Watercolor Valentines

Today we finished our Valentine's Day cards. I recently saw this tutorial for watercolor resist cards on Grow Creative that shows how to make homemade Valentine's Day cards. My kids loved it, even my little guy who isn't usually that interested in the creative projects I plan for him and his sister. Now we have another way to make homemade Valentines for my kids to give their friends, teachers, and loved ones!

I usually do involved projects like this in stages with my kids. So, on Friday the kids used white crayons and stencils to create a variety of designs. Today, Saturday, we pulled out the paints and they added beautiful colors to the cards.

After painting the first few Valentines, we started to wonder why the crayons weren't resisting the paint as much as they should. We could barely see the hearts on the one above...or the sun and kitten in the other. At first I thought our crayons weren't quality enough, but then we tried using the crayon on a new card and painting it right after.

This worked much better! So I strained to see the shapes and designs on the unpainted-but-already-designed-cards and traced over the work my children had done the day before.

I love the effect. I love that my kids didn't stick with only the traditional hearts for their Valentine's Day cards, but used a variety of shapes from our stencils...circles, stars, squiggles, even a Christmas holly leaf to make a shooting star!

They did some Valentine hearts, too. This one looks like a bleeding heart...unintentional, of course.

My kids really enjoyed watching the colors mix, watching the shapes emerge, and making the Valentines special for each person!

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I'm linking up to these fabulous parties!

I learned how to...

...KNIT!

I'm so excited because a knitting group has just started up at my local Hobby Craft! So, I went on Tuesday and learned how to knit! It's going to be great to meet with this wonderful group of experienced knitters (and crocheters!). It will be nice to have to help when I get into trouble with my knitting as I have in the past and am sure I will again. It's just not as easy for me to hold two needles as opposed to one hook!

I also finished one of last week's WIPs: my very own pair of fingerless gloves. I was so eager to get them finished so that I could wear them. My ones (bought not handmade) from last year were really thin and falling to pieces.

These ones aren't perfect because I rushed, but I'm confident that they will still last longer than the cheapies I bought on the high street.

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I'm linking up to these fabulous parties!

Valentines Day Cup Sleeves & Two New Hats

Here's a look at our newest listings in our shop, Sunshine Makings. First, we've got two new colours of crocheted hats. I have to mention that there is only one of the multicoloured hat and as of now I don't have the materials for another one. So, if you like it, then now is your chance to have a truly uniquely colourful crocheted hat!

Click Pink Crocheted Hat to see it in the shop.

Click Multicoloured Crochet Hat to see it in the shop.

Second, (surprise!) we've got more coffee sleeves. These are extra special with heart buttons that make them even more perfect for Valentine's Day! There are 7 colour choices for the sleeves and a few choices of buttons, too.

Click Pink Love Heart Sleeve to see it in the shop.

Click Love Heart Cup Sleeve to see it in the shop.

Click Love Heart Cup Sleeve to see it in the shop.

And remember, I'm offering a January discount to anyone who follows my blog! Just enter the code: SSBLOG to receive a 10% discount at Sunshine Makings anytime in the month of January.

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I'm linking up to these fabulous parties!

Wednesday WIP

 I haven't been able to finish anything in the last week, so I thought I'd show some Wednesday WIPs (works-in-progress).

WIP 1: is a hat for King Damascus. The first one was way too big. The hat pictured is too small. I think I'll get it on my third try...with different yarn. We wanted something eco-friendly and bought this recycled yarn on Ebay. I don't think it was meant for hats, but would work well for cup cosies or dishcloths or other similar items. Keep an eye out for recycled cotton cup cosies and sleeves in my shop soon because I don't want this to just sit in my yarn drawer for the next 5 years.

WIP 2: is a skein of yarn waiting to be a hat. Pink! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

WIP 3: is almost one wrist warmer for me. I'm going to attempt to add a flap because I like my fingers to stay warm when I'm walking to and from school, but I'm constantly needing my fingers to do other necessary things like use my phone and open my Burts Bees.

WIP 4: is to learn how to use my new machine that was a total surprise from KD! This was my absolute favorite Christmas present, even though I know I probably said the same thing about the Stitch Bible. It's true. I have two favorites. I just haven't had a chance to sit down and learn how to this one yet. It's going to the very top of my to-do list next week.

I hope all these are no longer WIPs next week!

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