Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentines for Friends with Flair



Well, we were supposed to be handing out these Valentines at school today, but alas, school was cancelled yet again due to the weather.  At least I get to share them here with you guys!

Our school district is rather communist strict, so we aren't allowed to bring in sweets for Valentine's day.  Since Ellie seems to be obsessed with all sorts of key chains/zipper pulls these days we decided to create them for her and Carina's classes, the Penguins and Puffins respectively.  Now let me tell you, I was really nervous we wouldn't find a Puffin stamp, but Unity came through for me.  In fact, I just saw that Paul the Puffin is on sale for $1 this weekend!

Anyway, the keychains were pretty straightforward to make, I used regular white shrinky dink material, stamping with Stazon.  The shrinky dink material is slippery, so be prepared for some duds, and you have to give it some time to dry too.  For Ellie's penguins, once the ink was set, I let her color the hats with Sharpie markers.  Note - the Sharpies will reactivate the Stazon, so color quickly and try not to touch any of the Stazon or it starts to get muddled.  I also used the Sharpies for touch up where the Stazon didn't fully cover.



Once the birds were dry, I added a hole punch, carefully cut around the figures and the hole punch, and baked them.  Then it was just a matter of adding the clip/ring.

The hearts were actually last week's free Silhouette cut file (heart marquee, Design #54960).  It was perfect since it has the holes for stitching.  I used Lawn Fawn's Milo's alphas for the sentiment, the to/from are written on the back of the valentine.  A little natural Divine Twine finished these off.

Hope that you have a happy Valentine's Day and a great weekend!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - Holiday Red Yardstick
Stamps:  Unity - Paul the Puffin, You're Cool Itty Bitty; Lawn Fawn - Milo's Aphas
Ink:  Stazon; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Divine Twine - Natural Twine; Sharpie Markers; Jewelry findings; Silhouette cut file #54960



28 comments:

  1. SOOO cute Miriam and love the play on words with the zipper pulls. So sorry your school system is such a downer (don't get me started).

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  2. This is such a brilliant idea :) I am inspired to case this some day. I love those birdies

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  3. These Valentine's are so cute and I love the key chains. The kids are sure to love these.

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  4. Super duper clever using these adorable stamps with shrinky dink. And even better on the fastener like you made. :)

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  5. Great idea. These are really cute.

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  6. Awesome idea! They are so cute and unique!! I'm sure the kids will love them!!

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  7. Aw, Mim, what an adorable solution to the Nazi no-sweets rule!! The kids won't mind when they get these fun Valentines instead ... whenever there is school again! Hang in there! Happy Valentine's Day!! Hugs, Darnell

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  8. These are so fun and so creative, Miriam! Happy Valentine's Day!

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  9. How adorable and SO creative!!!

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  10. These are adorable and with such a clever sentiment!

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  11. These are SUPER CUTE!! What a great idea for Valentines.

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  12. Hi!! I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day!!! These are so adorable!!!

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  13. Adorable little gifts, Miriam! At least your school lets you celebrate Valentine's Day and share goodies (even if the festivities will have to wait until the snow melts!). Most schools here in Ontario do "Red & White Day." Lame! Did your girls have fun lacing the cards?

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  14. Adorable gifts and fabulous zipper pulls, Miriam. What a great idea!

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  15. These are fantastic! The kids will love them!

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  16. Oh, so cute, Miriam! I'm all for non-candy treats and that puffin makes up for it!

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  17. Such a great idea, and they make such fun gifts. Love how you put them all together - the heart and the string to hold the zipper pull is genius!!

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  18. These Valentine's are so cute and I love the key chains Miriam. Wow no candy allowed that is strict.

    Hugs diane

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  19. These are SO CUTE! What a great alternative to candy!

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  20. Eeek! I love these zipper pulls. How absolutely adorable!! Now I really must get some shrink plastic to play with. ;)

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  21. Oh, so cute and ever so creative, Miriam! I hope your kiddos get to share them with their friends this week ;). Our district had a teacher workday last Friday.

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  22. These are just adorable!!!!!!! I love them!!!!

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  23. Way to rock the new stamps! I love how you created the "waves"!! The heart string cards are super cute!

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  24. What a great project you have created there Miriam!
    Thanks for all the tips.
    I've learnt a lot...
    sorry to hear about your school ;S

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