Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a cozy, handcrafted piece of decor? This DIY Dollar Store Valentine Decor: Buffalo Check Heart Plaque is not only stylish but also budget-friendly. With just a few materials, you can create a fun and unique Valentine Craft for adults that will greet your guests in style. Whether you’re looking for an easy DIY craft for adults or a fun activity to do with friends, this craft is perfect for the occasion.
Supplies
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- Wooden Heart Plaque – Dollar Store
- Wooden LOVE Sign – Dollar Store
- Craft Paint – Light Pink, Red, and White
- E6000 Adhesive – Amazon
- Natural Jute Twine – Dollar Store
- Ribbon – Scraps in Shades of Red and Burlap
- Paintbrush – Amazon
- Painter’s Tape, 1 ½” Wide – Dollar Store
- Scissors – Amazon
- Ruler – Amazon
- Sanding Block – Amazon
Instructions
1. Prep the Wooden Pieces
Start by gathering all your supplies. Sand down any rough edges on the wooden heart plaque and LOVE sign with a sanding block. Once smoothed, apply a base coat of white craft paint to the heart plaque. Let it dry completely, and apply a second coat if necessary.
2. Create the Vertical Buffalo Check Stripes
Using painter’s tape, start in the center of the heart plaque and apply the tape vertically. Use a small piece of tape as a spacer and continue applying vertical stripes out to the edges. Press down the tape edges with a fingernail or bone folder tool to ensure a clean paint line. Lightly brush on a coat of light pink paint. Let it dry, then apply a coat of red using a dry brush. Remove the painter’s tape carefully, and let the paint dry completely. The streaky brush strokes will give it that signature buffalo check look.
3. Add Horizontal Stripes
Repeat the process for horizontal stripes. Start in the center and apply painter’s tape horizontally across the heart plaque, ensuring each stripe is spaced evenly. Burnish the edges with your fingernail or bone folder. Lightly brush light pink paint onto the horizontal stripes, let it dry, and then add a red coat with a dry brush. Remove the painter’s tape and let the paint dry completely.
4. Create the Buffalo Check Effect
With a small flat brush, use red craft paint to fill in the squares where the light pink and red stripes intersect. This creates the buffalo check pattern. Don’t worry if your lines are imperfect—the more rustic, the better! Let the paint dry completely, and apply a second coat if necessary.
5. Make the Ribbon Bow
Take your scraps of ribbon, burlap, lace, and trims and cut each piece to 6 inches long. Stack them in an “X” pattern on top of a 12-inch piece of natural jute twine. Tie the twine tightly in the center of the ribbons to secure them and fluff out the ribbons. Trim any excess ribbon as needed to create a neat bow.
6. Assemble the Plaque
Using E6000 Adhesive, attach the wooden LOVE sign to the center of the buffalo check heart plaque. Next, adhere the scrappy bow to the top right-hand corner of the heart plaque with E6000. For hanging, cut a 12-inch length of natural jute twine and glue it to the back of the heart to create a hanger.
3 Tips for Success
- Take Your Time with the Tape: When applying painter’s tape for the stripes, make sure to press down the edges firmly. This will ensure clean, crisp lines and a polished final result.
- Embrace Imperfection: The beauty of the buffalo check design lies in its rustic look. Don’t stress over perfect lines—slightly uneven brush strokes will enhance the charm of the pattern.
- Let Paint Dry Between Layers: To prevent colors from bleeding into each other, allow each coat of paint to dry completely before applying the next one. This will help you achieve crisp, vibrant stripes.
Conclusion
This DIY Dollar Store Valentine Decor: Buffalo Check Heart Plaque is the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day celebrations. It’s a fun and easy DIY craft for adults that will add a personal touch to your home. Plus, with materials from the Dollar Store, this project is both affordable and adorable! Get creative with the colors and ribbon choices to match your style, and soon you’ll have a beautiful handcrafted decoration to display for the season of love. Enjoy making this sweet Valentine craft, and don’t forget to share your finished projects with friends and family!
