DIY Abstract Art Heart Valentine's Day Favors

It's finally candy month! Er, um I mean the month of love. Yes, Valentine's Day is almost upon us, and the kids and I spent a snow day crafting our little hearts out (pun totally intended). We recently were invited to see The Children's Theatre production of The Frog Bride, and the vibrant, abstract backdrops in the play inspired our Valentine's favors.

The play was unlike any children's play we'd ever seen before. Instead of elaborate sets and a whole cast of characters, The Frog Bride features only writer/director David Gonzalez, pianist Sergei Prokofiev, and violinist Daniel Kelly set against a multi-media backdrop. The story all comes alive in Gonzalez's colorful narrations, which are partnered with abstract, watercolor splashes on the screen. This uncluttered performance really allowed the kids to use their imagination to envision the characters, the scenario, and the story's clever plot twists. The jazz music kept everything lively and engaging.

These DIY Abstract Art Hearts are perfectly unique and wonderfully inexpensive. Even my youngest was able to get fully involved in this project to create watercolor Valentine's cards for lots of friends and family. They're impossible to mess up, and that's a full-on win in my book. Because, ain't nobody got time for frustrated kids. Check out the entire how-to below.

Dessert Meets Design: Geometric Valentine's Dessert Table

Get your eyeballs ready for some geometric, Valentine's awesomeness, because it's coming at you full force today. Hopefully, yesterday's DIY candy necklace got you in the holiday mood, because it was just a warm up for today's spread. By now, you know that I'm also one of the head honchos (honchos?) of Confetti Pop, and we dreamed up a geometric theme for Valentine's Day. And, because we like to make every shoot a party, we invited a team of great local creatives to join the bash, including my husband, Darren of Well-Groomed, and photog team Jeff and Jessica of Jeff Loves Jessica. 100 Layer Cake was kind enough to feature the entire shoot as well, so thank you ladies!

Now, on to the pretty. I designed a gold, purple and pink geometric cake that mimicked Maddy's DIY table runner. Gold candy, custom truffles, and favor boxes with custom labels were fun additions to Rolos with printable wrappers. I lined the platters using this Confetti Pop set of printable papers.

Want even more eye candy for the day? Well, if you think you can handle it, be sure to visit Confetti Pop for more pics of the entire event, visit Well-Groomed for close ups of the groom, and check out 100 Layer Cake to see which pics their editors liked best.

styling/concept: Confetti Pop

printable invites: Confetti Pop Shop
images: Jeff Loves Jessica
venue: 514 Studios
florals: Prairie Fair
groom's styling: Well-Groomed
makeup: Asia Marie - asiaschulz@live.com
hair: Melanie Rivers
bride's wardrobe: BHLDN Feria dress, BHLDN Lambent shoes
groom's wardrobe: Old Navy shirt, Men's Wearhouse bow tie, Target pants, Target boots

Sweet Idea: Valentine's S'mores Pops

Kiddo's class is having a Valentine's party next month, so I'm already scouring the web for cute ideas. Although we can't bring in homemade food (total bummer), these little Valentine's S'mores pops would be a big hit with her friends in the neighborhood. Plus, they'd make a fun project for us to make together. I love when work and play come together.

Have you guys started brainstorming any Valentine's projects, yet?

pics via armelle

Dessert Table: Sweet Soiree

This pink and red fete featured on 100 Layer Cake and shot by Kat Braman is lush, but also really attainable. Why? Because the only desserts in attendance are cupcakes and a simple cake. Pick up some bouquet of flowers and arrange them in a pretty vase, and you're more than halfway there.

For the finishing touch, use glittery scrapbook paper and a heart craft punch to make a sparkly backdrop for your display.

Valentine's Visions: DIY Ombre Sugar Hearts

Wow, wow, woowza! That's all I can say about how pretty/versatile/easy this Erica O'Brien recipe is. If you have sugar, eggs, and food coloring, then you've got it made. Or, at least you could have it made with a few simple steps. Whether you're looking for cute Valentine's favors or a way to decorate a plain, inexpensive wedding cake, these hearts fit the bill.

I just love ombre, don't you? For the full tutorial and recipe, check out Erica's blog here.

Dessert Table: Valentine's Day DIYs & Downloads

This Anders Ruff Custom Design pink and red dessert table, which was featured on Hostess with the Mostess, is a cute overload. Becca Bond Photography had the enviable task of photographing each adorable shot. But even better than the Valentine's Day theme is the brilliant decor DIY idea that could translate to a lot of different themes. Paper plate poms.

That's right. Those gigantic, pink polyhedrons are made from standard paper plates! But, hold on, because the DIY goodness doesn't end there. Fabric flowers top candy dishes, paper heart toppers finish off cupcakes, and a heart garland adds a festive finish to the pink table cloth.

Want to make some of those paper plate poms yourself? Check out Anders Ruff's tutorial here. You can even download the labels and other paper goods at the Anders Ruff Etsy shop here.