VALENTINE PICTURE FRAME

  Ok  I was browsing again and come across this great project done by Cindy R. at Cricut in the Classroom.  It is saving my life. I have been trying since August to think of a project to do for Mothers Day in my DD's Third Grade class. I wanted something fun, but easy. I also wanted something that would also be personal and unique per child. Well Cindy saved the day. 

Kid Craft - Valentine Picture Frame

I was subbing in a third grade classroom today and they made this cute gift for their parents. There were not any Cricut cuts for the kids to use - only foam piece which was fine too (but a little more expensive). I dumpster dived for some tissue paper scraps, took them home and made one for myself. Of course I "Cricutted" it up some!

What you will need:

1. A clear CD case. This will be the trickiest part - to find the case. Use the ones music CD's come in, not the thinner ones for the computer. The greater depth is has, the more you can add dimension to the inside. Pop the clear center piece out (without cracking it!) so that you just have a top and a bottom.

2. Assorted Valentine tissue paper - solids and prints.

3. Any Cricut cuts you can make - hearts, flowers, butterflies, maybe Cupid...whatever.

4. Glue and glitter. Mod Podge if you want; the the school glue worked great. Stickles if you want or other glitter glue and loose glitter to shake.

Directions:

1. With a paintbrush, spread a thin layer of glue on the inside of the case. I worked one side at a time so that the glue wouldn't dry out.

2. Tear and place the tissue. I spread another thin (thinned with water) layer on top.

3. While still wet, sprinkle glitter.

4. Put together any Cricut cuts you have. The frame was from Accent Essentials and cut at 3" and the large heart was from Don Juan - but really, there are so many to choose from. Glitter to your hearts content.

5. Attach the frame on one side and the heart on the other. I used pop dots.

6. Attach other pieces and embellishments as desired. As you can see, I tied a ribbon on the side.

7. Attach photo to frame.

The third graders did great with theirs. This is a project that even older kids would love to do.

Why this project is better with the Cricut: The teacher had me cutting 32 frames (just the outside) by hand with fancy cut scissors. Not fun I promise. The foam worked fine but did cost money. The Cricut cuts are free(ish) and can be cut from paper on hand.

 Oh, there is a link in the Title of this post to Cindy's blog Cricut in the Classroom. You should go check it out.