile and weep at the same time. My father passed away recently and looking at you in front of the window with your garden log (from Lee Valley I can see) reminded me of dad at the dining table at this time of year recording snowfall and daily temps. Always planning...thank you :)
Amber
Hmmm...
black eye aside, I'm guessing the dinner date went reasonably well?
I'm extrapolating from the fact that you said in your blog that you had a dinner date, and that there are no dismembered corpses in your valentines day card.
Cynthia
Nice back and arm definition. Noice!
I don't ever want to hear "back fat" mentioned in a post again.
Besides, I would like to request a complete post on what you eat every day.
1. Because I need inspiration to lose weight and have forgotten how to eat. Low Carb or High Protein or 5:2 or Paleo or ........
2. Because I am nosey.
3. Because I am fascinated by what people eat and because you can just ignore me, it feels okay to ask.
Is that wrong?
Karen
The back fat is much lower (and hidden under piles of cotton and tulle) than can be seen in the photo. I will happily give you a rundown of what I eat in a day and/or week if someone seconds and thirds the motion in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. ~ karen!
Auntiepatch
I second!
Grammy
I third!
Pati Gulat
I fourth !
Jake
Me fifth
Marti
Sixth. But please, leave out any discussion of "back-fat," whether it's on yourself, or any of the Girls, or anything that crosses your palate. NO BACK FAT!
And all because yes, I am insatiably nosy.
sara
It has been moved and seconded that we receive a rundown of what Karen eats in a day and/or week. All in favor say 'Aye.'
Sarah In Illinois
Aye!
Jen
Aye
Turbocharger
Can I just day DAMN! Your arms and back are amaze-balls.
I'm trying to say this is in a totally heterosexual, one woman on the internet to another, non-creepy way.
But seriously, damn, all that wood stacking clearly is working out well for you. Again, non-creepy, non-sexual undertones.
Karen
Thanks Turbo. Either way I'm good with it. I'm happy to accept all lady admiration, lesbian or non. ~ karen!
Judi wigren
What she said, also in non creepy but sincere voice. Great back. You'd make a great model...of gorgeous backs and shoulders.
Karen
LOL. If only I could get a few of those high paying back modelling gigs I could afford to just buy Valentine's Cards from a store ;) ~ karen!
Barbie
Agreed!
Ann gray
Problem is who do I send it to? I just wish someone would send me one but since no one is I am heading to Florida on Valentine's Day - happy Valentine's Day to me! Who are you sending yours to? Like your blog!!
Karen
Oh good lord, lol. I definitely won't be sending it to anyone. I *do* have a certain someone I hope to drag it to though. ~ karen! p.s. thanks! and have fun in Florida.
Janet W
I swear I now have a girl crush....
If you don't look adorable in that dress and in those softly lit photos... well.... then I just don't even know what adorable is.
Karen
Ha! That's me. Little miss adorable. That's how I get away with talking about scabby prostitutes. ~ karen!