Oh wait...another holiday is coming! Valentines Day!!

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There just seem to be certain times of the year where all we do is run from one holiday to the next.  Valentines Day is one of those in my opinion, that as sweet as it is, would be better celebrated in mid-March....I don't think there are any holidays in March.  However, it's not up to me to change the date, so February 14, will be here before we all know it.

I did love Valentines Day when I was growing up.  The elementary school years were the best because we always got to make a valentine box to put our valentines in, and then we actually made Valentine cards for  our moms and dads, and if there was enough glue and glitter left over, sometimes for  a grandmother or grandfather.  I love those days we got to spend making them.....glitter was everywhere, and even the boys got into the creative surge to create the most impressive card.

If you have little ones, I'd say from about age 3 and up, this can be a great way to spend an afternoon.  Things you'll need (Red items are must haves - the Green items are chosen according to what you have in mind):

• 8.5 x 11 construction paper or card stock in various colors and/or patterns
• Valentine and/or heart stickers
• Scissors
• Pinking shears (optional)
• Glue stick or white craft blue
• Glitter (pink, red, white but all the colors will work) 
• Stickers (optional)
• Crayons or Markers
• Puffy Paint
• Candy hearts (the miniature ones)
• RedHots candy
• Yarn
• Tissue Paper
• Ribbons
• Feathers
• Felt
• Ribbon
• Paper plates
• Red gumdrops
• Pipe cleaners
• Cupcake Liners

Depending on how big you want the card to be, you can use anything from a whole sheet of construction paper, to cutting in half, or even into fourths.  I'd say it depends on the age of the child, and how adept they are at fine motor skills involved with artwork.  '

For the younger ones, you can use the glue to draw a heart on the paper, and let them pour the glitter on it. Words like "be mine", "I love you", or maybe a nickname for the person are great ways to get started.  The older kids can use the pinking sheers to create decorative edges.  Once everyone is finished, put the cards on a cookie sheet and let them dry over night.  In the morning you can tap off the extra glitter.  If the paper has curled (which often happens) put them in-between two sheets of paper (wax paper is great for this), and put them under a heavy book.

The point of it is to have fun, and create a keepsake for someone.  When my grandmother died, I was surprised to find how many of the little cards I'd made her as a child, that she kept in a dresser drawer.  Clearly they were special, and as an adult it made me really happy.

Don't worry about the mess....a little "sparkle"
in any one's house is a good thing!