Valentines Day : Tiny Fortune Cookie Erasers

Valentine's Day Tiny Fortune Cookie Erasers! My co-worker found these cuties in the the Target Dollar store area. I was all set for my Valentine's this year, but these tiny guys will be PERFECT for next year. I figure I can cut out a few paper take-out boxes here and there. It won't be a mad dash next February. The best part, is the erasers have a little cut out space to add a paper fortune. ADORABLE.

Valentines : tiny bakery erasers

When I was a kid, my favorite holiday at elementary school was Valentine's day. I loved decorating my Grandmother's Hush Puppy Shoe box from the Dayton's store. My Grandmother always thoughtfully pulled aside paper doilies, vintage cards and wrapping paper for my sister and I.

The day of the celebration at school was sugar filled with that crazy kid orange drink and frosted cupcakes. Back then, no one in my class was Gluten Free, allergic to Red Dye 4 or Peanuts/Treenuts. School is different now. Kids cannot bring food treats to school (too many allergies). I make sure to create something adorable to ensure Valentine's Day is still magical.

This year, we found these adorable tiny bakery erasers at Target. They were only $1.50 for six. To spice them up, I constructed a tiny box for each one. I found heavy weight paper at Michael's Arts and Crafts and 3M washi tape at Target. I layered in some cut up tissue paper for a pop of color. Then tossed in a funny paper fortune "You will be hungry in one hour. Lucky Numbers: 02, 14, 20, 15". I had the kids sign their names on the back of the paper fortune.

 

Of course, we only had to make 48! The boys did help cut out the boxes. The six year old had better fine motor skills. 

Mustache Valentines

I made some Mustache Crayons a few weeks ago. This weekend, I made backer panels for the crayons. Since the kids will be taking these in their backpacks, I slipped the crayons in 2.25" x 3.5" Glassine envelopes and taped them in place with some Washi Tape (polka dots and stripes). I am debating sliding the cards into the Chevron striped bags. They look pretty sweet. 

I ensured that the copy was kosher for my Fifth Grader. She does not want to call any of the boys her Valentine or make any mention of love (her Dad is thrilled). 

Hello friend, I mustache you a question. Per chance, do you like crayons?

Valentine's Day can be a hairy situation. I made you a crayon, to smooth it over. 

I loved Valentine's Day as a kid. My Grandma Marvel would bring out an empty shoebox for us to decorate with doileys, trim and drawings. I also loved all the little cards and goodies you received from friends. I should have known in 3rd grade that I was on the designer path. It's my hope that the Valentines my kids hand out might spark the creative path for one of their friends.

done and done.

Check out my other Valentine Ideas:
Glow Stick Arrows
Award Ribbons and Ninjas
Cyclops Googly Eyes
Heart Gloves

DIY Heart Gloves

Tis the season, to buy clearance gloves (well almost). Early January is a great time to buy some knit gloves to doctor up for Valentine's Day. My kids are not allowed to bring candy for Valentine's Day. Last year we stitched up little gloves for all of the girls in her class (only about 12). I just put the glove on and determined what size felt heart would work the best. I stitched them on with a bit of thread. I figured that fabric glue would be a bit scratchy through the glove texture and might not hold up in the long run.

DIY Valentines : Cyclops

DIY Cyclops Valentine. My pre-schooler has started the Valentine's Day traditions too! I am keeping it simple, since I have three kids to contend with for this holiday.

We just cut paper into 3" x 8.5" strips and folded in half. Then I paper punched a circle shape and hot glued one giant googly-eye. Next we layered on some previously water colored heart shapes and doodled out the lettering and illustration. Finally we added one of the sponge animal pellets on each card with tape.

You can always find the sponge animal pellets in the dollar store areas of Target, Michaels arts and crafts and various party stores. My little guy had to make 32 Valentines. He totally lost steam near the end, even with some bribery. Alas, it is all done and I can start thinking of next years Valentines.

Hello, the clearance sales will be soon! Best to stock up this year, for next year.

DIY valentines : arrows

My daughter is all a buzz with the "Hunger Games". I figure this is my last year of making DIY Valentines with her (fourth grader going on 17 years old). This year we made arrows, in light of the Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Inside the paper straws is one glowstick. Be sure to keep the "connector" on the end to serve as a tab to pull the glowstick out of the straw. We added red felt hearts on one end and two layers of paper feathers on the other to hold the glowstick in place. The glowsticks need to be held straight, if you crack them too soon they start glowing! The straw protects the glowsticks during backpack transition.

We added some brightly colored feathers to give some nice texture. We also added a little "fortune cookie sized fortune" that reads "May the odds be ever in your favor". Hot glue works far better than regular glue for this craft. Just be careful with your fingers. Hot glue burns are the worse.