Hello everyone! This is Anna-Malin Lindgren from Helt Enkelt visiting decor8 today for my once monthly column, Handmade Home! Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my first post! You made me really glad to be here and I feel so welcome. Yesterday was Valentine's Day so I thought I’ll share a romantic project for the dinner table that you can try for any celebration in your life really - maybe an upcoming anniversary? My inspiration began with a photo I took a couple of weeks ago of a flower and I liked it so much that I used that as my base to inspire a table setting.

After taking the photo, I uploaded it to my computer and made some edits to it, then I decided to trim the photo and use it as part of the place setting. I made a few cards by hand and used the photo on the front of them. For this occasion I worked with soft romantic colors. I set the table nicely, always use your best plates and fabric napkins on Valentine's Day! I made some fabric hearts and applied my flower photo to each heart using t-shirt transfer paper and a color printer. This was a very easy project and a nice way to personalize my table decor. I bought cherry blossom branches to hang the hearts on and that was the centerpiece on the table.

I also made a box using paper and filled it with chocolate hearts, placing them on the table. Again, very simple ideas but your family and friends appreciate such kind gestures -- your thoughtfulness is always appreciated!

As you can see, I used things that I already had around the house to pull together something nice. Antique linens found at flea markets, a photograph that I took, t-shirt transfer paper, pretty papers, heart-shaped chocolates, wooden clips, rubber stamps and other crafty things created a special table setting.

Remember: Have fun and use your imagination. You can't go wrong. Maybe you can use this idea for a wedding? An anniversary party? Next Valentine's day? Or  you can work with brighter colors and use it for a children's party!

(images: anna-malin lindgren)