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MAL-entine’s Day is coming!

I don’t want to alarm anyone but VALENTINE’S DAY IS THIS FRIDAY. If you don’t have all your proper v-day accoutrements and hoity-toitily overwrought micro-tapas gastro-chic reservations prepared already, you’re either SOL or you care about v-day just as much as I do (read: not a whit).

However, if this is the sort of holiday on which you like to take an extra moment to make a leetle extra-big deal over your sweetie (because you already make a big deal, right?), then we have thought of you. Some of us here in the Lab have made some quick Valentine’s cards that you can print and present to your favoritest of favorites.

The first few are from Amy, because boss-lady cranks out the creations like nobody’s business. (Huge printable versions available by clicking.)

This heart illustration is also available as a lovely necklace from Surlyramics.

"Valentine, I give you my heart" with illustration of a heart and valves

For those for whom love might be considered theoretical, or who enjoy pictorial representations of the mathematical expressions governing their romantic behavior.

"Valentine, you are the photon of my life. Annihilate with me." with an illustration of a heart containing a Feynman diagram

Amy also drew a little something in the vein of XKCD’s stick figures.

XKCD-style drawing with a pun separating the syllables of Valentine: "Hi, I'm Val. Are you Len?" with caption "When all you have is tine."

 

This next one is from Lauren.

"Be Mine?" valentine - muscly man with drawn-on flowery hair (by Lauren)

Can’t say I’m entirely certain what’s going on here, but I think I like it.

 

“What’s the diagnosis? Take a closer look: You’re my valentine!”

Brian created this gorgeous microscope heart, inspired by these Game of Thrones hearts by Krys Higgins. Print, fold, cut, enjoy.

Papercraft heard with mirrored microscopes

Brian also made this heart out of paintbrushes. It’s ready to print and fold, instant card!

illustrated paintbrushes in the shape of a heart (by Brian)

 

Cloe wants these guys to be cuttle buddies. D’aww!

"Let's Be Cuttle Buddies" two illustrated cuttlefish forming a heart (by Cloe)

 

…and then here’s mine. It’s very basic.

"Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000ff, all my base are belong to you."

 

…though an argument could be made that violets are actually #663399, but that wouldn’t rhyme. If you’d like your own to print and fold, you can get it here.

Want more? Here are some goodies I discovered around the intarwebs, both science-y and geeky.

A few scientist valentines from David Friedman at Ironic Sans.

Doctor Who-themed ValenTIME cards from Tom Kurzanski.

We’ve shared these before, but these physicist valentines are worth a second look. From Stephoodle on Etsy.

Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, LOST and Hunger Games valentines from the Valentine-prolific Jenny Rose.

I personally love these two cards from Pop + Shorty. Because sometimes ya gotta live in all caps.

Adorable Game of Thrones valentines by Chris Bishop.

How about some old-school patent illustrations?

Valentine’s day SHOULD be Adventure Time! From CleverAvian on DeviantArt.

A whole slew of nerdy-pop-culture-y illustrated valentines from Beth Evans.

If you’re looking for gifts, there’s always the inevitable Cracked list, or you can try your hand at a little DIY action from Popular Mechanics and the fine folks at Instructables.

You can also do a science of your own with a kit or guide from scientist Steve Spangler, or finally find something to do with those candy message hearts by experimenting on them with instructions from Inspiration Laboratories. Work up some awesome Valentine’s day chemistry straight from the American Chemical Society, including ideas for cards, gifts and chocolate experiments. And if you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can build a touch-activated LED Valentine’s card. No kidding.

 

Beth Voigt

Beth is a graphic designer in Chicago, a superhero in her own mind, and absolutely nothing on TV. She wrangles fonts professionally, pummels code amateurishly, and has been known to shove fire in her face for fun. Fond of volunteering, late-night bursts of productivity, and making snacks, she dislikes grocery shopping and sticky public transit and is only on her second smartphone. Her opinion is that you should try everything twice; if you don't like it, you were probably doing it wrong the first time around. If external links are your thing, here are links to Twitter and Instagram, and you can support her ongoing weirdness by buying her a coffee or six.

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