How to Make a Cute Valentine's or Mother's Day Gift

Want a cute and easy craft project that even a toddler can do for Valentine's Day (it's great for Mother's Day, too)? Try this welcome mat that will warm any mom's heart.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A rug remnant or small rug sample suitable for placement in front of a door or on the floor in front of the kitchen sink
• Red craft acrylic paint
• Puff paints in any color
• Newspapers
• Smock or protective clothing cover

1. Pick out a rug sample or remnant in a light color about the size of a door mat. Shorter pile works best.

2. Spread newspapers on a flat surface to protect the surface. Arrange your supplies on the newspaper.

3. Pour enough red acrylic craft paint to cover the bottom of a plastic plate but not so much that it's more than a covering.

4. Have your child place his or her palms into the red paint so that a hand print can be made with the results. You'll need to help young children with this or you'll have quite a mess to clean up.

5. Have them hold their hands so that the sides of their hands touch along the thumbs. It should resemble a heart. Have them place their palms in this position in the center of the rug. The imprint should look like a heart. Let dry.

6. When the "heart" imprint is dry, have the kids take the puff paints and write along the top or along the bottom the following phrase:
   
   Mom is the Heart of Our Home
   
   (You'll have to help younger ones with this step)
   
   Let dry completely.