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Looking for a fun and beginner-friendly Valentine’s Day project? This Valentine’s Day door hanger doubles as an adorable shelf sitter or candlestick stand topper — and it’s oh-so-sweet! Whether you’re crafting for your home or to sell, this cute “Be Mine” heart is the perfect way to add a pop of love and charm this season.

Valentine’s Day Door Hanger Supply List

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Valentine’s Day heart topper. You can find most of these in my Amazon storefront or in our online shop.

• Wood Blank and Template:

• Be Mine heart with etched design
• Be Mine heart door hanger template

• Paint Colors (I always use DecoArt Americana):
  • Light Buttermilk (background)
  • Fawn (distressing and accents)
  • Watermelon Slice (flowers & heart stickers)
  • Cactus Flower (hearts)
  • Spa Blue (card outlines)
  • New Leaf (leaves)
  • Alizarin Crimson or Deep Burgundy (flower details)
  • Black (lettering)

• Brushes & Tools:
  • Flat tip brush (½ inch)
  • Filbert tip brush (small detail areas)
  • Round tip brush (lettering & accents)
  • Chip brush (for dry brushing)
  • Heat gun (optional but super handy!)
  • Fine mist spray bottle (to thin thick paints)
  • Paper towels
  • Ruler or painter’s tape (for “shiplap” lines)

• Extras:
  • Magnetic candlestick stand or interchangeable door hanger base
  • Metal disc (for the back of the piece)
  • 3M adhesive or hot glue

Step #1: Base Coat the Heart

Start by painting the large main area of the heart in Light Buttermilk. If your paint is a little thick, give it a spritz with your fine mist spray bottle — it makes brushing on so much smoother! Don’t worry about being perfect around the etched designs. We’ll clean that up later with details.

Let it dry fully, then apply a second coat if needed. You can speed up drying with a heat gun or hair dryer.

Step #2: Add Subtle Distressing

Mix a little Fawn with your background color and use a chip brush to dry brush soft, streaky lines across the heart. This gives it that worn, rustic look we love! 

Next, use just Fawn to add slightly darker streaks. Be light-handed and dab off excess on a paper towel before applying. Go in both directions and around the edges for that soft, weathered texture.

Step #3: Create Faux Shiplap Lines

Grab a ruler and a round-tip brush. Dip into the Fawn paint and add horizontal lines spaced about the width of your ruler apart. Don’t stress over straight lines — it’s okay if they’re a little bumpy or imperfect! It’s all part of the process. 

Step #4: Paint the Envelopes and Hearts

Use white to fill in the envelope cards, then switch to Cactus Flower for the hearts. A filbert tip brush works great for curves, but switch to an angle brush for those crisp corners if needed.

Paint the tiny flowers in Watermelon Slice, then switch to New Leaf green for the little leaves poking out. You’ll be amazed at how that green makes the other colors pop!

You might also like: 5 Valentine’s Day Tutorials You Can Try Right Now

Step #5: Add Details and Accents

Mix Watermelon Slice with a bit of Alizarin Crimson to create a darker shade for flower squiggles. Use a small round tip brush to draw whimsical swirlies from the center out — just little wiggles and squiggles!

Add contrast with a slightly darker green on the leaves, outlining and adding a vein in the center. 

For the cards, outline them with Spa Blue. This is where the magic happens! That little line hides imperfections and pulls the whole piece together.

Step #6: Lettering the “Be Mine”

Use a round tip brush and black paint to trace over the etched lines. Don’t worry if you’re not confident — those etch lines make it easy! If the paint feels too thick, thin it slightly with water for smoother strokes.

PRO TIP: Want an easier way? Use a black paint pen instead!

Step #7: Outline the Heart (Optional)

Use the same round brush and add a loose black outline around the outer edge of the heart. Start about a brush width in from the edge. Use your torso to guide the stroke, not just your wrist. This tip helps make your lines smoother and more confident.

Step #8: Assemble Your Stand or Attachment

If you’re using a candlestick stand, attach a metal disc to the back of your heart with 3M adhesive. Plop it onto your magnetized stand — and voila! Your sign is all done. 

You can also use it as an interchangeable piece on one of our magnetic door hanger bases. This design fits perfectly on an 18” Home Sweet Home sign.

Valentine’s Day Door Hanger Pro Tips from Tamara

• Don’t worry about being perfect. Nobody sees it as close as you do!
• Trust the process. Get to the end before doing any touch-ups.
• Add accents with darker shades of your main colors. It’s much less intimidating than using black!
• Always rotate your piece so you’re pulling the brush toward you — it gives you better control.
• If it feels messy in the middle, keep going. The magic is in the final details!

Get Projects Like This and Paint With Friends Inside the Clubhouse!

If you’re tired of painting alone  —or haven’t painted at all because you don’t know where to start — the Painter’s Clubhouse is here for you! Inside our membership, you’ll get:

• Step-by-step tutorials just like this one (but even deeper!)
• Live Zoom calls and exclusive workshops
• A warm, encouraging community of women just like you who LOVE to paint and get creative
• Replay access so you can paint on your own time
• Tips to help you sell your art (if you want to!)

Come rediscover your joy through painting. We’ll be there cheering you on every step of the way. Learn more about Painter’s Clubhouse here.