{heart tea towels}

I just love decorating for Valentine's Day, and I especially love when I can make something that's darling, inexpensive, AND simple to make.  Today I have the cutest heart tea towels to show you, and they fit all of the criteria above. It took me less than 20 minutes to make all three, and I {love} them. I read on another stitching project that it was so easy it almost seemed like cheating--and I have to agree!  Their simplicity just adds to their charm, and they will be perfect in my kitchen! These would also make adorable gifts...

{Sponge Heart Tea Towel}

Supplies:  

sponge, flour sack dishtowel, fabric paint, foam stamps

Directions:

1.  Cut out a heart from your sponge.  I just picked up the scissors and started cutting, but you could always trace one on first.  

2.  Lay out your towel over a piece of cardboard or cardstock, so the paint doesn't soak through onto your surface.  Carefully add paint to the sponge using your finger.  I like doing it this way because it controls how much paint is going on the sponge, and you really don't need as much as you might think.  If you get too much, the sponge "look" will be lost. Carefully place the sponge paint-side down on the towel, and press gently. I used foam stamps to complete the word, but you could also use another type of stencil.  Let dry completely.

.....

{Stitched Heart Tea Towel}

Supplies:

embroidery thread, needle, small piece of fabric, flour sack dishtowel

Directions:

These are SO easy, and so fun! For the fabric heart, I literally just cut out the heart, and stitched around the outside using a large needle and embroidery thread.  You could use heat 'n bond to adhere the piece of fabric first--it will insure that the fabric will stay in place while you're stitching. I was happy with just the heart, and loved it all by itself.  You certainly could add text, or more hearts--whatever you like!

For the stitched "love" and heart towel, I used a pencil to lightly draw on the heart and text.  I free-handed it, because I wanted it to look handmade, and I think the uneven stitches add to its charm.  If you prefer, you can always trace on your image instead.  Once the image was on there, I simply stitched it on! 

Simple. Charming. Perfect!