Valentine's Day Heart Pillows

For a few weeks now, Mia has been asking to make heart pillows. I don't have any idea where this scheme originated, but she was so set on making it happen that I couldn't let Valentine's Day pass without at least trying to make them.


I got some felt squares from the craft store, traced big heart shapes onto them, and cut out the (not perfectly matched) pieces.

Then I used a big, fat needle to sew two hearts together with pink yarn. And I admit it: this was all done by yours truly. I tried to think of ways to incorporate Mia's help, but nothing seemed simple. Poking holes in the felt for her to lace the yarn through just didn't sound promising. Plus, I didn't think our hole-punch would work on felt, so I settled for Mia sitting right next to me, watching carefully.

Lauren was happy in her highchair for at least a few minutes working on a Valentine for Daddy. Or, should I say, centering her concentration on peeling the wrappings off her crayons while her princesses looked on approvingly.




Then I did find something Mia could help with on her craft: stuffing the mostly-sewn hearts with cotton balls.

Lauren was out of her chair by this time, and enjoying herself thoroughly.



After the heart was stuffed to capacity, I finished sewing the edges and tucked the knotted ends of yarn up into the cotton. Mia was quite pleased with the result. And I was quite pleased too -- I think I spent about $5 total on the supplies. (Yes, that is a real, live bicycle in my KITCHEN. No, I don't want to talk about it.)

A successful craft with zero instructions. I amaze myself.



I don't care if the hearts were absolutely simple and fool-proof; I'm still proud.