PROJECT: Love Pouches

A person can never say, "I love you," too much. In fact, I think we should come up with different romantic phrases, and deliver the message in any and all creative ways possible.

Skywriting, the JumboTron and singing telegrams are sweet, but kind of cliche. Think small and secretive.

Make a list of your favorite "love" phrases, quotes or fortunes, type them up and print them out on paper. Cut them to the size of small slips (fortune-cookie size).

If you don't want to go the predictable "Roses are red, violets are blue" route, use specific memories. Pick all the best moments from your relationship and summarize each one in a sentence or two.

Insert them into these cute little pouches made from heart-shaped doilies. Fill them with small Valentine-themed candy and then hide the pouches randomly around the house where your object of affection will find them.

If you want to make a game out of it, put a love-themed clue or riddle inside each one and make the person give you the correct answer so they can receive their prize!

I used paper doilies for this project, but you can use anything: fabric, card stock, scrapbook paper, vellum paper, even lightweight wire mesh.

If you are using solid color paper or doilies, make the most of the white space by embellishing with stickers, fibers, rubber stamps and embossing powder.

Doilies and paints can be found at the craft store. Romantic images seen in my sample project are from www.ArtChixStudio.com.

Supplies

4 white paper heart doilies per pouch
1 glue stick
Assorted paper dyes, rubber stamps, embossing powder, colored markers, etc. (I used spray-on glass paint)
Choice of: hot glue gun, double-sided tape, needle and thread or sewing machine
Small lightweight candies
Love fortunes printed on small pieces of paper

Directions: Using the glue stick, affix two doilies together for the front, and repeat for the back of your pouch. This is to make sure the pouch is sturdy enough to hold the candies.

Decorate as desired using rubber stamps, inks, embossing powders, etc. Let dry.

Line up the doilies that will be the front and back, and seal the edges all the way around, except for a small portion at the bottom, so you can pour in the contents. Add the candies in the pouch and insert one of the love notes. Seal the opening. Repeat to make multiple pouches.

Hide them, or arrange them in a pretty box and give out as favors. You also can present them in small gift boxes for the recipient.

Alternatives: Instead of doilies, use painted watercolor paper, with holes punched in it. To make your doily pouches even sturdier, line with tissue or vellum paper.

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