Buddy and I have been doing a lot of Valentine's Day crafts this week and I thought I would share them with you, in case any of you mama's need some ideas to keep your kiddos busy this weekend.
First up, we made some yummy treats...
Rice Krispie Treats in fact! I saw this idea here. Basically, I just made Rice Krispie Treats following the traditional recipe. After they cooled, I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to make hearts. Then I melted some white bark coating and mixed in a few drops of red food coloring to make it pink. I gave the kids (my nieces were visiting) the option to dip or drizzle and then added red sugar. They were delicious!
By the way, the plate is something I painted at an awesome little pottery studio in Atlanta called Art & Soul. My husband started taking me there on Valentine's Day to paint by candlelight back when we were still dating, and we have went every Valentine's Day since. We are talking about changing things up and doing something a little different this year. I'm not sure what we are going to do.
Back to the crafting...
I wanted to make a few things to decorate our playroom with. I saw this awesome idea here, and decided to give it a try.
Basically, I just cut a bunch of hearts out of scrapbook paper and some pages from an old book. Then I sewed them together. I have never sewed paper before. It was really simple and made it super easy to hang them. I love hanging things from the ceiling!
The other thing we made for the playroom was heart "garland" to hang across the art/toy cabinet. We had started out trying to paint coffee filter hearts with watercolors, but Buddy wasn't really into it. So I kind of came up with this idea on the spot and it evolved as we went along.
First, I cut some sponges into hearts (Buddy calls them pretzels). Then I mixed up some red and pink paint and let Buddy dip the sponges in the paint to stamp the paper.
After the paint dried, I cut out the hearts.
Then we taped the hearts to some pink yarn and strung it across the cabinet. (Note to self, do not place tape in the center of the hearts or they will flip upside down. I had to go back a re-tape them placing the tape closer to the top.) I think it turned out very pretty!
Buddy had so much fun doing that project, that we made his Valentine's (to pass out to all of his girlfriends at church) the same way. I just printed a little message (4 to a page) on white cardstock and cut them up. Then he sponge painted hearts on the backs.
For the grand finale (possibly fiasco), I painted his hands and let him make hand hearts for a couple of cards.
After he was completely covered in red paint, I had a little "what was I thinking" moment, but he washed up fine and my bathroom towels are still white.
Our last craft of the week was very simple. I found this idea here.
I took some red paper and folded each side in to the center point. I then cut a heart out of the center of each. Buddy helped me tape some wax paper to the inside panels where the hearts were cut out. Then I taped the side flaps of the two papers together so that the little "lantern" had four side and could slide down over a candle.
Not wanting to burn my house down, I placed a small votive in a baby food jar, and then placed that jar into a larger jar.
We always light a candle when we eat, and this little lantern creates such a nice ambiance at the table. Buddy loves for us to turn out the main lights in the kitchen and just eat by candlelight. It makes the meal always seem more special.
That's it for our week of crafting. Well, except for me. I am sewing the boys matching pajama/lounge pants as their Valentine's Day gift from me. I am almost finished. I will share pictures next week.
I hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!
Always,
Amanda
