Gift Given: Kid's handprint calendar

One of the gifts we gave to family for Christmas last year was a calendar - filled with handprint (and footprint) art by the kids.  I got the idea from my fabulous friend Kate, remember her from this post, she did something similar for her husband a few years ago. 

I started early, like 6-8 months before Christmas, because with a little baby (my son turned one last September), I knew we would only get to do a month or two at a time.  I used the project as craft time for my daughter, that is after I got the prints I wanted! 

Enjoying some free painting after finishing our handprint art!

I planned out each month as to what type of scene I wanted to do - something related to that month.  I searched for inspiration pictures online and found so many - but one site has the best, Meet the Dubiens,  plus she makes some pretty fabulous lunches for her kids too!  Definitely worth checking out.  Most months were themed to the occasions of that month and usually had both kids involved, but for August and September (my kids' birthday months) - they got their own month.

It was a fun (and sometimes stressful - really how do you paint each finger of an 8mo. old in a different color and keep him from clenching his hand!) project - and I think it turned out soooo cute!
For the final gift, I scanned the art into our computer and uploaded the pictures to Picaboo and created an awesome calendar.  Love me some Picaboo!

Front of the calendar.  Picaboo had the cutest corkboard background, and I added little tape graphics to the picture corners.  I think it turned out great!

Hanging on my kitchen wall!

 

Here are the final month prints in order - January thru December.  A fun project for us and a gift that our family can enjoy all year long!

Heart Owl Valentine Tutorial!

I am so excited this is my first ever tutorial!  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I wanted to post a tutorial of a really cute idea that is super simple to make!  I got the inspiration for this cute valentine a few years ago from a book we borrowed at the library - so sad I can't remember the name.

These sweet owls are super easy to make and so cute!  The kiddos can even help out!

 

Materials needed per owl:

• Glue stick
• Marking pen
• 2 large hearts
• 2 small hearts
• 2 circles
• 1 small elongated heart (not shown in pic above), but this could be optional

You can use shape punches, a craft cutter (I have a Silhouette SD which I love!) or just cut out the hearts by hand - whichever way is easiest for you!

 

On to how they are made!

Step One:  Flip the 2 large hearts over so the bottom point is on top.  Glue hearts together at a slight angle so the 2 points are showing slightly - they look like little ears.

 

See the little ears sticking up at the top!

 

Step Two:  Grab the 2 little circles.  Put glue where eyes typically are and add small circles. 

 

Yay!  Your owl has eyes!

 

Step Three:  Add the beak.  I forgot it in the materials picture, but an elongated heart works best for the beak, or you could draw in a heart for a beak.

 

Step Four:  Grab the 2 small hearts, dab on some glue and add the feet.  Make sure the little hearts are turned upside down, so they look like little claws.

 

Step Five:  Grab your pen and add pupils to the eye circles and little marks on the wings to represent feathers.  Isn't it so cute!

 

Step Six:  Flip your owl over and write a Valentine's Day message.  I got the stamps at Pick your Plum (love that site) - so all I have to do is stamp the kiddos names and wahla!  Cutest little Valentines.

 

You can make a whole family of heart owls for Valentine's Day!  Vary the colors, sizes, texture of the hearts  - the possibilities are endless!

 

Thanks for letting me share my little Valentine's Day craft with you!

Thanks for the smile!