"You're the Tops" Spinning Top Valentine

Here is yet another non-candy, valentine for your child to pass out. In fact, I will be passing these out to my amazing students, who can't enough of these super shiny, uber-fast tops! Oh, and did I mention the printable can be downloaded RIGHT HERE? Doesn't get any easier than that, folks! Enjoy!

Materials:

-shiny tops (sold at my local dollar store 6 for $1...Whoop!)

-cellophane bags

-cardstock

-"You're Tops" printable

-scissors

-stapler/staples

Instructions:

1. Cut about 3" off of the top of the cellophane bag and place a top inside

2. Print out "You're Tops" design on cardstock

3. Cut off excess card stock and fold in half

4. Place folded cardstock at the top of the cellophane bag and staple in place

Peek-A-Boo Heart Mason Jar

Have you tried the Martha Stewart glass paint yet? I recently had the opportunity to try it out for myself to decorate this peek-a-boo heart, mason jar, and it rocked! Here's how I did it...

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Materials:

-Mason jar

-Martha Stewart glass paint (I bought the "Fine Glitter-Translucent" in "Copper," but the options are insanely unlimited!)

-foam brush

-contact paper

-scissors

-washi tape

-red burlap or other fabric 

-cardstock

-printer

-"You have a heart of gold" printable labels

-cinnamon candies

-ribbon

-scalloped scissors

Directions:

1. Cut a heart shape out of contact paper. Peel off paper backing and place flat onto mason jar.

2. Use foam brush to cover jar entirely with paint (use up and down strokes for consistency, as the paint is very translucent and everything shows up!) I painted three coats total to get the look I wanted.

3. After paint is completely dry, carefully peel off contact paper

4. Place red, washi tape around ring of mason jar

5. Place a 4"x4" piece of burlap or fabric over jar lid and cut around the lid to make a circle a little larger than the lid itself.

6. Place cinnamon candies in jar for added Valentine-y color

7. Place burlap covered lid onto the mason jar and screw on rin

8. Print out a cute label like THIS ONE onto cardstock, cut out with fancy scissors and tie it around the jar using curling ribbon.

Done-skis! Claire and I will be passing these out to our super, awesome neighbors to remind them they are loved and admired! Can't wait!!!

"Let's Stick Together" Valentines

While I am grateful that my hubby and I are able to save money by not having to pay for childcare for Claire Bear (I work days as a teacher and he works nights and Saturdays in a restaurant), I am TOTALLY bummed (craft nerd alert) that she has no little daycare friends she can share valentines with! I currently can't stop browsing all of the adorable, valentines on the web and have brainstormed about a dozen ideas of my own; but, alas, I won't be trying all of them out on dozens of little munchkins and must narrow down those ideas to Claire's five cousins, which we will send in the mail, as none of them are local (sad face). Good thing she is only 1 1/2 and really couldn't care less about how awesome her mom's handmade valentines are, haha! Its the thought that counts...

Here are the valentines I made for Claire's girl cousins using some super fun Velcro rings and ball party favors I recently picked up.

Materials:

-Velcro ring and ball party favors (I found mine at my local dollar store)

-printer/paper

-Valentine printouts

-scissors

-cardstock

-double-sided tape

Instructions:

1. Print out Valentine messages HERE

2. Cut out heart and adhere to cardstock in color of your choice. Trim cardstock to your liking

3. Use scissors or Exacto kmife to cut 2" slit in the middle of the card

4. Insert Velcro ring into the slit. Place tape on the back of the card to adhere.

Sock Valentines

Who says adults shouldn't get to give and receive valentines each year? Not me! Here's a Valentine idea for those of you who will never grow up (and hopefully have the same goofy sense of humor I do...)! Oh, and I should also mention that the label to go along with these valentines is available RIGHT HERE  Instructions below...

Materials:

-socks

-cellophane bag (I bought a pack of 20 for $1 at my local dollar store!)

-scissors

-cardstock

-"My life would SOCK without you" printable

-printer

-stapler/staples

Instructions:

1. Place socks into cellophane bag. Trim off about 2" from the top of the bag.

2. Print out "My Life Would Sock Without You" design onto cardstock.

3. Cut out designs and fold in half

4. Place folded cardstock over the top of the bag and staple in place.

Here's to never growing up!!!!! Happy Valentine's Day from Hoyby Crafts!!!

Candy Cane and Washi Tape Valentine Centerpieces

Does anyone else ever forget that they purchased candy canes at Christmas time, only to find them all as soon as Christmas is over? Ooops! If  I had a nickel for every candy cane I threw away after cleaning up decorations...Ergh!!! This year, I was determined to find some way to reuse these delightfully-shaped candies and save them from the dreaded trash can once and for all! Using washi tape, pencils, and my handy, dandy hot glue gun, I was able to transform those bad boys into pieces for a cute, Valentine's day centerpiece that is now proudly displayed in my home. Check out how below:

Materials:

-candy canes (I used 6 to create 3 hearts)

-washi tape

-unsharpened pencils

-glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

1. Place two candy canes together to create a heart shape. Wrap the candy canes together and both ends using washi tape.

2. Wrap washi tape around the candy canes, covering them competely

3. Place hot glue at the bottom of the heart and adhere the eraser end of a pencil. Let dry

4. Wrap the pencil with washi tape

5. After heart sticks are completed, arrange them in a vase with conversation hearts for super cute V-day decorating!

Last Minute Valentine Ideas

Ok, so I can't take credit for coming up with ANY of the following snazzy Valentine ideas, but they were too cute and creative to avoid sharing. I know this doesn't give you much time, but better later late than never! And some of these could take less than five minutes to complete...God bless ya, Pinterest!!!

http://www.designfinch.com/2012/02/04/sharing-the-love-50-ideas-for-making-your-own-valentines/

A few of the adorable and creative designs, courtesy of Design Finch

Loooove the kid with the lollipop!

http://mudpiestudio.blogspot.com/2011/12/101-valentine-ideas-for-under-5.html




How awesome is this??? Courtesy of Mudpie Studio's blog







Mmmm...Who wouldn't love to receive (and DEVOUR) this Valentine?

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!!!

Valentine's Day Gift Jars

Valentine jars for each of my classroom assistants



A view of one of the jars



Here are the Valentine gifts I made for my fabulous teaching staff! I simply used glass, airtight containers I bought at a dollar store and filled them with cute, Valentine-y stuff (Valentine socks, lipstick pens, candy necklaces, chocolates, etc.). I then hot glued artificial roses and leaves (also purchased at a local dollar store) to the tops of the glass containers and added glittery letter stickers (bought at...you guessed it! Dollar stores rock!) to spell out each of their names on the front of the containers.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

A view from the top of a jar

Another glance