Valenines Day Garland

A Funny Valentine Day story to share ... I am working on a DIY Valentine garland. As I'm cutting out my Valentine garland pieces ("XOXO's") to deorate my front door for Valentines Day. My son keeps asking my why I'm spelling out OX OX. So, I explained to him that it's not OX OX but XO XO witch is a code word for kisses (thinking he'll love some spy type lingo). Quickly, my daughter reminds me that this is the year of the OX ... hum, now I'm wondering if my 7 year old has outsmarted me again.

Directions for XO XO Garland:

What you’ll need:
White felt (one piece 12 X 24 “ or two pre-cut pieces)
Red felt (same dimensions)
Assorted coordinating ribbon
(we used 2 yards red and white polka dot - ¼ inch, 48 inches red and white gingham - 3/8 inch and 2 yards red grosgrain ribbon - 7/8 inch)
Fabric tac
Sissors (we used straight and pinking shears)

Cut four X ‘s and four O’s – two of each color felt.

Each letter template has an outside line and an inside line. Decide which color you want the back of the letter to be. Then use the outside line as a cutting guide for the back. Use the inside line as a cutting guide for the front of the letters. Be sure to cut the bigger one out first.

We cut the back one out with pinking shears, and the front pieces with straight shears.

Dimensions of cut ribbon:
Red grosgrain: Two pieces one yard long.
Red gingham: 4 pieces 12 inches long.
Red polka dot: 6 pieces 12 inches long.

Lay out the backs of the letters on a table the way you want them to hang. Attach the ribbons with fabric tac. On the first X, the top left side has the red grosgrain ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half so that it’s a double 18 inch length. You will need a longer length for a nicer bow. Then on the right top side of the X, put a piece of red gingham and a piece of red polka dot ribbon. Then the first O has the red gingham and red / white polka dot ribbon combination on the top left with only the red polka dot ribbon on the top right. The second X has the red polka dot ribbon on the top left with the combination gingham and polka dot on the top right. The second O has the gingham and polka dot combination on the top left and the red grosgrain on the top right.

Now just fabric tac the top pieces in place and your done! Tie the letters together, I tied them close together – but you don’t have to. Just hang it up and Kiss away! I used suction cups with hooks on them.

Feel free to use wired ribbons for the ends. They do make a nicer bow! Use any combination of ribbons you wish. These colors just worked for me. But, light pink and hot pink felt would be great too. Not to mention hot pink and black!

Here's the template: