Pages

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Little Love Locket







































My daughters each host an intimate annual Valentine's Day party. Grandpa and I have been invited to them, but so far we have declined to attend. So few celebrations on the calendar are exclusive to immediate family. I recall enjoying most that "just-the-five-of-us" feeling at our own candlelit dinner love fests - the girls animatedly sharing details of candy-overloaded classroom parties, counting and comparing cards received. The focus was on them alone....the loves of our lives. Once dinner was picked at long enough, tradition demanded daddy present each of his four (me too!) sweeties with a heart shaped box of chocolates. Love was in the air, and there it stayed until junior high after-school sports practices came along to pre-empt it - all the more reason to make the best of what is at hand now!

Just because we won't be there in person doesn't mean that grandma and grandpa don't send gifts, prizes, and Valentine cards to the parties. That we do, in generous abundance! But I like to contribute something hand made, too. Last year it was a personalized Family Bingo Game with prizes for everybody - inside a big, old Love Bug Party Bag. This year it's a gift for each mommy alone. Something meaningful and pretty for her to wear to the party. A Valentine on a string, if you will. A tidy collection of the cute little faces that make not just February 14th, but each one of her days a celebration of endless fun and love!



I relied heavily on craft punches to make the work quick and easy. It's pretty self explanatory by looking at the photos. Print individual faces in 1" x 1.5" contact sheet size. Accordion fold a strip of paper long enough to glue them all on. Attach first picture to center back of the "locket," fold everything together, and clip to hold with a tiny painted and decorated wooden craft store clothespin. Thread ribbon through a punched hole at top center back. Secure with beads.



14 comments:

  1. Your Valentine's Day tradition must have been wonderful. It sounds so sweet and affectionate. This locket is adorable and I am sure you are very proud to show it off. I really like this idea, it would be perfect for any mom or grandma.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a sweet gift - from the sweetest of them all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yea what SHE said, lol ( JoAnn, above :)

    I want chocolate now.

    Those little photos are so cute...you have some adorable grands! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I started to say how cute this is, but it really needs a bigger adjective - lovely I think is what it needs. It was made with love, sent with love, and will be received with love. And that doesn't even point out those sweet little faces. What a wonderful bunch of sweeties you have. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a sweet and thoughtful gift! Not to mention very crafty! You are the best!

    Valentine's Day is a Friday and just found out today I will spend it all at school! Sorry Grampy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an adorable little craft! Great use of pics! Thanks for linking to the Weekend re-Treat Link Party! xo, S.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a sweet way of letting them have their "just us" space, but also being there in thought and love! You're the best, Joyce! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is so cute! Found you through Creative Corner Blog Hop, and I am so glad I did! New follower, and hope that you visit my little craft blog LifeSimply at http:paulaboudreaux.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is so darling, and what a great idea. Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a comment.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very precious love locket indeed! And I love that closure :) Your heart is full of sweet things.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SWEET!! PINNING. Linda Crafts a la mode

    ReplyDelete
  12. these are adorable! pinning this idea for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

    ReplyDelete