This printable started with a forgotten holiday. A pretty important one when you’re in second grade.
Back in 2019, Valentine’s Day snuck up on us. By the time we realized it was that week, the local stores were sold out. No cards. No backup plan. Just that familiar moment of oh no… what now?
What we did have was a printer and scanner, some red cardstock, glue, and time at the kitchen table. One thing I could do at the time was draw, so I illustrated this Valentine’s Day card for our youngest to give to his classmates. We scanned and printed them, cut them, glued them together, and sent him off to school with handmade cards his classmates could color.
They were a hit.
Later that day, he came home from school beaming. His classmates loved the cards. When he told them his mom had illustrated them, no one believed him. He was so proud. That moment has always stayed with me.
Made for a Busy Life
Over the years, as life seemed to grow more chaotic, I often thought about how many parents find themselves in that same place. Forgetful. Short on time. Stores sold out. Art supplies and a printer at home.
I don’t know about you, but we always seemed to have leftover colored pencils from one school year to the next. Cutting them in half (or including a mini pen or marker) and taping it to the card with washi tape, turns each Valentine into a little coloring page and a small gift all on its own.
It’s simple.
Print, cut, glue, and maybe even use up those leftover colored pencils.
Most importantly, it lets kids create something they are proud of.
The Beginning of Digital Downloads
While revisiting this design to share with everyone, it sparked a new idea for Riverbed Art.
This printable became the first piece in a brand new Digital Downloads category. Right now, it is just this Valentine’s Day project, but more coloring projects and cards you can use right away from home with the tools you already have are on the way.
Over time, more Riverbed Art original designs will be added to download. Small creative projects meant to be shared, colored, and spread a little joy, love, and togetherness.
This one just happened to be the beginning.