LOVE These Valentine's Day Cards!!!

Yesterday we had our firsties make valentines for their families!  

They came out so cute, we had to share the idea with you!

First, we cut white copy paper down to 2 1/2" x 2" rectangles.  Each child needs 4 pieces.  

The students then wrote LOVE on the papers.  One letter went on each rectangle.  

Some students did block letters and some did curly letters. They were all cute!

The simple letters were easier for them to work with in the end!

After writing their letters, students traced over them with marker. 

(We used black, brown, purple, and blue markers
to make sure they could see the letter through the paper.)

Students then placed the paper letter upside down on top of a 2 1/2" x 2" styrofoam rectangle.
 (The letters need to be backwards or mirrored in order for the letter to read correctly once printed.) Using a pencil, students traced over the paper letter, pressing into the styrofoam.
Once they had an indentation, the students went over the lines on the styrofoam so they had a "printing template".  Our Ralphs grocery store sells styrofoam trays!  Just $0.87 for 30 trays!
Who can beat that?
If you don't have a Ralphs chain near you,
 I am sure you can find them at any restaurant supply chain. 

To make the prints, students used acrylic paints.  

 (You can get inexpensive paint at Walmart for 50 cents a bottle.)  

Students painted over their styrofoam letters and then pressed the letters onto a
piece of colored 2 1/2" x 2"construction paper rectangle.  

We let them chose which color paper they wanted to use and had a 

variety of red, pinks, and purples tones.

When the letters dried, students glued them onto a white card.  

 They sell pre-made cards at Michaels or you can make a card
out of construction paper or card stock.  

  

Now we are ready to write our love notes inside the Valentine's Day Cards!  

We hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!