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I have never really decorated for Valentine’s Day. I have nothing against the holiday, but I guess I’m usually still recovering from the Christmas season (yes, still!) and also preoccupied with hopes and dreams of springtime that my brain nearly skips it altogether except for a quick romantic dinner with my husband. Slowly that’s changing as our boys are getting a bit older and I want them to be aware of what different holidays are and why we celebrate them. So to get us all more in the V-day mood, I made this Valentine’s Day mobile. (Love really is in the air!) ;)
I got my inspiration from those gorgeous butterfly mobiles that you often see in pictures of a little girl’s nursery or bedroom. Usually they’re pale pink and so light and airy, like the butterflies are literally flying right above you – gorgeous! I’ve always wanted one, but I really don’t think it would go with my sons’ decor. Here’s one from Pottery Barn Kids:
Just lovely. Except I wanted a little more impact. More hearts = more love, right?
Here’s what I used:
- Medium heart-shaped paper cutter, the only item I had to buy for this project
- Various patterns of scrapbook paper and some construction paper
- Clear Stretch Magic cord, usually used for making jewelry
- Embroidery hoop that I rarely used
- Clear tape, scissors
First I cut about a million little hearts out of the paper… and more… and more… Then I estimated how long I wanted the strands to be and cut them. Then I started taping the hearts to the cord, many of them double-sided except for the solid pink and red ones. I put about 5-6 hearts on the shorter strands.
With the shorter strands, I taped them about 1 1/2 – 2 in. apart on the embroidery hoop.
For the longer strands (I made four), I doubled the length so there are about 10-11 hearts on each of them. Last, the longest strands (I have three) have about 14-15 hearts each.
Then I cut two long strands for hanging the mobile and crossed them over the middle to have all four ends tied equally apart around the hoop. Next I cut four more pieces and tied them across the inside of the hoop for hanging the longer strands.
Then I tied the rest of the heart strands to the cord inside the hoop with the longest strands closest to the center of the grid pie. (I keep calling it a grid in my head but does it have to be a pie since it’s a circle?) Here’s a view from above after all the strands were tied on:
I decided to hang it in an empty corner of my dining area so we can all enjoy looking at it. My husband came home from his business trip and couldn’t believe that I made it! Here’s the view from under the mobile:
And an up-close view of all the pretty hearts:
And finally, in all it’s 30 inch (from hoop to bottom heart) glory:
And who knows, maybe one day I’ll have a reason to make one with pale pink butterflies…
xo Jen
Thank you so much for visiting Homa Style and linking your Valentine Heart Strings and cute mobile. {wish I had a granddaughter!!
Have a wonderful Valentines Day!
Remember to visit again on the last Wednesday of February for the Inspire Me link party.
Jeanette recently posted…Comment on Hey Girl by Kelly @ View Along the Way
What a fun project…although I’m sure it was time consuming but worth it! Thanks for sharing at the Loving Valentine’s Day Party!
Marilyn
You will be one of the features tomorrow at Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse recently posted…Valentine’s Giveaway at The Dedicated House
Thank you so much Kathryn! Now I’ll drift happily off to sleep…….
These are so pretty! They don’t even took to hard to make, but have a HUGE impact! Thanks for linking up to my Pin Me Party!
Diana Rambles recently posted…Customized Gift Card Wallet
Thanks for the sweet comment Diana.
OMGoodness! That is so cute and whimsical! I love it!! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world. Would love it if you would share this post at my Make it Pretty Monday party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/make-it-pretty-monday-week-34.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse recently posted…Need New Windows?
Thank you, Kathryn! I would love to stop by your party
How cute is that? Now I feel like I need to make one!
Thanks Heather!
Super cute. I think I might need to try to make one! How long did it take you? It looks like it could take a while.
Emily recently posted…The World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Emily, it did take a while… I worked on it for about 3 nights after the boys went to bed. Thankfully I didn’t have to cut out all the hearts by hand though! The paper cutter was great and the Stretch Magic cord was very easy to work with. You could also make a smaller version if you don’t have a lot of time to spend on it. Good luck!
Oh how fun it that?! I love it!
This is super pretty!
Melanie recently posted…Lollipop Valentine’s Day cards
Thanks for stopping by, Melanie!
Very pretty! I have a hard time tying the strands to have it hang evenly, so I’ll try your method sometime. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! The clear Stretch Magic cord worked wonderfully. Good luck with it!
This is so gorgeous! My boys will roll their eyes, but I just might have to make one of these to add to our Valentine’s Day decor. I hope you don’t mind, I linked to this post on my blog bc I was just so smitten with it! Thanks for sharing!!!
~Abby =)
Abby recently posted…Valentines, Valentines, and More Valentines
Thanks Abby! I’m lucky my boys are still young enough to think the mobile is cool.
Of course I don’t mind if you mention my project- thanks for letting me know though!
Super cute – I’ve been wanting to do this with my daughter and her huge origami crane collection!
Pinning this – have a great night.
Kelly
Kelly- cranes would also look amazing! And if they’re already made then the hard part’s already done. Thanks for stopping by!
Love it and so many possibilities! Thanks.
I’d love for you to come on over and share at Finding the Pretty & Delicious Linky Party.
http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/finding-the-pretty-delicious-linky-party-2/
Thank you Leigh Anne. I will definitely stop by your party!
I love it!
Thank you Sue!
This is adorable! I love it! Saw it on TaterTots and Jello and wanted to comment.
Nessa The Procrastinator recently posted…Valentine’s Day mantel is finally done!
Thanks so much Nessa! Glad to have you visit!
Wow your blog is very beautiful and interesting, you are a great artist. kisses from Spain.
http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/
Lola Godoy recently posted…PREMIO POR PARTE DE ROJO MELON.
Thank you so much, Lola! Glad you stopped by.
That is just adorable! Just pinned it from the pinning party.
Lynn
Lynn Wood recently posted…Punch and Cookies Winter Style
Thanks Lynn, I appreciate it!
That is so cute! I have a 10 year old that would love that! I’m a new follower too
Thanks for sharing!
God bless….Brooke
http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/
My home and garden site…
http://brookekroeger.blogspot.com/
My Vintage Art and Printables site…
Brooke Kroeger recently posted…Azalea Path Tour… Part 4
LOVE your mobile :*) SoOo incredibly cute! Thanks for sharing
~Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
Brenda recently posted…EASY DIY Chalkboard Magnets {Step-By-Step Photo Tutuorial}
Thanks for stopping by, Brenda!
I love this. Love is in the air. It will brighten up any room. Thanks for showing is how to make it.
Oh my cuteness!!! I invite you to stop by to share on my party- http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/01/link-party-4.html
This is sooo pretty!
Thanks Nancy, I’ll stop by!
Love, love, love this!!! I’ve seen butterfly mobiles before, but never a heart mobile. . . it’s so cute, I think you should keep it out all year!!
Thanks for stopping by Laura – I just might keep it out a little longer! Hearts shouldn’t just be limited to Valentine’s Day, right?
I absolutely love this and have had the idea on my list of things to do for quite some time. I probably would use butterflies or snowflakes, though. Your clear directions and beautiful photos are what will probably get me off the couch and into the craft room.Thank you!
Joyce recently posted…Love Bug Party Bag!
That’s so sweet Joyce, thank you! And I love the snowflake idea- I might have to make another one now. You just inspired me too!
Hi Jen! Just stopping over from the Pin Me Link Party. I LOVE this mobile! It’s perfect! And your story reminded me exactly of my changing feelings toward Valentine’s Day:) – I feel like this recent post of mine is a duplicate of yours! Lol
http://www.lemontreedwelling.com/2013/01/pretty-simple-garland.html
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling recently posted…A Love Wish
Thank you Cathy. I read your post- you’re right, it’s almost the same story! It’s funny how much having kids changes everything! It’s more about them than it is about us anymore.
By the way, I love the background design on your blog – I’ve been dreaming of a backsplash with that same pattern!
Absolument magnifique !
Bon weekend.
Anna
Merci beaucoup Anna!
This is so cute. What patience you took for this pretty project!
I just started a new link party and would love if you would come on over and share your post or social media sites. http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party4/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
Thanks DeDe! Yes it took a lot longer than I thought it would, haha. I’ll stop by your party.