The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Straight from the heart
What the world needs now is love, sweet love (hat tip to Burt Bachara ch). And come Feb. 14, you can spread the good stuff to friends, family and, of course, your amours. These creative Valentine’s Day surprises take minutes to make and deliver big on that floaty, fluttery feeling. Grab some simple supplies, and let the giving begin.
Touching tokens
Cue smiles by tucking a few of these wooden hearts into unsuspecting lunchboxes or coat pockets, or dangling one from a doorknob or rearview mirror. Crafts stores stock lots of sizes; simply coat a few with satin-finish paint, attach a ribbon and slip into secret-admirer mode.
How-to: wooden hearts
■ Assorted wooden hearts, 1 1/2 to 3 inches
■ Satin acrylic craft paint and paintbrush
■ Awl, craft glue, screweye hook and cotton ribbon (all optional)
1. Paint heart tops and edges; let dry completely, then flip and paint backs. Repeat until color is fully saturated.
2. If desired, add a hang- ing loop: Make a dip in top edge with awl. Add a drop of craft glue; push in screw-eye hook. Let dry. Thread ribbon through hook and tie knot.
Mad-about-you monograms
The loop of fabric on the back of a necktie is just the spot for a secret message he can keep close to his heart. Write something romantic on a linen or cotton tie with a disappearing-ink fabric marker, then separate two or three strands from a piece of embroidery floss, thread them through a needle and go over the letters in small stitches. (Chain or stem stitches work well; go to marthastewart.com/ howtoembroider to get the how-to.) The result is permanent, intimate and almost unheard of these days: a whispered declaration when everybody else is broadcasting their feelings on social media.
Cupid’s care packages
A truffle sampler is sweet but gone in a few bites. Spoil a friend (or sister, or sitter) with equally tempting ideas that will last longer: handmade note cards and an elegant felt-tip pen, fragrant tea and organic honey or fancy French soap. To prettify plain cardboard boxes, gather cupcake liners in a few different sizes, fold them into halves and quarters, and arrange them on the lids however your heart desires, securing them with doublesided tape. Fill the boxes with crinkle shreds and nestle gifts inside.
Sugar puffs
Pass out pillowy treats made from bright-pink and orange tissue paper and white parchment (yes, the kind you bake with), and stuffed with sour candies and a fun, flirty greeting. To assemble, layer a tissue-paper square between a pair of parchment ones, trace a heart on top, pin the stack together and machine-sew inside the outline in contrasting thread. Leave a little gap so you can slide in sweets, on top of the tissue paper. Trim the excess paper and seal with stitches, and a kiss.
How-to: Stuffed paper heart
Supplies
■ White parchment paper
■ Tissue paper, in bright pink or orange
■ Heart template (download at marthastewart.com/ hearttemplate)
■ Straight pins
■ Contrasting thread
■ Sewing machine and supplies
■ Candies and handwritten note
1. Cut out 2 squares of parchment and 1 of tissue paper, all slightly larger than template. Sandwich tissue square between parchment ones; pin to prevent slipping. Trace heart onto top sheet.
2. Using contrasting thread, machine-stitch 3/8 inch inside heart outline, leaving a 3-inch gap.
3. Trim excess paper, leaving a 3/8-inch border around stitching. Slide candies and note under top parchment layer. Machine-stitch gap closed. LET US HELP YOU! Email your questions to askmartha@ marthastewart.com, or send them to Ask Martha, c/o Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 225 Liberty St., 9th floor, New York, NY 10281. Please include your full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters and messages become the property of Meredith Corp. and may be published, broadcast, edited or otherwise used in any of its media. By submitting your questions to Ask Martha, you are agreeing to let us use your name and hometown in connection with our publication of your questions.