Our talented Design Team member Sharyn Tormanen shared this post with us!
This year I have two kids needing Valentines for school. I had planned on this weekend being Valentine making weekend - but it turns out that one of my kids has their party tomorrow and the other class is having their party on Monday.
So I had to step up and rush my plan a little bit. There are a few things I would have done differently given more time - but in the end, we like them. Wendy is at the table assembling right now.
I had seen this idea floating around last year, and I couldn't wait to do it for/with my kids.
The first thing I did was take both Brian and Wendy's photos with their fists in holding sucker position. Ideally, I would have liked their arm to be outreached - but sometimes I just have to take what my kids and the light at the time of day they are available will give me. It worked out fine.
I then had them printed into wallet sized photos. 4 x 6's would be nice, I suppose, but I'm frugal.
And again - ideally, I would have printed the sentiment directly onto the photo before I had it printed - but I was fighting the new deadline and the constant wonder if I'd have sick kids, so I had to get my order into and picked up from Costco when the health was good.
So the sentiment is separate.
I printed it out on 12 x 12 cardstock, leaving enough room in between each so I could punch with my Creative Memories Tag Maker
I then punched all the sentiments out.
I would have had Wendy do this herself, but again - we didn't have the weekend like I thought we would. She's assembling. And I didn't punch the top of the H off - I just don't know how to hold a heavy camera in one hand and a heavy punch in the other very well.
Holes punched on both the top and bottom of her fist, suckers ready to slide through and tags punched and ready to join them - assembly went quickly. She's done with that before I'm done with this blog post.
Of course, she took time to interrupt me and inform me that - oh mom, you're signed up to bring a treat and help at the party tomorrow.
Really????? I just made a panic phone call trying to figure out what's up with THAT?? I never got a note.
And the completed Valentine. We put the sentiment on the back, otherwise it blocked the whole fist thing which is what makes the whole thing so fun. We have a few to pop in the mail real quick, and those ones will get more easy to mail bouquets. I'll share a photo later. To those that get them - act surprised.
Like so.
Fun!
So very cute...I will use this idea using Peppermint Candycanes for Christmas! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Vernonica Studt | 11/17/2011 at 06:48 PM
I love, love, love this idea! So clever!
Posted by: Jamie | 02/28/2011 at 04:06 PM
Thanks for sharing this idea! I showed it to my friends today, then took pictures of them, by themselves and both together, and then printed those as 3X4s. Got lollipops, they punched holes and stuck them in. Oh, I also printed the Happy Valentine's Day sticker from a Valentine's kit on the pictures.
They made them for their Sunday School class; grandchildren, and for their school children. Quick easy and fun! And not only for kids any more either :-)
Thanks a bunch!
Posted by: Kirsten Bush | 02/12/2011 at 11:02 PM
This is a fabulous idea! Thank you so much for sharing! My son needs Valentines for his party on Monday, and his teacher has been pretty overloaded and is throwing a party together for the kids in a rush. These are going to make quick, simple and wonderful additions to an array of treat bags and cupcakes I plan to contribute.
Posted by: Angie | 02/12/2011 at 10:46 AM
How cute would this be with a flower through it instead of a sucker? (thinking teacher, girlfriend, mother's day)
Posted by: Jenn | 02/11/2011 at 10:08 PM
What a fun idea this is! I hope to use this in the future! Thanks!
Posted by: Becky Kay | 02/11/2011 at 08:24 PM
You could print your CM info on the back of the cardstock or on a label to put on the back of the photo. Great advertising!!
Posted by: Sharon | 02/11/2011 at 12:54 PM
This is a great idea! I already did the treats for today's party, but I could do it when my girls have their birthdays. The sucker could be the "balloon" - and the tag could read, "Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me."
Posted by: Amanda DePhillips | 02/11/2011 at 11:06 AM
Nice, great step-by-step instructions and C-ute!
Posted by: Pat Zahn | 02/11/2011 at 10:50 AM
This is awesome! The Valentine idea would work for so many moms and kids - and could easily be adapted for other occasions too!! Thanks, too, for the sharpening tips as well. Never thought of that. Gotta share this with my customers and friends.
Posted by: Jane Sharka | 02/11/2011 at 08:54 AM
What a fabulous idea, Sharyn! Thanks for the idea and the tips!
Posted by: :Linda Wright | 02/11/2011 at 08:38 AM
Great idea for loosening up the new punches and sharpening when doing bunches of tags, etc. Have used foil/wax paper for years on the trimmer & corner rounder but not for punches! Thanks for sharing - and for such a clear and complete instruction for doing the Valentine sucker cards.
Posted by: Nancy Stelmach | 02/11/2011 at 08:34 AM
remember the foil tip for your other cutting tools Like personal trimmer and the 12" cutting tools!
Posted by: Jeanne Nakano | 02/10/2011 at 08:46 PM
Thanks SO much for all the detail and pictures! I have time to do this for my twins by tomorrow! I am so excited!
Posted by: Michele Wright | 02/10/2011 at 04:56 PM