I always have a running bookmark folder of links that inspire me for every occasion, every room, every season............and Valentine's Day is no exception!  I had to pick and choose what we were going to do for school this year, and even then time dictated changes, but everyone was happy with what they took :)

First up are the iPhone valentine's Peyton took to school for his friends.  I thought it was more age appropriate (you know, c'mon mom!):

You can find the printable HERE.

The girls got ones similar to each other:

I'd done this several years ago for Mother's Day gifts with all 3 kids, holding flowers, and framed.  The idea to use it for v-day is ALL over the blog world this year, but gosh, it's so easy and still quite a "WOW"!  All you do is take a picture of the kiddo holding their fist out (like they're holding a balloon).  Focusing on their hand, take the picture.  Doll it up using your choice of software (I used some digital scrapbooking items too) and having the printed!  Once you've got them printed out, take your exacto knife and make a slit at the top of the fist and the bottom of the fist, and just slide the sucker stick in!

Teachers got reusable hand warmers.  I repurposed some v-day fabric I had and made little pockets about the size of my palm, filled them up with rice and TADAH!  I tied each pair up with a few ribbons and a tag with the instructions on using them (graphic from Just Something I Made) and popped them into my latest favorite gift bag - a lunch sack!  Tied up with ribbon it's simple and fun!

I was in charge of snacks for Brylie's preschool party today.  Once again it evolved into something other than it started, but that's alright :)  I took a little heart shaped cookie cutter (actually I think it was made for playdoh?  but I washed it up and used it anyway), filled it with melted chocolate chips like 100 times.  Then this morning I took graham cracker squares, placed a pink strawberry marshmallow on each one, nuked them for 17 seconds (yes, exactly 17 - enough to soften up and puff up the marshmallow) and then pressed the chocolate heart right in the center - and you have a Valentine's Day S'more!

That's the scoop for vday - nothing too exciting, but that's all I had time for :)  I love doing stuff like this - I'm gonna have to "adopt" a child or two to do this for when my kids are old enough they don't want it anymore! lol

Hope you've had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

PS - don't forget to check out my tutorial for the DIY Project Party below!

Can't go wrong with chocolate!  Especially Dove milk chocolate..............

excuse my while I go get me chocolate fix..............

Okay, I'm back ;)

I made this for my secret sister in our woman's group at church.  It's simple but gets lots of oooh's and ahhhh's!

You need a can with a tab top.  I used a Campbell's Chunky Soup can, but I've used others before too, just make sure the bottom of the can doesn't have rounded edges.

 Using my Pampered Chef can opener (the kind that opens the can from the outside edge instead of cutting the top) I took off the BOTTOM of the can, warmed up my soup and ate lunch while the can and bottom "lid" ran through the dishwasher.  If you think about it, save the label - it will make your life easier ;)

After your tummy is full and your can is clean and dry, it's time to get to the fun stuff!  Grab yourself some fun papers and a bag of chocolate (or whatever you want to give - I did this once for a 40-year-old's gag gift and filled it with prunes, but I think chocolate tastes better, hehe!).  

If you've kept your label, all you need to do is measure it and cut your papers accordingly.  I chose to make a few layers with mine, and the top layer includes a chocolate label in French that I acquired from the lovely Graphics Fairy.  Not only is it beautiful but it also suits the gift :)

I like to use hot glue to adhere the cardstock/paper to the can.  You have to watch how bulky it can get if you use this, but I've tried the red sticky tape and loads of other scrapbooking/paper craft adhesives with little luck.  Once you've got your layout ready, just attach the papers (one layer at a time) to the can, putting all of the seams in the "back".  IMPORTANT:  Make sure that you don't put these on upside down!  It's easy to do with the bottom lid off - make sure you've had your Dr Pepper and are paying attention ;)

Now fill up your can with the goodies!  I was surprised that this can took the entire bag of Dove promises! 

Now get out your trusty Gorilla Glue super glue.  This stuff is AWESOME!!!  I use it all.the.time (especially helpful since I'm often doing things last minute and this stuff dries TOUGH and QUICK!).

Have your can full of yummies sitting close and put a small bead of the super glue around the rim of the bottom "lid", then quickly put it in place on the can!  

Now eat that piece of chocolate you kept out of the can.

Ok, glue is set and you can turn it right side up and accessorize!

I found some fun crocheted lace at the thrift store and decided to use it to make a flower.  I took a small circle of felt and hot glued the lace to it, gathering it slightly as I went along.

I had intended to glue the button in the center and go on, but I felt like the flower was too big, so I just took and doubled it back, gluing the outside edge of the flower to the back, making this cute and chubby flower!   

You can use ribbon tied to the tab top (which I ended up doing with a name tag on it), you can tie ribbon around the middle, on top of the papers, there are a million ways you can dress your can up!  

This is such a fun and unexpected "gift wrap" - I just love to use it!  Not only is is "green" and resourceful, but it's unusual and handmade - the best!

I'm so excited to be sharing my first tutorial at the Feb DIY Project Party!  Go check out all of the awesome tutorials other crafters have shared - they'll inspire you!

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