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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 8, 2013

Hearts Made of Clay for Valentine’s Day

Clay Heart Tag2 At the Picket Fence

I have a confession to make.

I don’t buy my husband anything for Valentine’s Day. Not even a card. And he doesn’t buy me anything either. Not even a card.

Do you still like me? I promise there’s a good reason for this!

You see, in the beginning we were poor. As in, root around in the car seat cushions looking for loose change so we could do laundry poor. We decided then that Valentine’s Day was a sweet idea but that we didn’t need to do anything extra for each other on that day to show our love. Although, I might have made him do the dishes. Any excuse for that!

But, then we had some munchkins come into our lives and it all changed. We still don’t buy anything (not even cards!) for each other but we do enjoy taking the opportunity to have fun celebrating this extra-sweet day with the sweetest two kiddos we know.

This year my youngest and I have had fun using homemade modeling clay in two different ways.

making clay hearts

The first was to make these darling Clay Heart Tags. I’m including the recipe for this easy-peasy homemade clay at the bottom of this post.

How to Make a Clay Heart Tag At the Picket Fence

The second way we used our homemade modeling clay was to make Heart Shaped Magnets for my little Miss to give to her classmates at school. She cut out the appropriate number of hearts and we left them to dry overnight.

clay hearts at the picket fence

Then she personalized each one in her own style. Which means that there are some that only have a banana on them. Not sure how she made the correlation between Valentine’s Day and fruit but I don’t ask questions. 😉

coloring clay heart magnets

Then I glued a small magnet to the back of each heart. I used superglue but you could also use hot glue. It just needs to be something stronger than regular craft/school glue.

clay heart magnet

And they are all ready to be delivered to her friends on Valentine’s Day! Maybe we could call this one, “You’re the Apple of My Eye”???

holding clay heart magnet

Print
Homemade Modeling Clay

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Homemade Modeling Clay

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Baking Soda
  • 1 Cup Corn Starch
  • 1 1/4 Cups Warm Water

Instructions

  • Stir together baking soda and corn starch in a saucepan.
  • Add warm water.
  • Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture resembles the consistency of mashed potatoes.
  • Remove mixture and allow to cool on plate or cutting board.
  • Once mixture is cool to the touch begin cutting out shapes and modeling to your heart's content!
  • Air dry overnight.
  • *Unused clay can be stored in refrigerator until next use. Warm up a bit in microwave to soften.
3.1
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/clay-heart-tag-and-magnet/
This recipe is copyrighted by At The Picket Fence

Clay Heart Tag2 At the Picket Fence

As Valentine’s Day draws closer, I think back to those years of scrounging around in the seat cushions for loose change, dates where we had to share meals (we still do that sometimes!) and going window shopping because we couldn’t afford to actually go into the stores. Those were some of the sweetest times in our marriage and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world!

Maybe this year I’ll get my husband a card after all…and tell him just how much those memories mean to me!

Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

38 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Kids, Recipes, Valentine's Day Tagged With: clay crafts, homemade modeling clay, magnets, modeling clay, Valentine's Day

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    February 8, 2013 at 4:54 AM

    These are so adorable, Vanessa. Thanks for the recipe. I think my grands would really enjoy putting it to good use. Is that awesome background in the pictures some of the scrapbook paper that you picked up??? 😉

    Reply
  2. kim says

    February 8, 2013 at 5:12 AM

    Vanessa, we don’t buy anything for Valentine’s either. It is just an over commercialized day to make money for the card, flower and candy companies. We don’t need one special day to let each other know we love each other. Anyway our anniversary is eight days later!

    Great pictures.

    Reply
  3. june says

    February 8, 2013 at 5:37 AM

    So cute – I have friends that teach preschool who may pick up your idea for a school project:)

    We don’t exchange cards, etc at Valentine’s Day either. Did early on in our marriage but weened away. I don’t need Hallmark to tell my husband how much I love him.

    One idea that I came up with years ago and we did for a long time was to journal a note every year in a journal we kept in our nightstand. This was for any holiday or even just I care/love you note:)

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    February 8, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    Such sweet little hearts! And what treasures, will be able to keep these forever…sweet!

    Reply
  5. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    February 8, 2013 at 6:00 AM

    What a great project, Vanessa! Kid friendly, too! I have got to try doing some clay tags. Yours is the second post I’ve read this week that has me wanting to try it.`

    Reply
  6. Paula@SweetPea says

    February 8, 2013 at 6:13 AM

    What a cute project! I’d love to make some of these with my class at school.

    Reply
  7. jp says

    February 8, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    Vanessa, thanks for the cute little project to do with my grands, sometime…pinned it to my DIY board for future reference and passing along!
    Hugs,
    JP

    Reply
  8. Cynthia says

    February 8, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    These are very cute, thanks for the recipe and sharing.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  9. Laura @ Finding Home says

    February 8, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    So sweet Vanessa. I remember those days too! Thanks for the recipes- I have always wanted to try this. And your daughter’s are adorable. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Pam @ DIY DESIGN FANATIC says

    February 8, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    Love these Vanessa! I was wanting to make a little something for my girls but didn’t know what. Going to make these this weekend, so thanks! Btw, my husband always brings us girls flowers and I buy See’s chocolate hearts every year (they are only available at Valentine’s day), but we don’t buy gifts for each other. My husband always cooks dinner for me, as well.

    Reply
  11. Chenoa says

    February 8, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    Love these! So cute! Might have to make these with the kiddos – or just have you over to show me!

    Reply
  12. Miriam@bebookbound.blogspot.com says

    February 8, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    Oh Vanessa, I am such a cheapskate that I always say “The best gift you could give me would be to not spend money.” So we don’t do the gift thing either. 🙂 I think a card is a lovely idea that even my cheapskate heart can wrap itself around. I adore those little tags. If I get REALLY motivated, we might follow suit 🙂

    Reply
  13. Michael Reddin says

    February 8, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    Adorable hearts! What a creative mother and daughter! Of course, I’m a bit biased!

    Mom

    Reply
  14. Ashley Rane Sparks says

    February 8, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Thanks so much for this recipe. Once I made something similar to this and let my kids play with it in the backyard. When I went out to check on them they had smeared it into the stucco on the back of our house! It took me months to get the hardened clay off of that wall. (Oh well, live and learn!)

    Happy Valentines Day!

    Ashley Rane

    Reply
  15. Lizz says

    February 8, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Your hearts are adorable thanks for sharing the recipe, I’m going to make some tonite with the stepkids! Have a great weekend ladies 🙂

    Reply
  16. Judy Clark says

    February 8, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    I love the idea of making those hearts for gifts. Cute and she seem to really be enjoying making them. We don’t do gifts or cards either. Maybe dinner out, but even that has gotten to where it’s so crowded it’s not worth it. Not that we don’t really love each other, it’s just gotten to a point where we don’t have to have the cards and gifts to know it. That comes with old age. LOL

    Judy

    Reply
  17. The Rosegarden in Malevik says

    February 8, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    Hi Vanessa
    Thanks for sharing…..Lovley idea 🙂
    and do not miss…

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y

    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    it is FUN 🙂
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

    Reply
  18. Michele says

    February 8, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    SO CLEVER!!

    What a great idea.

    And don’t feel bad – hubs and I ignore most holidays and give to one another (and for ourselves) year – round, and tend to lose the stress of the holidays by doing so.

    His birthday is March 7th so I tend to wait till then anyway to spoil him occassionally – most of the time we remain giftless and to be honest we prefer it that way.

    Hugs.

    Reply
  19. Thistle says

    February 8, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    What a sweet post! And Vanessa…..your photography is off-the-charts. 🙂

    Have a great day rock star!
    karianne

    Reply
  20. aimee says

    February 8, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    So beautiful and the photos are amazing xxx

    Reply
  21. Jill Flory says

    February 8, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Love the heart magnet idea for valentines for school kids! that is just great. And your photos of the flowers are just gorgeous! Did I see on fb that you got a 50mm lens? I’m gettin one too – just need to get it ordered 🙂
    And we don’t really do much for Valentines either. Sometimes I make my hubby a card, sometimes he thinks of getting one. But we usually feel like there are so many other things to spend the money on! I would love it if he’d do something fun for me some year though!!

    Reply
  22. Bonnie says

    February 8, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    My DH and I, have been married for 49 years, and I remember when we first married. I received one rose, and I was so very happy that he was so sweet…
    which was awesome. it was all we could afford. Since then,years later, I have received diamonds, and as much as I LOVE the gifts I now receive, I will never forget that single rose…from years ago…

    Reply
  23. Betty Whatley says

    February 8, 2013 at 5:57 PM

    Vanessa I just wanted to say thanks for sharing with us what love is all about, not the cards and boxes of candy. I remember those days also and am so thankful for them. I am glad that you brought back the memories for me and so many others. If people would just remember things like that I believe it would be less divorces and unhappy people in this world. What spcial things to teach your children and doing things with them that you just can’t buy. By the way just write your husband a note on a piece of paper that your children can paint and put it on the kitchen table. I think he would probably appreciate that more than a card. Thanks again and “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.”
    Betty Whatley

    Reply
  24. Jackie says

    February 8, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Vanessa, love your hearts & really liked your mug, too! Something quick & easy that I think I can try 🙂 My hubby & I do only cards at holidays and special occasions. We try to make every day count. God bless! Jackie

    Reply
  25. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    February 9, 2013 at 4:56 AM

    Love these really cute hearts and what a great idea. We don’t do Valentine’s either, but maybe this year. Great memories. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  26. Sue says

    February 9, 2013 at 6:13 AM

    What a sweet story about your young married life. Yes,we too, started out “poor.” Makes me appreciate what we have now, that’s for sure. I like your smooth looking dough- in the past, I’ve only made a salt dough, which tends to have a rougher texture. like that your daughter just decorates her items in her own style- shows she is an “individual.” 🙂

    Reply
  27. Sue says

    February 9, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    What a sweet story about your young married start in life. We,too, were “poor” when we first started out- makes me appreciate all that we are blessed to have now. Love that your daughter decorated her hearts using her own style- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 🙂 I also like the look of this smoother dough. My salt dough recipe produces a rougher texture.

    Reply
  28. Karen says

    March 14, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    Just a quick question, does anyone think you could add a bit of food colouring to make coloured hearts? Would that work?

    Reply
    • Deborah carlson says

      January 31, 2014 at 5:33 AM

      I was wondering that too! Lol

      Reply
  29. Debbie says

    January 8, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    beautiful! we don’t buy gifts either 🙂

    Reply
  30. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    January 16, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    This project is so cute — and I love how it looks dressing up your mason jar vase! And speaking of mason jars … would it be okay to feature this on Mason Jar Crafts Love?

    Let me know!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
    • Heather says

      January 16, 2014 at 1:10 PM

      Totally okay Linda! We’re always honored to be featured by you! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Deborah carlson says

    January 31, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    These are simply beautiful!
    You had me at “hearts”!
    I will have to try these…and the ones with the magnets for the little ones are so cute! How fun!
    Thank you!

    All my heart,
    Deborah xo

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Speedlink Saturday: Feb 16/13 says:
    February 16, 2013 at 3:32 AM

    […] still in a Valentine heart mood, so here's another link that caught my eye this week: little clay heart tags by At the Picket Fence.  There's also a recipe for making your own […]

    Reply
  2. Clay Heart Tags | Mason Jar Crafts Love says:
    January 20, 2014 at 3:31 AM

    […] can find out how to make your own clay tags at At The Picket Fence.  Just click here […]

    Reply
  3. Mason Jar Valentine Ideas | Mason Jar Crafts Love says:
    February 2, 2014 at 3:31 AM

    […] 11. Clay Heart Tags from At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  4. Valentine Craft Ideas With Mason Jars | Mason Jar Crafts Love says:
    February 13, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    […] 15. Clay Heart Tags from At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  5. Mother’s Day Gift Ideas says:
    May 3, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    […] Clay Heart Tags from At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
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I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

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Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

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What’s the weather like where you are?
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Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

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Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
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