Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show the special people (and pups) in your life just how much you care about them. This year, why not add a personal touch to your Valentine’s crafts by including your dog in the fun? Whether you’re creating a special gift for a loved one or making something to celebrate your own pup, these dog-inspired crafts are sure to add some extra love to your holiday. Here are three easy, dog-inspired Valentine’s Day crafts to get you started!
Painted Pawprint Bouquet
Flower bouquets are a classic Valentine’s Day gift, but unfortunately, they usually don’t last very long. This DIY pawprint bouquet, however, lasts a lifetime! A painted bouquet is a fun and meaningful way to show your love, and this pawprint bouquet is even more unique. By using your dog’s pawprints in this craft, you’ll create a meaningful art piece that’s both festive and sentimental.
What You’ll Need:
- A stretched canvas (or canvas panel)
- White acrylic paint
- Non-toxic acrylic paint in the colors of your choice
- Large foam brush
- Bristle paint brushes
- Sharp pencil
- Washcloth or pet-safe wet wipe
How to Make:
- Use the white paint to prime your canvas and let it dry fully. You’ll likely have to repeat this step a couple of times or until the divots in the canvas aren’t visible anymore.
- Then, use a pencil to sketch out where you want your bouquet to be. It’s better to have an idea of where you want each pawprint before Fido is covered with paint!
- Paint one of Fido’s paws with a single paint color. Press their foot down firmly on the canvas where you want the flowers to be. Repeat as needed until you have as many flowers of that color as desired. Then, wipe off your pup’s paw with a wet washcloth or pet wipe to clean it.
- Repeat this process with each desired color until your collection of flowers is complete.
- Use green paint and a small bristle brush to create diagonal lines connecting each pawprint flower to the bottom of the page. Criss-cross and combine each stem at the base to solidify the bouquet look.
Dog-Inspired Valentine’s Cards
Homemade cards are a great way to spread love and are easy to personalize. Whether you’re gifting them to a partner, a friend, or a family member, your dog’s pawprint will make the card feel even more special and thoughtful. This is a great way to get your pup involved in the Valentine’s Day fun and unleash your creativity—no pun intended.
What You’ll Need:
- Cardstock or colored paper
- Markers, pens, or crayons to decorate
- Non-toxic acrylic paint
- Stickers, glitter, or any fun embellishments you like
How to Make:
- Start with a blank card, or cut your cardstock into the size you want for your Valentine.
- Dip your dog’s paw in paint and stamp it onto the card to create a pawprint.
- From here, you can get creative with the design! You can use markers or pens to add cute messages and doodle hearts or pawprints around the card to make it even more festive.
- For extra embellishments, add stickers, glitter, or other fun decorations. Let everything dry, and your one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day card is ready to go!
Pawprint Picture Frame
A picture frame featuring your dog’s pawprint makes for an adorable and meaningful keepsake. This craft is a wonderful way to frame a cherished memory of your dog—whether it’s a solo photo of your dog or a family picture. It’s an easy yet sentimental project. If you need some updated photos of your pup to add to your new frame, have a photoshoot!
What You’ll Need:
- A picture frame
- Non-toxic white acrylic paint
- Non-toxic acrylic paint in the colors of your choice
- A paintbrush
How to Make:
- Start by painting your picture frame with a layer of white paint. Apply additional coats until the original color is fully covered and the frame is completely white.
- Next, coat your dog’s paw pad with your chosen paint color. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, you could use festive colors like pink and red!
- Gently press your dog’s paw onto the photo frame. Repeat this step with different paint colors or the same color until the frame is covered.
- Once the frame is fully dry, insert a photo of your furry friend and place it somewhere everyone can enjoy!
These dog-inspired Valentine’s crafts are a fun and easy way to add some extra love to your celebrations this year. So, grab your supplies (and your pup) and start crafting!