What is this project? A heart-shaped LED chaser PCB with lights running around the outer edge — a handmade gift with a personal touch.

Why did I make it? I made this for my girlfriend as a gift. I wanted to give her something unique and handmade rather than something off a shelf — something that shows a bit of thought and effort. A glowing, chasing heart felt like the perfect way to combine my love of electronics with something meaningful and personal.

How does it work? A 555 timer generates a steady clock pulse, which feeds into a CD4017 decade counter. Each pulse advances the counter to the next output pin, lighting the next LED in sequence around the heart's edge. The result is a smooth, continuous loop of light chasing around the heart shape. The speed of the chase can be tuned by adjusting the resistor and capacitor values on the 555 timer.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5WfFfEOPMFQ