Here's a little last-minute Valentine idea to whip up while you're watching TV.  I'm always looking for ways to make use of left-over yarn from other projects, and this one is quick and easy!

Here's a step-by-step how-to to get you started . . . 

A heart-shaped template will help to make multiple hearts.  Fold a piece of paper in half, draw a half-heart shape along the folded edge, cut out and open.  Tip: I found it best to make my hearts squat and very rounded.  Sharper corners and too deep of a V at the top might make it tricky later when you are winding the yarn around the heart shape.

Trace around your template on a piece of cardboard - I used the flap of a box.  Then cut out hearts with a good pair of paper scissors.  These don't have to be too perfect, since you will be covering them up - but try to keep the edges fairly smooth.

All you need is a little piece of tape to secure one end of your yarn to the center of the backside of the heart.

To get started, wrap the yarn around the center of the heart several times.

Then wrap the yarn across the heart diagonally. Allow the heart to rotate as you continue wrapping diagonally. Wrap all the way around once, allowing spaces in between the yarn strands.  Then continue to wind around and around covering up the gaps.  Keep going until the cardboard is completely covered.

All images photographed and styled by Kelli Ronci. Dishes: Astier de Vilatte; Rug: Serena & Lily.

Then cut the yarn and tuck the end in on the backside of the heart. Voila!  I hope you enjoy - let me know how it goes, and have a great Valentine's Day!

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I recently returned from attending the sold-out Alt Design Summit in Salt Lake City. The conference, founded by Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom, showcased some of the industry's top bloggers, designers, artists and creative entrepreneurs, including Ben Silbermann, co-founder of Pinterest, Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day, artist Lisa Congdon, designer Amy Butler, Inchmark's Brooke Reynolds, and Gretchen Rubin, author of the N.Y. Times best-seller The Happiness Project  - just to name a few.   

Photographed and styled by Kelli Ronci

The event was incredibly inspiring! It was great to see former colleagues in a new setting, and to meet so many like-minded peeps. My notebook is chock-full with tips and savvy advice from the experts and I can't wait to share some of the highlights with you.  For now, here is a beautiful collection of stylish business cards I received from fellow attendees.

Clock-wise from top right:

Tammie Bennett - is an awesome illustrator - she actually hand-drew each of her business cards! I enjoyed working beside her at a printmaking workshop led by Eva Jorgensen of Sycamore Press. Tammie has some great info on licensing surface design up on her blog.

Ampersand design studio - I think this is my favorite card here! This graphic design team specializes in in surface pattern and identity design, as well as stationery products - and do they know how to do bright colors right!

Remodelista - We all know and love this wonderful international resource for discovering the latest in design for the home, so you can imagine how delighted I was to find myself sitting next to SF editor, Sarah Lonsdale, at lunch one day.  The site has recently been redesigned to include better search capabilities, easier commenting, and best of all - huge photos!

Jamie Sinz - I really enjoyed meeting Jamie. She sat next to me and my husband on the plane, but we didn't actually meet until later at the event.  Check out her "366 Objects" project, started on January 1, 2012, where she "photographs an object everyday and tells its story."

Tulip Louise - I met fashion stylist, Anna E. Cottrell at a lovely welcome dinner hosted by Method.  She has great style and is the absolute queen of the "top knot" bun- check out her video on how to do your own, featured on Real Simple's website.

Cargoh - I was psyched to meet Cariann Burger, Co-founder and Creative Director of Cargoh, the "social marketplace for independent art, design + culture." Cargoh sponsored one of the key-note lunchtime events, and each attendee received a gift from a Cargoh seller wrapped beautifully by none other than CariAnn herself. I received a beautiful handmade black fabric and feather flower, created by seller: TruLu Couture - thank you!

Blurb - You may have already heard of this amazing online publishing site, but I didn't realize just how cool it is until I met Sr. Manager, Samatha Howe. Now you can make, publish and sell your own book or ebook online. How cool is that?

May Books - I received one of their lovely notebooks in my goody bag.  This husband and wife team "think that life is too short for ugly notebooks." The best part: you can create your very own custom notebooks. With canvas covers and sewn bindings, how can you go wrong?

Über-Craft - oops!  Looks like mine snuck in here... I was thrilled to receive so many compliments on my cards, especially since getting them made was so easy and affordable thanks to Vista Print.

Pencil Shavings Studio - I received this card from graphic designer, Rachel Shingleton, while attending a workshop on licensing artwork led by Marisa Anne of Creative Thursday. Rachel sells awesome personalized chevron iphone covers on her etsy shop!

König Honig - Shawna Lauringson, is a budding letterpress printer.  I love the bold, graphic simplicity of her card, and appreciate the quality of the deep imprint she was able to achieve.  

Note-ify  - I enjoyed chatting with San Francisco based stationery designer, Samantha Barsky, who gave me the skinny on showing at local craft shows. I love her Zebra kiss notecards! 

Thanks again to all the amazing people who worked hard to make the event amazing. It was indeed a HUGE success. I look forward to the next one!

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I fell in love with these yummy Shortbread Stars with Royal Icing, featured in the Pottery Barn Kids Christmas Cookie Exchange party.  They are delicious and photographed so beautifully on this Astier De Vilatte star-shaped plate . . .

For the recipe visit Pottery Barn Kids.  There's even a video on how