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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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January 24, 2014

5 Minute Valentine Craft and Free Printable

Valentine-card-crafts-for-kids from atthepicketfence.com


We’re so excited to be welcoming back our fabulous contributor Julie who’s sharing an easy-peasy craft with us today as part of our ongoing Take 5: 5 Minute Crafts series!

5 minute craft graphic

Hi there At the Picket Fence friends! I’m so excited to drop in today with a 5-minute Valentine craft to help your kids share some love with friends, classmates, or teammates next month.

Heart Balloon

I love exchanging valentines but as my kids (and their class sizes) have grown I’ve realized that homemade valentines are only possible for us if they are fast, cheap, and easy.  And since we are still working through our Halloween loot, a few non-edible valentines in my kids’ mailboxes are a welcome sight.

Heart Print Balloon

Supplies Needed

Valentine-themed balloons (I’ve found them at Target, Walmart & Amazon)

Valentine printable

Card stock

X-Acto knife or scissors

Assembly

After printing & cutting out the Valentine printable on card stock, use an Xacto knife or the edge of your scissor to cut a small slit above the word “SOAR” and insert a balloon.

With Valentine assembly this easy, the hardest part might be getting your kids to sign their name thirty times!

Valentine Balloons header

 I’ve created a Printable version of the “You Make My Heart Soar” card and I’m happy to share it with you here!

valentine printable

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE

Thanks for joining me for a Take 5 craft today and I’ll look forward to meeting you here at the Fence again soon,

Julie Signature

15 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Five Minute Crafts, Good Ideas, Kids, Valentine's Day Tagged With: crafting with kids, kids, kids crafts, Valentine's Day

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna says

    January 24, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    What a cute idea! I think I’ll make these with my daughter because she’s at the age where balloons are the greatest thing since fruit snacks!

    Thank you!

    Anna

    Reply
  2. Carol Reddin says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    Absolutely adorable! Maybe for my “grand” ones?

    Reply
  3. Mimi says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    I love the idea of quick projects like this. I could have used this project when my kids were young, because I’m from the school of “we make everything by hand.” Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    OH, I am TOTALLY with you on being HAPPY to receive the non edible Valentines. Our kids eat a Low Sugar, Gluten Free diet. So we SMILE and LOVE these kind of Valentines. These are SO cute and I can’t wait to get the download and start printing. 🙂

    SIDE NOTE: Is it just me or where our Valentines growing up MOSTLY cards, with some candy Occasionally thrown into the mix. I think I was robbed growing up 😉

    xoxo

    Reply
  5. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:23 AM

    *WERE not *Where

    Reply
  6. Kimberly Sneed says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:29 AM

    Oh my goodness I LOVE this idea! Such a cute valentine! xo

    Reply
  7. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    January 24, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    These are so fun!! Pinning! xo

    Reply
  8. Trish @ Uncommon says

    January 24, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    Love these… so adorable!

    Reply
  9. Beth@Unskinny Boppy says

    January 24, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    These are so cute! I wish I could do something like this but there is a latex allergy at my son’s school so no balloons allowed. I’ll come up with something else, but I love yours!

    Reply
  10. Thistle says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    You are the best! These are so cute! Love the font you used!

    Happy day to you!
    kariannne

    Reply
  11. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 24, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    There are so many wonderful DIY valentines out there and these two are at the top.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  12. LUCY says

    January 25, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    This is so adorable…I love the idea and love that it’s not candy…:)

    Reply
  13. Laura @ Finding Home says

    January 26, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    Super cute idea – and what a fun play on words, I am so bad at coming up with those! But I guess I don’t have to because you did it for me with a printable! Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Mr. Kate | roundup: DIY valentine’s day cards says:
    February 3, 2014 at 6:02 AM

    […] via: masonjarcraftslove.com, paper-source.com, indulgy.com, hometalk.com, atthepicketfence.com, notonthehighstreet.com, our-everyday-art.com, etsy.com, fancy-deco.com, star wars and lord of […]

    Reply
  2. DIY Valentines with Printables | Mommy Connections says:
    February 4, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    […] You Make My Heart Soar (with Balloon Insert) […]

    Reply

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I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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