Valentine's AGAIN -- You were warned...

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I love Valentine's Day.  So you can't say you haven't been warned that I like to craft the holiday to death.  Here is a little something so the teacher's don't go forgotten.  While I am certain it would be fine to give our teacher a shovel with candy and/or a gumball machine, I thought we'd do something different than what the students are receiving.

Check out these water bottles.

I took the idea from Tatertots and Jello blog's; however, I made my own changes. First of all, I could not find the Hawaiian punch anywhere in red.  (And I thought the idea of the water turning red was a perfect thing for February 14th.)  So I had to go with the KoolAid brand.  A few things about this...make sure you buy the sugar free kind; otherwise, the packets will be too big for the label.  (Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way.)

Another thing is that the packet on the KoolAid says to mix half the packet with 16.9 ounces of water.  HOWEVER, I had already printed the labels based on Tatertots' site.  In hindsight, I should have the label read "Mix 1/2 of contents with bottle of water".  (BTW, Tatertots' has printables on her blog that you could use to create these.)  I'm not changing the labels I've already printed, so I guess our recipients will be enjoying an extra flavorful drink.  LOL!  While we're discussing the labels, I also changed the name from "Love Juice" to "'Will You Be Mine?' Potion".  Brewer would be very upset if anything he had to give to someone said the word "L-O-V-E" -- oh, to be a 5-year-old boy (wink).

To: Mrs. Yvette, From: Brewer

I enjoy using the Cricut. Instead of using the heart labels seen on the other blog, I cut three layers of hearts for the "TO: FROM:" label.

Lastly, I could not find those precious red and white straws that Tatertots has on her blog.  Well, I found them on-line but not locally...so I used a different straw.  The straws I am using for the teachers were in a pack of pink, orange, yellow, and green that I picked up at Walmart.  

Look at all these unwrapped straws
being exposed in the outside air.  

But the big question here is: Does it bother anyone besides me that these straws are not individually wrapped??  

It REALLY bothers me...and I was obsessed with washing my hands while making these.  But still -- if anyone knows of a place I could get a great straw for this -- a straw that is WRAPPED -- let me know. :)

I did find these swirly, heart straws in the two dollar bins at Walmart.  But the kicker is that the straw is no where near long enough to fit in the water bottle.  So I am using the regular straws on the teacher bottles.  I thought I might make a few drink bottles for some of our friends.  I know kids love and APPRECIATE a good swirly straw.  So here is what we are going to do for the water bottles we make for "kid" friends.

And here you go!!!  A fun drink for teachers to enjoy on Valentine's Day!  I'd love for you to leave a comment her on the blog.  At least then I know that I'm not writing to myself. (wink)

"Will You Be Mine" Potion for Valentine's Day 2011

Brewer's Valentine's - I'm STUCK on you

The label is covered by the ribbon but reads.."I'm STUCK on you!"

After my post about Maddox's Valentine's, some of you said to me that you wanted to see Brewer's -- well, here they are!  GUMBALL machines!!!  Both of my children are crazy over gumball machines.

Here is what I did -- I bought these gumball machines in the V'Day section at CVS.  They are $0.99/each.  Last week, CVS had a special where if you bought $25 in product, you got $10 in CVS bucks.  I needed the paper towels and toilet paper that you had to buy (the $25 amount); I got $10 in CVS bucks.  Brewer has 12 kids in his kindergarten class.  So these only cost me $2.  CVS does specials like this often -- keep your eye out!  The machines already came with the red ribbon (as shown) along with a heart shaped tag.  HOWEVER, I didn't want to use it like that...ha, ha!  I always have to do something different.  So I cut off the ribbon and tag.

I used my Cricut and cut out each child's first name initial on white vinyl using the 1-1/2" setting.  I was planning on doing capital letters.

However, once I cut it, the capital letter was really too chunky for the curve on the face of the machine.  So I decided to use lower case letters.

I placed the vinyl on the face of the gumball machine.  In this photo, you can see that I centered the letter over the middle of the machine.  You can also see where I've cut the ribbon that was pre-tied onto the machine.

I used a 2" circle punch to punch out these tags that came from Pink Elephants and Blue Rhinos.  Heather is so talented and can design you just about anything!

Using my Cricut, I cut out 12 red scalloped circles (at 2-1/4") using the Lacy Labels cartridge.  Then I used a glue pen (as shown) to attach the tags to the scalloped circle.

 Here is what the final tag looks like.  I added a hole punch to the tag for the ribbon to feed through.

Brewer's teacher sent a note home saying the kids were to address their own Valentine's.  This was to work on name recognition and fine motor skills.  So I had Brewer "address"  the Valentine by writing each child's name on the back of a tag.

 Next, I added a sheer polka ribbon and the tag to each of the machines.

And VIOLA -- Brewer's Valentine "cards" are ready (sorry for this blurry photo). All 12 complete and ready for Brewer to hand out on February 14th.  Feel free to borrow the idea...as long as you don't have a child in Brewer's class... (wink!)

Maddox's Valentines - I "dig" you

I love Valentine's day.  And what's ironic is that Lou doesn't celebrate.  He says it is a made up holiday from the card and flower industry.  In the 13 (this year 14) Valentine's I had with Lou, he has not celebrated once.  Yet, I always do.  It doesn't really bother me that he doesn't celebrate because he spoils me all year...which makes it a little more special that he isn't doing anything out of the obligation on the date, February 14th.

Anyway, I mentioned I love V'Day, and I do!  Tonight I made Maddox's Valentine "cards" he is going to give to his class.  It is a sand shovel that says "I DIG YOU" with a bag of candy attached to it.

Here are the directions...
First, gather the supplies:

1. plastic shovels -- I used variety of colors (red, white, and pink) - Click here to see the ebay seller I used.
2. assortment of candy
3. small plastic bags for the candy & twist ties to close the bag.  In my baggies, I fit a candy bracelet, jumbo Tootsie Rolls, an AirHead, and 3 Hershey kisses
4. Paint pens
5. Cute tag
6. Cricut and scrapbook paper for cutting the backing of the tag
7. Hole puncher
8. Ribbon
9. Adhesive
10. 2" circle punch
11. scissors
*I'm not promising this is a completed list as I worked on these in my craft room and something obvious could have been out that I used.

Next, cut the tags out using a 2" circle punch.

Aren't these tags adorable?  I had them designed at Pink Elephants and Blue Rhinos.  You can click their name here in the blog and be taken to their Facebook page.  (Tell Heather I sent you; she's a friend of mine.) I punched the tags out.  I wanted to back the tags (which Pink Elephants can do for you if you'd like).  So I got out my Cricut and used the Lacy Labels cartridge.  I selected the "Miss You Scallop Circle" and set it for 2-1/4".  

Once the scalloped circles were done cutting, I adhered the circle tag on top of the scalloped circle and punched a hole in the side for the ribbon.

I took my paint pens (I had white, red, and pink) and added "I DIG YOU" or "I DIG U!" to the bottom of all the shovels.

Not only was the twist tie used to close the candy baggie, I used part of the twist tie to attach the candy to the shovel.  The twist ties were long and worked great for this.

 I added ribbon and threaded the label through and VIOLA!  Our Valentine "cards" are finished for the Valentine exchange in Maddox's class.

Feel free to borrow the idea...as long as you don't have a child in Maddox's class...LOL!

Finished and ready to hand out to the class on February 14th

Oh, and Brewer's Valentine's are in the works...I still have a few details to hash out.  But I'll post when we figure it all out!