Love Me Tender Valentine Decor: Three Glittery Wood Plaques
Three small painted wood plaques hang in a row, each topped with a glittery print and a ribbon bow. The prints carry a sweet “Love Me Tender” message, and together they make a Valentine display that can stay up for years.
The whole project is paint, paper, decoupage medium and ribbon. Most of the time goes to waiting for coats to dry, so it suits a busy week.
What do you need for Love Me Tender plaques?
- 3 unfinished wood plaques from a craft store
- 3 Love Me Tender prints, trimmed to fit the plaques
- Craft paint in a color that suits your prints
- Mod Podge (or another decoupage medium)
- Clear glitter finish
- Ribbon, plus extra for connecting the plaques
- Sponge brush, glue gun and staple gun
The prints work best with a simple look. Picture a script or bold lettering reading “Love Me Tender” on a solid background. Red, pale pink and turquoise all suit the idea. If you make your own, draw or design it in any app, then size it a little smaller than the face of each plaque so a painted border shows. Print on regular paper, since thick paper can be harder to smooth down.
How do you make them?
- Paint each plaque with a thick coat of craft paint. Let it dry fully, then add a second thick coat and let that dry too.
- Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the dry board. Lay a print on top and press it into place carefully.
- Brush a thick layer of Mod Podge over the print and let it dry. Repeat on the other two plaques.
- Finish with two thick coats of Mod Podge in total over the print. Then add two coats of glitter finish, letting each coat dry completely first.
- Tie a bow with tails about six inches long on each side. Put hot glue into the center of the knot so it can’t loosen.
- Staple the bow’s ribbon ends to the top of the plaque that carries the main message.
- Cut connector ribbon pieces and line them up right under the bow ends. Staple them in place, then repeat for the remaining plaques so the set hangs together as a column.
Hot glue and staple guns are for adults only. Keep the staples and ribbon away from small children.
Why does the paper wrinkle, and is that a problem?
When wet Mod Podge goes onto the paper, the print puckers and ripples. This is normal. As the layer dries the paper relaxes and settles flat, so don’t pull it off or add more medium to fix it. Wait until it has dried completely before deciding whether it needs anything.
If a stubborn bubble remains at the edge once everything is dry, a small dab of Mod Podge on a sponge brush can seal it down. Dry it again before adding glitter.
How can you make the finish last?
Patience matters most. Thick coats of paint cover the wood grain, and each coat of Mod Podge and glitter protects the paper underneath. Skipping dry time can cause tacky spots or a cloudy surface. Plan the coats across a couple of days, for example painting in the morning and again in the afternoon.
Staples hold the ribbon firmly to the wood, which is sturdier than glue alone. Glue is still handy for the bow center, where the ribbon needs to keep its shape.
Where should you hang it?
A narrow wall by the front door, a hallway or the space above a mantel all work well. The stacked plaques form a tall, slim display. Pick ribbon in a shade that picks up the print color, such as white or cream with red. Pale pink prints look soft with a gingham ribbon, and turquoise ones pair nicely with a crisp white bow.
When February ends, wrap the set in tissue paper and store it flat so the glitter and bows stay intact for next year.
