banana valentines ...

I have one last Valentine printable to share with you today.  My friend Kersey gave me one of these rad banana pens, at Alt Summit a few weeks back.  I tracked them down because I knew they would be a perfect little something for my kids to give to their friends at school for Valentine's day.

You will need:

Yellow Cardstock paper

Scissors

Banana pens or favors (I found some cute banana candies from Oriental Trading that we also gave out, you could also give out real bananas for a healthy option!)

Washi tape (optional)

Lip and tape cellophane bags

1) Print the free PDF download for the Banana "I like you a BUNCH" Valentine onto yellow card stock paper. Click here to download.  (please let me know if you are having trouble downloading the printable)  -Just a reminder that these Valentine Printables are for Personal Use only.  You may not sell these for money or alter.  Copyright Armelle Blog 2015.

2) Cut out the Valentines.

3) "Pair" it with your favorite banana item.

Like I said, these banana pens and candy are just adorable, but you could easily give a real banana to your Valentine, easy as that!

I love these little cellophane bags with the lip with tape that seals in the back, I sealed it, then added a little washi tape back there. (all sources in items list)

Hope you enjoy!

I just love putting together class Valentine's for my children!  And, having non-candy options is always fun!

{all photos by me}

slam dunk basketball valentine's ...

This post contains affiliate links.

We are in Valentine mode over here at our house, and I wanted to share with you some Valentine's I'm putting together for my children to pass out to their friends at school.  

My oldest Ezra is quite the sports fanatic, so I knew that anything to do with sports, he would be in!

I saw some cute basketball Valentine's over on Minted, but of course didn't get my act together to get them ordered in time, so I put together my own version of the Slam Dunk Valentine!

I also came across these fun basketball pens over on Oriental Trading.  I knew my Ezra would be obsessed with them since they resemble one of his favorite toys, the Kendama (He also sells Kendama's, he's quite the little business man)

There are so many little basketball items you could use instead out there.  Small foam balls, dollar store balls, basketball stickers, basketball chocolates, basketball bouncy balls.  Just browse your local dollar store or party store, and I'm sure there will be a lot of choices.

I tried to make these simple with just black ink so anyone could print them off, and not need a color printer.  The key is to use orange card stock paper to print them on so they resemble little basketballs!  I think the textured orange card stock is cool since it looks kind of like the texture of a real basketball!

You will need to download the free printable, and print it onto orange card stock paper.

Download the free printable, by clicking here.

I also just need to remind my readers that when I offer free printable downloads, it takes me a long time to create, and it is my property.  I am allowing you to use them for your personal use only.  It is not ok to alter, or sell this file or use for commercial use in any way.  I feel bad that I have to point this out, but recently it came to my attention that someone was selling my free printables on Etsy using my photos and downloads.  I can't imagine why people would think that it is ok to steal someones work to sell?  But, just don't do it.  Because the internet is a small world, and people always find out.  Plus, my lawyer husband will have to write you a letter, and let's just not have to do that, ok? Anyhow, moving on..

After you print out the PDF onto orange card stock, cut out the basketballs.

Address the basketballs to your favorite friends, and attach the pen to the paper basketball with a little tape.  I like to use washi Japanese tape.

Hope you enjoy!

Let me know if you have a problem downloading the basketball PDF download.

If you end up using any of my Valentine printables, I'd love to see!  Tag me on instagram @armelle_blog and hashtag #armellevalentines

{all photos by me}

decadent chocolate tart …

Can you believe it's already Valentine's Day next week?!

I'm excited to partner with Harmons Grocery to share with you an amazing chocolate tart with berries and pistachio recipe.  It its decadent, and the perfect show stopper to present to your Valentine.  Everyone has different love languages, but I'm sure you've guessed that one of mine is making the ones I love something amazing to eat!

Harmons Grocery has an excellent baking isle to bring your desserts to the next level.  My little secret in the pastry crust is a little bit of vanilla bean paste that I swear by, and you can find it in the Harmons baking isle.

Harmons also has an impressive high quality chocolate section where they sell some of the worlds most amazing chocolate!  Only the best!  And, if you're not the baking type.  They have an amazing section of homemade tarts and treats for your Valentine, along with an amazing floral department all ready to pick up and deliver to your sweetie!

I decided to add a little bit of crunch to the top of my chocolate tart.  Harmons bulk section sells pre-shelled pistachios that I roughly chopped with a knife and sprinkled over the top with some raspberries and blackberries.  You really could use any berries you'd like.  I think berries and chocolate always scream romance, am I right?  Or maybe I've been watching too many episodes of Bachelor.  Wink.   Either way.  Can't go wrong with chocolate and berries!

Decadent Chocolate Tart with Berries and Pistachios

Pastry Crust:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cups powdered sugar

2 sticks (1 cup) un-salted butter

pinch of sea salt

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Place the flour, salt, and sugar into a food processor.  Pulse until combined.  Add one tablespoon of butter at a time until the dough starts to form, add vanilla bean paste.  It will be a tad bit dry, but the crust is almost like a shortbread consistency.  Place the dough and form into an un-greased tart mold.  I like to use the rectangular molds with the bottom that pops out.

Cover with tin foiled and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until set.

Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream

6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped

6 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped

Place the chopped chocolate in a medium glass bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until hot, just before a simmer and pour over the chopped chocolate.  Allow the hot heavy cream to sit over the chocolate for about one minute, then stir well until incorporated.  It should be fairly sweet with the crust, but if you like a sweeter ganache, you could use all milk chocolate, or add some semi-sweet instead of the dark chocolate.

Poor the ganache into the cooled pastry crust. Allow to cool for about ten minutes in the refrigerator.

Top with washed and completely dried berries, I used raspberries and blackberries, and chopped pistachios.

Allow to set and cool in the fridge for at least three hours before serving.  Store in fridge.

Hope you and your Valentine enjoy it!

{all photos by me}

target one spot valentine's ...

I'm excited to team up with Target's One Spot to create some fun Valentine's using their darling products from their One Spot from American Crafts.

They have some really amazing American Craft products in their One Spot section right now ranging from only $1 to $3!  They have over 40 amazing products ranging from washi tape, to paper straws, to glittery paper.  Be sure to head to your Target asap, because they are bound to sell out quick!

I decided to make a few tasty Valentine jars for some friends!  Here's how I made them.

You will need:

Glittery Paper- American Crafts from the Target Dollar Spot

Heart Straws- American Crafts from the Target Dollar Spot

Mini Burlap Bows- American Crafts from the Target Dollar Spot

Fast Drying Craft Glue or Hot Glue Gun

Sparkly Trim or Sparkly Pipe Cleaners

Scissors

Glue Dot adhesives

Valentine Candy- Tai Pan Trading

Glass Jars with Handles- Tai Pan Trading

1)  Cut out Paper Valentine Hearts with the American Crafts Glitter paper.  (I used a die cut machine, but you can also cut them by hand or print out a template) My hearts were about 1.5 inches

2) Cut out strips of silver glittery paper. My strips were about 1 inch by 12 inches.

3) Fold the paper strip back and forth accordion style.

4) Glue together the ends.

5) Fold the accordion in, and secure the middle together by gluing in with fast drying craft glue or a hot glue gun.

6) Take your cut out heart, and hot glue some sparkly trim or a pipe cleaner around the back rim of the heart.

7) Glue the sparkly trimmed heart to the center of the glittery paper accordion.

8) Print out a few Valentine sayings on to white card stock.  Some I used were- Be Mine, Valentine, I Love You,  Heart Eyes, I Heart You, Love, You're Awesome, You + Me.

9) Cut out the strips of paper then, fold each end down near the end and beginning of the words then back up, and trim the edges in a V shape.

10) Glue the white paper strip to the heart, then secure it to your glass jar with some glue dots.

11) Fill the jar with candy, and place a little mini burlap bow onto the paper straw and place inside the jar.

Cheers to homemade Valentine's for your loved ones!

Happy Valentine making!

{all photos by me}

a-"maze"-ing valentine + printable ...

I was debating on making some new Valentine's this year, since things have been so crazy.  But, I decided to make some easy ones.  I've seen a few Maze Valentine's around the web, but I wanted to design one for my 1st grader that fit him better.  

I found these little maze games at my local party store called Zurchers.  I liked them because they reminded me of little Lego men, and my little guy just saw the Lego Movie and loved it.  Plus, if I can do a non-candy Valentine, then I usually do.  They usually get plenty of candy as it is.

I decided to print it out on kraft paper card stock for more of a custom look!

I found a pack of the heart mazes too at the party store, and my son decided he would give them to the ladies in his class, LOL! (Future heartbreaker!)  I thought it gave it a nice touch, and could work well for either boys or girls!

Feel free to download my You are A"maze"ing Valentine by clicking here! 

(Be sure to click on the "click here to start download from sendspace, like the link circled above to download the PDF.  Make sure you are able to download PDF files)

Enjoy, and Hope you have a great Valentine's week!

{all photos by me}

valentine's day round-up ...

Can you believe we are almost into February?  

I for one am happy to see January go.  It's always the longest, most dreary month here in Utah.

Anyhow, I wanted to share with you a little round-up of all the fun Valentine's Day related posts I have done over the years here on the Armelle Blog.  I love Valentine's day!  What's not to love about a day that celebrates love!

Above: DIY airhead striped heart cake topper.

Izze sparkling juice Valentine.

Sweet and Salty Valentine's Day Treats

Pocky stick Valentine's

Marshmallow pops

Treasure Valentine's with Free printable

Made with Love free printable

Bubble Valentines with free printable

Love door hanger DIY

Love DIY  banner

French Macarons

Be Mine Valentine Box DIY

A colorful Valentine free printable two ways

Army Valentines with a free printable

DIY S'more pops recipe

For more Valentine's ideas from Armelle blog, click here!

Have a good one!