So many clever grandmothers out there!  And Gramma Kathy is one of them.

She commented on my Pillow Pal post (lovely alliteration there, eh?) and mentioned the mailboxes that she made for her grandchildren.  Intrigued, I scurried over to her site and was absolutely delighted!   Since I think her idea is a ‘must see’, I’m linking to it from here (with her blessing, of course).

She found darling little mailboxes at Target that she decorated with fun stickers.  She also put her granddaughter’s names on the boxes.  When the granddaughters come for a visit, they can check their mailbox.  If the flag is up, they have mail. (Grandma’s ‘mail’ were bracelets, socs, stampers, and necklaces.  It could even be candies or coupons for activities to do with grandma.)

Isn’t that the greatest idea ever?  She also has a wonderful idea of how to handle mail items that are too big to fit into the mailbox.  Read all about it on her Sealed With a Kiss.

So, for all of you organized grandmothers out there that are prepared for holidays weeks in advance, here is something that you can do for Valentine’s Day for your grandchildren.

Robert Sabuda is a children’s book illustrator.  And creator of pop-up books.  His website offers simple pop-ups you can make. This would be an easy, great, and inexpensive activity to do with your grandchildren.

He has several Halloween pop-ups: a witch, bat, and this endearing Frankenstein.  He also has pop-up directions for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valetine’s Day.

Folding the pop-up turkey would keep grandchildren busy while grandma is wrestling the turkey in the kitchen.  Older grandchildren can supervise younger grandchildren in the making of these pop-ups if the turkey in the kitchen starts winning the battle against grandma . . .).

Funny how things just come your way when you really aren’t seeking them. Like more ideas of things to make for Valentine’s Day. It might be getting too close to Valentine’s Day to do some of these things. If so, make note of them and then you’ll be prepared for next year!!

I’ve got to say up front that I am not crafty. (My husband say’s I’m shifty . . . but not crafty . . . what a play on words . . . ) However, I have discovered The Artful Crafter’s web site. If you click on the posts for February, you’ll find lots of fun Valentine’s Day ideas.  You’ll find ideas for etching hearts on glasses, a Valentine pillar candle, and a fun, fun, fun, crayon heart card.  Plus more!

The Craft Elf has some easy projects that you could do with your grandchildren:  beaded heart pin, heart magnets, heart head band, Valentine person, a door hanger, and more.

	Here are directions for pin weaving hearts to be used on a card.  I’m thinking that all of you clever grandmas out there could also think of ways to use the hearts instead of putting them on cards.  I’m new to this pin weaving thing . . . you might be too.  If so, you can take a lesson from the Craft Connection.
	Crafty I’m not. But I am a seamstress. Albeit not too currently involved in sewing. However, I do believe that I could make this darling raggedy heart pillow! If you click on the link at the bottom of the page, it will take you to more fun raggedy projects to make: heart coasters, button heart pillow, and a candle mat.

Enjoy!
Digi-Gram

Last year, I showed how to make a woven heart for Valentine’s Day. (See the picture shown here.) When I transferred my grandmothering ideas from my other hosting company to this one, that information got lost in the transfer. So, I thought that I would post it again this year.

Here are the directions for the woven hear. It is a PDF file that you can print up and follow to help you make your own.

I have also seen some pretty heart shaped boxes that I think would be fun to make with your granddaughters.

	Go here to make this ‘modern day’ keepsake box.
	Go here to make this Victorian looking keepsake box.
	Go here to make this heart shaped box covered with colorful tissue paper. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the directions.)

I hope this gives you a couple of ideas of fun activities you can do with your granddaughters. Throw in lots of hugs, kisses, giggles, and of course conversation heart candies and you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy Valentine’s Day,
Digi-Gram