Letters to my Valentine

I heart snail mail. Always have, always will! Sadly, it is a dying art form. For the day of love: Valentines Day, which also happens to be one of my favorite holidays (maybe having something to do with my birthday being the following day) I make lots of pretty things for the specials in my life.

When my daughter was born I began a series of letters to her, that I mail to our address and then stuff into a box unopened when they arrive, so one day she will have a "journal" of unopened letters all postmarked. For my son, I haven't been as diligent, but write to him in an actual journal, letters whenever I remember to (The second baby always gets jilted).

Valentine Craft

So for Valentines Day I made them each a "sustainable" felt envelope to stuff with treats, and maybe afterwards if I am feeling up to it, will add to the collection, so that they can play mailman with velcro stamps and the works.

Here's how:

For the top flap, use a new piece of felt halved, then fold in half again and cut in a jagged diagonal, rounding the top.

Cut out a triangular piece from the top piece of felt on the envelope body.

Stitch the sides and bottom first. I used a contrasting red color thread for effect.

Then add top panel and stitch straight across.

All done! Easy right?

Now to decorate...

I cut out felt names because I want to use them as place cards for the Valentine table too.

I made a quick stamp and some permanent marker lines on the front.

 

I love love love them! Hope my kiddies do too!

Love and letters,

Kerry, the Momster

Is it a bed? Is it a table? No it's a tangerine box!

Whaaaa???

My family seems to have been inhaling tangerines of late (known as naatjies in our house, as I am South African), and I have been wondering what to do with all these lovely wooden boxes left behind. Family Fun must have heard my silent cry and presented a beautiful craft that I knew would be right up my daughter's alley.
Being a lover of all things fluffy, or puppy, she is constantly making "beds" for all her fluffy, puppy "friends", covering them in washcloth "blankets" or -if they are really tiny- stuffing them inside sock "sleeping bags" (Adorable i know!!). This craft turns a simple tangerine box into a stylish table with a table cloth for toys by day, and then into a bed with a blanket for them by night.




Here's how:

Start with a wooden tangerine box.

This is optional, but we painted the legs and you can also paint the inside of the box, or cover with paper.

Cut the size you want your blanket/table cloth to be. I re-used an old shirt.

Cut and paste paper to cover inside walls of box.

Here we cut out a piece of fabric to make a "mattress" only because my daughter was concerned about the hardness of the box for her friends. So I cut a piece from an old nightie...

I hot glue gunned all around the sides to the box and left an opening...

Kaylee then put stuffing inside it and I hot glue gunned it closed. Then we made a pillow from the sleeve of the nightie

Soft bed and mattress. Now onto the blanket...

One side "table cloth" is the previously measured shirt, then the back of the nightie is the "blanket"side. Put them face sides together and pin.

Sew along edges, leaving a hole open and then turn right way around, and stitch up the hole.

Felt side top, and paper sides all hot glue gunned on, with help from mommy of course.

Table set , they want macaroni...

Furberry likes macaroni ...she ate it pretty quickly.

"It's like we got it at the store!!" I think she likes it :)

Here's the link for Family Fun's (but I think ours is cuter- and definitely more girly). Still, it was a great idea!

Still got more boxes? Here's more fun ways to use them...

So simple, yet effective. Change the label by erasing the chalk writing. From tiptoethrough.blogspot.com.

I am definitely making this!

Little herb garden...so cute as gifts!

Using to organize children's books, or as book tubs in classrooms (I would cover the boxes first though)

holding mosaic papers or crafting tools

Cooling pies and baked goods!

Love and little moments,
Kerry the Momster

Brownies and Bows

Presents are always acceptable, anytime, anywhere,for any occasion, and edible ones are just that little bit better. Here is an adorable idea I snagged from Family Fun magazine over the holidays that hits any girl's big 3:frilly,fashionable and full of chocolate!

How to make the bows:

I used starbursts, but you can use airheads or another gummy candy.

 

Divide the starburst in half, then divide one half in half again ( 3 parts). 

Roll into long bow.

Bend over into bow and stick the smaller piece over the top to seal it into a bow.

Voila!

Make Brownies from your favorite recipe or a box mix, then melt chocolate candy while they cool.

Dip the cooled brownies into the chocolate using a fork.

Place the bow on top while the chocolate is still wet.

Place on wax paper to dry.

Put in pretty boxes and send off for eating pleasure.

These  lil' girly gifts would make great treats for sisters, moms, kiddies, or co-workers for Valentines Day... or just make a whole lot of them for yourself JUST because they look so freaking cute!

Love and frills,
Kerry the Momster