Over the years as a classroom mom, I've heard many a parent stress over having to be "crafty." The thought of coming up with a craft for their student's class is incredibly stressful. For some, it's a competition to see whose kids made the best craft.
When deciding on a craft, I like to make projects that are a keepsake, not something that the day after Valentine's Day, winds up in the recycle bin. I love the crafts that I can display and show off in the years to come. Here are three ideas that can be adapted for kids of all ages, and yes, parents of all types (even those who say they aren't crafty).
LOVE YOU Wood Photo Frame
Project Supplies
• K & Co. "Smooch" papers, die cuts and sticker collection
• Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro Perma Tac, 3D Combo Pac and Extreme Adhesive Squares
• Wood frame (purchased at Michael's)
• Echo Park "Little Girl" craft papers
• May Arts ribbons
• Colorbox Chalk Inks: Warm Red, Rose Pink
• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)
Step 1 • Turn the frame over and remove the center heart insert. Trace the frame onto paper. Cut out. Use the Glue Glider and adhere the paper onto frame or let the kids paint the frame.
Step 2 • Add some fun papers. Let the kids punch the edges or use decorative edge scissors, add ribbons, punched hearts, diecuts, felt hearts, anything goes. Consider giving the students stickers to personalize the frames with their names or "I love you."
Step 3 • Have the students cut out pictures of themselves. Use the heart insert to trace the shape onto another paper. Cut out heart and glue picture to paper. Insert in back of frame.
If possible see if you can get permission from the teacher to stop in a day or two before the party to take pictures of the students. Or ask if the teacher will do that and e-mail you the photos to print out.
Candy Heart Box
Project Supplies
• K & Co. "Kelly Panacci Valentine" papers, diecuts and embellishment collection
• Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro PermaTac, 3D Combo Pac and Extreme Adhesive Mini Squares Candy heart box (find these for $1 or less at many stores with chocolates inside)
• Felt and felt hearts (found at Michael's)
• The Twinery Baker's Twine (thetwinery.com)
•Colorbox Chalk Inks: Warm Red, Rose Pink
• Rhinestone gems
• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)
Step 1 • Remove the lid from the candy box (resist eating the chocolates). Trace the lid shape onto a piece of paper. Cut out the heart shape. If you have an older group of students, have them cut an additional heart from felt. Then let them stitch the paper to the felt heart using craft floss. Sew one side to the other side leaving the top of the heart open to create a pocket. For younger students, glue the paper to felt or eliminate the felt layer. Adhere heart onto candy lid using the Glue Glider Pro.
Step 2 • Once the heart is glued to the candy box lid, let the kids have fun decorating it with felt hearts, heart punch shapes, Valentine die cuts, stickers, gems and more.
Step 3 • Create a small Valentine to insert into the pocket. Or include a purchased Valentine.
Acrylic Flower Picture Frame
Project Supplies
• Glue Arts Glue Accent It All Vinyl: Tickle Me Pink, Razzle Dazzle Red, Goin Green (GlueArts.com)
• Acrylic frame (find these for $1 or less at many stores)
• Sizzix Big Shot: Bigz Flower and Frame Dies (Sizzix.com)
• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)
Step 1 • This craft can be made in a variety of ways. I chose vinyl that I die cut using a Sizzix die-cut system. The vinyl peels off the backing paper and clings to the frame. I can change it out or even remove the vinyl for a new design if I choose. I added a 2 1/2-by-4 inch photo on a coordinating piece of paper and slipped the picture behind the frame. If you do not have access to a die-cut machine or vinyl, round up your other room parents to see what kind of tools they have for you to use. Most crafters have an assortment of scissors, punches and yes ... die-cut machines.
Step 2 • Pick up some felt or craft papers, and let the students cut their designs. Add punched shapes, stickers and other fun Valentine embellishments to add on the frame and decorate as they choose. This frame took just minutes to make and will be a favorite for years to come.
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