The questions keep on rolling in! Put your thinking caps on - we have an "out of the box" question. Reader Linda V. asks: I would really like to see some projects created with the great containers from these chocolates! With Valentine's Day around the corner, the heart containers will be up for grabs! I also have Christmas trees, a star, a pyramid, a bunny, etc. these just have to be great for SOMETHING!

Does anyone have any good creative ideas for reusing these boxes?

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

Here's a simply sweet idea: a simple paper heart coupled with a lollipop flower. This idea is quick and easy enough to repeat for every kid in the class, yet clever enough to be unique. The secret to these lollipops? Cover them with tissue paper and floral tape. I designed this project for The Spotted Canary, so pop over there to find the full project instructions: [how to make a lollipop heart valentine]

You can find green floral tape in the flower section of the dollar store, or use colored masking tape (also called "washi tape") for a different twist. I love this project because it is very basic, but you can dress it up with your favorite stickers. I am always looking for a good use for my sticker collection!

Project Estimate:

• A sheet of card stock or mat pad, on hand or $1 and up
• Coordinating tissue paper, $1
• Floral tape or washi tape, $1 and up
• Scissors, on hand
• Stickers, on hand or $1 and up
• Glue, on hand
• Heart-shaped paper punch (optional)
• Round lollipops, $1

Total: $2 and up

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

Our friends over at HowDoesShe? have put together a great list of over 50 Valentine's Day Ideas. The list includes printables, pennant banners, treats, decor, gift ideas, cards, things for the classroom, activities and more! With ideas like 14 Days of Gifts; Valentine's Day Countdown, 12 Simple Ways to Say I Love You With Food, and Shower Love Notes, you can't go wrong! [View the Valentine's Day roundup]

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.

If the special someone in your life doesn't go for frivolous gifts, they will surely appreciate a functional Valentine's Day gift like this adorable "love" key holder.  Over at Mod Podge Rocks!, Man Podger Walter used an unfinished, heart-shaped frame from the $1 section at Michael's as the starting point for a useful key station that will also remind you of the one you love every time you come and go.  It's both practical and romantic, a difficult balance to find!  [how to make a Valentine's Day key holder]

Project estimate:

• Unfinished heart frame, $1 at Michael's
• Wooden heart shapes, $1
• Screw hooks, $1
• Scrapbook paper, on hand
• Paint, on hand
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Rubber stamps, on hand
• Ink pad, on hand
• Screws, on hand or $1
• Photo, on hand

Total:  $3 and up

It's so hard to wait for holidays when you're a kiddo, which is why reader Gina from East Coast Mommy created this Valentine's Day Kiss Countdown Board with stuff from her dollar store. Well actually, her three boys made it! They used posterboard and a KISS sign from the dollar store, as well as heart-shaped felt stickers and Hershey's Kisses. Great idea, and a fun activity for kids. Thanks for sharing this with us on our Facebook page, Gina! [full instructions to the kiss countdown board]

Project Estimate:

• Foam core board, $1
• Kiss sign, $1
• Valentine stickers, $1
• Letter stickers, $1
• Hershey's Kisses, $2 and up
• Glue, on hand

Total: $6

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.