Bloody Valentine Heart Wreath

I don’t know about you guys, but Valentine’s Day kind of makes me sick. Even when I’m very much in love, this holiday is still not a favorite of mine… The sickening amounts of heart shaped candy, the large pointless teddy bears, and stupid chubby baby decor everywhere. I guess you can call me the Scrooge of Valentines Day. I did a bit of brainstorming and decided to kind of get into the spirit, but of course in my own weird morbid way.

Given that Friday the 13th will be the day before Valentines Day this year I thought I would celebrate both with a creepy blood splattered heart wreath! It’s perfect for any other anti-Valentines Day people out there that would still like to hang up some decor without becoming physically ill from staring at red and pink hearts all day!

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Supplies:

Heart shaped foam wreath (12″)

Dowel rod (3/8″ x 36″)

Industrial scissors or wire cutters

White spray paint

Red acrylic paint

Small paint brush

Sheet of red foam (2mm thick)

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

(1.) Start by making starter holes where the “arrow” will be piercing the heart. Carefully push the dowel in as far as it will go. You may need to use scissors or an ink pen to puncture the foam all the way through. Slide the dowel through. (2.) I left six inches on both ends, but you can shorten or lengthen your arrow based on personal preference or size of the wreath. (3.) Use industrial scissors or wire cutter to snip off the excess dowel. Obviously if you have a small saw, you can use that, but I had to get creative and small wire cutters worked just fine! The end won’t be a smooth cut, but since we’re covering it anyway it won’t matter too much. (4.) In a well-ventilated area, spray paint the dowel rod white, allowing 15-20 minutes dry time in between coats. Try not to spray paint the wreath itself because the spray paint will sort of eat away at the foam.

(5.)Once both sides are painted and dry you can start the “blood splatter” process! Pour out a bit of the red acrylic paint. Dip the end of the brush in and then sling the paint across the wreath. You can also just squeeze small drops of paint directly onto the wreath and then tip it up so the paint runs down. Once you have your desired effect, put in a safe place to finish drying, about 1 hour depending on the thickness of your paint and drops.

While waiting you can cut out the foam ends that you’ll need.

(6.) Cut two triangles (about 2″ by 2″) out of the red foam. Next cut out the ends of your arrow. I decided to go with two basic shapes, but you could also cut out one and go for a feathered end by cutting small strips along the sides to make fringe. (7.) Run a strip of hot glue along the sides of one triangle, leaving the end open. Place the other triangle on top and press together. Allow glue to set up for 1 minute. When wreath is completely dry, slide the triangle pocket over the end of the dowel rod. (8.) Add a small amount of hot glue on either side of the rod and press triangle together around it to seal it closed. (9.) You’ll do pretty much the same with the ends of your arrow.