I first saw these Valentine’s “stockings” (aka “lovey bundles”) 2 years ago. Two years ago, there was no Pinterest. Isn’t it hard to imagine pre-Pinterest days?!?! I bookmarked the blog post immediately. Does anyone remember the “good ol’ days” of bookmarking websites?!?! Sorry, I digress…
When I saw these Valentine’s “stockings,” I knew that I wanted to start this tradition in our family. Two years ago, two days before Valentine’s Day, our family moved to plant a church, so I didn’t get to make the “stockings” that year. Last year, I bought all of the supplies but never got around to making them. 
This year, I was determined to make them. As part of their Christmas present, my awesome sister-in-law got my husband and sons tickets to the Vanderbilt basketball game on Saturday. I was uninvited, and I was ecstatic. 
The boys had bonding time with Daddy, and I was “solo.” These days I relish any time that I have time alone, so I soaked it up and decided to tackle the Valentine’s stockings project. I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine, so I wasn’t sure if I would get any of them made during the 3 hour basketball game. Thankfully, my sewing machine was obedient, and I got one made for all 5 of us! I’m not a master seamstress, so if I can make them, anyone can! This was one of those projects that, upon completion, I was mad at myself for putting it off for 2 years! It was so easy. This is a lesson in perseverance, so if you have a project you’ve been putting off, tackle it today! You’ll be so glad you did (as I was this week!)
I love traditions, and I’m excited to have a new tradition for Valentine’s day in our home. I’m excited to have a fun way to treat my husbands and boys from year to year. This first year will be a surprise; my boys have NO IDEA that they’ll wake up to candy and small treats on Valentine’s Day. I can’t wait! In the future, it will be so fun to get them in on the ‘planning’ and ‘scheming’ as we shower each other with surprises to show each other our love for one another. Oh, what fun!
I followed the tutorial step-by-step on Kojo Designs. Super, super easy to make! It probably only took me 10-15 minutes to make each one. Here’s how I made them:
Materials needed: 5 rectangles of felt, ribbon (for drawstring), scissors, sewing machine, hot glue gun, and felt/fabric scraps for decorating or personalizing
Cut one of your felt rectangles into a square. Sew the four remaining rectangles to the square. You’ll have a nice cross once you’re done. Then, sew the sides together until a “sack” is made. Cut 2 slits on each side of your “sack” and weave the ribbon in and out. Tie the ribbon and pull tightly, which will make it like a drawstring. Viola! Your Valentine’s stocking is ready!
With all boys, I decided not to make mine too “valentine-y” for fear that they would think they were too “girly.” I decided to just put our initials on them.
Hot gluing the letters into place.
The finished product. I put the camera up before I finished the one for my husband and myself. My Valentine’s “stocking” is hot pink! The boys will know which one is not theirs just by looking at the color! I can’t wait for Valentine’s Day! I am so thankful for the family that God has given me; I never want to take them for granted. Excited for a special day to tell my family those very things. Most of all, I’m thankful for yet another day to be reminded of the One who loved me first.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another…We love because he first loved us.(1 John 4:7-11, 19)
I love it that you tried these, Suzanne! It’s funny to think about the days before pinterest, right?
A few things- one of my dear friends went to Union (Laura Lee Ellis… don’t know her last name). And we are part of a church plant, now big-ish (for Denver- ha!) church. I will be praying for yours!
Wow! So honored! Thank you for commenting! Thanks most of all for sharing this wonderful idea! I LOVE THESE!!! I’m so glad I FINALLY made them!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE traditions, so I’m excited to make this a part of our family! I’m excited to share your fabulous creation with my readers.
So fun that you know Laura Lee! Please tell her HELLO! She was a student when I worked at Union after I spent time overseas. Thanks MOST OF ALL for praying for our church! We’re 2 1/2 years in. It’s been a wonderful, sanctifying experience. Blessings to you!!!!!!!!!!!
Very, very cute, Suzanne! Makes me want to go hunt up my sewing machine! It says a lot that I don’t even know where it is! :/
maybe you could hot glue the whole thing!?!?!?
Congratulations!! These look great!! I know those sweet grandsons will cherish the “candy” and in years to come they will look back and think about the tradition their mom started in 2013!! Way to go!!
thanks, Mom!