Almost Valentine's Day

Are you short on time and money to spend on your sweetheart? Don't despair, you still can craft this wooden heart hanging photo plaque. The wooden heart is available at Ben Franklin Crafts for $1.99 and is fully painted, stained and strung with white wire. All you have to do is tie on a bow (American Crafts grosgrain ribbon with words), rub-on the word 'Love' (Mini Marks American Crafts Valentine rub-ons) and add the sticker metal button badge (American Crafts Flair). Of course you should embellish the Valentine plaque with your favorite photo, punched or cut into a heart shape.

If your honey is more of a foodie with a sweet tooth, you can always bake some cookies. I used Martha Stewart's ginger surgar cookie recipe and dipped the cookies in chocolate. Using the Wilton Chocolate Pro makes decorating these cookies so easy and the Wilton Valentine sprinkles add just the right festive touch. The Chocolate Pro sold out at the Hilo Ben Franklin Crafts store, but I was assured that more should be coming in soon. There are plans to do in store demonstrations so customers can see for themselves that this chocolate melting pot is fool-proof. I have a few more days before Feb. 14th so I'll get back to crafting and baking.