The Tweens News | English 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th every year. It is a day to display affection. People send cards, called valentines, to their friends, family, and loved ones. Verses on valentines often rhyme and express love and affection. Sometimes valentines contain humorous pictures or puns – but almost all ask, “Be My Valentine.” 

Valentine’s day is a great day to celebrate our friends. School children decorate their classrooms with bright red paper hearts. They exchange gifts, candy, flowers or “valentines.” 

Some people say that Valentine’s Day was invented by stores and shops to give people one more reason to buy stuff.

But to enjoy the day with your guy or your friends you really don’t have to spend any money at all! Here are a few ideas.

This year, Valentine’s Day is on Sunday. If it is a nice day, go for a nice walk in the park or even sledding in the snow!

You could also a prepare a picnic for the afternoon, simple and delicious. Pack a couple of sandwiches, a couple drinks, and some homemade cookies. This is much cheaper and maybe even more special than going to a restaurant.

In the afternoon, you could agree to see a movie. You have two options. You could rent a movie and stay home watching it, or you could look to see what’s playing in the movies and head out for the afternoon to the cinema.

How about an inexpensive gift? You could get your friends chocolate. Or if you want something that will last, make them a CD. A used book can also be a great present.

Any other ideas for a great Valentine’s Day?

Donning a sparkly black dress, Selena Gomez rocks out with the crowd at The Gramercy Theatre in NYC on Thursday night (February 11). 

The 17-year-old actress/singer looked to be having a great time and even had some special guests show up — American Idol’s Katharine McPhee and Days Difference, who opened for her. 

Selena sat down with MTV backstage and dished on her Valentine’s Day plans. She shared, “I have a show in Philadelphia, so I’m kind of excited. My fans will be my valentine, which is fine by me. And I’m really happy. I’m actually glad people are coming to the show, ’cause it’s Valentine’s Day … so hopefully I’ll enjoy a good show with my fans.” 

She continued, “We have a lot of confetti, and I made sure it was pink and silver and stuff that’s very Valentine’s Day-esque. But other than that, I think it’s going to be an awesome show to be able to celebrate with my fans.” 

ARE YOU GOING to see Selena in Philadelphia?

Selena Gomez shows off a sneak peek of her new fashion line, Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, in these new pics just posted on her Facebook. 

The 17-year-old actress wrote along with them, “July is going to be a big month this year, July 15th is the launch of my new clothing line Dream Out Loud I have some pictures below, July 22nd I turn 18, and July 23rd Ramona and Beezus is released in theaters.” 

Sel continued, “Also www.selenagomez.com will launch in less than two weeks I don’t have an exact date yet but, you can see more of Dream Out Loud at my website when it launches. Thank you all so much for supporting me and giving me the ability to do everything I have always dreamed of doing. You are all the best.” 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR — Dream Out Loud, Sel’s 18th birthday or Ramona and Beezus? 

Justin Bieber follows close behind Jasmine V in this behind-the-scenes look for his upcoming music video, “Baby.” 

The 15-year-old singer explained, “We’re kind of going off of Michael Jackson’s ‘The Way You make Me Feel’ where he’s trying to get the girl’s attention and following her around.” 

Justin’s “Baby” featuring rapper Ludacris is currently #12 on iTunes. Have you bought it yet? 

[pro-player] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLwXE3fY2do [/pro-player]

1985:

[pro-player] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzw6GiqZyD0 [/pro-player]

2010:

[pro-player] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI [/pro-player]

Source: 

- http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/about.html 

- http://www.wambie.com/tuttifrutti_us/news/VALENTINE_S_DAY_IDEAS-new_en-2543.html 

- http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2010/02/12/selena-gomez-valentines-day-with-fans-in-philly 

- http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2010/02/13/selena-gomez-dreams-out-loud-with-doves 

- http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2010/02/13/justin-bieber-chases-jasmine-v-in-baby 

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The Tweens News | English

Wire Heart Valentine’s Day Card!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Why not give a very sophisticated and modern Valentine’s Day card to someone this V-Day?

What you’ll need:

• Recycled cardboard
• Glue gun
• White cardstock
• Thick wire 20″ in length
• Thin wire 20″ in length
• Chicken wire
• 7″x 7″ glass beads
• Spray paint (silver)
• Wire cutters
• Pencil 
• Scissors
• Needle
• Pliers
• Pattern

How to make it:

Step 1: Card Pattern

1. Trace and cut out heart shape pattern with both a piece of cardboard and a piece of white cardstock.

Step 2: Heart Design

1. Glue white cardstock on top of cardboard heart with glue gun.
2. Have an adult cut out a piece of chicken wire in the shape of the heart pattern.
3. In a well-ventilated area, cover your work space with newspaper.
4. Spray silver spray paint on the front and back of heart card. You can also spray paint the chicken wire if you like.
5. Let the cardstock/cardboard and chicken wire dry.

Step 3: Wire Heart

1. Create a heart-shaped frame with thick wire using the shape of cardboard heart.
2. Twist bottom ends of heart-shaped wire frame together.
3. Cut off extra leftover wire with wire cutters.
4. Place the piece of chicken wire on top of wire heart frame.
5. Twist wire ends of chicken wire onto the wire heart frame using pliers.
6. Thread beads using thin wire and attach to heart made of chicken wire.

Step 4: Wire Bow

1. Thread beads using thin wire.
2. Create a series of 5″ loops using thin wire for a bow.
3. Wrap thin wire around center of bow to make a knot.
4. Attach wire bow on top of heart.
5. Pierce 5 holes spread along the edge on right side of heart-shaped cardboard card.
6. Place chicken wire heart on top of cardboard heart and join both hearts together by threading thin wire through the holes and attaching them to the wire heart.

Tips:

• You can replace spray paint with various colors of paint.
• Wire and wire cutters are very sharp. Have an adult help out or supervise using these materials.
• Always wear protective eyewear and gloves when cutting wire.
• Spray paint in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Make sure to wear old clothes and protective eyewear.

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Ancient scrolls are famous for containing mystical secrets. But your love will be no surprise when you had this unique card to the object of your affection this Valentine’s Day!

What you’ll need:

• 3/8″ x 7′’wooden dowel
• Two 3/8″ wooden caps
• 1/4″x 40″ ribbon
• 3-D fabric paint
• Green paper
• Two medium-sized beads
• Two small-sized pearl beads
• Design paper
• Wood glue
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Heart-shaped paper holer puncher
• Watered-down glue

How to make it:

Step 1: Cutouts

1. Cut out 6″ x 11″ rectangle with design paper.
2. Cut the ¼” sized ribbon in half–making two pieces of 20″ ribbon.
3. Cut out 16 hearts using heart paper hole puncher or cut by hand.
4. Cut a 7″ dowel.

Step 2 : Scroll/Ribbon

1. Place a small amount of glue in the hole of each cap.
2. Place a cap on each ends of dowel.
3. Glue one ribbon end to each end of the dowel.
4. Glue one 6″ side of the 6″x 11″ rectangle along dowel. Wait until glue sets.
5. Wrap paper around dowel. Use a little glue to keep paper in place. Wrap the loose ribbons around the covered dowel and tie the ribbons together with a bow in the middle.

Step 3: Designing Caps

1. Glue medium-sized beads on each end of scroll.
2. Glue small-sized pearls on top of medium beads (let it dry).
3. Apply small dots around end caps using 3-D fabric paint (let it dry).
4. Glue green heart cutouts on caps using watered down glue.

Tips:

• Try using recycled items to create this scroll using a branch for a dowel and pine cones.
• Add glitter to the pine cones.

Source:

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/wire-heart-valentines-day-card.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/valentine-scroll-card.html

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The Tweens News | English

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

Avoid wrestling with the rolling pin and try this no-bake dessert that’s quick and easy. Made from yummy chocolate wafers and vanilla-scented whipped cream, it’s simply delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 20 chocolate wafers

Cooking Instructions

1. In medium bowl, whip cream, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer until stiff. Set aside 1 cup of whipped cream. Place a daub of remaining whipped cream on each cookie, and stack in groups of 4 or 5. Chill in refrigerator 15 minutes.
2. Remove short stacks from refrigerator and lay down on serving plate to make one long roll. Spread reserved whipped cream on outside of roll. Cover and chill 3 hours before serving. Cut diagonally in 3/4 inch slices.  

Preparation Time: 10 min

 Ready In: 4 hours

Servings: 8

Source: http://recipes.kaboose.com/chocolate-wafer-roll.html

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The Tweens News | English

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Make this Valentine’s Day card all about L-O-V-E! Spell out the word a whole new way with fun tiles, beads, and paint.

What you’ll need:

• Rainbow colored cardstock 5″ x 8″
• Lace 5″ x 4 ½”
• 5″- long beaded fabric trim
• ½” x 5″ design ribbon
• 4 small square mosaic tiles
• Tile marker
• Tile paint
• Paint brush
• 1 round-shaped clear glass gem
• 1 bag of small gold-colored gold beads (note: younger siblings should not handle these unsupervised)
• Hot glue gun
• Scrap design paper
• Ruler/pencil
• Scissors

How to make it:

Step 1: Paint Tiles

1. Paint each tile using assortment of colors and design. (Let it dry.)
2. Write “L” on the first tile using tile marker.
3. Dip tile in a small bowl of gold beads. (Let tile dry.)
4. Repeat with two other tiles writing the letters “V” and “E” on either tile.
5. Cut out a small heart that can fit on one of the tiles using a piece of scrap design paper.
6. Glue heart on back of clear gem so that the design can be seen through the gem.
7. Glue gem on the painted tile without a letter. The round gem will serve as the letter “O” for the tile.

Step 2: Creating the Card

1. Fold 5″ x 8″ cardstock in half (widthwise).
2. Spread glue along the top edge of card.
3. Glue top edge of lace at top of card.
4. Glue bead trim ½” down from top edge of card.
5. Glue design ribbon across top edge of card.
6. Glue all 4 tiles evenly across card 1″ from bottom spelling “LOVE.”

Tips:

• Replace tiles using with gems and placing paper letters behind gems.
• Glue guns are very hot! Make sure younger siblings are heavily supervised when they are plugged in, or have an adult apply the glue.

Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/beaded-love-card.html

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The Tweens News | English

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

What could possibly be better than pizza? Well, a chocolate chip pizza pie, of course. With toppings that’ll please even the fussiest of people, this decadent dessert pizza is easy and fun for the small fry to make and enjoy.

Ingredients

Cookie base:

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) light brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. (90 mL) butter, softened
• 1 tsp. (5 mL) vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (250 mL) all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. (2 mL) baking soda
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) semisweet chocolate chips

Cream cheese icing:

• 2 cups (500 mL) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter
• 1/2 tsp. (2 mL) vanilla extract

Toppings:

• Chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter chips
• Chopped nuts
• Miniature marshmallows
• Mini M&Ms
• Shredded coconut
• Gummy candies
• Fresh fruit (berries, chopped bananas, apples, pears, peaches)
• Melted chocolate for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a 12-inch (30-cm) pizza pan with parchment paper cut exactly to fit the pan. Do not grease.
2. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy, then add the egg and continue beating until very creamy. Measure in the flour and baking soda and beat the mixture until all the flour has been incorporated and the dough is smooth. Add the chocolate chips and mix, using a wooden spoon, just until combined.
3. Dump the dough into the prepared pan and spread it, using a fork, to within 1 inch (2 cm) of the edges of the pan. (The dough will expand as it bakes, so you have to leave a bit of room for that.) Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned on top and set in the middle. Remove from oven, slide the cookie off the pan onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, make the icing. Combine powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until very smooth and creamy. Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, until you’re ready to use.
5. When the base is completely cool, spread with the icing, leaving a border around the edge for maximum pizza realism. Sprinkle with your choice of toppings, using 1 to 2 cups (250 to 500 mL) of assorted toppings per pizza. More is not necessarily better.
6. Cut into wedges with a pizza cutter and serve to your adoring fans.

Source: http://recipes.kaboose.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-pizza.html 

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