DIY Subtle Valentine’s Day Art

DIY Subtle Valentine’s Day Art. See how to create simple artwork with craft paper for a subtle Valentine’s Day into spring decoration. Pick your favorite traditional or non-traditional colors for one of a kind holiday display.

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January Pinterest Challenge

It’s a brand new year with brand new Pinterest challenges! I hope you’re as excited as I am to see what we create in 2025. Since Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away we’re starting off with a Valentine’s craft. If this is your first time to join us for a Pinterest challenge, this is how it works. Our host Cindy of County Road 407, selects a photo for us to recreate, and each participant puts their own spin on the photo.

If you’re popping over from my friend Cindy of DIY Beautify, welcome to Thistle Key Lane. I’m loving Cindy’s spin on this month’s challenge.

Click on my posts DIY Heart Moss Wreath and Neutral Valentine’s Day Cloche for more ideas on subtle Valentine’s Day decor.

Our inspiration photo for January is from Dorene’s Crafts and Design. I think this frame with the layering of Valentine hearts is just adorable. Dorene really hits all the high notes with color, texture and pattern in her sweet creation.

DIY Subtle Valentine’s Day Art

My design direction for the challenge is subtle soft colors that blend in with the kitchen’s stone backsplash. I’m using craft paper with similar colors of pink, orange, green and blue to make the project super easy. You can also use wrapping paper or recycle old greeting cards for this project.

Here’s a list of supplies to get you started. If you’re a crafter I think you’ll find that you probably have most of these supplies on hand.

Supplies

• wood frame (8″x10″ photo frame)
• photo mat (8″x10″ with inner cutout of 5″x7″)
• craft paper (wrapping paper or old greeting cards)
• pencil
• craft scissors
• craft stick glue
• wood heart cutouts (optional)
• heart paper punch (optional)

How To Make Subtle Valentine’s Day Art

The first step is to create a patterned mat from craft paper, by tracing around the outer and inner edge of the photo mat with pencil. Once the paper mat is cut out, use stick glue to attach the craft paper to the photo mat. I always have a weakness for gingham patterns. How about you?

For the background of your artwork use the mat as a guide to tracing around the outer edge with a pencil and cut out. This bird craft paper is a lucky find. It reminds me of simple toile patterns and sings of spring.

I was going to use the little wood hearts by scattering them around the birds, but changed my mind. Instead I’m using three of them to create dimension, by gluing gingham hearts on top. Then gluing the wood hearts to the background craft paper. By the way you can cut out your own paper hearts or use a heart paper punch if you have one.

For a temporary hanging solution I use Command hook and loop tape, which you can find here. It works great to secure the frame on the stone backsplash creating a cheery display for our coffee station.

Bonus Valentine artwork

I decided to make one more Valentine’s Day frame using the leftovers and the extra sheet of craft paper that I ended up not needing on the first project. By applying the same process of tracing, cutting out and gluing I have a slightly different look with a unfinished wood frame without glass.

How cute is this sweet frame and it is just as easy to create as the first.

Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration you can use right now!

Up next on our Pinterest Challenge is my friend Lora of Create and Ponder sharing a very clever thread spool art. Love it Lora!

Keep scrolling and enjoy the inspiration by clicking through the links below to visit everyone participating in this month’s PC. There’s something for everyone!

Cheers!

More Valentine’s Day Inspiration….