2013 - Valentines - Hang Around - Clothespin

Another year of "what can I do that's cheap for valentines but that's something they can have?"...and doesn't involve candy (per our district's "no candy" policy)....I'm posting early this week in case you need a valentine project to throw together before Thursday!

 I've got 5 kids, that's 20+16+18+19+3 = 76 valentines to buy or make! and I don't like to give just a little card from some pre-made pack of character valentines from the store. (I know, I complicate my own life.) :)

Found an idea for various clothespin crafts, so I took a spun on those for our own valentine. 

Here it is all wrapped up:

We painted clothespins (right now they have a 36 pack at the dollar tree - most of mine came from a 100 pack from walmart for some low cost). And let them dry overnight.

For my 3 year old's preschool group (there are only 4 kids, including her), I printed out little hearts with the other kids' names on them - onto pink cardstock. When the "big kids" get home from school today I'll probably have them handwrite names into the hearts.

To "laminate" them, fold a piece of clear packaging tape over the heart and then trim around (leaving about 1/8" border of clear tape to protect the heart). I glued them on with hot glue (that part I will do for all the kids...except my 8 year old daughter who will probably insist she can do it without getting burned)...

Add a magnet piece on the back (this one's cut a little big) - it doesn't take much.

(and I have a big roll since the dollar packs of magnetic adhesive strips were out of stock)...

more projects for later. :)

Ta-da! A cute valentine that the kids can use to "hang" artwork onto any magnetic surface - like the fridge.

Cost to me:

2 pkgs bags: $2

clothespins: $1

 (I only needed about 20 more - so 1 dollar tree pack...I had about 50-something in my craft drawers leftover, but this would have been about $2.50-$3 for the 100 pack from walmart...I think?)

paint: 79 cents

cardstock: in stash (free)

I already have lots of this - (but you can get a pack of 50 sheets for a couple dollars)

packaging tape: in stash (free)

again, we already have several rolls of this (last time we needed it, I could only find the multi-roll packs)

magnetic tape: $3.50 - which I'll probably use only a 1/5 of - the roll is huge and wide

(so 70 cents for this project, we'll say)

paper/ink: got it (free)

So total I spent this year, right now: less than $5 for 76 valentines that are cute.

(Yeah, I know - I'm kind of cheating on the cost - counting "free" stuff I have that was bought/paid for in the past, but counting only the portion I am using for things I had to buy a whole pack of right now...still less than $8 if I "charge the entire roll of magnetic tape to this account" :) and yes, it would have cost even more had I had none of these...but then I'd have done a different project.) :)

I just found a heart online so I didn't have to draw one over and over and I put it on a page a bunch of times to print out...for your convenience, you can use the one I put together:

jpg file:

or pdf:

Page of Hearts

for the message I typed up and "fonted" cute...you can print 4 to a page, 6 to a page, or 9 to a page, depending on the size you want the message to be. (I like the 9/page best - for space and for size):

2x2

2x3

3x3

or the word docx in case you want to edit it like you like it:
Message - word doc

Happy Valentine's 2012: Stromboli and Jello Hearts

The stromboli idea I found online - the recipe and instructions I made based on the general idea. 

The jello hearts is a family fun idea (link below).

The Stromboli was a big hit - 

the jello heart idea...well, that one will probably be replaced by heart shaped brownies next year!

On to the how....

Stromboli - makes 8

6-7 cups flour

3 T sugar

1 tsp salt

1 T yeast (3 tsp)

3 T oil

2 cups warm water

12-15 oz spaghetti sauce  (half of 26 oz can)

16 oz mozzarella (or other cheese), shredded

1 egg

Parsley, optional (just because it’s my favorite seasoning)

Mix 6 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in stand mixer with dough hook. Start mixing on low speed (2). Add oil and warm water. Once it comes together, add as much flour as needed to make dough not sticky when touched (stop the kneading/mixing to test – poke and see if dough sticks to your finger). Knead for 7 minutes. Remove from hook (with floured hands), form into a smooth ball and put back into (now, greased) bowl. Grease (spray oil) top or cover.  Rise for an hour.

Divide into 4 pieces. For each piece….

Roll into large rectangle (about 10x20 – as large as my cutting board) on floured surface. Slice (with a pizza cutter) long ways (get two long rectangles about 5x20). Top lightly with sauce, cheese, and toppings. 

Roll each long rectangle from long side to create a long rope. Pinch ends and edge. Move (carefully) to baking sheet (greased is a good idea but not required), and shape as desired (hearts for valentines, etc).

Brush tops with egg, sprinkle with parsley. (I added some mozzarella to the seams that had no filling).  Bake 400°F for 15 minutes.

The Eat your heart out jello idea: (it was ok, but the creamy layer - I think if I ever do this again, I would not use unflavored gelatin - it tasted a sweet bland...if that makes sense.)

Eat Your Heart Out

And lastly, the valentine's card idea I used for my kids with our district and their 'no candy' policy...

come on - I already can't bring my awesomely tasty creations to class parties - now I can't even give 'em M&Ms...what's wrong with this world? (like that cupcake with pink icing still on my kid's pants was really any more nutritional)

2 of my kids used "You color my world" with a piece of chalk tied to the card (two holes punched to tie string through)
2 of my kids used "You make my heart glow" with a glow stick through two punched holes.

(only the preschoolers used these cute hearts - the 1st and 3rd grader used boring little rectangles of white cardstock that they had to decorate themselves because they had 15+ valentines, not just 4)
Should have taken a picture of those too - my 7 year old colored hers with watercolors (yes, the cheap kids kind) and they turned out really cute.)

Glow sticks were a little hard to get to school without cracking and using up the limited glowing time, but I heard that the 3rd graders had a lot of fun with them. (WIN!)