love

A special day to celebrate love and giving, yes, it’s one of my favorites. I love the colors ♥ crafts ♥ the tiny signed cards ♥ the handmade mailboxes and it comes during the slow time of winter when you are just about ready for Spring. I always sign up for the class party in hopes that I will be chosen to lead a craft. This year I was in my daughter’s 2nd grade class.

This idea has been roaming around in my creative thoughts for a while. I didn’t invent the concept, they are pretty popular, but to prepare this project for a group of 23 kids, without spending a ton of money and to be completed in 20 minuets…that took some figuring.

My husband and my jig maker, Engineer, woodworker and calculator, usually cuts the wood for my projects. I was on a tight schedule and he has been so busy lately, that I just did it myself, because I could! (although I know he would have helped in a heartbeat). I found some 2″x4″ wood scraps out in the garage (from our current house renovation–my new studio) and used it to make a prototype—>it worked! I then found a full 2″x4″, cut it up into pieces on the miter saw and gave each one a light sanding. I liked the dimensions of the wood block because it could stand up on its own, no need to add hangers. While cutting, I was feeling thankful for my college professor, who taught us how to correctly use a miter saw in Painting 1 to make our own stretchers. A stretcher is the wood frame under the canvas.

Next step was hammering wire nails into the block in a heart shape. I then tied on a pre-measured length of yarn so each kit would be ready to go. This may look and sound like a lot of preparation, but it actually didn’t take a ton of time. All supplies for the entire project only cost around $13!

Even though it took some time to get the hang of it, every student loved this project! I agreed with them that it was challenging but told them I knew they could all complete it if they tried their best, and you know what?, they ALL did. After looking at my prototype, one boy came right out and told me that he didn’t think he could do it. After several attempts, he finished his piece! I could tell how proud and accomplished he felt. I like to challenge the kids just enough, the end results are more rewarding, for them, and me. I think these came out beautifully and the kids were pleasantly surprised with their work!

the prototype and supplies

wood block with wire nails

I ended up making 25 kits, I always like to have a few extra.

detail

They couldn’t stop looking at, holding and rearranging their finished work! 🙂

some of the final pieces all together