Bug and I worked on a fun craft project today. I call it “recycling art”. I got the idea from Bethany Actually’s super pretty Valentine cards. I didn’t use tin foil and tissue paper but I did re-purpose Baby Bug’s art into hearts on cards. It was really fun for both of us.

The day before I let Baby Bug “water color” some pieces of paper in her high chair. For some reason she hasn’t quite figured out that you put the paint brush in the water, then in the paint and then on the paper. She likes to put the brush in the paint, mix it around in the water to make soup and then put it on the paper. Sadly she makes a soppy mess of everything and there is no changing her mind about it.

Instead of throwing her art out, like I do so many times, I set it on the counter to dry. Amazingly, the soggy wet paper dried into these really pretty watery pieces of art. I liked the colors. There is nothing prettier than turquoise melting into blue and purple. As long as I keep her away from the black, she creates beautiful watery masterpieces.

So today I let her play with my stamp collection and stamp the now dry water-colored paper. That was a kick in the pants. I forgot how much kids like stamps. Or stamp pads I should say. She tried a number of tricks, including but not limited to stamping her fingers and face in the stamp pad. The only problem is the stamp pads are not made with washable ink like all the other art supplies I let her use. And of course she’s wearing her brand new birthday shirt from Grandma. What was I thinking?!!

While I cleaned Baby Bug up (I think the shirt will be okay) and put her down for a nap, Pounce took over. He did a very nice job don’t you think?

Just kidding. I cut out all those hearts.

I was going to cut out fish shapes to go with the under water colors but I guess the Eiffel Tower stamps and Valentines being around the corner got the best of me. I’m a hopeless romantic. Plus my fish shapes looked horrible. I’ll have to save that idea for another day.

Then I made a bunch of them because everything is a production with me. I can’t help myself. I have a lot of thank you notes to write (oh yeah, that’s what these are for. I forgot to mention that earlier) but I’m sort of hoping a few will be left over so I can sell them in my etsy shop. Forget hopeless romantic. I’m just a hopeless entrepreneur/show-off (there has got to be a better word for that but I cannot think of it).

Naturally, we had to have a proper photo shoot. And then Baby Bug woke up and that was the end of that.

I probably shouldn’t be posting about these yet since I don’t quite have the packaging figured out but I’m anticipating a busy day tomorrow and I know I better put them up while I’m still suffering from insomnia. Actually I’m not suffering. I like being up at night. I’m probably just not going to like it very much tomorrow morning though. Heh.

So anyway, these are my valentags! They’re five bucks in my etsy shop. Flat rate shipping for everybody! Woo Hoo! There are twelve unique designs. I’m throwing in three sets of each so you get 36 cards in all. I’m not sure if I’m going to wrap them in pink tulle and a ribbon or translucent paper bands and a sticker like I did the holiday gift tags. Hopefully, I’ll have a minute tomorrow (while Baby Bug is watching her three hours of morning cartoons) and I’ll quickly take pictures and post them.

Or maybe I won’t. Because….

Tomorrow is BABY BUG’S pseudo birthday party! I’m going to make a green cake (or cupcakes, not sure which) and buy some green balloons. Just those two things alone should pack our day with fun. I’m actually not being sarcastic. Baby Bug has practically gone spastic every time we’ve seen balloons in the last few days. It’s going to be great. Especially since the best place to buy balloons around here is the TOY STORE!!! So maybe a toy might accidentally get bought along with the balloons.. it’s her birthday after all!

Then our two relatives will come over and we’ll have pizza and party like it’s 1999! Or until bath time. Nothing kills a party like bath time.