As seen on The 10! Show on Monday, February 8th, here are some easy and fun craft projects that you can do with your children!

Thumb Print Hearts

Supplies

• Small inexpensive frames – red or pink if possible!
• White paper
• Red and/or pink (non-toxic) stamp pads

Directions

• Have your child make two, overlapping thumb prints in the shape of a heart.
• Add your child’s name and the year and put into frames!

Valentine Decoupage Plates

Supplies

• Clear glass plates
• Mod Podge (easily available at craft stores)
• Colored tissue paper
• Plain white paper
• Markers
• Scissors

Directions

• Cut out a circle from plain white paper that is the same size as the bottom of the plate.
• Have children decorate the circle using markers.
• Apply mod podge to the bottom of the plate and adhere the decorated circle.
• Use cut scraps of tissue to fill in around the white circle, working only on the bottom of the plate, leaving no glass showing through.
• Allow to dry and trim any pieces of tissue larger than the plate.
• For decorative use only!

Felt Fortune Cookies

Supplies

• Red and/or pink felt
• Floral wire
• Thin ribbon – red, pink or other valentine pattern
• Paper for writing fortunes
• Treats to put inside
• Scissors and glue

Directions

• Cut felt into circles approximately 4 ½ “ in diameter.
• For each circle, cut a piece of ribbon and a piece of wire, slightly shorter than 4 ½ “ long.
• Glue the wire across the diameter of the felt circle and then glue the ribbon over the wire.  Allow to dry.
• Fold the circle in half, so that the wire is in the fold.  Bend each side inward, making a fortune cookie shape.
• Fill with a fortune and small treats!  You can use candy, but even more fun, my daughter decided to fill the fortune cookies with a Japanese eraser – a favorite with her classmates!

Sweetheart Candy Frames

Supplies

• Conversation hearts in boxes with cellophane openings on the front (Boxed Conversation Hearts)
• A small photo
• Magnetic tape

Directions

• Open the box and remove the candy to enjoy later!
• Cut out a photo that fits into the opening on the front of the box, taping it behind the cellophane “window.”
• Seal the box and add magnetic tape to the back.

Conversation Heart Topiaries

Supplies

• Styrofoam cone
• Meringue powder (available in the baking section of craft stores)
• Confectioner’s sugar
• Candy hearts
• Small terracotta pot
• Ribbon trim

Directions

• Make royal icing according to the recipe.  (Royal Icing Recipe)
• Starting from the bottom of the cone, use a spatula to apply royal icing and then press candy hearts into the icing.
• Continue working in rows until the cone is completely covered.  Allow to dry.
• Trim the terracotta pot with ribbon and glue the cone to the pot.

Cupcake Candy Baskets

Supplies

• Assorted valentine cupcake papers
• Assorted card stock and paper doilies
• Glitter
• Ribbon
• Decorative trims
• Chenille pipe cleaners
• Glue
• Foil wrapped candies

Directions

This is a great craft for using up all sorts of left over craft supplies!

• Gather scraps of wrapping paper and scrap booking paper, ribbons and decorations and let the kids use their imaginations!
• I trimmed the cupcake papers with glue and then glitter and layered several papers to create the base.
• A chenille pipe cleaner makes a sturdy handle and a ribbon will finish the look.
• Fill with wrapped candies and spread some Valentine cheer!

I hope that you enjoyed the segment on The 10! Show and if you missed it, here’s the link!  Happy Hearts Day!

Thanks to Nolia Chocolates for providing a fun give-away for our 10! Show audience!  Visit their website for beautiful Valentine’s Day Chocolates Delivered to Your Door!

Busy Bee’s Valentine’s Day Round Up:

Your Guide to a Fabulous Valentine’s Day!

From Gift Guides to Fun Tips to Party Plans, you’ll find it all at Busy Bee Lifestyle!  Take a look now and get inspired! -

• The Sweetest Valentine’s Day Gifts
• Clever Valentine’s Gifts for Kids
• Valentines Day Tips and Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Treats for School Parties
• Treat Your Kids to the Sweetest Valentine’s Day Party
• Coffee and Conversation:  Host a Valentine’s Day Coffee for Your Friends!
• Host a Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party
• The Cutest 5 Minute Valentine’s Day Craft
• Have Fun with a High School Musical Valentine’s Party!
• A Letter Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Sending Our Best Wishes for a Truly Sweet Valentine’s Day!

A Planning Guide for the Perfect Candy Themed Celebration!

February is a great time of year to add a bit of warmth to those cold winter days and a Valentine’s Day party for your kids might be perfect to do just that.  Whenever I think about Valentine’s Day, I inevitably end up picturing candy – candy of all sorts!  From conversation hearts to chocolate truffles to red hots, it’s the candy that makes the holiday for me!  Not only are the Valentine treats delicious, they also make a wonderful party theme that kids and adults will love!

Valentines Party Invitations

• Conversation Heart Inspired – One of my favorite ways to invite Valentine guests is to attach a card, printed with the party details, to a box of conversation hearts!
• Red Hots Inspired – Another DIY idea involving candy is to glue red hots in the shape of a heart onto a card, with the invitation inside.  Attach a box of red hots to this invitation as well.
• Personalized Candy Hearts – Adorable personalized invitations are also available and require no crafting!  From Birthday In a Box* there’s a cute card (Conversation Hearts Personalized Invitation – pictured) with a candy heart border and another from Fine Stationery* which features a scattering of candy hearts! (Candy Hearts Invitation)



• Heart Lollipops – And if you’re ready for an “over the top” candy invitation, you just have to consider the die cut version from Itty Bitty! (Heart Lollipop Invitation) This unique card is a heart shaped red and white lollipop, on a stick, sprinkled with glitter and wrapped in cellophane with ribbon ties!

Valentines Party Decorations

Of course, candy will take center stage at this party!  Here are some different ways to incorporate candy into your tablescape!

• Candy Heart Helium Balloons – balloons always add a festive touch and these are perfectly thematic!  (Latex Conversation Heart Balloons)
• A Candy Buffet – this idea will not only be decorative but will also provide a delicious party favor!  Fill a variety of differently sized glass containers with all of the Valentine candy favorites:  candy hearts, red licorice in a tall, thin container, lollipops, pink and red jelly beans and more!  At the end of the party, let each guest fill a cellophane bag with their favorite treats!
• Candy Flower Pots – this idea came from Dylan Lauren, the owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City!  Using white ceramic pots, she filled each container with jelly beans, red hots and rock candy and then “planted” large and small lollipops in each pot.  (Candy Flower Pots Centerpiece – pictured)

Candy Resources

• Old Fashioned Pink and Red Candy Sticks
• Classic Swirled Whirly Pops
• Pink, Red and White Valentines Jelly Beans
• Red Hots Boxed Candy
• Caramel Hershey Kisses in Pink Foil
• Heart Shaped Lollipops
• Red and White Heart-Shaped Swirl Pops

Paper Goods

• Candy Heart Themed – Birthday in a Box offers candy heart themed paper goods that coordinate with the invitation above in a deluxe party set!
• Valentine’s Cupcake Themed – Another cute option from Plates and Napkins sports my favorite motif – a cupcake – decorated for Valentine’s Day and surrounded with a heart border!  Plates, cups and napkins are available.  (Valentines Day Cupcake Paper Goods)
• Not Paper Goods! – If you prefer dishes that can be used again and again, Target has some really festive choices – there are heart shaped dishes in candy colors, coordinating serving bowls and adorable pink and white candy dishes in two sizes!  (I might need these!)

Valentines Party Activities

Games

• Candy Heart Charades – fill a bowl with candy hearts and take turns acting out the message on the candy!
• Candy Heart Treasure Hunt – hide candy hearts around the house, give each guest a small bag and vie to see who can find the most hearts!  Have a prize for the winner!
• Find Your Heart Mate – cut out one red, paper heart for every two guests at the party.  With scissors, cut each paper heart in half in a variety of patterns and angles.  Give one half to each guest and play fun music while each one finds the “other half.”

Valentines Party Crafts

Here are some crafts with two levels of difficulty:

Super Easy Crafts

1. Conversation Heart Beads – Set out bowls of foam conversation hearts and varying lengths of cord and let the kids go to town making bracelets and necklaces!  (Foam Conversation Heart Beads)
2. Valentine Sticker Scenes – Purchase 12 Design Your Own Giant Valentine Village Sticker Scenes!  This set includes a background with a sweet village just waiting to be decorated with all sorts of candy stickers!

Slightly More Challenging Crafts

1. Valentine Candy Magnet Craft Kit -  this set includes three different magnet designs including an ice cream cone, gum ball machine and a milk shake! (Valentine Treat Candy Magnet Craft Kit)
2. Sweetheart Candy Wreaths – for this cute craft you’ll need:  a Styrofoam wreath (you can select the size), ribbon, candy conversation hearts and glue.  Wrap the Styrofoam wreath with ribbon, securing each end with glue. Glue the candy hearts in overlapping layers around the wreath.  Let dry and add a ribbon hanger.  (Sweetheart Candy Wreaths and see Create for Less for styrofoam wreaths.)

Menu

When it comes to the party menu, it’s always best to consult with your own child first!

• Heart Shaped Pizza – If it’s pizza that’s demanded, go ahead and cut it into heart shapes!
• Pasta with Red or Pink Sauce – If pasta fits the bill, red or pink sauce will turn it into a terrific Valentine’s dinner!
• Heart Shaped Sandwiches - Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to turn any type of sandwich into a sweet snack!
• More Fun Ideas – For some additional ideas, take a look at Valentine Treats for School!

Valentines Day Party Favors

Party Favors for Girls

If you create craft projects during the party, the finished products can easily be your party favor, as well as gift bags filled from a candy buffet.  Some other cute favors that suit this sweet theme include:

• Cupcake Bath Bombs
• Candy Lip Gloss
• I Love Candy Bangle

Party Favors for Boys

I know that the favors mentioned above are totally for girls, and so if you are inviting some young gentlemen to your Valentine soiree, just plan to send them home with all sorts of candy!

Wrap Up

When the “sweetest” celebration is over, clean up a bit and then send your children to bed!  Pour a glass of champagne for you and your sweetheart and toast to romance at any age!

There’s a noticeable trend in the fun Valentine’s Day gifts that I found this year!  Each one is “sweeter” than the last and sure to please women of all ages!

For Babies

Cupcake Onesies

Practical onesies look adorable when packaged in cupcake papers, trimmed with a decorative fruit or flower and sold in a bakery box! (Cupcake Onesies, starting at $19.80)

For Little Ones

Hide n’ Peek Chocolates

Shapes and colors are just waiting to be matched inside this sweetheart box of chocolate truffles!  The twelve chocolates can be used to enhance fine motor skills or play a memory game.  (Hide ‘n Peek Chocolates, $16.99, ages 2+)

Sweet Heart Sayings

Oversized, plastic conversation hearts with cute messages can be strung together to make simple sentences!  Twenty eight hearts are packaged in a candy jar with three laces and candy scoop! (Sweet Heart Sayings, $18.99, ages 2+)

Twinkle Hearts Felt Cake

This is a deliciously fun three layer cake crafted from wool felt in either “chocolate” or “vanilla.”  The cake arrives in a white cake box, tied with bakery twine and includes a variety of Valentine themed cut outs for decorating, again and again.  Additional decoration packs are available for other special occasions! (Twinkle Hearts Felt Cake, $59)

Sweetheart Prissy Poof

A white tulle tutu, embellished with pink and red hearts will be a fabulous surprise for any little girl!  A matching tulle bag is also included! (Sweetheart Poof, $49.95)

For Teens and Women

Cupcake Flannel PJ’s

Sweet and cozy, these chocolate brown pajamas with colorful cupcakes are 100% cotton flannel and available for women and girls! (Flannel PJ’s, $49 for women, $50 for kids)

Wish Cupcake Necklace

This too cute necklace features a gold tone cupcake with faceted glass pave and a pink glass cherry detail!! (Wish Cupcake Necklace, $48)

Chocolate Jewelry Box

This copper colored jewelry box is designed to look like a box of chocolates!  When you open it, there’s a removable tray holding four little cups, shaped like brown paper chocolate wrappers!  Underneath the tray is a divided compartment for additional storage.  (Chocolate Jewelry Box, $59.99)

Cupcake Towels

Enjoy this set of sugar free cherry and strawberry cupcakes!  The “strawberry” version features a fluffy vanilla washcloth rolled up to look like a cupcake with a strawberry magnet on top.  The “cherry” version features a chocolate washcloth with a pair of cherry magnets on top.  Each is wrapped with decorative bakery paper!  (Cupcake Towels, $9.95)

For Pets

Chocolate Cake Dog Toy

All dogs will love receiving their own Valentine treat:  a soft, plush “chocolate cake” toy!  From Two Poodles and Me, this toy, along with many other cute versions, retails for $8.00! (Two Poodles and Me)

Donut Dog Bed

Who could resist this adorable dog bed!  Shaped just like a cupcake, with a pink “cake” bottom,  chocolate “icing,” and colorful sprinkles, this is as cute as it gets for your best friend! (Cupcake Dog Bed, $70)

Catnip Candy Stix

Colorful, candy shaped sticks are filled with farm fresh catnip and hand tied at each end, to resemble its real candy equivalent! (Catnip Candy Stix, $5)

I just love every delightful gift on this list and hope that you’ll add some sweetness to someone special’s Valentine’s Day!

You may also enjoy:

• The Sweetest Valentine’s Gifts for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Tips and Ideas
• Valentine’s Treats for School
• Host a Valentine’s Day Coffee
• Have Fun With A High School Musical Valentine’s Day Party
• Cute and Easy Valentine’s Craft for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party Plan
  

So many fun and clever ideas cross my path, that I strive to create a strong thread that binds each article into a cohesive whole before I share them with the Busy Bee community!  But, on this occasion, I’m taking the “hodgepodge” route and sharing Valentine’s Day bits and pieces regardless of how they relate to each other!

Red Goes “Green”

Make sure that you take a look at the newest phrases on Necco’s Conversation Hearts – many focus on the weather and the environment!  “Chill Out,” “ Melt My Heart” and “Cloud Nine” are just a few! (see Reader’s Digest for a history of sayings)

Be Mine Bargains

Don’t overlook those Christmas close out shelves!  Red Christmas ribbon works perfectly well for Valentine’s Day and kits to build gingerbread houses can also be constructed with Valentine candy for decoration!  Candy mixes that originally included red, green and white can be transformed into a fun Valentine treat by removing the green candies at a less than minimal cost!

Candy Hits the Gold Standard

The simple candy heart receives a “sterling” upgrade!  This lovely sterling silver bracelet features a unique open link chain and a conversation heart charm that can be personalized with your own message!  ”Be Mine” is an easy suggestion, but you could get so creative with this gift!  Since each charm is individually crafted, so allow two weeks for delivery! (Candy Heart Charm Bracelet, $130)

Valentines for Classroom Exchanges Which Forgo Those Ever Present TV and Movie Characters!

If you’d like to offer your children some fun Valentine choices while avoiding those copyrighted characters, Current is the source for you!  Here are a few of the styles that I thought were really fun:

• Surfboards or Guitars that hold a stick of gum!
• Pizza Shapes with “topping” stickers!
• Sport Balls with word scramble puzzles!
• Dinosaurs that turn into 3-D shapes!
• Guitars that stow a mini candy bar!
• Fortune Tellers with Valentine answers
• “Heelies” with mazes on the sole!

And many more fun options at terrifically reasonable prices at Current Catalog!

I hope these random thoughts add a little something to your celebration of Valentine’s Day!  Please share your sweet ideas with the Busy Bee community!

You may also enjoy:

• Fun Valentine’s Treats for School
• Clever Valentine’s Gifts for Kids
• Host a Fabulous Valentine’s Day Coffee
• Send a Unique Valentine’s Day Floral Arrangement to a Loved One!

Tags: Valentine’s Day tips and ideas, suggestions, Valentine, Valentines, Cute Valentine’s for Kids, Valentine’s candy, Valentine’s jewelry, necklace, Necco’s Conversation Hearts, bargains