If you’re like me, you had grand plans to send out Valentine’s Day cards BEFORE Valentine’s Day. Which means if you’re like me and you have kids, you probably don’t yet have valentines for them to take to school. Sure, you could go to the store and fight the mob of crazed parents and try to find some decent valentines in the piles of picked-over boxes, or you could be a little more creative and spend the same amount of money (or less!).
All you need is your kid (or animal), a camera, and some creativity.
For our cards, I put Annabel in her chair, and grabbed my word bubble chalkboard. I had Mike sit behind her, and I took two poses:
If you don’t have a chalkboard word bubble laying around (I got mine from Photojojo), just use some paper.
Then, using photoshop, I added expressions to her word bubble.
Now, if you have markers, you can write the expression right on your paper. I had, uh, misplaced my chalk, so that’s why I used photoshop. If you don’t have photoshop, I suggest using either the HP Creative Studio, or Picnik.
Once you have the poses and phrases the way you like them, you can either print photos at home, or take the photo files to your local drugstore that has printing capabilities. I would print these on either wallet-sizes or 4×6 so there is room for your child to write a note on the back.
And you’re done! Your cards are personalized and unique, and you don’t have to fight the other last-minute mamas at Target for store-bought valentines. Win!
If you want to share your creative valentines, leave a link in the comments, or join the flickr group and add your photos.
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Spohrs!
sarah says:
Great Idea. She is too cute. Loved the fill my heart not my diaper
Cinthia says:
Great idea, but how do I wrangle my three kitties into a group shot? Also, is it possible to Photoshop their dirty looks out of the picture, or is it generally understood that cats just look that way?
*sigh* I just need to have a baby soon.
Kelley says:
How adorable!!
Thanks for the cute idea
Kelley
Tanya says:
That is pretty darn cute and clever! Awesome.
Jennifer says:
“You fill my heart, not my diaper” – best valentine phrase ever!
michelle in MO says:
Gimme Candy is my favorite! I might have to print that out. If it’s ok of course.
Rebecca says:
I’m your baby was my favorite along with You fill my heart, not my diaper. She is completely adorable!
Jenn says:
You’re ALWAYS so CREATIVE!!! Annie is one lucky little one!! Life is NEVER, EVER goin’ be boring with you & Mike around!!!
Meg says:
I sent out about 20 little photo Valentines this year from Ellie – they were such a hit, and well worth the effort.
Jenn says:
oh my gosh, Annie looks like an actual kid in these photos! She’s growing up so fast
Elizabeth says:
Great idea!! Love the expressions.
Glenda says:
Happy Valentine’s Day! Great idea… Annie is so big…and adorable!