Free Printable: SuperHero Valentine

January 29, 2015 by Shellie Wilson

The upcoming Valentine’s Day is a sweet opportunity to create themed decorations and plot how to deliver secret Valentines. Include kids in the preparations and whether you’re getting ready for a classroom party dessert table or a small family celebration, you’ll have industrious helpers that are as happy about the process as they are for a Valentine event. This free, printable Valentine is a good starting point to spread the love! It can be used as is or it can be embellished by eager artists. Ready to explore some more options?

>>> Click here to download these free valentine printables in a PDF format. <<<<

Before you begin creating Valentine cards, help your kids decide how many people will be receiving their messages of friendship and love. If time and attention spans allow, go beyond the usual list of best friends; everyone likes to know they are cared about! Siblings, grandparents, a lonely neighbor or that favorite checkout person at the grocery store might be included on the list of recipients.

Some kids will know just what they want to make but it’s often helpful to have ideas to suggest. Letting younger children embellish a stack of hearts that you’ve already cut out can be a good starting point, too.

Children don’t need an elaborate studio to create but a well-stocked craft station excites imaginations. Older kids can handle some tools the younger set isn’t ready for, so of course target your audience. Scrapbook papers, cardstock, crayons, markers, paint, feathers, glitter, lace, ribbons, buttons, google eyes…on and on the list can go!

In addition to making Valentines to share, craft decorations too. String hearts on ribbons to hang from the ceiling. Make heart garlands to crisscross a room. Windows, doors, photographs and tabletops need to be embellished for the occasion!

Here are a just a few ideas that can benefit from Valentine fever:
-Decorate (and eat!) heart cookies.
-Create a heart mobile.
-Design silly animals or monsters with only heart shapes.
-Make heart shaped bird treats.
-Use melted crayons or tissue paper for heart sun catchers.
-Hand/footprint art hearts are great keepsakes.
-Make heart wreaths.
-Create homemade play-dough hearts.
-Cut a paper chain of hearts.
-Make heart magnets (using paper, Sculpey, Shrinky Dinks, etc.)

From creating special cards to making any one of the many heart inspired projects, there are lots of fun ideas for crafting with the Valentine theme. Making heartfelt memories with your kids might be the best Valentine project of all!

Stephanie Keeping is a wife to Mike, a mom to a boy named Sam and an Etsy-prenuer. She celebrates boyish charm at Spaceships and Laser Beams, where she talks about all things boy and birthday party.

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Vintage Crochet Baby Dress Pattern Review

There is something especially charming about a vintage baby dress pattern, and this Crocheted Cutie Dress #3112 has all the details that make older crochet designs so appealing.

The dress features a neatly shaped bodice, short sleeves, contrast stripes and a full lace skirt with a scalloped finish. It has that classic heirloom look without feeling overly formal, which makes it suitable for birthdays, family photos, baby showers or simply as a special handmade outfit.

One of the nicest things about this design is the balance between the structured upper section and the much softer, more decorative skirt. The bodice is worked in a simple repeating texture, while the skirt opens into a detailed lace pattern that gives the dress plenty of movement and fullness. The white trim around the neckline, sleeves and hem also helps define the shape beautifully.

The pattern includes instructions for sizes 1 and 2, with the second size shown in parentheses throughout. As with many vintage patterns, the sizing does not line up neatly with modern age labels, so it is important to check the gauge and finished proportions rather than relying on the size number alone.

This would be best suited to an intermediate crocheter, or a confident beginner who is comfortable reading traditional pattern instructions. The design uses chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, colour changes, shaping, repeated lace sections and separate pieces that are sewn together during finishing.

The sleeves and collar are made separately and attached to the completed bodice. The back is finished with three buttons, giving the dress a practical opening while keeping the front clean and decorative.

The original version uses pink and white mercerized crochet cotton, but the design works beautifully in more modern combinations too. Sage and cream give it a soft botanical feel, lemon and white make it fresh and summery, while orange and ivory create a much warmer retro look.

Because the pattern was originally written for vintage crochet cotton and a steel hook, I would strongly recommend making a gauge swatch before beginning. Modern threads and hook-sizing systems can vary, and the bodice needs to fit correctly before the lace skirt is added.

The professionally reformatted PDF is much easier to follow than an unedited scan. It keeps the original stitch counts and construction while improving spacing and readability. It also includes a modern mockup and the original vintage reference image, which is helpful when visualising the finished shape.

Overall, this is a lovely pattern for anyone who enjoys making vintage-inspired baby clothes. The lace skirt is the real highlight, but the striped bodice and matching collar give the finished dress a polished, complete look.