Last-Minute Valentine's Gifts

I have been absent due to possibly the craziest beginning to a New Year...Just before, I got rear-ended on the way to work, came down with the flu that stuck around for two weeks, my husband had a kidney stone attack, a friend/co-worker passed away four days after giving birth to her first child, my husband's dad returned from Afghanistan so we spent a little over a week visiting his family and mine, and then--in the midst of trying to get back into the swing of things--I had a tire blow out while on the highway with semis behind me. I lost control and ended up in a ditch 20 ft below the road I was driving on. Fun stuff.

That aside, I thought a couple of the things I did as gifts for Valentine's Day would make great last-minute gifts for those of you equally overwhelmed. I decided to try my hand at chocolate molding when I came across a super cute plastic mold that would make a tool box and individual tools. It was a little over a dollar shipped, and Michael's had milk chocolate wafers in all colors (I went traditional) on sale. So I decided it was worth a shot...Ignore the dirty stove...Some chocolate jumped ship:

The Ingredients...

Milk Chocolate melting wafers $2.49

Plastic candy mold $1.45

Microwaveable bowl

Spatula

Freezer

I did not have much faith in my ability to make candy since I have never tried, but it was super easy! I melted a handful of wafers in 30 second increments, and mixed before restarting it. You have to be VERY careful not to overheat chocolate or it won't work for this project (you will know because it turns dark and lumpy). Wash bowl out in between uses to avoid the leftovers from overheating with the new wafers, and dry thoroughly as moisture is equally bad for chocolate. Pour into molds and tap to settle, smooth, and remove air bubbles. Freeze for an hour. The above photo was taken once removed from the freezer and mold so the frosty look did not last. Turn mold over on smooth surface and pieces will drop. Use sharp steak knife to "trim" edges.

Do you have a song, love letter, poem, story, memory, or even wedding vows you would like to memoralize? If you aren't comfortable with photo editors, but like the projects they produce, look no further than YouAreYourWords.com! I decided to give it a test run with one of my favorite photos and the lyrics of 'our' song:

This was the result. While I still prefer to make my own graphics and prints, I think this turned out rather nice once printed on card stock, cut down, and framed. So there you have it! Two completely easy and affordable last-minute projects that no one would think was last-minute ;) I have quite the assortment of surprises (not all DIY) for my love...Some he already possesses since we are terrible at waiting, and also the 7th of February marks our six-month milestone (2 1/2 years married!) so we always spoil each other more than usual the first/second week of the month. He got me an incredible set of measuring spoons I have been dying for, made me a spin top from brass, and brought me breakfast-in-bed. Not too shabby :) What do you all do for/around Valentine's Day?