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
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
These are super cute!! I love that it was all supplies you had on hand!
Super cute! Crafts that don’t require new supplies are my favorite =)
I find contact paper perfect for open-ended collages – and very low-maintenance for busy parents like myself.
So much fun I need to get some doilies
So great. I love the way the tissue paper looks.
Great way to use up all the extra bits!
Collages + Kiddos = Creativity!!!
Just adorable!
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/
We are in need of a few new placemats around here. This is perfect!!
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!
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!
I love this idea! You come up with the cutest ideas!