Annie's Valentine Box

Right now in Minnesota we have been frozen for a few months.

 

 

I'm talking we are popsicles!!!

 

 

Which is one reason why I LOVE Valentine's Day so much!

It gives us sweet things to think about
& fills our home with love.

 

I mean, do you even know how sweet it is to watch little boys

SITTING STILL cutting out little hearts for his classmates?

 

 

And then there are the Valentine boxes,

Oh, do I love Valentine Boxes!

 

  

 And this year I think it is my favorite!

 

I love the time we spend together,

everyone usually pitches in.

 

 

When we are deciding what to make I just tell the kids,

"Make what you love!"

 

And Annie...well that girl loves Pandas.

 

 

So we made a Panda.

& I had one happy girl.

 

 

Then, today that little roly poly panda got stuffed

with candy and Valentines, and that Panda was pretty happy too.

 

I'll put the directions down below

but for those of you who aren't really into Pandas...

 

Happy Valentine's day!

 

Hope it's filled with lots of love!

Panda Directions

 

Tape down the "stem" of  a mylar balloon. 

(dollar store)

 

 

Paper Mache the balloon.

(Paste is just flour & water)

 

 

 At least 3 layers.

Allow time to dry between layers.

(fans work great)

 

To get it to stand make a little playdough nest.

 

 

Sit the balloon on it & paper mache around the nest.

 

 



 

 

 

When dry remove the playdough.

 

 

Cut a hole for valentines.

 

 

Here comes the tricky part...

Cover the head with a think fleece.

(Hot glue gun & lots of tugging.)

 

 

I got 1 yard of white & 1 foot of black.

It was more than enough.

 

The back is not the prettiest I'll admit.

 

 

 

Next, the ears.

 

Black fleece & sturdy plastic.

 I cut ears out of strawberry containers.

Cut the fleece as shown below, 2 different sized pieces for each ear.

Front small, back longer.



 

Glue plastic onto the back piece.

 

 

Hot glue the front piece on.

 

 

The longer piece is the tab to apply hot glue to attach to the head.

 

 

Play around with eye shapes,

 

 

and you have your Panda Box!

 

 

 

I'd allow 3 days for the paper mache part.

It really was fun to make together so I hope you give it a try!