Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Don't let Valentine's Day sneak up on you! We have some fun, fast, and thoughtful ways for you to say "Be My Valentine" this year!

First, set the stage with some festive decor! It's easy to whip up this DIY Burlap Valentine's Garden found here on the Glorious Treats Blog:

To create a memorable gift for everyone on your list (family, coworkers, or perhaps the folks in your knitting group), all you need is to round up some mason jars, then check out this blog post from Uncommon Designs which has dozens of creative ways to say "Be Mine."

One of the more unusual ideas we've seen for Valentine's Day are these heart-shaped bird feeders - you can find the recipe here on the Wine and Glue blog:

Last but not least, we might be biased, but we think a Lavishea bar is a great way to say "I Love You" this Valentine's Day! For the man in your life, we recommend the spicy, clean scent of the aptly-name Man Bar, or the spicy scent of our Woodland Spice bar; for a more feminine option, we recommend the romantic scent of Jasmine Vanilla. 

No matter which scent you choose, be sure to use this fun, easy and eco-friendly idea for prettying up your present: grab some yarn, string, twine, or ribbon, and wrap several times around your LaviShea package like so: 

Tie a knot on the back and secure with hot glue or some tape:

Using some red, pink, or white felt, cut out a heart and attach to front of package with hot glue. If you have pinking shears, you can use them to cut a heart with zig-zag edges:

Feeling extra-creative? Use beads, buttons, or other embellishments to decorate your heart. Voila! You have a lovely little Valentine with a sweet handmade touch!

Trend: Arm Knitting

We've just returned from The National NeedleArts (TNNA) trade show in Phoenix, AZ, which is where folks in the yarn, fiber, and needlepoint industry come together to share the newest products and trends. It was an inspirational weekend, and we'd love to share the joys of knitting with all of our fans with a trend which emerged last year and continues in its popularity as we kick off 2015: arm knitting.

Arm knitting is a quick introduction to the world of fiber, and it requires very little in the way of supplies to get you started: just grab some yarn and you're ready to go! There are tons of free tutorials and fun projects available online, many of which can be completed in under an hour's time. Here are just a few of our favorites to get you started:

Basic Arm Knitting Tutorials - Flax and Twine

Arm Knitting Necklaces - Vickie Howell

15-Minute Cowl - Mari Knits

Arm Knitting Blanket - Crafts Unleashed

Arm Knitting Infinity Scarf - Becoming Martha

These quick projects are sure to keep you warm this winter, but don't let dry hands slow you down! If you find that the yarn you're using is catching on rough cuticles, we recommend using a trusty LaviShea lotion bar to keep hands supple while crafting. Fiber artists trust our non-greasy moisture which absorbs quickly and keeps skin naturally moisturized - that's a trend that never goes out of style!