I’ve mentioned before that we aren’t big into Valentine’s Day around this house.  That said, we aren’t fun killers either and our children do fully participate in the Valentine fun at school. (I’m the Mom signed up to bring a fruit tray to the party… any ideas on making a super fun fruit presentation, please share!)

Recently I visited with Oregon’s own Kate Rosenthal, owner of Stubby Pencil Studios.   She started Stubby Pencil out with these amazingly adorable, DIY, Color N Kids Cards.  (Shown here with a set of Soy Crayons, 8 count for $1.00.)  The Valentine version of the cards come in a set of 12 for $7.95.  I adore that these cards come in a variety of images and sayings so there is something appropriate for everyone in class, a “love ya” for the BFF and a “cool dude” or “smile” for less close classmates.  I’m a firm believer in taking a Valentine for each child in the class (it’s part of our “love for all” family promotion).  

Since the cards are printed on white, 100% Post Consumer Recycled cardstock, with black outlined images, your child has the choice to color one for each classmate or to allow the recipient to color. I think giving each child a blank card and an 8 pack of soy crayons is a great idea!… Did you know that regular crayons NEVER break down?  That’s right, all those old crayons will sit in a landfill from now until forever (unless you get crafty and reuse).  Soy crayons will biodegrade.  How awesome is that?

The set of 12 cards also includes brightly colored, Green Seal Certified envelopes.  We decided to give the cards out sans envelope, since they are a typical flat Valentine card. We will be saving the envelopes for another project.  The package comes tied in a pretty ribbon and enclosed in a clear cellophane package. Kate has been using PLA (corn based) cellophane type wrappers because they are biodegradable.  She has recently found a supplier for a wood pulp based cellophane (the way it was made before plastic become the wonder wrap).  Some of the card packs come inside a brightly colored paper envelope, because paper is recyclable, of course. 

Even better news, the Color ‘N Kids cards aren’t just for V-Day.  Stubby Pencil Studios offers a variety of (folder) cards for all occasions. We LOVE the Thank You card pack, because who doesn’t appreciate a personal Thank You?  On the back of each folder style card is a “colored by” and “age” area so Grandma and Grandpa will always be able to look at the card and remember when it was made for them. 

My daughter enjoyed coloring each card for her classmates using water color ecopencils… and it gave us an activity for three different evenings.  Even my eight year old son and daughter proclaim their love for these cards and enjoyed helping their sister color.   

Currently, Stubby Pencil Studios is offering a free pack of 24 colored pencils with an order of three packages of Color ‘N Kids cards.  Any order is eligible to receive a free wooden key chain from Plan Toys (just add to cart before check out). 

Another great Valentine “card” option is to use the Green Apple Trianglular Pencils.  Give each classmate one pencil (a pack of 10 is $4.50) tied with a ribbon or rafia near the top.  Add beads, buttons or other decorative items on one side of the ribbon and a heart shaped note on the other end.  Use a cute saying such as “Valentine, You’re All WRITE!”.