Whether your child needs 30 cards for his entire class or you want to send a few love notes to friends and family, these homemade Valentines are simple and inexpensive to make. This guide is about homemade Valentine's Day cards.
Approximate Time: 1-2 hours including drying time for the glue
Wash and dry out a milk or juice carton carefully. It may be easier to cut the top couple of inches off to do this and to make the rest of the cutting less fiddly.
About 4 inches from the bottom of the carton use you ruler to mark a line all the way around the carton. Cut this off keeping carton all in one piece, this will be your box.
Then mark and cut another piece, 3/4 of an inch wide in the same way from what is left, this will be the frame for the lid of the box.
Now cut from the top to the base of the box in each corner and flatten it out. It will be a cross shape. Use this to cut a template from an old cereal packet or construction card and then use that to cut 2 pieces of wrapping paper in the cross shape of the box.
Use thinly spread craft glue to stick one of the pieces of paper to each side of the carton cross and put it aside to dry. Return to the template and use it as a guide to cut two crosses from the construction card, one of these should be smaller than the other as in the picture. These will form the layers inside to box, but as they will be hidden by paper they do not need to be precise.
Using the photos as a guide use designs cut from the wrapping paper to decorate the first card cross then stick it to the centre of the carton cross. Once this is completely dry, repeat the process with the smaller card cross.
To finish off the centre use designs cut from the paper glued to a small piece of card and fix this to the centre of the smallest card cross.
To make the lid for the box cut a square of wrapping paper about 1/2 inch larger all around than the piece cut from the carton. Fold up and stick down the paper as if you were wrapping a parcel. This will form the lid. Cut a strip of wrapping paper about 1/2 inch wide and then stick this all the way around the lid to make it look tidy. The decoration on the box lid is made using the same method as the centre of the inside of the box.
By Ayesha from Slovenis EU
Approximate Time: 30 minutes max
Notes: Read instructions all the way through before beginning. Depending upon how far apart your holes turn out, you may need to ch 2 between the sc.
Prep The Card:
With a pencil lightly draw a heart, circle, or oval around the picture on the card. Cut out the shape, cutting just inside the pencil marks. On the back side draw a line about 1/8 inch from the edge. Then punch holes every quarter inch using the line as your guide.
Crocheting The Edging:
Round 1: Attach thread with a sc in one the hole just to the left of the dip. *Ch 1, sc in next hole. Repeat from * around, except work 3 sc in hole at tip of heart. Join in the first sc with a slipstitch.
Round 2: *Skip ch, 3 dc in next sc, slipstitch in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join with a slipstitch in the beginning slipstitch.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
By Suzetta from Bellingham, WA
Approximate Time: About 30 minutes
Cut a 3 inch heart from fabric scrap for cat's face. Cut a smaller heart (about 1 inch) from coordinating fabric for cat's ears. Cut the smaller heart in half vertically.
Apply glue around back edge of large heart and place it upside-down on card. Apply glue to each half of small heart and glue underneath cat's face for ears (refer to photo).
Cut two small circles from craft foam for eyes and glue into place. Using black marker, draw cat's nose and whiskers. Write "I love you" or other personal message below cat's head.
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
Approximate Time: About 30 minutes
To create the owl, draw a simple owl shape onto plain white paper. Also, draw 2 round circles for the eyes, a triangle for the beak, and 2 hearts for the wings. (Refer to photo for a sample template.)
Cut out all pattern pieces. Next, trace around the body onto one of the scrapbooking papers. Trace around the eyes, nose, and wings onto the other scrapbooking paper.
Use a black marker to color in half of each circle for the eyes. Glue on eyes, nose and wings. Turn the owl over, and use the black marker to write a valentine message on the back such as: "You're a hoot!" or "To a real WISE guy."
Turn the owl back over, with front facing up. Cut vertical slits about an inch apart near the bottom of the owl's body and slip a pencil or lollipop through the slits. Now your valentine is ready to present to your friend!
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Search heart template from the internet. Trace template onto pink cardstock. Use scissors to cut out.
For the pocket, trace the bottom half of the heart onto patterned paper, cut out, then apply adhesive down the sides.
Put a spot of glue onto the pink bow and adhere in place.
Slip your cookie (with doily) or small chocolate bars into the pocket.
Source: Patterned paper: American Crafts
By Maricel from Fairfax, VA
Use some marbled pink cardboard, double-sided glitter scrapbook cardboard, and a few odds and ends to make a Valentine's card for your loved one.
Approximate Time: 20 minutes
By BessieBessie from Pretoria, Gauteng
Use different sizes of hearts to create a cute puppy dog card for someone special. Kids will love creating these.
Approximate Time: About 30 minutes
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Cut an opening in the paper about the size of your plastic packaging.
Pop in your plastic packaging (trimming may be needed).
Glue the edges, and let it dry.
Fill with small candies and then glue on a paper backing.
To hide the cutting line, I used 1 inch circles (from scrapbook paper), folded them in half and glued them around the edges where the paper and plastic meet.
By NoRulesArt from FL
Editor's Note: It's always a good idea to hand wash with soap and warm water any plastic that will be touching something you eat.
Approximate Time: less than an hour
Crocheting the edging:
Round 1: Attach thread with a sc in one of the holes. *Ch 1, sc in next hole. Repeat from * around. Join in the first sc with a slipstitch.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch. *Skip one sc, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next sc. Repeat from * around. On the curves of the toe and heel use your own judgment, I didn't skip a sc on those curves. Join with a slipstitch in the top of the beginning ch 3.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Write your message on the insole with a permanent marker.
U R MY SOUL MATE
YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE
YOU ARE MY SOLE MATE
I LOVE U HEART AND SOUL
I LOVE YOU HEART AND SOUL
I LOVE YOU HEART AND SOLE
By Suzetta from Bellingham, WA
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
1. Find a textured surface such as a floor or wall panel from which to take a wax rubbing. Lay a piece of cartridge or tissue paper over the surface and rub a wax crayon over the paper until you get an impression. Rub a crayon in the opposite direction to build up the image.
Note: Use several different colours of crayons to add variety to your design.
2. Cut a square out of the textured paper from step 1 and glue it onto the front of a blank card. Leave to dry.
3. From a piece of coloured paper, cut out two heart shapes of slightly different sizes to fit within your textured background. Cut out a second heart from the centre of each shape to create a pair of heart silhouettes.
4. Arrange the heart silhouettes on to the textured background and glue into place. Let dry.
5. Use a metallic pen to draw a border around your finished design. Write a romantic greeting inside your card and then place it inside an envelope.
By Anne from United Kingdom
Confidence comes from within and is brought out by recognition. So "shower" someone you love and appreciate with this darling little Valentine greeting.
Approximate Time: 20 minutes for 10
Cut the doily half way down from one edge to the middle.
Loop it over to make an umbrella shape. Tape the edge on both sides with a small piece of tape.
Next apply a Valentine 3D sticker to the area you taped. It will hide any area that is exposed.
Next take the Dum Dum sucker and glue it with a low temperature glue gun to the inside top of the umbrella where it peaks.
Display it with a sign announcing that you are a blessing and much appreciated.
By Gem from VA
Approximate Time: about 30 minutes
Using a 10-inch round plate, trace around the plate onto light green and dark green paper creating two large circles. Cut out with scissors.
Glue the two circles together, back to back. Fold down just enough of the large green circle so that the light green half circle shows on top to form the face. (Refer to photo.)
Cut two oblong shapes from dark green paper that are approximately 4 inches long by 1.5 inches wide for eyes. Glue to back of frog's head.
Cut two 1-inch circles from black paper for center of eyes. Glue in place.
Using black marker, draw two small dots for frog's nose.
Cut small hearts from pink and red paper and glue onto face.
Cut medium sized hearts from red and pink paper.
Write messages on hearts using black marker and glue in place, referring to photo for placement.
Lift the frog's mouth and write "Happy Valentine's Day" underneath.
Give to your favorite Valentine.
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
For a special Valentine's Day cards make snowflake hearts, just as you would make paper snowflakes but in the shape of hearts. Cut out a large heart, fold it a few times, then take a pair of scissors and cut different shaped wedges around the edges. Unfold it and you have a snowflake heart! Paste it to to some colored card stock and write a message for your loved one.
Amy
Approximate Time: About 30 minutes
Glue two small hearts to bottom edge of inverted heart for feet. Glue two small hearts to top edge of top heart for ears. Glue a small heart in center of top heart for nose. Repeat for heart at chest.
Draw in eyes with permanent marker or glue on wiggly eyes. Using black marker, outline bottom edge of top heart (puppy's head). Refer to photo.
Write a sweet message on front or back of puppy.
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have some darling, easy cards to make from just construction paper, craft glue, markers and googly eyes (optional).
Dog-ear Card: Using Brown construction paper, take one corner diagonally down to the opposite side of the paper (like making a triangle.) Cut the strip of paper below that. Now it IS a triangle. Turn the triangle paper so that the flat side is up, and the point is toward you. Hold a ruler to the flat side of the triangle and pinpoint the middle. Now, take each side of the top and fold (from the middle point) diagonally down so that now all three points of the triangle are toward you. There's your dog with it's floppy ears. Either draw eyes or glue googly eyes on, draw a nose and a mouth, then write your message on the outside of one ear, then lift it and put another message under the flap. Very fun and easy.
Cat Card: Fold a piece of construction paper the short way. Draw an outline of a cat, making sure the ears, top of the head, and tip of the tail connect with the fold. Cut it out and glue on googly eyes, nose, mouth and whiskers. Then open your cat card and put a message inside. This one is also very cute, and extremely easy. Finally, fold a piece of cardstock in half the short way and cut in half. (You can make two cards out of this one.)
Heart Card: Take a piece of aluminum foil and fold in half. Cut out a half-heart shape, so that when you open the foil, you have a heart. Using a glue-stick, carefully spread glue on the dull side of the foil and press onto the front of your card. Decorate with stickers or whatever. Then put a message inside. Very nice look with the foil heart. This Valentine's Day, make your cards rather than buy them!
By Stacey from Orem, UT
To create this card, cut a horizontal sheet of paper from left to right (ending up with two long strips of paper). Fold one in half. Cut a 3 x 3 sheet of tissue paper and fold into the wrapper shape then secure to the card with a piece of double stick tape. Using tacky glue, attach the stems of the flowers into the wrapper first and then glue on the chocolate pieces. Attach rectangles of complementary colored paper to the cover and inside with more double stick tape. Finally, embellish the card with your own Valentine's Day sentiment!
By Julie from Washington, DC
When buying cards for Valentine's Day or other special occasions, the really pretty ones with the glitter usually cost more than the ones without glitter. I decided to start purchasing the plain, but pretty cards, that don't have glitter and add the glitter myself using glitter paint. It can be purchased at any craft store for under $2.00. Simply squeeze some of the paint onto various areas of the card and set aside to dry. When dry, they sparkle and the glitter doesn't come off like it does on the cards you buy that already have the glitter on them. One bottle of glitter paint will decorate many, many cards.
Source: I've been doing this for years.
By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC
After the holidays we often have copies of photos of our kids that lack the quality fit for using in a scrapbook. Some of these photos have a good picture of your child but there is a problem with someone or something else in the photo. So, instead of "chucking" these photos, make use of them for Valentines Day. Cut out your child's photo from the print, and use it to make a one-of-a-kind Valentine. I worked on this project one year with my son, and we had a blast writing captions to fit the photos. For example, one photo had him messily licking icing from a bowl. The caption read, "You and I can lick anything together, Valentine." With a photo of a funny face we added, "Be my Valentine, and we'll have lots of fun together." Now, with the use of digital cameras, the applications of creating personalized Valentines is limitless.
By Miz Rosey from Abilene, TX
These are sure to brighten up any fridge and make a perfect little gift for grandparents.
Heart Posies
Approximate Time: 5 minutes or less, depending on age
While folded, do a little snip triangle at the fold so when open you have a hole for the sucker stick at the bottom.
Optional: Next is to poke sucker through doily.
Optional Holiday: Do it for St Patrick's Day with cut out 4 leaf clover, Easter with eggs, etc
By Joyce from Benson, MN
I'm Your Biggest Fan
Approximate Time: 30 minutes.
Glue the top of a craft stick to the back of one of the doilies, at the bottom of the heart. Glue the back of the other doily-heart to the back of this one, covering the top of the craft stick. Allow the glue to dry.
Write "I am You're Biggest Fan" on one of the hearts, and "Happy Valentine's Day" on the other, and don't forget to sign your name.
Tie a piece of ribbon into a bow around the craft stick, just below the hearts.
By Marie from West Dundee, IL
If you enjoy making cards instead of buying them, here are 3 fun Valentine cards for kids. Children can help make them for their classmates!
I recently took a trip to the Dollar Store and noticed that they sell Valentine's Cards with Lollipops included. 10 of them for $1. I thought it would be a much better idea to make my own with a few craft supplies and it would be less expensive! Good craft for kids.
Decorate card with crayons, stamps, stickers. Punch holes at the top of the card and into the wrapper of the lollipop or candy. With a ribbon, tie the candy to the card. That's it! If you can manage to use recycled paper and ribbons you can make 50 of these for about a dollar!
Other items to attach besides candy (baggie with a homemade cookie or treat, friendship bracelets, fruity lip balm...)
Happy Crafting!
Source: This article was written by myself
By Lisa from Halifax
Valentine's Foamies
By Rachel Paxton
Puppy Love Valentine Cards
By Angela from Murphy, TX
I have done this candy card for my husband a few times in 11 years. It is cheap and easy. All you need is a piece of poster board, a marker, and candy bars. Write a letter on the poster board to go with the candy. I use tape to put the candy on the poster board. My husband loves it! Here is the latest one I gave him:
To my HOT TAMALE,I hope you SNICKER when you read this. I love you to PIECES (REESES). Your love is as exciting as getting 100 GRAND on PAYDAY to spend on 5th AVENUE. My HEART skips a beat each time you KISS (KISSABLES) me. You are a-MAZING and MOUNDS of fun. So sit back and TAKE 5 BABY (RUTH). Love your NUTRAGEOUS SWEETHEART!.
PS: I used a marker to darken the words on the candy I didn't use such as ABLE on KISSABLES.
Source: I came up with the idea for a letter after seeing all the "one-liners" (You're such a "SMARTIE") out there.
By Holly from Red Lodge, MT
Time: 20 minutes
Fold 8x5 inch pink cardstock into half to make a card.
Cut 4x4 inch square of blue glittered patterned paper. Decorate the edges with decorative scissors. Adhere to card with double-sided tape.
Print heart template; cut it out. Then trace it onto heart-themed patterned paper. Cut out and adhere to the center of card.
To make an accordion-folded medallion, cut 1/2x12 inch strip of patterned paper, joined ends with double-sided tape or hot glue. Add a dot of hot glue onto the back and adhere to heart.
Note: Use pinking shears on one edge of paper strip for added interest.
Embellish with chipboard or small flower.
Click Here for the Heart Template.
By Maricel from Fairfax, VA
This video has detailed instructions for making some really fantastic Valentine's day cards. Anyone you give these to will love them!
Shared on: 02/10/2005
Shared on: 02/09/2005
2008 Valentine
Update: This is the 2008 addition to the collection of Valentines that I sent previously. So I'm still his Valentine! Thanks for your sweet comments.
By Frances from Tarzan, TX
Shared on: 02/18/2008
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
0
0
