valentines 2010

eve's partially finished finger puppets

the making began on our snow day wednesday and finished up a few minutes after bedtime thursday night. not the fastest valentines but easy and funny.

eve and ruth drew the hearts, i got busy cutting those hearts out and attaching them to the finger tubes, while the girls got busy turning the hearts into faces. ruth's process was simple; separate puppets into two piles (one for boys, one for girls), draw eyelashes on the girls and draw regular eyes on the boys. adding a little lipstick here and there, she was done with her 20 faces in no time. eve, however, went custom.. the boy who likes sharks got a shark-faced heart, the boy who makes everyone laugh by pretending to be a pig got a pig face. the girl who loves being fancy got a crown.. and on and on until all 25 of hers were complete. we threw on a little of eve's pretty tape to fancy them up (from christmas- office supplies were her main gift), and they were done.

to make sure all the friends knew exactly what they were getting (motherly nightmarish images of eve and ruth staring on, horrified, as their friends tore the puppets to bits looking for candy), rough silhouettes of each girl's hand were printed on cardstock, the outline of the first finger cut with an x-acto knife, and puppets slid over mr. pointer. unmistakeable heart finger puppet spreading valentine cheer.

addressed by little hands and sent off to school, these were, by all reports from little friends, received very well. good news.. it feels a little bit like we're pushing our luck with these candy-less valentines.. but happily pre-k-ers and kindergarteners can appreciate a lot even if they aren't packed with sugar. like the bookmark that eve got from a friend "you know, mom, it's really cool. it's the kind of thing from back in the olden days, like the 80's or 90's. like back from when before you were 50.." (i'm 30).

hope everyone had a lovely valentine's day! and for those celebrating president's day tomorrow, do yourself a favor and make this log cabin cake in honor of honest abe. i push the cake every year, but i'm pretty sure you won't regret it.. we never do.

Comments

[Kendria :)]

I am so inspired by you. I really am... You are amazing...

[sara]

adorable.
i just found your blog. i cant believe you don't sell the clothes you make because they are amazing! wish i could sew! you have a great eye for patterns, colors, and style!

[JaNae]

so cute! & I am so glad I'm not the only one who doesn't do candy valentines. My kids handed out sunflower and sweet pea seeds this year. My daughter kept crying and saying that no one would like her if she didn't give candy. but I showed her yours and she's excited to make finger puppets next year, thanks!

[Anne Lecrivain]

great valentine idea!

[Earth Girl Knits (Emily]

I just wanted to let you know that this weekend my friends and I are throwing an Alice in Wonderland themed party and I was inspired by some things you have made. I am cutting out letters for quotes from the movies and stringing them up like you did with the Christmas carols. Also, I'm dressing like the queen of hearts and am making a heart headband like the felt circle ones you made for your girls. Thanks for the inspiration!

[giddy teri]

i really love that these are handmade by the children themselves. i think that is very important that something that they give out to their friends is touched by their own hands and infused with their own ideas and creativity. great idea that i hope to borrow next valentine's day!
giddy giddy teri

[Mallory]

My friend just showed me your blog, and i LOVE it!! ssssssssoooooooo many cute sewing projects and fun things that I now refer to this site as my 'inspiration' site. Thank you for sharing your creativity. i love it!

[susan]

i like the paper colors.. is it just regular construction paper or something fancier?

[Roe]

Katie,
I nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award! Psh, MUCH deserved! Congratulations! http://www.yeshoneychyle.com/2010/03/award.html

[Stephanie]

Your valentines turned out so cute! Each of my 3 kids in school have 30+kids in their class so buying would be way easier but i prefer making the valentines. My kindergartener told me his teacher said he didn't have to participate in their valentine exchange so he refused to make anything. So like a good mom I made 30+ cards (construction paper hearts,stickers,doilies etc) for him to pass out in case he changed his mind. He didn't change his mind... I'll save them for next year. My third grader loved making stuff (he made heart paper airplane valentines for all the boys), the fifth grader...no hearts mom. I'll have to try the finger puppets next year, maybe that will get my 6yr old to participate!

[Jamie]

This is exactly why I left three days blank during valentines on my class calendar so I can fill in with adorable crafts like this!

[Regina]

As I was racking my brain of who all might have some great Valentine's ideas I remembered your place. I know it must have been horrible with what happened in blogland - but just know your posts are still missed - and past ones appreciated. I added links to a couple of yours to an ongoing list I have. Thanks!

[maggy, red ted art]

I featured you on Love Get Crafty today!

http://www.redtedart.com/2011/02/01/love-get-crafty/

Maggy

[jen]

I LOVE this idea! I can hardly wait till my babes is old enough to do crafts with

[Anonymous]

Give Your Children A Cartoon World With Disney Wall Decals

[Nancy]

I came over here from the Love Get Crafty post at Red Ted. Finger puppets are a cute idea! Perhaps the candy tide has turned since you wrote this post because my daughter's Kindergarten teacher specifically requested non-candy valentines.

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[Cara Mengobati Kebas dan Kesemutan]

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