For Valentine’s Day this year I am revisiting an old Sewn Paper Heart Envelope project. They are easy to prepare and the kids have a great time “sewing” their envelopes. It’s a really good hand- eye coordination exercise as well.

If you are looking for a sewn heart project for older children please read Torn and Sewn Paper Hearts over on Hip Homeschool Moms. 

Materials needed to make Sewn Heart Envelopes for Preschoolers:

• 2  pieces of festive, patterned card stock or construction paper
• yarn
• plastic training needles- 2 inch round
• craft scissors ( optional )

Step by Step Preparations for your class:

1. Cut two large hearts out of paper of your choice. You can use regular or craft scissors.

2. Facing the right sides out, punch holes around the bottom and sides of the hearts. Punching no holes on top leaves an opening on top.

3. Attach a string to one end of a long piece of yarn; then the other end to the top first hole of one side of the two hearts. This will join them together and have them prepared for your child to begin stitching. It’s a simple and easy thing to have prepared to keep little ones engaged while homeschooling your other children. And it’s been a fun and enjoyable activity for the preschoolers at our co-op. Afterward we are using them to collect hidden valentines and treats in our classroom.  Then the kids can take them home in celebration of Valentine’s day.

What is your favorite easy craft to keep your children busy?

The post Sewn Heart Envelopes for Preschoolers appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

If you’re out of creative valentines ideas, this post is full of beautiful results for using inkblots to make valentines. I have had it in my mind to do something with my inkblots for Valentine’s Day since I wrote a tutorial for an inkblot art lesson. This post is full of the beautiful results I came up with. Now we have over 50 valentines to send to family and friends this year.

Creative Valentines Ideas with Inkblot paper hearts and different ways to make them into valentines.

With these paper style hearts you can make simple and easy valentines. Make a valentine for a loved one, school mate or for a best friend. You can use one to send a message or leave a surprising token.

The smaller ones made perfect exchange valentines with much more character than a store bought message! An excellent candy choice is a sucker or lollie pop because you can attach them with two quick hole punches. With the exception of the initial investment in the India ink to make the ink blot, this is very economical too!

You can also use these colorful inkblot hearts as party favors or table settings for a valentine themed get together. Below shows an inexpensive way to liven up a table setting by making decorated Valentine’s Day straws. You could also very easily turn these paper hearts into napkin rings or place cards!

Creative Valentines Ideas with Inkblots using funny puns or a play on words.

You may find that some inkblots look like certain animals or objects!

I saw a bear in this inkblot.

INKBLOT TIP: Once you get a vision or an idea comes to mind look at some good images of what you want to create. Then slowly begin adding lines with black ink pens. Once your lines are made you can shade and color in with colored pencils. A good quality pencil like Prismacolor will work well.

Once you enhance your inkblot with details, you can add a fun valentine pun and idiom. Use it as a card to give with gifts or candy.

Creative Valentine Ideas with Inkblots for gifts.

I like the idea of using inkblots as part of a gift. Inkblots are something you have created. Initially, an inkblot is only a blob or splash of ink. But it is our minds that can see images in them and our artistic talent and skill which can make them come to life. Sometimes a particular inkblot looks so much like the object you imagine that the results are stunning!

Creative Valentine Ideas with inkblots simplified!

Hop on over to Hip Homeschool Moms today and read a step by step tutorial I have written on making these simple Inkblot Valentines. Any age can make an easy and attractive valentine.They are fail proof since you cut them into heart shapes!

Follow All Things Valentine on my Valentine’s Day Pinterest Board!

All things Valentine Link Up from Apron Strings  & Other Things

Cupid’s Arrows Card Craft from Starts at Eight

Valentines Day Tot School from Wildflower Ramblings

Homemade Valentine Gift  Ideas from Homeschooling Adventurez

Valentine’s Day Unit from Dwimble.com

 Linked up with Inspire Me Monday!

The post Creative Valentine Ideas with Inkblots appeared first on Dymphna's Song.

So often in matters of love we tend to think by our feelings of romance or of good feelings. But love requires us to have faith in matters of both our relationship to God and our spouse. There are and will be times in both our marriage and faith that we will have to exercise our belief.  When in times of challenge, the realization of things hoped for will get us through. And the evidence of things unseen, that which God has revealed to us in our hearts, will sustain us during our distress.

I’ve been researching the lives of many faith filled POW’s and it was their faith that sustained them.  Not because they were special, but because they had an extreme circumstance under which to apply faith. Saints also were those kind of persons. I pray I am never put to that kind of test. But if I ever am, I’m thankful that faith is part of the equation.

Totally thankful this Valentine’s Day for:

• My sweetheart of 21 years who has shared so much with me.
• My mother being able to visit soon.
• Garden planning with 3 other families.
• Our little dog, Taco- now 14 y/o.
• The Lenten Season– for it’s reminding call back to Christ.
• My Granny who turns 93 this Sunday.
• Books that make me laugh out loud.
• A road trip with my friend this weekend.
• Military Chaplains. Please share this series if you like:

*Please note that if you pin one the images below you’ll pin the original post that goes with them and not this post. To pin this post see header image.

• Valentines Day Parties- Guess # of candies in jar for a door prize
• Table Centerpieces
• Valentine’s Day Gift
• Gift to the grandparents- If they don’t live near the child.
• Makes a great “Hundreds Jar”: Teach your child the meaning of 100.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Peanut Butter Chocolate Covered Strawberries! Wow these were totally easy and a huge hit. The perfect gift, or just a special treat for your family or sweet heart. This post shows you how to make them.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day During Deployment

And don’t forget to follow my Valentine’s Day Pinterest Board!Ton’s of ideas and free resources that I have pinned. Happy Valentines Day!

Linked up for: Thankful Thursday

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