Heart of Grass

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
New sponge
Grass seed
Plant mister
Plastic wrap
Paper
Colored marker

Time needed: Weekend Project
1. Trace around a heart-shaped cookie cutter onto a new sponge, then cut out the shape. Rinse the sponge well to remove any pretreated disenfectant, then let dry.

2. Dampen the sponge slightly, then put it inside the cutter.

3. Sprinkle grass seed onto the sponge, spritz with a plant mister, then cover with plastic wrap. Place the heart on a saucer so dampness won't seep through.

4. Make a card with care directions using paper and a colored marker to attach to the plant. Remove plastic wrap when shoots appear. Spritz with water daily and mow as necessary.

Carrot stamp Catepillar

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Carrot
Paring knife
Pencil
Acrylic paints
Paper plates
4- by 6-inch white index card
Paper towels
Markers

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Create the heart stamp (a parent's job): choose a nice big carrot and cut it in half. Use the pencil to etch a heart shape into the cut surface, then carve away the surrounding carrot with a paring knife.

2. Spread a different color of paint on each paper plate

3. Have your kids print a chain of hearts to make the caterpillar on the index cards. Blot the carrot on a paper towel before switching colors.

4. After the paint dries, use markers to add legs, a face, antennae, and a valentine message.

Vintage Valentine

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Hole punch
Twelve 5 1/2-by 8 1/2-inch sheets of sturdy paper
Thin ribbon
Glue
Photos
Paper doilies
Stickers

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Punch two holes in the 8 1/2-inch edges of each piece of paper. Lay two of the pieces next to each other and tie them together with short lengths of ribbon. Tie each piece of paper to another piece until you have a chain of all 12.
2. Arrange and glue the photos on the paper sections. Then glue on decorations and label the photos with handwritten messages.
3. To make the card stand up, tie together the first and last sections of the card, arranging the panels into a star shape.

Easy Chocolate truffles

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 12-oz. bag semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Chopped walnuts, nonpareils, unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut or grated chocolate
Candy wrappers

1. In a heavy saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until it begins to boil. Reduce the heat and slowly add the chocolate chips, stirring constantly until the chocolate has melted.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square pan and cool at room temperature. Then freeze for 2 to 3 hours until firm. Scoop the chocolate from the pan and shape into 1-inch balls.
3. Roll each truffle in either chopped walnuts, nonpareils, cocoa powder, coconut or grated chocolate and then place in a candy wrapper. Return to the freezer until the balls have set. Serve chilled. Makes about 40 balls.

TIP; Adults can do the cooking part and kids at any age can have a "ball" rolling the choclate into balls and then rollong the balls through various coatings!

Spinner hearts

CRAFT MATERIALS:
White paper plate
Salad spinner
Scissors
Paint

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Simply place a paper plate flat in a salad spinner, dribble in any water-based paint, and start cranking the handle.

2. Remove from the spinner, let dry overnight and cut into a heart shape (use specialty scissors to make a fancy border.)

3. Inscribe the back to your valentine. You can even place a stamp on the back and mail your sweet nothings to delighted grandparents.

Finger painted Hearts

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Plain card
Finger paints
Ribbon
Scissors
Glue
Newspaper

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Let your artist whip up a batch of finger paintings. (You may want to create a personal workspace with by laying out some newspaper)

2. Let the paint dry and then cut various heart shapes from the finger paintings.

3. Glue the hearts onto a plain card, along with ribbon or other finery (save one heart to glue onto the back of the envelope).

Splatter cards

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Paper
Smocks
Newspaper
Old toothbrush
Watercolors

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Fold a piece of paper into a card shape, and from additional paper, cut simple heart shapes

2. (This stage is messy, so kids should wear smocks and work in an easy-to-clean spot.) Lay the shapes in position, put the card on newspaper and, with an old toothbrush, splatter with watercolors.

3. Wait until the paint is dry, then remove the shapes and inscribe.