I really hate store-bought valentines. They’re overpriced and never come in the right quantities. Plus, they’re ridiculously-generic and lame. If I’m going to spend my night helping my kids create cards for their ’28 closest friends’, I want it to be something they’re excited to pass out at school…something that will make them stand out. At the same time, as a mom of six, I need something cheap and mass-producible. In other words, I skip the stores and make my own.

Every year I add a few new budget-friendly valentines to my shop. This year I have a Princess-lover and several Star Wars fans in the house. My goal was to be able to buy one type of candy in bulk that would work for all of them. The end result…the cutest Laffy Taffy Rope valentines you’ve ever seen. Ok, maybe they’re the only Laffy Taffy Rope valentines you’ve ever seen…but still. Aren’t these adorable?

Creating them is super-simple. Just grab your favorite instant download from my MeckMom.com shop and then print as many copies as you need on white cardstock. From there, you simply fold on the dotted lines, cut on the solid lines and then attach them to the candy with hot glue. You can whip out dozens of cool valentines in no time.

Want to see for yourself? Watch this quick video tutorial on YouTube.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2h7gPs0vtg[/embedyt]

There are several others in my shop as well. All of my best-sellers from previous years are available for instant download for only $3.95. Here’s a quick pin-able list of some of my favorites for my fellow Pinterest lovers…

Every valentine in my shop is on sale for only $3.95 through this weekend. So click here to visit the Valentine section of my new shop and stock up. Happy Valentines Day everyone!

This guest post was submitted by Maria Eckersley. Maria is a stay-at-home mom of six by day and a sleep-deprived graphic designer by night. You can find more of her ideas and printables on her new site MeckMom.com or in her Etsy shop .