Valentines Day Wreath: Paper Heart

This is a super-simple craft that produces an end product that looks anything but super-simple. Making your own Valentine’s Day Paper Wreath requires very little time, effort or supplies yet yields a stunning piece that appears to have been painstakingly made. Using some cardstock, adhesive and ribbon, you can decorate your home this Valentine’s Day very easily. Older kids will also love making this wreath. Using pinks & reds to complete the wreath will yield a product completely fitting of Valentine’s Day; however, using a completely different colour-scheme would allow you to use this wreath year-round in your home.  

Items Required

• Double-sided cardstock in theme of your choice (I had a Valentine’s Day stack in my stash) – you can also just use solid-coloured letter-size cardstock if preferred
• 3/4″ Glue dots (I previously used small dots however they did not support the tension) or other strong adhesive
• Coordinating Ribbon
• Paper trimmer
• Scoring tool for trimmer or bone folder (or even a plastic ruler!)

Directions

• Cut paper into 2″ x 11″ strips using your paper trimmer. I used 12 strips but over time my wreath has sagged slightly into more of an oval shape. Using 10 or even 8 strips may keep it more round and uniform.
• Fold your strips perfectly in half by either scoring the centre or using a bone folder to ensure a sharp edge. I cannot stress how important it is to make sure all edges line up when folded in half – I didn’t think it would make much of a difference if it was slight off-centre until I went to assemble the hearts.
• Bend your strips into a heart shape. Secure the centres using your glue dots (I used 2 dots, one in each corner).
• Arrange your hearts on a flat surface exactly how you would like your wreath to appear. Start attaching the hearts together using 2 glue dots on each edge – this allows a gap for feeding in ribbon later.
• Once your wreath is complete, decide where you would like to hang it. Cut your ribbon to a length that suits your chosen hanging spot. I attached the ribbon between the hearts using a glue dot. I used 12 hearts in total and contained 5 hearts “inside” the ribbon. If you have chose a different adhesive than glue dots, be sure to plan your ribbon placement before attaching the hearts.
• Hang your masterpiece and wait for others to ooh and aah!

 

Valentines Day Wreath: Recycled Socks

I found a few wreath forms at my local thrift store, and couldn’t resist picking them up at a steal of a price. On the way into the house, I tripped on a wreath and broke it apart. It turned out to be an happy accident as I recycled some old socks into a Valentine’s Day wreath.

Items Required

• 11.5″ wreath form (interior diameter: 8″)
• Box Cutter
• Duct or masking tape, neutral colour
• 2-3 pairs girl’s knee socks (4-6 socks total)
• Fabric scraps
• Ribbon
• Fabric hearts (or make your own out of scraps)
• Sewing machine
• 4 white plastic head pins

Directions

• Using the box cutter, cut a small break in your wreath.
• Cut the toes off of your socks at the ankle (right before the sock turns and isn’t straight).
• Carefully thread socks on to your wreath – overlap cuff with cut side to cover the rough edges. Fold cuff back over cut edge to ensure a smooth overlap.
• Thread the last sock on, then tape over the joint with masking/duct tape. If possible, make the last cuff seam/edge over this cut.
• Download the banner template, print & cut out. 
• Cut out 3 banners using your template in the fabric scrap of your choice. 
• Sew 0.25″ seam allowance around banners if desired, attach one fabric heart to middle banner.
• Fold 0.25″ of banners over your ribbon and sew through to secure.
• Tack with 4 plastic head pins the ends of ribbon on the back of the wreath.
• Hang up & enjoy.