Valentine's Day Craft Ideas for Handouts

{I want to wish everyone a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR and lots of happy thoughts for good things to come in 2014!}

I woke up about a week ago and for the first time it fully hit me -- the holidays were so ovah! I feel  guilty and regret robbing my kids out of doing the usual fun stuff we do over the holidays. We didn't drive around to see light shows, or go to the zoo; our house elf barely moved off her chair, we didn't make a countdown garland, and our Christmas dinner was store bought (I know!!). With all we've had going on since November my schedule kept me so busy that I wasn't able to keep up with anything but the gift shopping which just so happens to be my least favorite of all holiday activities. 

I did manage to make Christmas sugar cookies with my kids but not until last weekend which was two weeks late and my kids reminded me that we didn't leave any for santa. A funny story, I looked in my freezer and found premade cutout cookie dough and have NO IDEA how it got there. Like literally no idea. Did I buy it or did one of my relatives put it there? I'll probably never know and that is killing me.

My schedule didn't just effect my kids. Since this time last year I had been compiling a list of amazing holiday-related blogs I was going to share with you. How to make lite-fabric garland, paper trees, wreaths, family recipes.... I never found the time to sit down and write them. To make up for my lack of holiday spirit, I am jumping right into the next holiday super early to give you plenty of time to decide which of these amazing Valentines you are going to make. 

I created these to use as Valentine handouts at my kids schools but you can also make them with your kids just for the fun of it.

Rockets

These SWEET rockets are a cheap and easy Valentine for kids to give to classmates or to family members. The printable wrappers say, "You're a blast..." and " You're out of this world..."

For the video tutorial on how to make them, click here.



For the FREE printable wrapper, click here.

Flower Lollipops

These adorable flowers are easy enough to make that the kids can help! The printable leaves have four cute sayings including "Be my bud-dy" and "Our friendship is blooming."

For the video tutorial on how to make them, click here.



For the printable leaves, click here.



For the printable heart / petal template, click here.

Gummy Bear Favor Bags

Are you ready for this bear-riffic idea for Valentine's Day? These unique favor bags give a giant bear hug to friends and family! The printable bag labels include a boy or girl version and say "bear hugs and kisses." 

For the video tutorial on how to make them, click here.



Click here for the FREE girl or boy free printable.

May need to adjust your printer to print the printables correctly.

Christmas Crockpot Candy

Every Christmas I make this candy as part of my cookie trays that I make and giveaway to friends and family. This is so yummy and easy to make! 

Ingredients:
32 oz jar of peanuts
12 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
12 oz bag of chocolate chips
2 - 12 oz bags of peanut butter chips
2 lbs of white almond bark 

Layer all of ingredients in a large crockpot. Turn the crockpot on low, cover with lid, and cook for 2 hours or until chocolate is melted. Remove lid and stir until all of the ingredients are combined. Replace lid and cook for another 30 minutes. Stir again and then spoon mixture onto wax paper or non-stick. Allow to harden for at least 1 hour. YUMMY!

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November 21, 2013 at 12:00am - December 16, 2013 at 12:00am
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Eligibility and Rules: This giveaway runs from 12:00AM ET on November 21, 2013 to 12:00AM ET on December 16, 2013. It is open to individuals over the age of the majority in their home country. The winner will be chosen randomly through the Rafflecopter form. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to adhere to all laws in their respective country, which includes payments to any governing tax body. This giveaway is void in any country where it is prohibited by law.
Claiming Prize: The prize will be sent via PayPal. The winner must claim their prize within 48 hours of receiving notice. If you do not claim your prize within this time frame, your entry will be void and another winner will be drawn. We don't want to have to do that! Please ensure that the email spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com is on your "safe list."
Disclosure: This giveaway is a blogger-sponsored event that is in no way affiliated with PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media channel. If you have questions, email Stephanie at Spaceships and Laser Beams at spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

None of the entries are mandatory but the more entries you do, the more chances you have to win!
(If you're running low on time, you can come back as many times as you like to finish the form and optimize your chances.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yummy Halloween "Finger Sandwiches"

My Halloween menu always includes lots of edible creepy crawlies and gore filled treats. The grosser the better! Go all out this Halloween with my favorite creepy recipe, “Finger Sandwiches”.

I invented this monstrosity purely by accident. If you’re from upstate New York like me chances are you know what a “Speedie Sandwich” is. After moving to Colorado I realized that the rest of the world was missing out on this delectable dish. I made it my mission to recreate the recipe. Once perfected though my kids were not at all fond of the strong flavors that make them so delicious to us grown-ups. So I altered the recipe to make it more sweet and savory, rather than just savory, by adding pomegranate dressing. At first sight my kids (and I have to admit me as well) were not sure about this chicken. As you can see it looks really gross. Like body parts floating in a dish. However once I coaxed them into taking a bite they loved it. I won't be making this for a dinner party any time soon but do plan to serve this every year for Halloween dinner.

Ingredients:

1 package of chicken tenderloins

1 cup pomegranate vinaigrette dressing

¼ cup lemon juice

2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon garlic salt

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

loaf of Italian bread

Make a marinade by whisking together all of the ingredients except for the chicken and bread.  Add chicken to the marinate, cover with a tight fitting lid.  Refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. Chicken is done once the center is no longer pink.

Place one-tenderloin on the bread. Enjoy!

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$1200 Fall Fun Cash Giveaway
October 24, 2013 at 12:00am - November 18, 2013 at 12:00am
Open Worldwide

PRIZE: One winner will receive $1200 USD payable via PayPal
Eligibility and Rules: This giveaway runs from 12:00AM ET on October 24, 2013 to 12:00AM ET on November 18, 2013. It is open to individuals over the age of the majority in their home country. The winner will be chosen randomly through the Rafflecopter form. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to adhere to all laws in their respective country, which includes payments to any governing tax body. This giveaway is void in any country where it is prohibited by law.
Claiming Prize: The prize will be sent via PayPal. The winner must claim their prize within 48 hours of receiving notice. If you do not claim your prize within this time frame, your entry will be void and another winner will be drawn. And that would be such a shame! Please ensure that the email spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com is on your "safe list."
Disclosure: This giveaway is a blogger-sponsored event that is in no way affiliated with PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media channel. If you have questions, email Stephanie at Spaceships and Laser Beams at spaceshipsandlaserbeams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

None of the entries are mandatory but remember that the more entries you do, the more chances you have to win.
(If you're running low on time, you can come back as many times as you like to finish the form and optimize your chances.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FIVE Halloween Decorations Needing THREE Supplies Or Less

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday of the year. Not only do you get to wear a cool costume and pass out candy but it also signifies a change in the season. All the amazing fall colors and cooler weather that make you want to stay inside and get your craft on! Not to mention that it also signifies the end of all my weekend yard work. Even better!

It is not too much longer before the little goblins and princesses hit the streets for Tricks or Treats. Get into the spirit! Here's some easy ideas for decorations that require three supplies or less. That is my kind of craft!

Mummy Blocks

Have some old scraps of wood blocks laying around? Why not turn them into scary mummies! Super easy to make with very few supplies needed. It calls for 2x4 wood scraps but I think if you vary them in height it would make a more interesting display.

For complete instructions on how to make, click here.

Ghosts

These spooky creatures are the perfect party decoration, as they will take up a lot of floor space.  I never would have thought to use paper-bells in this way. So cool! 

For complete instructions on how to make, click here.

 Specimen Jars

This is one of my creations. I have planned many a Mad Scientist party and these are always the hit of the whole shebang. Simply fill a jar with water and add food coloring of your choice. Then place a creepy toy inside (bug, body part, monster, etc.). Let the madness begin!

Ribbon Wreath

This wreath will add a very elegant touch to your door. No sewing required – just tie ribbons into bows around a wire wreath frame.

For complete instructions on how to make, click here.

Tombstone Cupcake Toppers

Make the Hollow evening’s end a sweet one with these eerie tombstone cupcake topped printouts from Chickabug. Bonus: they come with a sweet graveyard cupcake recipe, the perfect treat to sink your teeth into.

For complete instructions on how to make, click here.