Hearts and Sloths

Of course, Phoebe's preschool is going to do valentines.  Phoebe and I took some time one day to make valentines, and I used what I had on hand: construction paper, lace and rick rack, and a red stamp pad (borrowed from Genevieve - she has a serious craft stash!). 

I first tried hot-gluing the trims to the hearts, but it was tedious and fraught with glue-strings. So I put an old needle in my sewing machine and sewed those babies up. 

I used Phoebe's thumb in the red stamp pad to make little hearts on each paper heart. To be frank, that part didn't go well, and I should have stayed with my policy of letting my kids design and execute their own little projects.  But Phoebe does love the resulting valentines, and even put her own "P" on each one. 

But in general, Phoebe is confused about what exactly is happening with these valentines.  We'll see how it goes at preschool today and what she comes home with!

In keeping with tradition, I made a little valentines' carrying bag for Phoebe (Ben's bag, Genevieve's bag). Luckily we had a plain yellow bag in the bag cupboard, and I just picked through my piece bag to make some fun hearts.

I also made Phoebe these mittens recently, and they are a scream. Phoebe and I had a serious artistic discussion among the bolts of fleece at Joann's Fabric.  I told Phoebe she could pick a fleece that wasn't too light and would go with her red winter coat.  She studied the bolts, we pulled out a number, rejected the ones that wouldn't work, and ended up with this mint-colored fleece. I love seeing my kids develop their personal taste!  The lady at the cutting counter admired the sloths and Phoebe looked at her reprovingly, "they're kitties!"

I used the Purl SoHo pattern, although I sort of free-handed a child-size paper pattern.  I made a test mitten and had to adjust the dimensions. 

However, even when the sloth mittens were made, they needed some tweaking.  Phoebe said her hands were still cold, so I made a second pair of mittens and inserted them inside to make lined mittens.  Also, the mittens were literally falling off Phoebe's hands, so I put some elastic at the wrist to help them stay on. 

Now, finally, the mittens do what they're supposed to do.  And they make me laugh every time!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all, in whatever way you celebrate or not.