Sweet

Here are a few fun Valentine ideas, in case you haven't made yours yet.  I have to admit that making Valentine's is just about my favorite childhood memory.  My Mom always had me make my own, and I don't think anyone else in my school ever once made theirs, so I loved crafting just the right thing for each person, and being the only one without store bought.  These days, I think more kids make theirs, and even if they don't, there are more choices within the ready-made category.  I've even seen some cute down-loadable ones.  And I find myself nostalgic of the vintage-y store bought ones that look like the ones from my youth too.  You know, puppy dogs and kittens rather than Dora and Spiderman.

Anyway, both of these can be made with items on hand.  The key is to wet the paper first, then draw on it with chalk, which creates creamy vivid colors.  I tried it a whole lot of ways, with and without white paint, soak the chalk, wet the paper, etc.-- and my best results came from wetting the paper first, and not the chalk, then drawing on the paper with the chalk.  I had the best results with thick Martha Stewart scrapbooking paper in solid colors, but plain old construction paper was almost as good.

For the lollies, I first drew circles all over dark cardstock with a compass, then swirled the chalk around, let it dry, cut it out, and sandwiched a sucker stick with two circles.  You could put a message on the back, or on the little tie on the wrapper.  These are pretty big (4"), I wanted them an exaggerated size.

The spool candy is easier, simply because the swirly part above is a little tricky.  For this I marked rectangles on the paper big enough to wrap around an empty thread spool (have any of those?), then I drew lines diagonally on the (wet) rectangle.  Finally, I cut out the rectangle, wrapped it around the spool (taping one end to the spool), then packaged in cellophane with ribbon.  You could write a message on the backside of the paper, on the ties, who knows.  These are prototypes, and I'm intentionally leaving it vague so that your creations are infused with your own ideas.   

You could also wrap a rectangle of paper around toilet paper tubes and fill them with a gift  or candy, unless that is too gross.

For the very industrious, these would even be cute in felt, as toys.  As always, let me know if you get a chance to make them.

Comments

[leslie]

those are really cute! I esp. like the idea of wrapping a small gift or candy in a TP roll!!

[sarah]

I too have often wondered if using a tp roll would be considered too gross...but where my kids went to nursery school they were always collecting tp rolls and using them to make projects, and I guess it never really bothered me.

I love home made Valentine's. Your's are very cute. At first I thought the lollie was a cookie or a brownie wrapped to look like a lollipop.

Any ideas for an 8 year old boy to pass out? I have my 10 year old daughter and 5 year old son covered in the home made Valentine department- but still looking for something cool (and not embarrassing) for my 3rd grader.

[Mama Urchin]

So cute. I didn't know that wet paper/chalk trick.

[erin]

i am laughing....kate chose the kitty/puppy store bought valentines. jane chose scooby doo. a huge difference in my mind. they did not want to make them at all.

[Anna]

Very *sweet* ideas. Laughing about the tp roll. I wouldn't have realized that might be gross until they were already out the door. The lolly pop is my favorite!

[kristin]

being aloud to use chalk plus water INDOORS would make my daughter very, very happy. i've never thought of taking this combo indoors to use on paper - brilliant. your paper candy valentines look incredibly sweet, really a great idea... i love how the chalk gets so bright.

[sue]

I LOVE these ideas! Maybe we will use paper towel rolls. I like to dream big when it comes to chocolates!

I'll never forget your valentines from last year. What a treasure to find one in Sophie's cubby! You are so creative!!!

[mo]

What a cute idea! Valentines Day is my absolute favorite.

[Zoe]

Great ideas!! Where do you find the time?! I am so impressed. :)

[sarah]

I noticed that you updated your links... thanks! I love finding new blogs to read and be inspired by, and your list is the best!

[Wendy]

I love your ideas! Can't wait until your next post.

[lynne]

so sweet! i love how non-commercial, as always...

[erna]

I love your ideas..and I love it too that the children make something...I'm living in Holland...I never did something like that as a child...but next year I'm definitely going to make some with my boys... lovely ideas!

[spuncrack]

My kids made the lollipops for their classes for Valentine's Day. They used markers and crayons instead of chalk though. Unfortunately they were not delivered because they both have the flu, but they'll mean just as much next week. Thanks for the idea!