Simple Valentines...

This year, Andrew's preschool class will be having a "Love Note Exchange" to celebrate Valentine's Day. He attends a Nature Preschool where they focus on teaching children to conserve and be kind to the environment. To this end, they have asked that we work with our kids to make simple valentines out of recycled or natural materials.

We decided to use some of the many paper grocery bags that have accumulated in our pantry and do some potato stamping. After cutting a few hearts I realized there was a super fast way to cut multiple hearts at a time…

How efficient is that?? Eight hearts from each bag, in less than a minute!!

Andrew worked very hard adding hearts to each valentine using a 

potato stamp and some acrylic craft paint.

He then wrote his name on a smaller heart that we glued to the brown paper. 

I think encouraging the class to exchange handmade Valentines is a great idea. It gave us a purposeful way to work on some cutting, gluing and printing skills and Andrew is proud of the little "love notes" that he made for his friends. 

Organizing Craft Supplies ~Card Stock~

If you know me, or have been following for awhile, you know that it has always been my dream to have a space in my home to dedicated to crafting and sewing. Our new place has a great little loft that Rob and I have set up as a shared office. My half of the office (maybe spreading a little into his domain) has plenty of room for sewing and craft supplies and I am really excited to get it all set up! First up on the craft supply list... cardstock!

I found this great paper organizer at Home Goods and loved the colour right away. It was a pretty  great deal at $19.99 and goes really well with the fun wall hanging that I had already picked up!

Each paper tray has a small slot for a label that I knew they would look great with a chalkboard finish.

To make the labels, I simply cut the out a rectangle, added a Martha Stewart Chalkboard label and then trimmed the edges. 

It was easy to divide my cardstock collection into three categories (white/ivory, colour, and pattern). I wanted to make sure that the paper would sit nicely in the tray so I covered three pieces of cardboard with a patterned paper and placed each board at the front of the three trays. The cardstock is easy to access and will no longer get creased and damaged in the bin I used to keep it in. 

This little project makes me so happy! I absolutely love the way it looks! I know I'm not the only one who gets this giddy over organizing craft supplies... how do you get organized in the craft department?

Linking Up

Stringtown Home

Father's Day Craft

Hi Everyone! Today I am sharing a quick and easy Father's Day craft over at The Taylor House. This cute little keychain will keep Daddy smiling wherever he goes! Be sure to stop by and check out the full tutorial!

Earth Day Projects For Kids

Monday April, 22nd is Earth Day! I wanted to share the Earth Day craft that Andrew and I made today, as well as a few other great ideas that I found on the web. I know that as a teacher, I was always searching at the last minute for an Earth Day activity to use with my class, so I hope these ideas help!

Andrew and I made this Earth Day craft by sponge painting a cardboard circle with blue paint. We then used green plasticine to make the continents and some red for a heart! It was a quick and easy activity, and he enjoyed playing with the clay!

Here are some other great Earth Day projects for all ages!

source

source

source

source

My favourite children's story to read on Earth Day has always been The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. The message is so fitting, and the pictures are fabulous! Here is a great idea for making Seuss inspired garden out of recycled materials. 

source

Happy Earth Day!!

Ladybug Paper Craft

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I am over at The Taylor House today sharing a fun springtime craft!  I hope you take a second to check it out!

Paper Crafts: Making Spring Ladybugs