Are you looking for an easy, cheap, trendy Valentine’s Day craft idea? Check out this neutral layered heart sign – in classy modern farmhouse style. It has moody contrasts and a romantic vibe that go perfectly with the latest decor trends!
Modern Farmhouse Classy Valentine’s Day Decor
I admit I struggle a little when it comes to Valentine’s Day – for a few reasons. First of all, I’m not really a cutesy type decorator – I’m not a fan of gnomes or bunnies or snowmen – or really, hearts. Now, that may seem ironic to you, since this a heart sign that I’m sharing today. But hopefully, I’ll show you how it can work.
I also struggle with Valentine’s Day because I’m not a huge fan of red or pink in my decor. I like some pink for spring, but I’m usually not quite ready for that by Valentine’s Day.
I generally like neutral colors and sometimes that feels like the opposite vibe of Valentine’s Day.
If you’re like me, hopefully I’ll convince you to give this modern farmhouse Valentine craft a try as it’s not cutesy or pink – but it is classy, neutral, and a bit moody as well.
Upcycled Dollar Tree Materials for a Unique Heart DIY Craft
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I mostly used materials from Dollar Tree for this craft as well as items I had in my craft inventory. And that’s usually how I roll: sometimes I’ll see something that inspires me and just modify it based on what I have. Other times, I’ll pick through my supplies and see if there’s something I can’t pull together for a craft.
This one was kind of both.
My original inspiration was a sign I saw in the Dollar Tree Plus section – a pallet sign with a sweater-covered heart on top. I almost bought it but then thought to myself, “No, I can make that.”
As I bought a few supplies, I went through what I had, and came up with something a little different but that feels more ‘me.’ Hopefully, more ‘you,’ too.
Below, you can see what I used to make 2 signs (fabric and ribbon not shown):
2 Repurposed Signs
You can get these anywhere – Dollar Tree, thrift stores, yard sales – or any sign you have that you are ready to be done with. I used the backside of one sign and used the front of the other – so one is recessed, one isn’t.
Various Sized Hearts (wood, plastic, metal, etc.)
I bought a set of 2 at Dollar Tree and then I took the galvanized heart off of another sign I got at Dollar Tree.
Fabric
I used fabric I had laying around that I used on other projects that you can see here and here. I purchased the patterned fabric from Walmart and the ticking stripe from Hobby Lobby.
Black Craft or Chalk Paint & Brush
Scrapbook Paper
The paper I used is one I actually made myself. The text is Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning – “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” You can use any scrapbook paper, or you can download the 8×10″ PDF I created at the end of the post by filling out the box.
Mod Podge and Credit Card
Marker
Scissors
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Ribbon
Instructions for Neutral Layered Heart Sign Craft
This one was pretty easy to create and the directions may need to be modified, depending on how you make it. I’ll show you two ways, which are just variations of each other.
1| Prepare your signs by painting.
If your signs need any prepping, you’ll want to do that first. I just used basic black craft paint to cover the inside of one sign and the front of the other.
2| Take your scrapbook paper and tear edges to fit inside of frame.
I tore mine so I had about an inch or so margin from the edge. You want your edges to be irregular, so there’s no stress to tear perfectly. I just held a finger down on the paper where I wanted to tear and tore with the other hand.
I’d recommend tearing slowly so you have some control over how the edges come out. If you tear too quickly, it may have a border that looks gashed.
3| With a brush, apply Mod Podge to the surface of the sign and place scrapbook paper where you desire.
Taking a credit card, gently smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. You may also apply Mod Podge over the paper to seal it and give it a glossy finish once that initial layer is dry. I did not.
4| Create fabric heart.
Take one of your hearts signs and place it on the fabric, on the specific design that you want to be on the face of your heart. With a marker, trace the shape of the heart a little larger than the heart itself – about a 1/2″ margin. Cut out heart.
Lay heart face-down on the back of the fabric and then glue fabric around heart. Be sure to pull tightly as you go, ensuring there are no wrinkles or bubbles on the face of the heart.
5| Repeat this a second time if you are doing 2 hearts or two signs.
6| Layer hearts on sign.
Using your glue gun, glue your fabric-covered heart to the center of your sign, on top of your scrapbook paper. Ideally, heart should be smaller than the paper so the paper is seen outside and around the heart.
7| Add a bow.
Cut a ribbon length and tie a bow, then glue to bottom right side of heart (or wherever you like). Cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle for a more polished look.
For a Layered Heart Sign without Scrapbook Paper
If you are making a sign without scrapbook paper, you can just layer two heart, as seen here.
In this case, create fabric heart (step #4-5) and glue to galvanized heart or other large heart shape. Then glue large outside heart to the sign (if you are using a metal heart, put glue on the sign itself, not on the heart).
Repeat step #8 for the bow!
So easy, right? I love the moody, dramatic look against the black, even though you typically don’t think of black for Valentine’s Day (unless you’re an emo middle school girl, like I was back in the 80s, lol).
For succinct instructions, see below!
1| Prepare your signs by painting. 
Neutral Layered Heart Signs
Materials
Instructions
2| Take your scrapbook paper and tear edges to fit inside of frame, about an inch or so margin from the edge. For the irregular edges, hold a finger down on the paper where you want to tear and tear with the other hand. Tear slowly so edges are irregular but not gashed.
3| With a brush, apply Mod Podge to the surface of the sign and place scrapbook paper where you desire. Taking a credit card, gently smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. Apply Mod Podge over the paper to seal it and give it a glossy finish if you desire, when base layer is dry.
4| Take one of your hearts and place it on the fabric, on the specific design that you want to be on the face of your heart. With a marker, trace the shape of the heart a little larger than the heart itself - about a 1/2" margin. Cut out heart.
5| Lay heart face-down on the back of the fabric and then glue fabric around heart with glue gun. Be sure to pull tightly as you go, ensuring there are no wrinkles or bubbles on the face of the heart.
6| Repeat this a second time if you are doing 2 hearts or two signs.
7| Using your glue gun, glue your fabric-covered heart to the center of your sign, on top of your scrapbook paper. Ideally, heart should be smaller than the paper so the paper is seen outside and around the heart.
8| Cut a ribbon length and tie a bow, then glue to bottom right side of heart (or wherever you like). Cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle for a more polished look.
If you are making a sign without scrapbook paper, layer hearts of 2 different sizes, with or without fabric, and glue to sign.
Repeat step #8 for the bow!
To get the Elizabeth Barret Browning “Sonnet 43″ PDF printable (8×10”), fill out the box below! If you’d like more size options or to have this print in a JPG, check out my Etsy listing of the same item! You can even print it out and frame it by itself for neutral Valentine wall art!
More Valentine’s Day DIY Decor
If you want more DIYs for Valentine’s Day or decorating ideas, I’ve got loads of them!
Minimalist Valentine DIY Hoop Wreath (Pretty Modern Farmhouse)
Dollar Tree Farmhouse DIY Rope Heart Wreath
30 Breathtaking Valentine’s Day Table Decor: Centerpieces & More!
30 DIY Valentine’s Day Wreaths: Modern Farmhouse Pretty
8 Super Easy Farmhouse Valentine DIY Projects from Dollar Tree
30+ Farmhouse Valentine’s Day DIY Decor Projects
8 Valentine’s Day Mini Sign Free Printables
If you create these signs or any other Valentine’s Day crafts, I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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