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Sticks & Stones: A Frugal & Outdoorsy Valentine’s Day Craft

February 6, 2012 By radmegan 14 Comments

February 14th is right around the corner, and this weekend it dawned on me that I needed to come up with a couple of no-frills Valentine’s Day gifts for my oh-so-frugal, mountain-man husband.
I LOVE being surrounded by nature- in fact, living in Los Angeles, a regular diet of hiking, beach-walking and camping is what keeps me sane! Fortunately, I married someone who shares my appreciation of wide open spaces, so when I thought about what he might like for Valentine’s Day, it wasn’t an expensive, glossy box of chocolates, or even a store-bought card. (I happen to love those things and buy them for other people, but not for my husband.)  
For Valentine’s Day inspiration for my husband, I turned to some of the “natural treasures” we have around the house; little polished rocks and especially straight twigs- the things that find their way into our pockets while we’re out exploring.
With my trusty sander and soldering iron, I spent a few minutes wood-burning messages to my husband on little segments of willow branches…
 

Then I came inside, and with some acrylic paint and a somewhat fine-tipped brush, I painted up a couple of notes on the heart-shaped rocks we’d collected.

I put the two messages together in a wooden bowl on our dining room table, and when my Mountain Man spotted them, he was genuinely touched. 
It was a perfect way to tell my outdoorsy husband how I feel, AND the perfect Valentine for his frugal heart because I didn’t spend a dime on the materials!

This simple craft only took a few minutes to complete, but sometimes the simple things end up being the most meaningful. 




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Filed Under: Crafts, Holiday Tagged With: cheap valentine's day solutions, love notes, man crafts, nature, outdoors, rock, valentines day


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Comments

  1. Elaine Nowak says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:12 am

    That is such a great idea! My husband and I love to hike and camp so this would be perfect for him!

    Reply
  2. radmegan says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Awesome! Thanks for the comment Elaine. And happy Valentine’s day to you and your husband! I love an outdoorsy couple :)

    Reply
  3. Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:24 am

    This is cute, Megan! I linked over at the Dollar Store Crafts fb page!

    Reply
  4. radmegan says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Thanks so much Heather! You are the best!
    xoxo

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    February 6, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Well, fudge! I tried to comment and it deleted! Let’s try again…I like this idea! It’s so simple and sweet. I don’t have a sweety in my life unless you count my Jack Russell terrior. :) I still just might make some for my birthday anyhow!(Valentine’s Day is my BD)…

    Reply
  6. julia says

    February 6, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I tell my boyfriend all the time that he rocks my world. Now I know what to make him for Valentine’s Day! Thanks, chica!

    Reply
  7. Daydream Retreat says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    OMG, so making a stick for my husband! Thanks for the awesome idea!!!

    Reply
  8. asmithofalltrades.com says

    February 8, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Such a great idea!

    Reply
  9. Megan Beaman says

    January 28, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Doing this for my boyfriend this Valentine’s Day :) works well with my corny/cheesy theme, but it’s really sweet too! Thanks!

    Reply
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Trackbacks

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