Over the years I’ve done my share of classroom crafts — with varying degrees of success but usually a large measure of failure. But today I left Sophie’s classroom with a full heart.

We made love shrines.

It was so easy. (And inspired by none other than the Crafty Chica!) I tracked down small tin boxes (just like Altoids boxes but plain), cut hot pink cardstock to fit in the deep part of the box, and raided the craft bins for collage materials and glitter glue. Caught up on my magazine reading and while I was at it, ripped out a bunch of (kid appropriate) words and pictures and printed a few more on the computer.

Then we just let the second graders create. I explained what a love shrine is, showed them one we made at home for Sophie’s teacher, and encouraged them to make one about themselves. A few did, including one who snatched up the words “lucky girl” — I loved that. Others honored mom or dad or a pet.

Sophie and her best friend Sarah made shrines for one another. Sarah’s shrine is above. Here’s Sophie’s, as well as a couple others.