DIY Ladybug Bookmark

Lady bugs are maybe the cutest bugs around.  They've gotten a bit of a bad rep for being biters, but they really aren't.  The biting bugs are Japanese beetles, adorable imposters who are kind of like the lady bug's evil twin.  But the real lady bugs?  Those I love!  And I love making them as bookmarks- it's quick and easy to do.  I even like making them pink instead of red :)  The only thing to be sure of is that you use an all metal paper clip.  If you use one of the colored paper clips, it will melt in the oven.  Yuck!

DIY Custom Glass Nail File

I love glass nail files.  My mom got me a pair several years ago, and I have been using them ever since- the same pair!  They last forever, you can clean them, and they're better for your nails because they cause less tearing.

My little pair used to have a martini glass on the end, but years of use had worn away the design.  That's when I thought I would paint my own on!  It is so simple to do :)

You will need:

• A glass nail file, cleaned and wiped dry
• Martha Stewart glass paint in Garnet Fine Glitter and Green Gold Metallic

Simply draw on a heart in the red glitter paint, and dot on golden polka dots all around it.  I love these Martha Stewart paints because they have a pointed tip at the end.  So, you can squeeze some out on a palette and use a paint brush, or you can just apply directly from the bottle.

Let dry, then admire your new file as you primp and pamper your nails :)

Polka Dot Heart

Last week, I showed you a little polka dotted monogram project you could make for your home decor.  Today, I've got the Valentine version!

You will need:

• 5x7 canvas
• Fresh pencil eraser
• Red paint (I chose a pearl finish from Martha Stewart's craft paints)
• Gold paint
• Printer paper
• Scissors
• Glue dots

Trace and cut out a piece of paper the same size as your canvas.  Then, draw and cut out a heart from the middle of the paper.

Affix the heart to the canvas with a glue dot (I'm obsessed with glue dots- I feel like I've been living in the dark ages before using these!)

Use your eraser as a dotting tool and polka dot a grid of gold over the whole canvas.  I recommend lightly dotting over the top of the heart.  This way, you don't lose track of where your polka dots should be, but you also don't crinkle the paper from too much paint.

Remove the heart and let the gold paint dry.

Place the heart outline over the dry gold dots, and dab the red paint inside, being careful to line up the overlapping dots.

Remove the stencil, let dry, and enjoy!

I love how this color combination turned out!  What Valentine crafts are you making??