Homemade Valentine's cards

We just aren't a card buying family.  When Jim and I were first married we looked at the 100s (maybe 1,000s) of cards we had received from the showers and wedding and realized that on average each card cost at least $2.  We could have eaten for months on that money.  :-)  I also like to be crafty.  I prefer crafts with a purpose or functionality.  Hence, if we send/give a card it is homemade!

The week before Valentine's day, Joel asked if he could do an art project.  I jumped on the opportunity because he rarely wants to be still long enough to create anything.  So, we made Valentine's cards for his grandparents (some of which I still need to mail).

We made 2 different types.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pictures of the process of making the "stain glass window" ones.  I started by folding a piece of colored paper in quarters to cut out a double heart that was connected at the top.  Next I cut out a piece of wax paper that would fit inside the double heart.  Then with watered down glue and a paint brush, I glued the wax paper heart inside the bottom of the colored hearts with the top heart lifted open.  Then, Joel placed squares of red, pink, and purple tissue paper on the wax paper.  We just painted the watery glue right on top of the tissue paper.  This is similar to how you would decoupage.  I found that the hearts looked best with the random placing of the tissue paper created by the 3-year-old!

Our supplies laid out on the table, with 2 of the stain glass hearts done.

After the wax paper was covered, we just closed the top heart down.

They look really neat when the sun shines through the window creating a stain glass effect.

The 2nd kind that we made used the inside hearts that we had cut out to make the 1st kind.  I crumbled tissue paper and glued it onto the heart creating a 3D heart.

This one I placed the tissue paper to create a design.

Here it is complete.

My sweet little Kirstin helped make this one.  She LOVED crumbling the tissue paper.  I just had to be fast to take it from her hand before it went into her mouth.  I think I prefer the random placement and mixed color hearts.

Both kinds of hearts and some left blank that could be colored on or finished later.

I like this project because both of my kids were able to participate in their own ways.  Joel loved picking up the pieces of tissue paper with various types of tongs.  He didn't know it, but that was a fine motor skill practice activity for him! :-)

We enjoyed talking about why we were making these during the process.  Joel was able to apply what we had read in a Valentine's book and make something special for people he loves.

Now I need to mail those last two envelopes.

Finally a beginning...

So, I'm finally taking the plunge and starting my own blog.  Several of my friends who blog have been encouraging me to start for quite awhile now.  I intend to use this blog to share parts of my life with friends and family who live far away.  In the process of sharing the day to day happenings of my kids growing up, I hope to offer some ideas that other people can use with their kids and families.  I have the best job in the world as a full-time mom to my two precious and beloved children.  Daily, I use my Masters degree in Early Childhood Development and Education to encourage my classroom of 2 to explore their environments in new and exciting ways as they are growing and developing before my eyes.

Joel is an amazing 3 1/2 year old.  Here he is with his stuffed animal, Scheppy.  We consider Scheppy to be our family pet.  Joel loves reading and studying books.  However, he is perpetual motion at all other times!  His vocabulary and thought process make me smile throughout the day as he always has a fun way with words.  

Kirstin is our sweet little "Peach" as her Daddy calls her.  She is almost 8 months old.  She loves to laugh and try to do whatever her big brother is doing.  Kirstin enjoys socializing with anybody she sees, as long as she is in the safety of her Momma's arms.  She is such a joy!

I love every moment that I get to spend with my kids.  It is especially fun to watch them as they interact with one another.  Even though they know how to challenge one another, they truly have loved each other from the beginning.

Even though my husband, Jim, doesn't get to spend all day, everyday at home with us, it is the highlight of all of our days when "Daddy is home!"  We are grateful for all of his hard work at church and on his PhD.  Our favorite time is when we get to all be together, which we try to have happen as often as possible, especially at meals.

Thanks for reading and I hope that you enjoy this Scoop of Heaven...