WHAT YOU NEED:
- 1 small pkg. red polymer clay
- 1 small pkg. pink polymer clay
- set of three graduated heart cookie cutters - roughly 1-1/2", 2", and 2-1/2"
- 20 gauge craft wire, approximately 9-10" in length
- wire cutters
- 1 glue stick
- wax paper and tin foil

STEP-BY-STEP:
Following the directions listed on the polymer clay, condition it and roll each color to desired thickness (~3/16") on a piece of waxed paper.

From the red clay, cut 1 large heart and 1 small heart. From the pink clay, cut 1 medium heart. Using the large read heart as the base, stack red, pink, red, pressing them firmly together. Lay on a foil lined cookie sheet.

Wrap one end of the wire around the glue stick, two complete turns, keeping coil tight (so both circles are touching).

Insert the straight end of the wire into the center of the stack of hearts.

Make a very small ball of clay and press it over the other end of the wire to keep it from poking people.

Following temperature and baking time directions listed on the clay, bake photo holder (totally assembled).

Makes 10 photo holders, 5 pink & red, 4 red & pink, and 1 red & red/pink marbled
Adapted from directions printed in Parents Magazine, February 2004

WHAT YOU NEED: - 1 paper plate (solid red or Valentine themed) - variety of hearts cut from red, pink, white construction or decorative paper hearts - heart doilies - curly ribbon (white, red or pink) - scissors - hole punch

Cut random lengths of curly ribbon, one for each hole punched around the plate. Tie one end to a heart, and tie the other end to the plate (note that the natural 'top' of the plate becomes the bo. Continue around the plate, varying the lengths of ribbon, and hearts used. For added interest, curl ribbon.

To make the hanger, tie four equal lengths of ribbon through holes on the bottom of the plate, spacing them evenly around the plates circumference. Tie all four end of ribbon together in a solid knot.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- craft paints in valentine colors (ex.: red, pink, white)
- piece of construction paper (red, pink, or white) with a large heart drawn on it - heart template
- small bubble wrap, large marshmellows, or golf balls
- copy paper box lid (to use with golf balls)
- paper plate

STEP-BY-STEP:
Bubble Wrap (pictured at left). Squirt a small amount of each paint color on to individual paper plates, and spread it around to create thin layer of paint. Place a small 4" square of bubble wrap next to each paint color. Use the bubble wrap as a stamp to decorate the construction paper. Allow paint to dry, cut out heart shape and display.

Large Marshmellows (pictured at right). Squirt a small amount of 2-3 paint colors on to a paper plate. Give your child a marshmellow for each color. Dip the marshmellow in paint, and stamp all over the heart. Allow paint to dry completely, cut out heart shape and display.

Golf Balls. Place paper inside a copy paper box lid. Squirt a very small amount of paint (~3 colors) in different locations along the edge of the box. Drop in the golf balls. Pick up the box and tilt the box from side to side, forward and backward. The idea is to cover the golf balls in paint and track the paint all over your piece of paper. The design is amazing! For added interest, wrap the golf balls in rubber bands, or add a few marbles, and play loud music with a great beat.

* Look around your house for other objects that have fun textures and would make a neat impression with paint.You just might find a gold mine of 'stamps' in your kitchen utensil drawer... an apple corer/slicer, potato masher, egg beater (example at right), all make excellent stamps!