Valentine Doily Heart

If you're looking for a last minute Valentine craft project this is it! (Just allow enough time for the heart to dry.)



http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/24266/easy-valentine-craft

What you'll need:

-sturdy background paper I used Coredinations specialty paper in 'Fucshia'
-paint (we mixed red and white to achieve a pretty, Effervescent Ethel-approved pink shade)
-foam paintbrush or piece of sponge (a regular paintbrush will work as long as you *heed the warning.)
-paper doilies
-1or 2 pieces of paper to make samples

Decorations (optional)

-sequins
-buttons
-lace/ribbon
-glitter
-small rhinestones
-stickers
-glue

Place the doily face down on the paper (meaning the embossed part facing the paper). If you have the embossed side facing up you won't get that textured look. Using two doilies and 1-2 pieces of computer paper, make a sample first to see which you prefer. *Dip the foam paintbrush or sponge in the paint and dab (DO NOT rub) the paint evenly and with a light hand around the doily. If you add too much paint, dab too hard or make brush strokes on the paper instead of dabbing it the doily will tear because the paper doily is very delicate.

Carefully lift up and dry flat on a wire rack.

When dry, decorate as desired. Dry flat then display. Note: we added the loose glitter while the paint was still wet.

Cost: .39¢ total for each doily and paper or $1.99 total for all supplies

-$1 for set of 16 doilies @ Dollar Tree
-One piece of specialty paper on sale 3 for 99¢ (.33¢)

The rest of the craft items were from my surplus.

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Valentine Heart Paper Garland

Effervescent Ethel created and designed this simple craft project last week. She was inspired by a coloring page that showed a valentine garland. Earlier today I finally had a chance to take it down from the wall where it is being displayed to snap a few photos.

Just by switching out other cookie cutters/stencils and paper colors you can make this garland for many occasions and celebrations!

Need:

-scrap construction paper
-scrap specialty paper
-buttons
-round and heart shaped sequins
-"rhinestones"
-ribbon
-pink variegated cotton yarn
-clothes pins
-pink, purple and iridescent loose glitter
-glue
-Valentine-themed stickers
-scissors
-cookie cutters or templates to cut out the hearts
-gold spray paint for the clothes pins
-small unfinished wood hearts (optional)
-red paint or spray paint to paint the wood hearts (")





Cost: we spent no money on this craft and used odds and ends in our stash.



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Sweet Skellington-Themed Valentine Card

Here's another quick and simple craft. This  Jack Skellington-themed Valentine card was made the other evening after Effervescent Ethel lit'rally sailed away toward the lit'ral sunset...lit'rally speakin' of course! ;)

I used the wrong kind of red loose glitter to accentuate the letter 'u'. 

I think Effervescent Ethel will be able to decipher the message regardless.

The letters and heart background I found online but forgot to save the source! For similar heart design go here: https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+printable+gothic&espv=210&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=55P7UoTdHYT8qQGkhYGgAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=977&bih=832#q=heart+coloring+pages&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

For similar i <3 u lettering start here: https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+printable+gothic&espv=210&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=55P7UoTdHYT8qQGkhYGgAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=977&bih=832#q=abc+letters+i+heart+u+printable+valentine&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

Sweet Skellington Valentine(s)

c/o http://family.go.com/crafts/craft-1035036-sweet-skellington-valentines-t/

'Just because the Pumpkin King's foray into Christmastime proved ill advised doesn't mean another holiday endeavor won't turn out sweet. If Jack set his sights on Valentine's Day for instance, there'd be no doubt his heart was in the right place.'

You'll need:

• Sweet Skellington Valentines Template http://a.family.go.com/images/cms/disney/PDFs/jack-skellington-sweet-valentines-craft-template-0112.pdf
• Scissors
• Cardstock (white, red, blue, tan, and black)<<<---  CME: It may seem obvious to you but I cannot figure out why I would need this much cardstock...? 
• Permanent black marker
• Heart-shaped stickers and/or gems in assorted sizes

Instructions:

1. Print the template and cut out the Jack Skellington heads.

2. For each valentine, first (have your child) color in the eye and nostrils with black marker and then draw random stitch marks across the smile lines.

3. Next, (he/she can) attach large sticker hearts in place for the missing eyes and embellish the stitched mouths with smaller hearts. (Encourage him to) apply some of the mouth hearts right side up and others upside down or turned sideways. (Note: Another option is to use red and black markers to draw on hearts.)

4. Finally, (he/she can) print messages on the backs of the Jack Skellington heads, and the valentines are ready to deliver.


~CME~: Cost: Very little. That is the same heart sticker we used to make My Love Hearties yesterday.


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Image from flickr:

'My Love Hearties' Valentine Craft

I quickly assembled this craft project (and EE gave it a befitting name!) yesterday morning. Effervescent Ethel is skillfully creating a few 'My Love Hearties' each day this week to give to her cousins on Valentine's Day. I have a funny suspicion that Lalaloopsie dolls inspired this craft.

The one on the right is missing a sequined nose...!

This is the sample piece I made.

From Zelda Universe-The Legend of Zelda

Rock Star Me Love Hearty!

Now where did your nose go?!

This is what we used to make the My Love Hearties:

-construction paper and card stock
-glue
-scissors
-ribbon
-ribbon bows
-small craft pearls
-tape
-hole punch standard and heart-shaped
-pencil
-heart stencils or heart shaped cookie cutter
-scrap fabric
-specialty paper
-recycled greeting cards
-buttons
-rick rack
-sequins
-feathers
-googly eyes
-black crepe paper
-recycled paint chip samples
-pipe cleaners/chenille stems
-Valentines'-themed stickers
-popsicle sticks and/or tongue depressors (optional)
-permanent marker to sign and date on the back

  Place a tray on the table and decorate as desired.

Set aside to dry thoroughly. Sign to and from on the back and date.

Cost: I bought a package of Valentine stickers and a spool of ribbon (pink with red hearts) at Dollar Tree. The rest of the craft items were from the craft barrel. $2.00 total cost.

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Valentine Votive-Very Quick and Easy!

^^We were shipbound yesterday due to snow and what better way to make use of idle time than small crafting and hardtack baking! The backdrop for the Valentine Votive we crafted was appropriately enough fresh, newly fallen,  *real* snow! Notice we recycled a leftover paper rose from another craft project earlier in the week: http://www.dadiddleycraftcraft.blogspot.com/2014/02/valentine-paper-rose.html




This craft is similar to a votive holder made last year but this time we added the glitter to the inside not the outside and placed decorations inside the votive, too (instead of gluing them to the outside). I thought I had blogged about the other votive candle craft but apparently not because I can't find the post. Unexpectably, the smaller decorations sank to "the crushing pink oblivion of Davy Jones' locker" under the large "glass" hearts. EE's didn't show any signs of being bothered by it therefore I wasn't. Nothing that a good shake of the jar couldn't remedy, eh?

Pretty votives can be made for many occasions: birthdays, baby showers, Mother's Day, wedding receptions, Christmas, etc.We used these items for this Valentine craft (some items scoured from the ship's stores and some from the Dollar Tree):

-clear glass votive, bowl or jar (I picked up a votive @ Dollar Tree but you could find ones much cheaper at second hand stores or use a recycled jar such as baby food or Mason/Ball jar.)
-loose glitter (pink and diamond white)
-glue
-paintbrush

Decorations:

-ribbon (with Valentine theme or Valentine colors from Dollar Tree)
-soft pink lace seam binding
-sequins, very small buttons, fake pearls
-pink "glass" hearts or similar (also from Dollar Tree)
-one LED votive candle ( " )
-(optional) one leftover paper rose. See link above. ^^

To do: Use a paintbrush and apply glue to the inside of the jar in either a swirly pattern or all over. Set aside to dry. After the votive has dried, decorate the inside with ribbon, sequins, buttons, etc. Place the LED votive candle inside. Light up and have a fun Valentine's Day!

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Valentine Paper Rose

Found here:



http://dozidesign.blogspot.com/2008/05/paper-flower-tutorial.html

Supplies for this craft project:

-complementary background paper
-paper for the rose, your choice of color
-glue
-yarn or similar for the stem, leaves and veins (we tried cotton yarn in a variegated green)
-scissors
-pencil or colored pencil

We used a piece of paper about 5-6" square. With a pencil or colored pencil draw a spiral design on the paper. Cut out. Effervescent Ethel had a *bit of a problem cutting out the spiral so I helped her. After rolling up the rose, add a little glue to the the two bottom petals. Now glue the rose to the background paper. Glue on strands of yarn for the stem, leaves and veins. We pinched the loopy part of the leaves to make the ends pointy.

EE wanted to add some green grass (small strip of green paper which she notched on one side to mimic grass blades); and a few pink polka dots (pink snow? who knows?) made with a hole punch and scrap of pink paper.


Set aside to dry. Don't forgot to write child's name on the back and the date. This project could easily transform itself into a Valentine card with one or two minor modifications.


*I wouldn't recommend this craft for a child less than 6-7 years of age.


Cost: very little money


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OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection Nail Polish

NLP13  ''SKULLS AND CROSSBONES'

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Easy Knitted Headband

With scrap yarn, bamboo knitting needles and a few other crafty items, our illustrious and questionable Cap'n Mad Ellen whips up an adorable headband in less than one hour for the cherished crew member aka pirate protègè Miss Effervescent Ethel. This can also be a a very easy beginner's knitting lesson. Although EE is a wee bit too young to learn to knit but she does want to learn!

You can find free headband patterns galore just by typing online on Google 'headband easy free knitting pattern' (child or adult).

-yarn (I used some scrap Red Heart Classic weight together with cotton yarn)
-knitting needles (size 11 for this project)
-scissors
-thick needle to sew the headband together and sew on the flower
-button or bling-y jewelry finding (gold coins, amulets, charms, etc. to decorate the flower) (optional)
-sewing needle and thread for attaching the button




To make: Cast on 8-12 stitches depending on how wide you want the headband. Work in garter stitch (garter stitch=knit all stitches) until the headband is long enough to fit around child or adult's head. Bind off leaving an 8-9" tail. Sew the two ends together with the yarn "tail" using a thick knitting needle. For Effervescent Ethel's headband I casted (cast?) on eight stitches.

Flower embellishment: This can be done in a number of ways, but I took several yards of yarn and wound them in a loop design then tied together in the center. Attach the flower to the headband. If desired, embellish with a button or similar.

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Nice headband, Jack!

		Norrington: No additional shot nor powder, a compass that doesn't point north, [looks at Jack's sword] Norrington: And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of. Jack Sparrow: But you have heard of me.