Looking for original, even super affordable ideas for Valentines Day? In this tutorial, we’re giving you the step-by-step instructions to get inspired and make your mantle beautiful in honor of Valentines Day.
Ideas for Valentines Day
Decorate Your Mantle (on a budget) for Valentine’s Day
This year, after the yards and yards of Christmas greenery and glitter had been rolled out of sight, my mantle seemed bare, cold, depressed even. And, after a long 20 days of looking at my bare and sad mantle, I made a decision that this would be the year that I would totally embrace Valentine’s Day! If not only for the justification to decorate my poor mantle again, she shines with a bit of pizzazz. But, I never like spending lots of money on things I can make for myself!
Could I decorate my mantle on the cheap?
First, I had an empty white vase that beckoned for some Valentine spunk. I bought 2 pieces of felt—one pink and one red, some white embroidery floss, and I used some kitchen skewers that I had on hand to make a heart bouquet.
First, I cut two matching hearts out of the felt and stitched them together using the white embroidery floss– making sure that I left a bit of space for the stuffing! Then after stuffing, inserting a skewer, and stitching up the end. It was simple! It was cheap! (less than $1 total!) And most importantly, it was adorable!
Next, I decided to craft a banner using an old book & some bias tape! How you ask? Let me show you!
First, you must find an old book. Thrift shops, garage sales, and library book sales are a good place to find a cheap, old book. Before buying a book, take a look at the pages inside. Look for water damage, mold, or paper that would be too delicate. Your book pages should be sturdy enough to withstand a run through a sewing machine.
To remove the pages, carefully peel the book back at the spine and wiggle the pages loose. Rip the pages as close as you can to the spine, use care and take your time! If you don’t like the look of the ripped edges you could easily use a utility knife or razor blade to remove pages from your book.
Pick a font on your computer that is chunky, and would show up against the type on your book pages. Size the font appropriately, and print a test run of the first letter of the word you are using for your banner. For example, my banner spells out the word VALENTINE, so I printed out a V. Check if the size is too big or too small. You can do this by holding both the paper and the book page up to a bright light or window and checking the size. If it’s not quite right, resize and reprint.
Once you have your font size perfected, tape your book page onto your paper using painters tape. The painters tape is just sticky enough to hold your book page in place and not too sticky to do too much damage when you are removing it. Run your paper through the printer again, and voila! The first page of your banner is complete!
After you have printed out all of your book pages, it’s time to get out your sewing machine!
(And, yes… my sewing machine is ancient! But, I love it!)
Position the first book page between the two layers of bias tape, leaving enough slack at the end to properly tie up the edges to your mantle. Using your machine, stitch over the bias tape and book page, making sure you keep the layers together and the stitches straight. Before your sewing machine reaches the end of the book page, get the next page ready. Leave a small gap between each letter. Continue on until all of your pages have been sewn together!
If you like, at the end you can cut the bottoms of the book pages. I chose a dovetail design, but you could also leave them as they are.
I also tied some red and white striped fabric strips on the sides to jazz it up a bit, you could add strips of lace, felt, ribbons, or even add glitter! The possibilities are endless! The best part, the whole banner cost me less than $1.50 to make!
To finish my mantle, I covered some old mason jars I had on hand in the same book paper with a heart cutout for use as candle holders. (They cast such an inviting glow!) I also walked around my house and pulled décor that had red in it for use through Valentine’s Day. Filling my large apothecary jar with candy hearts was the most expensive part of my mantle transformation! Now, I am faced with the challenge of trying to keep my kids (and my husband’s) hands out of that jar!
Who knew that with a few bucks, a little time, and redistribution of a few items around my home—I could have the Valentine’s Day mantle of my dreams?! Is your mantle begging for a little Valentine excitement? Dress it up!
Looking for more ideas for Valentines Day?
Be sure you do not miss these posts:
- Ideas for Valentines Cards: Make your own cards this year!
- Single on Valentines Day: Regardless of whether you’re in a relationship, there are plenty of things to enjoy.
- Homemade Valentines Day Gifts: A DIY art canvas can make a wonderful Valentines Day gift and not break the bank.
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Twitter: MOLM2011
says:
Wow! This makes me wish I had a mantle! Closest I come is the top of the TV stand. Thanks for sharing!
Making Our Life Matter recently posted..Crockpot White Chili
Twitter: mommeetmom
says:
Mantle-less here! You have good company
Christa the BabbyMama recently posted..Things I Actually Enjoyed About Labor and Delivery
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
The great thing is, bunting or banners can be used anywhere! Over a window, above a door, on a table, behind a couch, on a headboard, etc! Before I had a mantle, I decorated the entryway to my living room.
Twitter: AdventuresEM
says:
That’s a really cool idea. I’m going to try and make the Valentine banner for my boy
Thanks for sharing.
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
You are so welcome, let me know how it turns out!!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: xsbaggageandco
says:
Aw, I love your ideas! I made a little garland out of scrap fabrics in red and pink and was so pleased that it didn’t cost anything. Your little puffy heart bouquet is adorable!
Lisa H recently posted..Fall Colors
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
I’d love to see your Valentine decor!
Emily Louise recently posted..outdoor movie party!
Twitter: mommeetmom
says:
I never thought of just taping something onto the paper to print! Brilliant!
Christa the BabbyMama recently posted..Things I Actually Enjoyed About Labor and Delivery
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
Thanks Christa! Necessity is indeed the mother of invention, right?!!
Emily Louise recently posted..outdoor movie party!
Twitter: shanMKwalker
says:
Such cute ideas. Thanks for helping us get in the Valentine’s Spirit!
Blessings,
The-How-to-Guru
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
Thanks for stopping by! I hope some of my Valentine spirit rubbed off onto you!
Emily Louise recently posted..outdoor movie party!
I decorated my mantel on a budget and it didn’t require much time or a sewing machine. Here is the link from pinterest.
http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/287315651199415840_MqFKKD75_c.jpg
paper doilies, flowers, ribbon and rafia for garland and the XOXO sign was in the dollar section at Target. Everything else I had.
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
Adorable! I love your use of doilies!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: secretsofamom
says:
So, so pretty! If only I had a mantle!
Tara @ secretsofamomaholic.com recently posted..Whole wheat blueberry yogurt muffins!
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
You could decorate nearly anything for Valentines day! Headboard, door, entertainment center, front doorway, window, desk, possibilities are endless!
Emily Louise recently posted..outdoor movie party!
Twitter: CarliAlice
says:
I love these ideas! I don’t have a mantel so I’m trying to think of places I can hang a banner.
Carli recently posted..Real Into Reads 1
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
I always love banners on headboards or door frames!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: MyPixieBlog
says:
Such cute ideas! I love the felt hearts in particular. What a great way to spruce up the mantle. I wish I had one here, but there’s always a kitchen table that could use a few flowers
XOXO
Charlotte recently posted..How to Find Love in 2013
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
The felt hearts would look fantastic nestled between a few flowers!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: wombatcentral
says:
I was thinking about how I could decorate for Valentine’s Day, and this is perfect! My daughter loves to sew things by hand, so I’ll have her do the hearts. Thanks for the great ideas! Are you for hire? My whole house needs decorating help!
Wombat Central recently posted..Making Friends at Every Age
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
I would love to be hired out to Vslentines day decorating! It makes my heart happy!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: bettymanousos7
says:
great ieas! those are all awesome!
happy sunday!
xoxo
Betty Manousos@Cut and Dry recently posted..Have a Hugging Weekend!
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
Thanks Betty!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.
Twitter: Vmtwriter
says:
Excellent display. So crafty. Looks so cool.
Vicki M Taylor recently posted..Life Between Species Just got a Little Closer
Twitter: PreciousPreemie
says:
Guess what I will be making? Bouquet hearts. Very lovely! Thanks for sharing.
Raquel S. Hunter recently posted..Flame Retardant free with purchase of Gatorade
Twitter: LuckyMomofKK
says:
wow..this is lovely and sound so affordable
Thank you for this. I will definitely think of doing some decorations on my mantle this Valentines Day 
Vinma recently posted..‘To get the ears pierced or not?’-That is the Question
Twitter: Blended4Purpose
says:
Truly a great idea. I don’t have a mantle but I can decorate the banister and entertainment unit in our home.
Blessings~
Alethea
Blended4Purpose recently posted..Grandma Strikes Again!
Twitter: homeseasons
says:
Loving your DIY garland! The bias tape did a great job. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca recently posted..A Very Purple Valentine
This is really cute…
Sharm’s Outlet recently posted..The New Space
Printing on book pages and sewing them into a banner is genius! I love it!!
Twitter: Littlemommaco
says:
Thanks Autumn!!
Emily Louise recently posted..Halloween and keeping up with the blog.