Valentines holders

When I was in first grade (32 years ago...yikes!!) we made these valentine holders in class. It was something I remembered when I started teaching 13 years ago and have enjoyed doing with my class over the years. Every time we make them, the kids are beyond excited, knowing that they are making something special for themselves. When they find out that they will actually be sewing for this project, the level of giddiness goes through the roof ( girls & boys both!)

The heart is made from felt and is sewn with yarn around the edges, leaving an opening at the top for valentines or other goodies. There is a little handle at the top but it's more for looks than anything else. By the time these hearts get loaded with cards and treats, they're pretty heavy. The size of the finished heart is about 12 inches across and maybe 8 or 9 inches high. I use puffy paint to add the kids' names to the hearts. I usually have a parent helper sit with the kids as they sew and help if they get a knot or the yarn comes loose from the needle. The kids end up being pretty good little sewers. More than a few times, the boys have done a better job than the girls! haha!

Well, my class has finished sewing their hearts and I've put all their names on them. Now we just have to wait until Valentine's Day to fill them!