Emily Neuburger, MAT, MS, LMHC

conversation Love Rocks!

by

Love rocks! Just in time for Valentine’s day. These conversation Love Rocks! have a heart on the front and a witty (or just plain sweet) message stamped on the back. Make your hearts skinny or bubbly or teeny tiny or really big – each rock ends up with its own little personality.

I used both fabric and paper with some Mod Podge for the hearts and a black stamp pad and mini alphabet stamps for the lettering. It is best to first fix your heart onto the stone with Mod Podge. Then, after the heart is dry, stamp the other side with your word(s). Once the lettering is dry, you can give that side a coat of Mod Podge as well. I chose to leave the lettering side plain (no Mod Podge).

One last little crafting note: I used a VersaCraft ink pad for the lettering because I use this ink pad for any kind of printing that is on a material other than paper (like fabric or wood). Since rocks are not paper, I went the VersaCraft route. This does not mean that another kind of ink pad won’t work. You’ll just have to try a few different kinds of ink pads and rock surfaces to see what works best. I recommend letting it dry overnight, and then, the next day, giving it the smudge test where you rub your thumb over the lettering.

Now, about that elephant in the room. I live in the northeast where we have over three feet of snow on the ground and a seemingly endless amount of snow days. I’m so sorry if you don’t have any stones to work with. If you don’t live in a climate where rock collecting is possible and you don’t have some extra stones kicking around your house, then just collect some stones this spring and save ’em up for next year. Or, just make some spring rocks when the time comes: a big sunny sun with “you melt my heart” or a tree with “don’t ever leave” or a flower with “pollinate me.” That last one was a little sassy, right?

Make a few, put them in a little muslin sack, and give them to someone you love.

They might make nice paper weights?


This is definitely a fun kids craft. Chick cut out hearts to use for a whole bunch of love rocks! for her friends.I’ll share photographs of those closer to Valentine’s Day. Older kids can do the lettering as well as the cutting and gluing. You might even want to nibble on candy conversation hearts for inspiration: love bug, u r mine, sweet talk.


Maybe make a few tiny heart rocks with magnets to give as little magnet sets. Maybe?

love rocks!
heart rocks!
you rocks!

xo e

Comments

  4. You can buy rocks at a hobby store (like Michaels or Hobby Lobby). I have them around the base of my large indoor plants (so my cat doesn’t dig up the dirt). I’m going to pillage a few right now…

  8. love these! perfect indoor project to combat cabin fever (lotta snow/ice out there) i have loads of rocks from my summer in cape cod – always looking for new ideas – thanks!

  18. Oh. My. Gosh.

    I’m so happy I happened upon your blog (I don’t even remember how). Going to show my kidlets this post when they’re home from school and see if they’d like to do this for class Valentine’s (I secretly wish they would JUST for the look on their teacher’s face when they realize my kid brought ROCKS to pass out).

  24. Hi Emily! I sent you an email, but don’t know if you got it. I LOVE your Love Rocks (and everything else on your site!!) I would love to put up a post on my blog, but wanted to check with you first. If you get a chance, let me know. But in any case HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

  25. Jodi –
    Thank you! I sent you an email this morning, and now I’m wondering if you got it. I’ll try to resend. I’m happy (and honored) for you to post about my rocks. xo emily

  30. Great project! I just wanted to let you know that we featured this project on our Facebook page with almost 12,000 fans. We’d love it if you’d use our Featured Blogger button, available at: http://www.dailycraft.com/thank-you-for-crafting/. Our audience loved the project and we look forward to sharing more from you. Please let us know if you have any questions or projects you’d love us to feature! Thanks!

  31. Hi Emily-
    I made a note of this post back in February when I first saw it…and saved it to try with my kids as a summer craft project. I will be featuring a link to your post tomorrow over at http://www.momof6.com and you can see how our version of this fun idea turned out!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Warmly,
    Sharon

  32. Cute! I’m thinking of putting my transformed rocks in random places and hoping that people pick them up and get a smile.

  33. I just read a math book about collecting rocks until the 100 day with my class…this would be perfect to decorate the rocks too!

  34. I found this project as a pin on pinterest I just wanted to let you know that I will be doing this as a group mission project. We will be using small pocket size rocks with hearts on them and cards and sending them to the women’s shelter in my area for Valentines Day. The children are excited and so am I thank you for a great idea!!

  35. Just stopping by to let you know that I’ve featured your craft on Family Fun Crafts! You can see it here:
    http://funfamilycrafts.com/love-rocks/

    If you have other kid friendly crafts, I’d love it if you would submit them. 🙂 If you would like to display a
    featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above.

  36. fun project! You can also buy rocks at the local garden nursery. I bought 5 gallons for a couple dollars- we’ve been painting them at craft events, but I love the mod podge route. thanks!

  38. Love this idea! I wanted to let you know the the Staz-on ink will work great for these! Does not come off. I use it to make coaster on tile and it lasts. Just thought I would share!

Trackbacks

  1. […] Emily from Red Bird Crafts has wowed us before. Remember her story stones? Or her simple color mobile? Some of the simplest crafts I’ve featured on here have been my favorites. Deep down inside, I think I am a simple person. When I saw Emily’s latest creation – the love rocks – I was moved yet again. These sweet lil’ rocks have fabric hearts on one side and a message on the other. Visit Emily for more pictures here. […]