PPFK: Valentine's Jewels

• Colored construction paper or posterboard
• Colored crayons, pens, pencils or markers
• Fine sandpaper
• Safety scissors
• Glue, or rubber cement
• Clear nail polish
• Yarn, or twine
• Newspaper to protect your work area
• A crafter's apron or old shirt to protect your child(ren)

  Preparation: Cover the work area in old newspapers or a vinyl tablecloth so that you don't harm your furniture with any accidental spills or other creative mishaps. Gather all supplies and have them ready at the table before you get your child, or if old enough, let them help. If your child is too young to do some of the following steps, have them completed before you bring them to the table, so they won't get impatient. Then bring your child to the table, making sure to put on their craft apron or old "painter's" shirt to protect skin and clothing. An old oxford shirt put on backwards works great and kids can personalize it with paints or iron-ons.

  Step1: Draw a simple shape on the construction paper or posterboard that would make an interesting jewel. Heart shapes are excellent for Valentine's Day and gifts of love, the whole year round. Carefully cut out the shape using your safety scissors.

  Step2: Place the shape on top of the construction paper or posterboard again. Trace the shape and cut it out again. Do this until you have five of the same shape cut out of the construction paper or three cut from the posterboard, choosing papers based on your own personal aesthetic (what you feel looks good).

  Step 3: Glue the shapes one on top of the other. Using rubber cement will help with drying time, otherwise you have to wait for this particular shape stack to dry. If you are waiting for the shape to dry, draw and cut out another shape, making a similar shape stack or do several. This can be used for another jewel.

  Step 4: Once the shape is dry, using the fine sandpaper, carefully sand the edges until they are smooth. This will take care of any excess glue or rough edges due to cutting. Also sand the paper. The more you snad the paper, the brighter the end result will be, however, oversanding can cause the paper to break down. It may take a couple of tries until you find the optimal sanding amount for the way you like your jewels.

  Step 5: Once you have sanded to your liking, brush clear nail varnish over the jewel and wait for it to dry. You will want to coat both sides of the jewel.