Wrapping Up Valentine's Day

So here is our version of the Valentine's idea we lifted from Martha Stewart kids. Actually each valentine was a bit different. It was great way to use up some of my random scrapbook paper (especially since I am tempted to go mostly digital now).
These were fun to make, but did require a little more time than my daughter wanted to commit. I had to finish them up for her. Interestingly, there was only one other student in her class that brought handmade valentines. Next year, I might do something more digital and less assembly, like this idea from

Becky Higgins.
I made this cake with my son for a last minute Valentine's party for the pre-school set, at the park. It was really simple since I had the heart-shaped cake pan and all of the ingredients on hand. I happened to have a can of ready-made frosting (the kind that comes in an aerosol can with tips) on-hand. That meant I could just make one color of frosting and just frost the cake. As you can see, I haven't quite mastered the technique of piping with those cans, but it made this whole thing take so much less time and hassle.

Here is my favorite Valentine's decoration. I was going to include instructions, but honestly, it's been long enought since I made it that I can't remember exactly what I did. Basically, I cut styrofoam into a bevelled heart shape, attached silk roses and lace ribbon. I used a combo of straight pins and a glue gun. If you attempt this project, you will need more flowers than you might think, since they are clustered so closely together. This is why the edges have a different kind of flower, but I actually really like how that sets off the roses.

So Valentine's Day has come and gone this year, but I have yet to celebrate with my dh. It will be March before we get the chance at this rate. So if any of you did something clever for your husbands this year (or any year--really), please leave a comment and tell me what you did. It just seems that Valentine's Day is so geared toward women, that there is little to do in the creative department that will please the menfolk...aside from the obvious. If I remember, next Jan., I will type up the specs for "The Amazing Race--Valentine's Edition" my friends and I did for our husbands a few years ago. Lots of fun and very creative!