If your anything like the rest of us, you're probably scrambling for last minute Valentine's Day ideas, and with just one week left, the pressure is building! Alas, you've come to the right place, so pull up a chair, grab yourself a cup of joe, and relax, we're here to rescue you! With the help of the CP Design Team, and the love-friendly Paper Heart collection, this week, Crate Paper is publishing Valentine's Day projects galore! That's right, this entire week is dedicated to the popular red & pink holiday, and to give ol' sweet cupid a head start in spreading the love, we're giving away a total of FIVE Paper Heart Collection Kits throughout the event, one each day. Catch the giveaway details at the very end of today's post. Also, get ready to pin..you're going to "heart" this week's creations!

And as an extra feature to coincide with the projects, each of our designers is sharing her favorite Valentine's Day childhood memory, along with a brief summary about her creation.

 

 

Crate Paper Designer :: Piradee Talvanna

 Pockets and Sprinkles. Piradee's coupon cards are too cute for words. And, if you read her childhood memory, you'll learn more about them! 

 

"For my project, I drew inspirations from the good old school days - where in my case, it's way way back to those middle school days. I remember one year where in addition to the roses that can be purchased for your special someone(s), the committee was also selling these valentine coupon booklets (with simple kid friendly tasks). And by the time that they were delivered to the class rooms, needless to say, we didn't get much done for the rest of the day. We were too busy using the coupons on each other and acting like crazy kids (the committee terminated the coupons for the following year - ooops)."

 

 

Crate Paper Designer :: Kaori Watanabe

Our kids need to be reminded of how much their loved every day, but Valentine's Day gives you a chance to really show how much you care about your lil' one. How about tucking a Valentine's Day card inside their lunch sack or backpack? Would be so much fun for them...

 

*Instead of a memory, Kaori's expressed a Japanese tradition that we think is very sweet. 

"I made a Valentine's card for my son. The manners and customs of a Japanese Valentine's Day is slightly different from the US. In Japan, the tradition that prevails is for women  to present chocolates to the men they love. It's become a Japenese custom and is very popular on Valentine's Day! How do you celebrate Valentine's Day in the US?"

 

 

Crate Paper Designer :: Erin Stewart

A couple of final projects from Erin Stewart, we thought it best to introduce them this week since they fall upon two subjects dear to our heart, "dad" serving overseas and love for the the little one. We hope you are well, Erin! Thinking about you, and your family on this Valentine's Day!

 ~ 

And now for the giveaway details! Well, it's simple, really. After reading a couple of childhood memories from our designers, it's your turn to tell us your favorite Valentine's Day childhood memory! That said, we know that not everyone celebrates the holiday, so if you're without something on the subject, you can still participate in the giveaway. All we ask is that you tell us what remarkable project you'd craft from Paper Heart. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced next Monday! Good Luck and may cupid be on your side!

Comments

[Ange]

The one from the past I remember best was about 10yrs ago when my husband unexpectedly came home with a gift for me and our 3yr old daughter. We seldom do gifts and when it comes to the kids I'm usually the one shopping, so it was fun to have him do it on his own.

[Renee Zwirek]

I loved giving out Valentine's to my classmates and getting them in return. SO giddy over getting a Valentine card from the boy I had a crush on in my class!

[nitasha]

Nothing really stands out specifically, but I did love the Valentines Day parties at school and exchanging those cheesy store bought valentine cards! It was so much fun!

[Sav O'G]

OHHH! Beautiful projects shared today--and the stories are super cute!

I don't remember doing anything really fun as a child for Vday--but I remember when I gave my very first homemade vday card to my boyfriend--I loved how he looked at the card and said it was the best ever! I had made it completely out of construction paper (this was WAY before designer papers! LOL!).

THANKS for the chance to win:) sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com

[Mel H]

I remember the year I got a huge stuffed horse for valentine's day...I had him for years until his stuffing finally gave out!

[Ellen]

The most adorable memories is the lovely painting I made with my brothers. At the same time we were good for each other all day long for our parents :)

[pegg]

I loved elementary school Valentine's - where EVERYBODY gets cards and can share in the happy day. I don't get cards anymore - only from my fiance - on Vday, so thinking of those days is really fun. Hopefully kids are still doing that these days!!

[Bethany E.]

I still remember a boy in 6 grade bringing me chocolates...hahaha! So cute!

[Sample Letters]

This is so nice..And indeed...the event itself is going to be great.

[Lisa P]

My most memorable Valentine's day from my childhood was the day I got appendicitis, missed our valentines party, was soooo sad! My aunt showed up with all kinds of special chocolates, presents, cards etc. It made up for it.

[Hilary A]

It's not really from my childhood, per se, but five Valentine's ago is when I went on my first date with my current boyfriend :). We went to see a band coincidentally called Boys Like Girls.
x Hilary

[Bethany Becker]

Valentines day was not a favorite day of mine to celebrate, but I always enjoyed the excitement of finding out who put valentines into your box at school.

[Jan Garber]

My father would bring my sister and me a box of our very own chocolates, every year never fail! He would come home from work, present my mother with a card and chocolates, and then turn and have two very special boxes of candy for us! It was a very thoughtful and sweet gesture that he continues although we are both married and moved away! In our 50's, we still get Easter baskets, too!

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Absolutely gorgeous projects! I love them!! And my fave childhood memory was my Daddy taking me to the Father/Daughter Valentine's dance for Kindergarten through the third grade! I loved those days! :):):):):):):):):):):)

[ruth tacoma]

My fave childhood memory has WAY less to do with love, but rather the creativity that goes along with Valentine's Day.

The best part for me was always decorating my box or large envelope at school that all my valentine's would go in to. I remember it being such a focal point and having so much fun deciding how to make mine look. The valentine's were fun too, but there was so much more surface space to decorate on that container! :)

[emily (justem)]

My best childhood memory of Valentine's Day?? I got pink eye in the 3rd grade and had to be sent home! I remember sitting in the car with my box of Valentines. My teacher made me promise to wait until 2:30 to open them, which is when the class would be having their party. I tried to resist but couldn't help sneaking a few open while my mom ran into the pharmacy to get my medicine! ;)

[ifa]

I remember cutting hearts to make a Valentine's card but I can't remember the recipient. Since I went to a girls' school, it was probably for another girl...ooops.

[Karin]

We used to decorate paper lunch bags for our Valentine "mailbox" at school. It was fun to read all the cute little cards later. I remember in Grade 4, the boy who sat in front of me told me I was the only girl he gave a card to...I was startled, as the feeling was not mutual!

[serena]

favorite childhood memory is making the little mailboxes that everyone would put their valentine's cards in for you. I loved bringing it home and spreading out the little cards allover the floor.

[Amy Jones]

I remember Valentines day was always a big thing when we were little. We had fun decorating mailbox's or shoebox's to collect our valentines and having parties at school were fun. I loved getting Valentines for everyone and receiving them made me feel LOVED.