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    Heart of Gold Valentine Plate & A Love Story

    Craft Tutorials, Valentine's Day Crafts

    Long before we were an item, I knew my husband had a heart of gold.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    You might even say that’s what brought us together.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    His heart of gold gave me the courage to put my heart on the line…

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    To ask a question I never thought I would…

    To put past heartbreak aside and take another chance at love…

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Ours is a thoroughly modern love story. It all started with an email message… typed and erased and retyped…

    I am normally a direct person, but in this case, I’m a little nervous and thought it would be best to ask you by email. I was wondering if you’d like to go out on a date this weekend? I’ll let you pick the place. I eagerly await your reply.

    Until I finally had the courage to hit SEND.

    You read that right. I took a bold move and asked Bruce out on our first date.

    We had worked together for more than a year. But until that moment, we were just friends because we had both been in relationships. But those ended, and I thought I sensed a little romantic spark. A little flirtation across the newsroom. A few too many lingering looks passing between his cubicle and mine.

    I knew I was definitely interested in getting to know him better. I couldn’t be completely sure he felt the same way.

    But I did know that even if he wasn’t interested in a romance with me, Bruce would be mindful of my heart.

    If he didn’t want to go on a date with me, I knew Bruce would say no with kindness. He wouldn’t make things awkward or embarrassing, and we could still be friends.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    So I did something scary, something bold, something I’d never done before. I let cupid’s arrow fly and I waited for Bruce’s reply.

    Eagerly. Nervously.

    I think you know what the answer was…

    Amy & Bruce get married

    February 10 is the 12th anniversary of our first date. and September 18 will mark our 10th wedding anniversary.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    So we have a lot to celebrate around Valentine’s Day.

    I thought I’d whip up a heartfelt Valentine craft that pays tribute not only to love, but to my husband’s heart of gold.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    The meaning and sentiment behind this Valentine craft idea is priceless, but the project itself is super-cheap.

    I made a set of plates for less than $2, using crafting supplies I already had on hand, and four plates I picked up for 50 cents each at the Target after-Christmas clearance sale.

    To make this craft, you’ll need:

    • Clear glass plates
    • Gold leaf sheets, adhesive and sealer
    • Frosted glass spray paint
    • Vinyl decals or stickers

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    First, I cleaned my plates to remove any grease and fingerprints. This is VERY important!

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Then, I adhered some heart-shaped vinyl decals I cut using my Silhouette Cameo to the BACK of each plate. (Be sure to wipe off any fingerprints you leave when adhering the vinyl or stickers.)

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Next, I sprayed the BACK of each plate with Valspar frosted glass spray paint. I did several coats, allowing the plates to dry completely between each one. You could use glass etching cream, but the spray paint is much easier to use and less caustic.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Once the paint was dry, I removed my decals and brushed on a thin coat of adhesive size just in the areas that had been masked off with the vinyl.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    The instructions say to wait about 45 minutes for the adhesive size to dry. You want it to be tacky, or sticky to the touch.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    I find that I usually don’t have to wait the full 45 minutes to move on to the next step.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    I used a foam brush to apply a sheet of gold leaf to the plate.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Then I used the foam brush to brush away the excess gilding. It may be necessary to add a second coat of adhesive size to touch up any spots you missed the first time around.

    When I was satisified with the gold coverage, I sprayed the backs of each plate again with the frosted glass spray paint. (Don’t forget to wipe away any fingerprints BEFORE spraying.)

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    If you plan to use these plates for serving, you’ll definitely want to seal the gold leaf. Most gold leafing kits come with a sealer. You could also use a spray-on matte sealer. Evenso, I would not submerge these plates in water or put them in the dishwasher. I recommend gentle hand washing only.

    Romantic Valentine Craft Ideas: Gilded Heart of Gold Heart Plate

    Now that I have these pretty dessert plates, I think I need to send another email…

    For more Valentine’s Day ideas, be sure to check back next week when I’ll be participating in The Scoop’s Valentine Tour with 24 other bloggers.

    Valentine's Day Ideas

    Filed Under: Craft Tutorials, Valentine's Day Crafts Tagged With: Valentine's Day

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 03, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      You guys are so cute!! Love this story! I worked with my hubby too and friends tried setting us up. He was supposed to call me but didn’t – for two weeks. Then my friend – the girl who tried setting us up – told me if I didn’t call him, she was going to ask him out for herself!!!!! I immediately picked up the phone and called him – the rest is history! 18 years and counting of wedding bliss (most of the time)!!
      Kelly

      Reply
    2. Shirley@Housepitality Designs

      January 31, 2014 at 11:04 am

      Oh Amy…love the plates…but I must say that I really LOVE your story…and what a gorgeous wedding picture!!!

      Reply
    3. Suzy @ Worthing Court

      January 31, 2014 at 6:49 am

      What a sweet story, Amy. I’m sooo glad you shared! I can personally attest to Bruce’s heart of gold. He is a keeper and so are you, my friend! The plates are just adorable – I’d love to make some for myself. PS: Love the photo styling on the awesome pink stool.

      Reply
    4. Marty Walden

      January 31, 2014 at 3:30 am

      Now that’s a sweet post, my friend! Story telling at its finest! How blessed to have a husband who still loves you the same way today, new vacuum cleaner and all!

      Hope you’re planning an extra special getaway for your anniversary. I can babysit your blog if you need me to!

      Reply
    5. Christie

      January 30, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      What a beautiful craft to go with a beautiful story!

      Reply
    6. Betsy

      January 30, 2014 at 8:43 pm

      You brazen woman! Glad Bruce was a keeper.

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        January 30, 2014 at 9:24 pm

        I inherited my brazen ways from my mother! I hope she doesn’t read my blog…

        Reply
    7. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life

      January 30, 2014 at 10:46 am

      What a precious post. I love it and such a beautiful romantic story. Hugs, marty

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        January 30, 2014 at 9:24 pm

        Thanks, Marty. I hadn’t thought of this story in a while, so it was fun to take the walk down memory lane.

        Reply
    8. laura@top this top that

      January 30, 2014 at 10:30 am

      Good god, I am crying! what a sweet story and such beautiful comments about your husband. I am quite sure he feels the same way about your heart of gold.

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        January 30, 2014 at 10:35 am

        Thank you, Laura. I’m much more comfortable being acerbic and funny — and I think my husband loves me for that, too — so this was definitely outside of my comfort zone to share! But it’s all true.

        Reply

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