{Valentines for Grandparents}

I don't know about you, but we always do a special Valentine craft for the 2 sets of grandparents in our family. My daughter is 6 1/2 now, and I've always tried to do this with 2 requirements: a)it includes a photo of her; and b)it's something that she makes almost exclusively without me.

This year we wanted to try something with conversation hearts, since they're so cute but nobody really wants to eat them (at least we don't)!  :) So during our second consecutive snow day today, she got busy on these little cuties.

THINGS YOU NEED:

recycled food boxes or cardboard

conversation hearts

scissors

Valentine themed photo (or any photo)

hole punch or Crop-A-Dile

jute or yarn

patterned paper

Aleene's Quick Grab Glue  (or Elmer's!)

First go through your recycle basket for food boxes. I usually cut these up before I put them in and file in my craft room. They are the best FREE chipboard! Then choose some patterned paper to cover it.

Cut your cardboard and paper to size, then glue it to the picture side with glue stick. Punch holes with your Crop-A-Dile and tie on yarn or jute for hanging.

Have your kiddo write a Valentine's message on the back, and date. Cute nails, huh?

Now you have your hanging background, a photo, and your conversation hearts ready. We have 2 of each. We used a photo of her in a Valentine's tee next to our "Love Tree."  (I got this idea here. )

Last year it was her and a Valentine Build-A-Bear. :)

Center your photo and glue on, then start adding hearts all around the picture. I used my Aleene's Quick Grab because I thought in the end that it would be stronger than Elmer's.

In no time it's finished! You could also distress the edges, but my kiddo didn't like that look so she won. :)

Let it dry. They are a bit heavy, so if you mail yours like we do, be sure to bubble wrap or put in a padded envelope.

The best part is that my kiddo loves how it turned out. She sang the whole time she worked, which is always my favorite part. :) Grandma & Grandpa can hang this anywhere and feel the love all the way from our house!

Take care,