Valentine Treats & a GIVEAWAY (plus a WINNER) for the DTC Ch#44: Valentine/Love

**It's time again to decorate your celebrations with a Challenge at Decorate To Celebrate!!**

I'm so happy to have you stop by today for another Design Team Inspiration for Challenge #44 over at Decorate To Celebrate!!  Today, we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration (or party supply) for a VALENTINE PARTY or EVENT!!  Let's celebrate EVERYTHING WONDERFUL ABOUT HEARTS, LOVE, and VALENTINES with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more!!  :)

Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays...  When I was little, I used to decorate my bedroom for every holiday (no wonder I still like decorating!!).  I would hang hearts that I cut from construction paper in my windows; string red, glittery hearts across the ceiling; make Valentines for all my teddy bears; and even decorate my Barbie Dream House in as much pink and red as I could get my hands on!!  When The-Boy-Child was a mere month-and-a-half old, I took it upon myself to create handmade Valentines from HIM -- complete with a pink paint footprint that left my sofa, carpet, and walls a bit more festive with splatters and splashes of pink...  When the school parties started, I was in my glory -- Cupcakes with thick, high layers of frosting (I surely wasn't the favorite mom when the sugar kicked in!!), lollipop treats, and construction paper hearts covered in glitter...  {sigh}  Those were the days!!

Now, with the kiddos in college, I still get to make little treats to send their way (but I no longer string those heart garlands across my ceiling)...  For me, Valentine's Day has always been about telling EVERYONE I love that my heart is so happy that I have them in my life...  So this is the little treat I created for the friends and family I get to see at this time of year.....

These little sour cream cups are always a quick and easy project to make... To make mine, I started with two sheets of 12x12 decorative paper and cut SIX 4"x6" rectangles from each sheet... I added adhesive to one 4" side and attached it to the other 4" side (think toilet paper roll)... I then added a line of liquid adhesive to one open end and pinched it together (nice and flat and even). After holding it for a moment while the glue started to dry, I placed that end into my Fiskars Crimping tool and rolled it in just a few clicks and held it there for a moment...

Once the adhesive has dried for a few moments you can add your candy (I used Skittles because the kiddos LOVE them!!) and pinch the other side closed (make sure you pinch it closed in the opposite direction so that it takes on the shape of a sour-cream-cup)... Add your adhesive and crimp that side as well... If you don't have a crimper, you could always use some binder clips to hold it closed until the glue dries and a scoring tool to add the creases...

I also made another decorative sign that I'd like to GIVE AWAY to one lucky follower...  If you'd like a chance to WIN this adorable little 1"x6" wooden shelf sitter that says "Love you! XOXO", all you have to do is leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite thing about Valentine's Day is...  Next Tuesday I will use random.org to draw a winner to receive my hand-painted sign!!  :)

I also made a decorative sign for The-Girl-Child...  It measures about 2" high and 6" wide...  It was painted black then sanded and stained.  I hand-lettered the "Hugs -  5c  FREE!" and added a few little red hearts...  The-Girl-Child has always been my go-to for all the hugs a Momma could ask for, so I know she'll love this little sign. :)

To participate in this challenge, be sure to link up your VALENTINE (or LOVE) THEMED PARTY project by clicking HERE before 11:59pm (EST) on Tuesday, February 19th to be eligible for YOUR CHANCE to WIN a VALENTINE themed Mini Album from Rhonda!!

Now.....  I also have a WINNER to announce!!  Remember the "Football Spoken Here" sign that I was giving away last time???  Well...  Here are the drawing results:

And that Number One comment came from TAMI, who said:

Congratulations, Tami!!  Tami is absolutely correct!!  We LOVE our PIRATES!!  I'm already counting down the days til Opening Day!!  YAY!!  :)  Tami, since you've already replied to my email, your sign is on the way!!  :)  I hope you enjoy it (and I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl too!!)...

That's it, folks!!  I'll have more Valentine goodies (and some Super Bowl stuff still) to share in the coming days -- Hope to see ya again soon!!

Until next time,