diy: matchbox valentine party favors

I'll confess punctuality has never been one of my strong suits.
My driver's ed teacher used to tease me that I'd be late to my own funeral.

So here, on the last day of February, I have a valentine craft that I never managed to post earlier in the month.  This is my second project in my amazing #12monthsofmartha partnership.

Let's all hop in our time machines and go back a few weeks, pre-valentine parties. ;)
{Or just be realllly early for next year!}

you'll need:
empty matchboxes {I found mine at the grocery store near the toothpicks and plastic silverware}
Martha Stewart valentine scrapbook paper {obviously I used valentine paper for Valentine's Day...but change it up for any type of party or holiday}
stickers or other embellishments
glue stick
scissors/paper trimmer

and of course a variety of candies or trinkets to fill the boxes!

All you have to do to make these tiny favors is cut the paper into strips {a little bit larger than 4 x 2 inches was the perfect size} and then wrap them around the matchboxes, securing it with the glue stick.

I added another piece of scrapbook paper I trimmed to the top of each box. {I think the whole airmail theme is so clever and fun!}

Then just fill each box and they're all set for passing out at the party.
xoxo

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diy: tall cupcake flags

We're going through sweet withdrawal over here since Valentine's Day.

The only logical solution was cupcakes.
Right? :)
And flags for St. Paddy's day to make them festive.

I just made a quick batch of cupcakes from a boxed mix {shhh...don't tell} with vanilla frosting.

Lately I've been in love with the look of tall flags in cupcakes.
Something's extra cute and fun about them being tall I guess?

Anywho, to make the flags, I stuck strips of green washi tape onto an index card, trimmed them into flags, and hot glued them to bamboo skewers.  Easy peasy.

xoxo

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diy {no bake} almond joy bars

If you follow me on instagram, you know that Almond Joy bars are my husband's fave and I tried my hand at making a batch for him for Valentine's Day.

They were surprisingly simple and used just a few ingredients...the hardest part was the waiting to try them!

My hope was to make them into festive little hearts using a silicone tray to shape them...but they ended up more as blobs than hearts, so I ended up just topping each with a jumbo heart sprinkle.  They still were delicious. :)

And for the recipe....{adapted from here}...

you'll need:

3.5 cups shredded coconut
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups powdered sugar
about 24 oz dark chocolate {depending on how well you shake off the excess after dipping}
approximately 40 almonds
sprinkles if you like

Mix the coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar until completely combined.  It should be pretty dry.

Place an almond into each cavity of the mold.

Scoop a spoonful of the coconut mixture into each cavity atop the almonds.

Freeze molds for several hours or overnight.

When the coconut mixture feels pretty solid, unmold.

Melt the chocolate according to the package instructions in a double boiler or in the microwave.  {I always use the microwave method...I put a portion of my chocolate into a glass measuring cup and heat it at 50% for 1.5-2 minutes.}

Working quickly, dip each coconut/almond heart into the melted chocolate, gently tapping off any excess chocolate, and placing the dipped hearts onto a sheet of wax paper.  Top with a sprinkle if you'd like.

Allow the chocolate to harden {I cheated and put them in the refridge} and you're all set.  To package them, I just placed each one in a small cupcake liner and then boxed them up.

xoxo

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#handmadeigvalentines

I don't know about you...but I'm so not ready to put away the heart cookie cutters and pink decorations yet!  I had such a nice day {and weekend!} with my valentines...I'm not quite ready for it to end.  :)

A few weeks before the big day I was invited to participate in a fun little handmade valentine swap on instagram...{check out the hashtag #handmadeigvalentines to see all the goodies!}...here's a peek at what I sent out to my valentines...

I was big on the gold and pink this year!

I'm sure you can tell by the photos, but each box contained fringe-y streamers, paper straws, teeny glittered clothespins, gold glittered cupcake toppers, and a few sweets in a stenciled valentine bag.

xoxo

find me on bloglovin' and my fave social media sites!
: : facebook
: : pinterest
: : instagram
: : twitter

instagrammed.

Been awhile since I've shared instagram pics here...
I'm @aprettycoollife if you'd like to follow along over there. :)
xoxo

find me on bloglovin' and my fave social media sites!
: : facebook
: : pinterest
: : instagram
: : twitter

cowboy/sheriff badge valentines {free printable}

Okay, one last one for the year. :)
Another simple school valentine idea that doesn't involve candy...

For a while my boys were big into cowboys {and of course Sheriff Woody!} so I thought sheriff badges might make a fun valentine favor for school.

I found the badges at the party store...but I've seen them in the party aisle at Target and Walmart, too.

This time I used a standard hole punch and jute twine {it seemed more western/cowboy-ish than baker's twine??} and just tied the tags around like gift tags.

You can download the printable tags right here.
{and I've said it before...I love my Martha paper trimmer for quickly cutting the cards!}

And if you'd like to see our other valentines:
punch balloon valentines
googly eye valentines
space alien valentines
paratrooper valentines
teacher valentine gift box

find me on bloglovin' and my fave social media sites!
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