Conversation hearts are one of those love-'em-or-hate-'em kind of candies.  They're not my favorites (they remind me of heart-shaped Tums), but they are one of those classic, iconic candies nonetheless.  If you'd rather non eat them, how about crafting with them instead?  Katie from Sew Woodsy turned a box of them into a set of magnets, sealing them up with a coat of sparkle Mod Podge.  (Gloss or matte Mod Podge would also work if you don't have any of the glittery kind or if glitter just isn't your bag.)  [how to make conversation heart magnets]

Project estimate:

• Conversation hearts, about $0.50
• Mod podge, on hand
• Sheet magnet, on hand or $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

Total:  about $0.50 and up

Reader Blair liked our t-shirt yarn dishcloths, but had a major question about t-shirt yarn: "So I don’t know how when one piece of yarn ends, to begin again with a new one… Does that make sense? Someone please email me.and tell me!" Well, Blair, I'll do you one better and write a whole post about it! How do you turn t-shirts into yarn, and then attach the ends? Read on!

There are a few common methods for making t-shirt yarn. The photo from the top of the page is from Let Birds Fly - she has a great visual tutorial for making t-shirt yarn. The method she uses for making the yarn involves doing "diagonal cuts" to make a continuous spiral of t-shirt yarn.

This seems to be the most common method for cutting a t-shirt into yarn, and it also seems the most time-economical.

When you get to the end of one piece of yarn you can attach it like this:

1. Attach T-shirt Yarn by Stitching

Amanda's Happy Hearth shows how you can attach yarn ends simply by stitching through the ends of the t-shirts. Amanda's tutorial also shows how to create yarn from the non-tubular parts of t-shirts (like the upper chest section), and is good for using the entire t-shirt with almost no waste.

2. Attach T-shirt Yarn by Knotting

Another way to attach ends is by just tying the ends together in a square knot (if you don’t mind the nubs in your finished project), or just twist them together when you are crocheting or knitting to create a more seamless join. I used this method when I made my recycled fabric rag rug over at CROQzine. This is also the method used by Meridian Ariel in the photo of knotted teal yarn above and below.

As you can see, the knots add a certain amount of rustic charm to your knitting project. You'll have to decide if it's right for your project.

3. Attach T-shirt Yarn with the Slit and Slip

The third method is the easiest and least visible once it is worked into a knit or crochet project.

To join t-shirt yarn, cut a small slit in the end of each piece of t-shirt yarn. Slip one end through the other. Push the opposite end of the first piece through its own hole. Pull tight to secure.

So, there you have three methods for joining the ends of t-shirt yarn or rag strips! Hope that helps. Here are some t-shirt yarn ideas for you to get started with once you have a ball of yarn or two:

T-shirt Yarn Craft Project Ideas:

1. Reusable T-shirt Yarn Swiffer-Style Duster Knitting Pattern by Verdigris Knits

2. Recycled T-shirt Yarn Macrame Hangers by The L-T Experience

3. Rainbow T-shirt Braided Rug by Sew Liberated

4. Recycled T-shirt Yarn Flower by Little Treasures

I have always been a fan of woven hearts, but I only recently learned how to make them. Guess what, they are a tiny bit harder than they look! Over at The Spotted Canary, I posted a template and a tutorial for making your own woven heart pockets. I suggest starting with the simple 2-strip version to learn with. Once you master it, you can move on to the more complicated versions, with more strips or wavy lines. [how to make woven heart pockets]

The fun thing about these hearts is that they are pockets, so you can slip a treat inside for your valentine.

Project Estimate:

• 2 sheets of contrasting cardstock or scrapbooking paper, on hand
• Scissors, on hand
• Stickers, if desired, $1 and up
• Heart template (download at Spotted Canary)

Total: FREE and up

No matter how small your budget, this is a diamond necklace you will be able to afford!  It was designed by Clemence of Oh the lovely things, who also made a printable template you can use to make your own diamond shape!  The shape is cut from scrap leather; if you you don't have any bits of leather laying around, look for cheap leather items (or fake leather items!) at thrift stores.  You could also make them in many other shapes, or make them out of any suitable materials you happen to have laying around.  [how to make a geometric diamond necklace]

Project estimate:

• Scrap leather, on hand
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Diamond printable, free
• Awl or nail, on hand
• Chain, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

As Allison at little lovelies watched Valentine's Day decor posts pop up all over the blog world, she am once again reminded of how lame her holiday decoration collection was. She wasn't exaggerating - she did not own one Valentine's decoration. Until now. I really love the simplicity and the gradient color. I also like that these can be framed, left in en embroidery hoop, or even given out as Valentines to your loved ones! [how to make cross stitch ombre hearts]

Project estimate:

• Fabric, on hand or $1 and up
• Embroidery hoop, $1 and up
• Embroidery floss, on hand or $1 and up

Note: Instead of buying four colors of thread, you can start with white and use RIT dye or Kool-Aid to color it. For each shade, leave the thread in longer to create a darker color.

I'm always looking for new ways to dress up plain paper lanterns.  (They're one of my favorite dollar store items!)  Jill from Meet the Dubiens decorated her daughter's bedroom in a Pottery Barn Kids theme with lots of cute owls and trees.  To compliment the PBK decorations, she made owls out of some paper lanterns that were left over from a birthday party.  If you aren't into owls, get creative and use the same techniques to make whatever animals you want!  [how to make an owl lantern]

Project estimate:

• Paper lantern, $1
• Scrapbook paper, on hand
• Craft foam, on hand or $1
• Buttons, on hand
• Glitter glue, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

Kate from Salvage Dior had been searching for an antique, scroll-y iron piece to hang on her wall as art.  Unfortunately, she couldn't find one in her price range.  Then one day she came across a fancy rubber door mat at the dollar store and had a brilliant idea!  Would you ever guess that it's actually a door mat?  It's a great way to add drama and vintage charm to your decor without paying a premium price, and since the door mat is much lighter than an actual iron piece, it won't require special hardware to hang.  [how to turn a rubber door mat into wall art]

Project estimate:

• Fancy rubber door mat, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Sandpaper, on hand or $1

Total:  $1 and up

Of all the recycled t-shirt ideas I have seen in the past year, this is my favorite! Over at delia creates, I found instructions for making an old t-shirt into a braided belt. I need to make a couple of these for my boys, who are just reaching the age where they can use belts (and need them). [how to make a braided t-shirt belt]

If you don't need a braided belt, try turning your t-shirts into braided headbands, braided bracelets, or how about a pretty knitted dish cloth?

Project Estimate:

• Old t-shirt, on hand or $1
• D-rings or O-rings, $1

Total: $1 and up

We love hex nut projects.  Hardware bits are such fun as craft supplies!  Over at i try DIY, Mikko used hex nuts joined with jump rings to create a heart-shaped pendant that would make a great Valentine's Day gift.  If hearts aren't your thing, you could arrange the hex nuts in an endless number of other patterns instead.  For a different look, try using nuts with different finishes, or use colored rings to connect them.  [how to make a hex nut heart pendant]

Project estimate:

• Hex nuts, on hand or $1 and up
• Jump rings, on hand or $1
• Cord or chain, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

Valentine's Day is a low-key decorating holiday for our family, so I like to make homemade decorations with my three boys. It's amazing how cheerful humble handmade hearts can be! Share the craft love with your children with a simple beading project that is perfect for small hands to work on. With a few common crafting materials, they make a beaded heart mobile that everyone will love! This is a cheerful gift for Grandma, or to hang up in the child's bedroom window. If you don't have all these materials on hand already, you can pick them up at the dollar store or for less than $5 at the craft store. As always, I encourage you to improvise so you can use whatever you already have on hand!

I found these wooden beads in small packages at the dollar store. Pony beads or homemade paper beads, duct tape beads, or recycled plastic bottle beads would work well.

Project Materials:

• 3 chenille stems (pipe cleaners), on hand or $1
• 18 medium-sized beads, on hand or $1
• 1/8" ribbon or yarn, on hand or about $.50 at your local craft store
• pencil

Total: FREE and up

To Make:

1. Thread 4-6 beads on a chenille stem (or more if you like, and depending on your child's age!).

2. Fold the chenille stem in half. Bring the two ends of the chenille stem together about 1" from each end and twist together twice until stem is secured

3. Parents might need to help with this step: place your thumb on the folded part of the pipe cleaner and push down between your index and middle finger to form a heart shape (as shown in photo)

4. Curl the ends of chenille stems around a pencil to keep the sharp ends from sticking out

5. Make three hearts and tie together with 8" pieces of ribbon or yarn to make a one-stranded mobile

6. Make multiple mobiles and hang together for a fun Valentine's Day decoration

Tips:

• Great Garlands: Instead of stringing the hearts vertically as a mobile, try stringing them side to side to make a horizontal garland.
• Heart Ornaments: Tie a piece of ribbon on a single heart to make a pretty heart ornament. Attach it to your Valentine's Day cards for a fun favor.
• Mini Hearts: To make small hearts, cut a chenille stem in half (use old scissors -- never good scissors!) and follow steps 1-4.