Happy Monday :) . This is a great time of year to make cards. Not only are they simple craft projects to create, but you can get as creative as you’d like. One of the best gifts to give for Valentine’s Day is a lovely card. A designer of Plaid's, Sherri Ragsdale made this project. This cute, whimsical monkey card makes a great Valentine's Day greeting. See below for the supplies needed, and instructions on how to make this adorable car.

PLAID Supplies

·       Simply ® Stencils - Value Packs - Tween Girl

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lipstick Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Nutmeg, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Brown construction paper, Pink construction paper, White cardstock, 1/8" red ribbon, Glue stick, White craft glue, Scissors, and Stencil brush

Instructions

1.    Stencil monkey onto pink paper in Nutmeg. Stencil the heart in the center with Lipstick Red. Allow to dry. Cut out monkey.

2.    Cut out a piece of brown paper 1" shorter than the length of the card. Glue to card as shown in photo using the glue stick. Glue the monkey to card.

3.    Cut seven uneven 1" strips from pink paper in different widths. Glue to top of card.

4.    Cut red ribbon the width of the card front and adhere using the white craft glue in between the brown paper and the pink stripes. Tie a bow and glue onto card.

In less than a month your kids are going to begin bringing home tons of Valentine candies. Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out where to store all these goodies. These Valentine Candy Boxes will definitely come in hand. Help create these boxes with your kids. They will enjoy making them, and you will enjoy having a place to store their candy. These adorable boxes were made by, Cathie & Steve.

PLAID Supplies

·      

     FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink, 2 oz.

·       Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

2 clear heart shaped favor boxes, Foam paint brush, Scissors, Hot glue gun, Decorative paper, Wood heart, Ribbon or trim, Silk or paper flower, and Rhinestones

Instructions

1.    Trace the lid of the candy box onto decorative paper. Apply a layer of Mod Podge on the box lid and to the back of the paper. Place the paper on the lid. Apply more Mod Podge to the top, press with your finger until smooth. Apply more Mod Podge as necessary. Smooth your brush strokes.

2.    Paint the wood heart pink. Topcoat with 3 coats of Hologram Extreme Glitter. Allow to dry.

3.    Using hot glue, add trim across the box, the heart to the top of the box and a silk flower and rhinestone to the heart.

Normally you may not think there are many recycled Valentine’s Day crafts. Well here is one you will definitely be amazed by. These Cereal Box Valentine Holders are so creative, and unique. Julie Lewis designed these. I could really see teachers creating these with their students. Kids would love this project. Not only is it a recycled craft, it is purposeful also. It’s a great way to store all your Valentine cards.

Other Supplies

Empty cereal boxes, Flat brush ½”, 1 ¼” foam spouncer, Craft knife, Ruler, Brown craft paper, Red grosgrain ribbon, Assorted gems and glitter stickers, 2 large red glitter stickers, Wood valentine appliqué,
Pink and red chenille stems, Glue, Double sided tape, and Scissors

Instructions

1. Carefully cut three sides of cereal box for lid with craft knife. Cut an opening for Valentines and poke two holes into top side of box for handles. Front of box will open from top and fold down.

2. Paint one Licorice and let dry.

3. Cut Craft paper to fit all sides of box and either glue or secure with double-sided tape. Cut and ‘X’ in opening for cards, fold paper to the inside and secure.

4. Apply Wicker White spouncer dots.

5. Cut length of ribbon for handle, or twist pink and red chenille stems together. Insert ends through holes and glue.

6. Cut lengths of ribbon for straps and glue around boxes as shown. Start at the top end of the front box opening and end at the front just even with card opening.

7. Glue embellishments and wood appliqué to box. Add large adhesive hearts to end of ribbon to close.

Decorated frames make for a great gift anytime of year, especially Valentine’s Day. Show the one you love how much you care by giving them a nicely decorate frame filled with your loved one. This Love Bug Frame was created by, Julie Lewis. Here is a great simple project that you can make with your kids. This Love Bug Frame also could be a great class projects for teachers to use with students.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lipstick Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Licorice, 2 oz.

·       &VALUE FRAME HEART

Other Supplies

½” Fat brush
1 ¼” Foam spouncer
Wood love bug appliqué
Glue

Instructions

1.    Base coat frame Lipstick Red. Let dry.

2.    Apply several coats of Red Extreme Glitter paint to frame.

3.    Create Licorice dots with spouncer.

4.    Glue wood appliqué to frame.

5.    Insert picture of your love bug.

Alone or together, this gang of love bugs will sweeten your Valentine’s Day! OMG! Have you ever seen a cuter Valentine’s Day craft? I would bet you haven’t until now. These love bugs were created by one of our very talented designers, Julie Lewis. With Apple Barrel paint, and styrofoam the possibilities are endless. You and your kids are sure to have a blast creating these love bugs. So adorable, and would make a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift. To learn how to make these, click here.

Add a little a sparkle to your home with this heart wreath. Great for family time crafting, and this makes a great Valentine’s Day gift. This wreath was created by Cathie and Steve. This is such a simple project, perfect for any age. Get out your FolkArt paint, and FolkArt Extreme Glitter to make this with your kids.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Red, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 5 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lipstick Red, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

9 wood hearts
Foam paintbrushes
Ribbon
Hot Glue or tacky glue
Cardboard circle

Instructions

1.    Paint 5 of the hearts pink and 4 of the hearts red. Allow to dry.

2.    Top coat the pink hearts with 3 layers extreme glitter hologram. And, the red hearts with 3 layers of red extreme glitters.

3.    Glue 4 pink hearts to the center of a circle. Layer and glue 4 red hearts over the pink hearts. Glue a pink heart in the center.

4.    On the back, glue a ribbon to serve as a hanger.

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday for kids to craft. There are so many simple craft projects for them to make to celebrate this day. Take this Tissue Paper Valentine project. This is so cute and simple. All you need is some glitter Mod Podge, and tissue paper. See below for a full supply list, and instructions.

PLAID Supplies

·       Mod Podge ® Glitter - Hologram Silver, 8 oz.

Other Supplies

-Glass vase any shape – clean and dry
-1 sheet each of tissue paper in colors of choice (used on this project: pink; red; purple; silver)
-Scissors
-#12 flat brush
-Liner brush

Instructions

1.    Cut or tear tissue paper in small random shapes.

2.    Paint thin coat of Mod Podge onto outside of vase in a 6” square area.

3.    Place small pieces of random colors of tissue paper into wet Mod Podge letting them overlap slightly. Brush on Mod Podge over top of applied tissue. Brush more Mod Podge adjacent to the area just completed and continue to place tissue until vase is covered with tissue.

4.    Cut heart shapes from silver paper. Use Mod Podge to attach to project where desired.

5.    Use liner brush to apply Mod Podge around hearts and write “LOVE.”

These beautiful Eric Carle inspired cards are easy to craft with kids. Why not read your favorite Eric Carle book and then create this fabulous Valentine's Day project? You can use Mod Podge, tissue paper and a few other materials. Thanks to Jessica of Art Smart for Kids for this project. Jessica blogs about art and education for kids and has many art and project posts. Click here to see all directions and photos for making cards. 
  

Make your own conversation hearts with felt and dimensional or fabric paint.