Here it is, Valentine’s season again. Need a Valentine for someone special? Want to make it yourself, for that added value of the handmade? A homemade Valentine is easy to make, using time-tested Valentine paper crafts.
Materials: red and/or white valentine crafts paper doilies, some in heart shapes if possible. Construction paper or scrapbook paper in reds, pinks and white. Scissors, glue, stapler with staples. thread, needle.
Valentine crafts always start with making a heart. Cutting a heart out of any paper is easy. Fold the paper in half and cut the top lobe, and then taper the shape to a point. Unfold. You can do many hearts from your various papers in all sizes before you begin assembly, or cut them out as you decide what you are going to do with them.
Valentines crafts include a hanging heart ornament like the Christmas ball ornaments you may have made in the past: For hearts all the same size, fold down the center (if not already). Stack so the points are together and each heart is folded still. Use needle and thread to loosely tie the heart tips and indents together. Leave the excess thread at the indent to hang the ornament when it is complete. Now staple two lobes from different hearts together, back to back at the widest part. Using six to twelve hearts, you will form a hanging ornament (and Valentine).
For a flat Valentine, use the largest as the base, and glue the others to it. They can extend beyond the edges of the base valentine (watch the glue application at this point), and should be layered. If you only attach the inside valentines by one section, you can write love notes to your Valentine on the other side and fold it closed. When all the hearts are in place, gold the base heart down the center line. Use another sheet of paper (or two if necessary,) to form an envelope for the Valentine. Is your lover going to be surprised.
There are Valentines craft ideas that extend beyond paper: If you crochet or tat, a crocheted or tatted heart can be presented to your Valentine in a simple doily card. Fold the doily in half, pin the fiber heart to one side and write your message on the other. Places folded doily in an envelope.
Homemade Valentines crafts can include a little dazzle as well: add sequins and beads to your paper Valentines. Doilies can also be cut up to provide lace where needed. Draw on your Valentine with crayons or marker pens. Give your imagination free rein and create something outrageous. Remember, these are the people you love, and who love you. They will be thrilled that you made the Valentine just for them, and treasure it.
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