Family night and Valentine's fun

I was challenged by an older and much wiser mom recently to institute regular family nights into our routine. It's not a new idea, rather one we've always liked the idea of, but never put into regular practice.
The good thing, for people who shrink at the thought of having to create new and exciting activities from scratch every week, is that we have so many holidays and special occasions as a family, as a country and across the globe from which to draw inspiration. More on that later.
Our family values giving gifts made by hand and sharing kind words through home made cards. We don't, however, manage our time particularly well and have always had trouble separating the kids and giving them each a chance to make something special for their siblings and parents. I mean, you wouldn't want to see your card being made, right?
After hearing another family's experience in card-making, though, it occurred to me that I could go about this in a completely different way and actually accomplish our goals of enjoying a creative activity together and blessing everyone in the family with a heartfelt gift.
We set aside time Friday evening to be home together making Valentine cookies and cards. We brought all the cookie ingredients into the dining room so we could all fit around the table, versus crowding up in one chair in order to reach the available corner of counter space in the kitchen, and mixed up a batch of those peanut butter blossoms from the back of the Hershey kiss bag.
While the first pan baked, we cleaned the table and brought out some card-making supplies. Felt, buttons, glues, papers, craft foam, scissors, markers, etc. After pressing the kisses into the tops of the hot cookies, we began making cards. The goal was for each of us to make one card for every member of the family.
My husband surprised us and turned out some very cute and catchy cards. (He doesn't expect much from himself in the craft department). My oldest daughter quickly made two cards for everyone, losing momentum as she went until her final card (mine) simply said Mom on one side and featured a minimalistic spiderweb-ish design on the back. My youngest daughter had to be put to bed before the cookies were completely mixed and therefore didn't attempt making any cards. My son made four cards all illustrated with a multi-humped camel flying over a land dominated by moles. And all for his older sister.
I foresee many cards in the future starring the Heep family Valentine camel.
We had some unpleasant bumps and some very pleasant quality time. Today, however, everyone was thoroughly excited to exchange Valentine cards and eat cookies. We had lunch together (kind of a rare treat for us) and then distributed the cards. They loved the personal messages from their dad, the pretty pictures from their mom, and the sheer receipt of anything from their siblings. I gave them each one of the decorated pb jars filled with a box of animal crackers (my sister's genius idea), a couple chocolate kisses, and a couple mini raisin boxes. They were thrilled. I think they're discussing their Valentine's day adventures as I write, wishing they'd fall asleep, which is pretty cute.
Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you enjoy time spent with your family this weekend.

I was going to write a bit more on family nights, in general, but realize I've written a lengthy narrative on Valentine's Day alone. This just means I'll have to blog more.

A Recycled Valentine's Day

Hello! Nothing like a cute and completely Hallmark-ized holiday to draw me back into blogland.
I'm still here, but have been spending more time reading, watching movies, going to meetings, organizing meetings, celebrating meaningful holidays and merely doing nothing than I have been crafting or blogging (that one's obvious).
I felt motivated to blog about this little Valentine project, though (let's hope it's like riding a bike), and I may find blogging again gets me excited to come back on a regular basis. Who knows?

So, Valentine's Day....Instead of buying the cute but unnecessary trimmings and trappings, ribbons and wrappings from Target, I've dug into my stash of recyclable containers, fabric and paper to wrap up some little gifts for the fam. I didn't try anything elaborate or time-consuming, just wrapped, taped and glued some pieces to these jars.
Try decorating any kind of container you can easily wrap, it doesn't have to have a lid, and stuff your tissue-wrapped gifts inside. Add gift tags with glue, string them through ribbons or print out your message on the wrap itself. Oops, I forgot to do that.
Happy Valentine's Day!
And many thanks to Starbucks and Jif. You provide all sorts of creative opportunities in our home, and anytime you're interested in sending free products, we'll gladly accept.

Valentine fingerprints and chocolate lollipops

My daughter is attending a Valentine party for the little girls in her preschool-homeschool co-op today and needed a card and treat for each girl. Due to my natural inclination to procrastinate, we needed something quick and easy. But cute, of course.
We ended up making these fingerprint heart cards and chocolate lollipops. She tired out before finishing writing the whopping 8 cards (I know, she's 4), so these are a combination of her words and mine. All her fingerprints. I got the idea for the cards after seeing these on The Crafty Crow. I don't have any stamp pads, so we just colored her fingertip with washable marker. Easy clean up!

For the lollipops, we used this Wilton mold. I guess I did plan that part in advance. I purchased the mold and some candy melts a couple weeks ago at Michael's. I heated up the candy, poured it into squeeze bottles, then let my kids fill the molds. All you do after that is add the lollipop sticks and refrigerate to firm up. Quick!

The thing I did not get at Michael's, however, was a set of lollipop bags. How else do you wrap these? After recently reading this post at Martha Stewart and this one at Zakka Life, I decided to use regular old plastic zip bags. I pulled out my sewing machine (already threaded with red, luckily) and stitched through a plastic bag to make several smaller candy bags. (Pay no attention to that heart shape there. Although, if you wanted to make a heart-shaped bag, I'd say create the same rectangle shape needed as usual, but curve the top. When you tie it around the lollipop it will look like a heart). After sewing the rectangles, I cut them out, pulled them over the lollipops and tied them off.
Ta da! Cute, quick, and easy.

P.S. I've used the candy melts for lollipops, truffles, and other molded candy recently and just can't get accustomed to that flavor. Any candy makers out there familiar with another chocolate used for candy that melts well and actually tastes good?

Valentine garlands

Technically, it's still Friday, and I said I'd post the last part of our Valentine garland sampler today. I'm counting the hanging apparatus, a red painted yardstick, as the finishing touch on this decorative display.
I do love an old yardstick, especially a painted one. I wiped this one down, painted it with my kids' washable red tempera, and coated it with acrylic gloss medium. I stuck a piece of sturdy velcro (white like our walls) to each end of the yardstick and the corresponding pieces of velcro to the top of an archway between our dining room and living room and pressed it into place. It was easy to slip the garland loops over the ends of the yardstick and I love that I can easily pull the whole thing down and add or rearrange hanging elements. I can see getting more use out of this system throughout the year.
Oh, and I did make one other decoration to hang with our garland. A three-sided paper heart. You could hang these individually or as garland. Cut three same-size hearts in same-color or coordinating papers. Score down the middle of the backside of each. Fold slightly, stick the backsides of the hearts together, making sure to stick in your fishing line or string before sticking down the third side.

Cereal box garland

My final garland this week is made from cardboard cereal boxes. I love the bold colors, graphics and unexpected quality of this garland. Nice to stray from the traditional pink and red combo, too. Detailed instructions for making your own are posted at Blissful Kids today.

Fabric Valentine garland

Another common, but always special, garland is a fabric heart garland. For mine, I created 3 different cardboard heart templates, traced them onto festive fabrics and cut them out. I placed each fabric heart on a piece of felt of the same size, sewed them together and pinked the edges. Lastly, I sewed the whole string (of 5 hearts) from top to bottom (or was it bottom to top?), leaving the thread long at the top for hanging. I put narrow strips of tissue paper in the gaps between the hearts when sewing to give the thread something to grab on to, then pulled out the paper when I finished.
Next up, a guest post at Blissful Kids and the final piece of our holiday garland sampler. 3 posts in one day! Does that help make up for going MIA during the months of December and January?

More Valentine hearts

Two for one today. Stuffed paper hearts and candy cane hearts.
First the stuffed heart:
We made it with patterned and solid paper, shredded paper, string/ribbon, and a hole punch. I cut out two hearts, one on the patterned paper above, and a second of the same size in solid red. I held the two hearts together and punched holes around the edge. I cut long lengths of 1/4" red satin ribbon and jute.
To lace it, I advise punching two side-by-side holes at the bottom and lacing it up like a shoe, with one half of the ribbon on each side of the heart. Then you can hang it by two ribbons which meet at your hook. I started and the top and worked my way around one side. Also okay, but then I had to tie it off at the top of the heart and string it up with the single ribbon left. Does that make any sense?
Whichever way you choose to lace it, stop part way around to stuff the heart. I let the kids help me shred paper in advance and then they helped stuff it into the heart. I tied it off and hung it up with our other garland.

Second, the candy cane hearts. I used this tutorial at Make and Takes for shaping the candy canes. Then I hung them each by their own ribbon, but grouped them together. Ours are hanging vertically, but I'm sure you could tie them together and hang them horizontally.

More from our Valentine heart garland sampler tomorrow!

Heart garland and Valentine worms

We've been making a variety of Valentine garlands here. Some the kids have been able to help with, like this one, and some I've made myself. I should be able to share one with you every day this week!
This garland is cute and very simple. We adapted the idea found here (via The Crafty Crow). My kids had so much fun making the Christmas pipe cleaner ornaments, I was sure they'd enjoy the Valentine hearts. They did pretty well at first, but I guess the heart shape was limiting. They were quickly on to making worms and caterpillars. Looking at them, I have to admit their worm families are more interesting than my hearts. Just not as obviously Valentine.

As a side note, I have to mention their process here. Every animal represented in this house is always labeled either a mommy, daddy, kid or baby. Same with the worms and caterpillars below. They had me cut the pipe cleaners so the mommy and daddy were longest, the kid was next and baby last. Age and height are popular and always interesting topics for them. Then they had me tie a ribbon around the families to keep them together. I think pipe cleaner and bead projects will be repeated here throughout the year.

Last of the Valentines

A few of our holiday highlights: those super-easy Pretzel Buttons (previously mentioned), cupcake crayons (also previously mentioned), and a healthy dose of those popular character cards. The handmade gifts were under-appreciated and the small amount of candy was a huge catalyst for fighting, but it was a fun day, overall. On to the next holiday!

Valentine Fun and Grover

So, this afternoon we'll be making some Valentine cards with our playgroup. This morning, though, we had the important task of making a cape for Grover. You know, so he could be Super Grover.

Here are some links to fun Valentine crafts, in case you're looking for projects or inspiration:
Chocolate Pretzel Buttons (and other fun ideas) at Craftzine.
Valentine buckets from Kiddley.
Heart-shaped crayons and muffin-cupped crayon cookies.
Felt fortune cookies from Martha Stewart.
Beautiful paper globes by Heather Bailey.
Truffle boxes from A Little Hut.
Place mats, card booklets, wristlets, gift bag, cardholder, Valentine garden...all seen here if you scroll down through recent entries.

(Fortune Cookie photo from Martha Stewart)

Valentine Garden

This is my Valentine Garden. I had originally planned to grow some wheat grass in a longish planter then plant my "flowers" in a row in the homegrown green. But, things happen, or don't happen, in this case, and now I have a tin can garden full of M&Ms. I like it, though. Very cheery.
This is a fun project by itself, but for gift-giving you could make a single flower and plant it in a tiny pot of candy. Add felt leaves or a big ribbon underneath like you see tied around topiaries.
Also an activity that would be good in spring.
Only a few more days left to go crazy with heart-shaped felt!
Stay tuned for a list of links to fun Valentine activities.
(Below are close-ups of the other 2 sides of the triple-heart flower).

Valentine Booklets

We're making little Valentine booklets instead of cards this year. I assembled the booklets and the kids will draw and put stickers inside. The middle one is a paper booklet inside a felt book-cover. They all measure about 3"x3" and are sewing machine-stitched together instead of stapled (partly for fun and partly for safety of little fingers and mouths-not that kids will be eating these, but with small children things get played with and pulled apart and scattered all over the house and eventually end up in the mouth of the baby).

Basic instructions for paper booklets:
1. Cut 3"x6" strips of colored cardstock. (Paper cutter is probably easiest).
2. Mix and match up exterior and interior pages. (I used one sheet inside, one out).
3. Fold and crease down the middle. (Do not score).
4. Place the outside of the booklet face-up and straight-stitch the crease with coordinating thread.
5. Cut simple shapes and glue onto the front or cut through the front to reveal interior.
6. Write messages and decorate inside.

For the felt booklet cover:
1. Cut your felt piece 11"x3".
2. Lay it out horizontally and fold each end over 2 1/2". Pin in place. It should measure 6" long now.
3. Starting at the base of the "spine," stitch all the way around the felt rectangle, ending where you began.
4. Remeasure your booklet from the inside of the stitching and cut pieces of paper to fit. My paper pages measured about 5 1/2"x2 1/2". I cut three pieces. (Two pages end up hidden inside the pockets of the booklet cover and the other 4 are free for decorating).
5. Fold and crease your pages. Do not score.
6. You can stitch through the middle of your paper pages before you insert it into the felt cover or insert the pages then stitch through the felt and paper together. For this one, place the interior side face-up. (I stitched through the whole thing since I liked the extra security and the appearance).
7. Finally, you can cut and glue designs to the front. (If you want yours stitched to the front, you need to do that right after you cut out your felt piece, before you fold the ends over).

Valentine Wristlets

Bracelets for Valentine's Day! The daisy bracelet is more springish, but I couldn't resist trying a flower. I think I would like to make more for spring, they're so comfortable and happy. And they can be made from scraps! These would be great as a gift for a little girl or even for your grown-up girlfriends, as an activity with your children or with your friends. If you'd like to make some, here are some basic instructions:

Materials: cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, scissors, measuring tape, paper patterns (optional), sewing machine (optional), fabric glue, velcro (sticky or sew-on), needle, thread, felt scraps, buttons/trims, Fray-Check


1. Measure your wrist (or your child's wrist). My wrist is 6".
2. Cut a strip of felt about an inch and a quarter longer than your wrist measurement, 3/4" wide. I cut mine 7" and some 7 1/2" long. I used my cutting mat and rotary cutter.
3. I attached a sticky velcro spot to one end, flipped the strip over (important!) and attached the opposite velcro piece to the other end. (These are fine for bracelets that won't be roughly handled, but for a child's bracelet, I would switch to sew-on velcro. Cut it into a small square or round and just stitch it to the felt.) I then used my scissors to round the end of the felt strip.
4. Choose a design for the center. Sometimes I cut shapes freehand, sometimes I make little paper patterns. Hearts are sweet for Valentine's Day. Cut your shapes and choose any add-ons like buttons and ribbon.
5. Attach your bracelet centerpiece to the strip of felt. I used my sewing machine and stitched a couple hearts down the center. Others, I glued with Fabri-Tac. They all have a button helping to secure them. I used coordinating thread or embroidery floss for the buttons.
6. Touch the ends of your ribbon with Fray-Check so it doesn't unravel on you.

That's it, I think!

(Update: I thought it would be worth mentioning, as several people have suggested to me, that these would work well as napkin rings, too!)

Another Valentine Giftie

I've made another Valentine gift bag/card holder thing. This would be fun for doorknobs, pegboards, mantels, whatever. If you attach 2 straight ribbons to the top instead of a loop, you could tie it up anywhere. I love Valentine crafts!

Update: Cassi at The Crafty Crow has posted this today (1/09) so I thought I'd add a bit more detail.
This heart is, at it's widest, a little over 6" wide, about 4 1/2" down the center. I don't remember exactly how I made it, but here's a guess:
Cut a red felt heart and a larger pink one (about 1/2" wider all around).
Cut a strip long enough to serve as the loop for hanging.
Trace the bottom half of the red heart and cut shape to make pocket.
Cut a pink strip about an inch wide and slightly longer than your red pocket. Use pinking shears down one length.
Sew the pink strip to the top of your pocket, leaving the pinked edge exposed. Trim the sides.
Place the red strip in back of pink heart to form a loop. Secure with a spot of glue.
Layer pieces-red pocket, red heart, pink heart, loop. Sew around the border. Pink the edges of the pink heart.
Embellish with small felt cut-outs, like a pink flower, red center with white button stitched on (or similar).

Hold the place mat, please!

This is our last (3rd) installment in the place mat series (1, 2). These were created by the kids for their grandparents. The poster board is really an obnoxious orange-red, but they didn't have true red at the store. I like their pictures and collages, despite that. Making place mats is a fun kid-project, but I don't plan on repeating this activity for Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, etc. I'm done for awhile.
(Placemat tutorial included with our Thanksgiving Placemat entry).

Valentine Gift Bag

I can't explain why I should be so into making Valentine thingys, but couldn't really get in gear for Christmas. Oh well. This is a felt gift bag I made last night. Felt is really my speed, these days. So easy to work with. It's about 5" long, 2 1/2" at the bottom of the side panels and about 3" tall. It would work well filled with candies or stickers or some other small treat, maybe lined with tissue or fabric, for gifts or party favors. My intention is to make more gift bags or boxes in different shapes, styles, and sizes. I can't promise anything, though.

The Valentine Tea Party

For six years, my friends Mandi and Jess and I have thrown a lovely Valentine tea party. Each year, we go about it in exactly the same way. The three of us gather over hot tea and a sweet treat to create our invitations (which boast a different handmade design every year, but always read "The pleasure of your company is requested for tea and valentine-making.") and plan who will contribute which delicious food item for our long and mouth-watering menu, who will bring what serving wares, craft supplies, and, of course, the extra tables and chairs.
Before the party, we rearrange furniture to accommodate our 10-16 guests and our vast assortment of card-making supplies. We carefully set out and arrange the supplies. We dress the tables with vintage tablecloths, mismatched plates, saucers, teacups, vintage tumblers, trays, platters, cake stands, bowls, and lacy hankies for our delicate hands. We finish the last-minute brewing and baking (you know, you must eat scones fresh from the oven!) and fill the tables with our sweet and savory treats.
Our menu is different every year, but the dishes always fall into the same basic categories: sandwich, scone (with devonshire cream or lemon curd), fruit, bite-size sweet, bite-size savory, full-size sweet, hot tea, and cold beverage. We have served cheese blintzes with blueberries, chocolate-clementine tart, the Scarlet Empress charlotte (from The Cake Bible), homemade pink marshmallows, double-chocolate torte with chai glaze, mini-heart-shaped lemon cheesecakes, chocolate-covered cherry cookies, strawberries piped full of lemon cream, saffron madeleines, several varieties of scones, sandwiches, cookies, etc. All delicious!
After we've consumed to our satisfaction, we clear and undress the tables and begin the drawing, cutting, gluing, stitching, punching, beading, deliberating, and composing that goes into making valentines for our friends and family. By the end of the party, we have many lovely, sweet or funny, unique cards to ooh and ahh over, many leftovers to dole out and many dishes to wash.
I love our party.
This year, however, with 3 kids under the age of 4, I've decided it's a bit more than I can handle. Not wanting to abandon the idea completely, though, I do intend to share a relaxed evening with a few friends over a few delicious treats and a warm beverage. We will create something lovely together using few craft supplies. I'll have to post the outcome later.
Meanwhile, here are a few pics from parties past. (You know I rarely take quality photos and I never take as many as I intend to-I'm completely lacking 2 years worth-so a few of these are from Jess).

More Tea Party Pics