About the International Bloggers Club

It’s my favorite time of the month: joining my friends from around the world to share another edition of the International Bloggers Club. This month marks our one-year anniversary of this special series. It’s been a fun and eye-opening year filled with creative projects, cultural discoveries, and the chance to learn about traditions from each blogger’s country.

We are five bloggers living in different places who exchange projects and traditions. For February we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day and sharing a simple framed heart craft you can make at home.

Valentine’s Day in Greece

Valentine’s Day is a relatively recent addition to Greek celebrations; it became popular here in the 1980s. The Greek Orthodox Church does not have a St. Valentine in its calendar, so the holiday arrived more as a cultural import than a religious observance. Over time, like many Western traditions, it has been embraced by Greeks as a day to celebrate love and companionship.

People of all ages exchange gifts, flowers, and sweets. Greeks love any reason to go out, and on Valentine’s Day taverns and restaurants are lively and often fully booked. For many couples, a night out is the norm, while others prefer a cozy evening at home.

The fabric heart photos in this post were kindly provided by Varvara’s shop, Wedding Planner Shabby Chic.

Our Personal Tradition

My husband and I usually stay home for Valentine’s Day. We light a fire, set a candlelit table, and enjoy a quiet dinner together. Last year we even had a special Valentine’s breakfast, which was a lovely change from the usual dinner routine.

DIY: Framed Heart for Valentine’s Day

Today I’ll show a quick and simple framed heart craft you can make in a few easy steps. I started with an old picture frame I already had — you can use any frame you like. The frame I used originally held a decoupaged wooden center covered with floral fabric.

I gently popped the wooden insert out of the frame. Rather than removing the existing fabric, I wrapped a red floral fabric over it. This quick approach lets me return the original artwork to the frame after Valentine’s Day, without gluing anything permanently.

Next I found two pieces of wire (hanger wire works well), formed them into a rough heart shape, and wrapped the heart with natural twine. No need for perfect symmetry — the handmade look is part of the charm. I tied a small bow at the top with the twine to finish it off.

To display the twine-wrapped heart, I secured a tiny white ribbon to the top and let the heart dangle centrally inside the frame, creating a simple and romantic focal point that’s all about texture and color.

The finished piece is understated and just the right amount of red for Valentine’s decor. I added a little distressing to the frame for a vintage feel — a technique I’ve refined over the years from much clumsier attempts in the past!

The twine-wrapped heart looks simple but is sturdy — a down-to-earth metaphor for love, perhaps. This project is budget-friendly, quick to assemble, and easy to store until next season.

Disclosure

Disclosure: Some items mentioned in past posts were linked as affiliate products. When purchases are made through those affiliate links, the blog may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the creation of free content and tutorials.

Join the Conversation

That wraps up my contribution to this month’s International Bloggers Club challenge. How does your country celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you have unique customs or favorite traditions? I’d love to hear what makes Valentine’s Day special where you are.

To explore past challenges and see what my blogger friends have shared about Valentine’s traditions in their countries, check the International Bloggers Club archive on my blog for more ideas and inspiration.