These Valentine collage placemats are the perfect excuse to use up leftover craft supplies, and there is very little post-clean up involved. I love that it kept Emily happily entertained for a long while, and she has plans to make more of these for grandparent gifts!!
She did almost this entire project on her own, with very little help from me! The idea was to use up materials we already had on hand. Some ideas of things to use are: paint chips, colored paper, junk mail, old magazines, leftover tissue paper, bits of fabric, wallpaper samples, doilies, leftover wrapping paper, lace and ribbon. Emily loved experimenting with all of these!! Cut up your supplies — if the kiddos are old enough, they can do this step themselves. Tear up pieces, or use scissors, a hole punch, whatever you have around the house!
So pretty!!
I cut a sheet of clear contact paper big enough for a placemat. I didn’t measure it, just eyeballed it. I peeled off the backing, and arranged it so the sticky side was up. Emily had so much fun carefully arranging her collage exactly the way she wanted it!
When she was all done, I cut another sheet of clear contact paper to add as the backing — this worked well to “laminate” her Valentine placemat!
I love how they turned out!! This one has a more “Victorian” feel to it with bits of lace and wallpaper…
…. and I love how she arranged the pieces of doilies for this one too!
Set the table with your pretty, one-of-a-kind Valentine collage placemats — they are NOT available in stores everywhere!
Time for lunch!
Have fun!!
I linked this post to:
Friday Craft Day @ Simple as That
January 27th, 2011 on 1:04 pm
Dear Valerie,
With all of the place mats you are making, it sounds like we have some messy eaters. I wonder who the girls get that from? Hmmmmmm?
Love,
Mark
January 27th, 2011 on 1:08 pm
These are super cute!! I love that it was all supplies you had on hand!
January 27th, 2011 on 2:49 pm
Super cute! Crafts that don’t require new supplies are my favorite =)
January 27th, 2011 on 2:49 pm
I find contact paper perfect for open-ended collages – and very low-maintenance for busy parents like myself.
January 27th, 2011 on 3:05 pm
So much fun I need to get some doilies
January 27th, 2011 on 4:06 pm
So great. I love the way the tissue paper looks.
January 27th, 2011 on 4:20 pm
Great way to use up all the extra bits!
January 27th, 2011 on 5:23 pm
Collages + Kiddos = Creativity!!!
January 27th, 2011 on 5:57 pm
Just adorable!
January 27th, 2011 on 7:26 pm
Great way to recycle materials and use up leftover craft supplies! Thanks for all the wonderful activities you share! I gave you an award at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/01/27/your-blog-is-fabulous-award-to-happily-pass-on/
January 27th, 2011 on 9:10 pm
We are in need of a few new placemats around here. This is perfect!!
January 28th, 2011 on 3:14 am
I bought some clear contact today – just had to after reading this post and the leaf necklace post as well. It’s the long summer holidays here Valerie and your blog is the ‘go to’ when my girls are ready for a new activity. Thank you!
January 28th, 2011 on 11:19 am
I LOVE that idea! I’ve just put clear contact paper on my grocery list. It seems like that stuff comes in handy so much!
February 1st, 2011 on 10:52 pm
I love this idea! You come up with the cutest ideas!