Contributing Write Kelly Griglione from Notable Nest
Out of all the holidays, it seems like Valentine’s Day is the one where we’re most inspired to make a handmade card for our loved ones. If you’d like to try one this year, but aren’t sure where to start, here are some ideas for you to make your own valentines.
The first card features a simple, handmade heart using nothing but paper, a standard hole punch, and a marker. All supplies you probably have in your home right now. Add a punny “hole heart” sentiment, and you have a handmade valentine worthy to give your sweetest valentine.
Here’s how:
To make the heart, fold a piece of paper in half and cut out a heart shape. Draw a line around the folded heart about 1/4″ from the edge (see above). This will be your punching guide so you end up with a margin around your heart. Now begin punching through both layers of the folded heart. Do not punch over the line you drew, or along the folded edge.
When you unfold the heart you’ll see all the punches. For any solid space remaining in the middle where the fold is, punch that area. I made a smaller heart to layer behind the hole heart. If you don’t have the exact color of paper you’re looking for, use a white piece of paper and color it with markers like I did for the small heart. The variations in color make it look more interesting. Then just attach both hearts to your card and write a sentiment. This would be a great craft for kids, too. Older kids could do this on their own. For younger kids, cut out the heart and draw the line for them, then let them punch away. How fun to see what they come up with!
Here are some additional cards, both variations on this theme:
This card uses the hole-punched heart as a mask. Simply place the hole-punched heart directly on your card, and sponge ink in the holes. Remove the heart and you’re left with circles in the shape of a heart. You can then stamp a sentiment along the side of the heart, or leave it as-is.
This folk art card can be made if you have a die cutting machine, or a decorative punch.
Place the die on your folded heart and run it through the machine. Washi tape is useful to make sure the die stays in place. If there is enough solid space remaining on your heart, reposition the die on your heart again and run it through the machine.
On another piece of paper, use your markers to color in the background, taking note to change colors depending on where the empty spaces on your heart are. Or, to make it easier, you can back your heart with a solid piece of colored paper. Or you can try backing your heart with a patterned paper. It’s so fun to experiment!
Thanks so much for looking! I hope you’ve gotten some ideas to craft a handmade valentine or two for your loved ones.
