This year I have two kids needing Valentines for school. I had planned on this weekend being Valentine making weekend - but it turns out that one of my kids has their party tomorrow and the other class is having their party on Monday.
So I had to step up and rush my plan a little bit. There are a few things I would have done differently given more time - but in the end, we like them. Wendy is at the table assembling right now.
I had seen this idea floating around last year, and I couldn't wait to do it for/with my kids.
The first thing I did was take both Brian and Wendy's photos with their fists in holding sucker position. Ideally, I would have liked their arm to be outreached - but sometimes I just have to take what my kids and the light at the time of day they are available will give me. It worked out fine.
I then had them printed into wallet sized photos. 4 x 6's would be nice, I suppose, but I'm frugal.
And again - ideally, I would have printed the sentiment directly onto the photo before I had it printed - but I was fighting the new deadline and the constant wonder if I'd have sick kids, so I had to get my order into and picked up from Costco when the health was good.
So the sentiment is separate.
I printed it out on 12 x 12 cardstock, leaving enough room in between each so I could punch with my Creative Memories Tag Maker
When I know I'm going to use my punch 60x in a row, I like to give it just a little bit of sharpening. To sharpen my tag maker I punched some tin foil just a few times (I also do this every time I receive a new punch) I then punch through wax paper a few times just to loosen it up.
I then punched all the sentiments out.
I would have had Wendy do this herself, but again - we didn't have the weekend like I thought we would. She's assembling. And I didn't punch the top of the H off - I just don't know how to hold a heavy camera in one hand and a heavy punch in the other very well.
Holes punched on both the top and bottom of her fist, suckers ready to slide through and tags punched and ready to join them - assembly went quickly. She's done with that before I'm done with this blog post.
Of course, she took time to interrupt me and inform me that - oh mom, you're signed up to bring a treat and help at the party tomorrow.
Really????? I just made a panic phone call trying to figure out what's up with THAT?? I never got a note.
And the completed Valentine. We put the sentiment on the back, otherwise it blocked the whole fist thing which is what makes the whole thing so fun. We have a few to pop in the mail real quick, and those ones will get more easy to mail bouquets. I'll share a photo later. To those that get them - act surprised.
Like so.
Fun!
I think I've only purchased the pre-boxed Valentines one year. I'm really not a fan of them. If I had to guess - it was either the year that Mark was born in January, or the year Brian was born in March.
Or maybe both years.
But I think just once.
be good!
I usually do a Photo Valentine card creation each year for Max. This year I just made cards for his class and he will be doing the stamped sentiment inside and signing them tonight! I love this idea and will have to try it next year!
Posted by: Kelley | February 10, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Wow - that is about the cutest thing I've ever seen! My son 'had to have' the store bought, Toy Story variety this year, but I'm going to work on him to do these next year.
Posted by: Julie S. | February 11, 2011 at 01:04 AM
LOL..Your shocked reaction to bring in a treat & help with the party totally reminded me of the ABC series The Middle. This past wednesday's episode had the same issue in it !!!
Loved what you did with the valentines !! :)
Posted by: charmi | February 11, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Brilliant!! And wow, is she growing up!
Posted by: Deb Wisker | February 11, 2011 at 06:03 PM