Valentine Inchies

Here is a Valentine project that can be done 2 ways..... the kids can each make up their own collection of "inchies" or each child makes a class set of one type of "inchie" and then the kids do an exchange.

They are kinda of like miniature valentines that the kids can share.

I find that focusing on friendship is the best route with the kids so if you wanted to do a small collection you might include the word "friend" instead of love like I have here.


















MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- watercolor paper or posterboard
- tempera, watercolor, or acrylic paints
- assorted felts, pastels, colored pencils
- book pages, newspaper, paper from your collected stash
- scraps of colored paper
- stamps, embellishments, or whatever you have lying around
- glue
- mounting paper

Now an "inchie" is supposed to be a 1 inch by 1 inch square but I find that a little too small for the kids so I make mine 2X2.

Now if you are having the kids make their own collection you will need to pre cut the squares.  You can also keep a stash of inchies and have the kids make little samples from different art projects you do all year long....Great end of the year project!

If each child is making a class set then you can measure out the squares but leave the paper whole...that way you can make the backgrounds all at once and then cut the squares.

For your backgrounds you can pull out your all your tricks,  plastic cling wrap, bubble wrap, salt, glue stamped, pastel or wax crayon resist, prints.

Once the backgrounds are done and dry you can plan out what you want to put on top, letters to spell out text, symbols, pictures,.......there are endless possibilities.

Here I am using a mini cup to print an "O".

This is metal tape which can then be antiqued.

Mount your collection on a background and you're done!

Give a try and take care.