A DIY Valentine’s Day Craft That is Simple & So Cute

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Unsure how on earth that occurred (weren’t we simply ringing within the new 12 months?), however right here we’re.

If you happen to’re simply searching for a enjoyable mission to have fun the vacation, otherwise you’ve obtained people in your bubble who would respect a tiny home made murals — or possibly you simply wanna little inspo to bookmark for subsequent 12 months? — this put up is for you.

That is the second 12 months we’ve made these collage-art Valentines (peep last year’s here), and so they’re such a success, each with the recipients and on Instagram, that I believed I’d share them right here too. It virtually appears foolish making a complete put up out of it, however the gist is that this: You craft one giant collage — the extra crowded you make the layers, the extra fascinating the top outcome — and you then minimize that single collage right into a buttload (technical time period) of little Valentines.

Psst… Our love for a straightforward, CUTE Valentine by no means fades, so this put up has been up to date for 2023.

It actually couldn’t be easier, and the Valentines really find yourself like little artworks. Completely acceptable for a variety of ages too. Final 12 months I minimize out all of the paper items and let Lana add paint and collage the items as she wished; this 12 months we skipped the paint and opted as an alternative for a rainbow theme and simply reallllly loaded on the paper components.

I traced and minimize the completed Valentines, however in case you have older kiddos, they may probably do that complete mission solo, soup to nuts. (Not gonna lie, I stepped again throughout the collage section and completely let Lana do her factor, however I may’ve gotten fairly into it, myself.)

How To Make Simple Collage-Artwork Valentines: The Good DIY Craft For Youngsters

Total, that is one in all my favourite household crafts to this point — and a convention we’ll probably sustain for years to return. Beneath, the step-by-step directions (if you happen to may even name them that), together with a number of ideas.

What You’ll Want:

• Dropcloth or some type of protecting tablecloth (elective, however makes me really feel just a little extra comfy when there’s a lot glue concerned)
• Coloured tagboard (advisable) or cardboard + giant sheets of building paper
• Paint, glitter, different ornamental stuff (elective)
• Paper or paper scraps, optionally minimize into coronary heart shapes — will be building paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, tissue paper, paper doilies, stickers, you title it
• White glue, thinned with just a bit water
• Paint brush
• Coronary heart cookie cutter + everlasting marker (elective)

Directions:

1. Get your giant piece of tagboard or cardboard. The bigger this piece, the extra Valentines you’ll find yourself with, however there may even be extra floor space to cowl. (Final 12 months we did a big piece and obtained greater than 50; this 12 months we scaled again in dimension and obtained about 30, however it’s going to rely in your cookie cutter too.)

Tip: Relying on how a lot you layer on high of this piece, it’d find yourself on the thick aspect (learn: tougher to chop). We used cardboard this 12 months, and I can attest that it was not solely tougher to chop, however the cuts weren’t as sharp/easy. I might keep away from utilizing customary paper as the bottom because it must be one thing substantial sufficient to carry as much as the moist glue with out curling up or getting too soggy.

2. Colour your base. In case your tagboard or base merchandise is already the colour you need — hooray! If not, glue a layer of huge sheets of building paper excessive. We used a mixture of giant scrap building paper items in varied colours since Lana wished a “rainbow” theme.

3. Collage time! Beautify the heck outta these virtually Valentines utilizing all of your paper scraps and the thinned glue (and paint, glitter, no matter else you is likely to be utilizing). The extra crowded you make the collage, the extra fascinating every particular person Valentine can be.

Relying in your kiddo’s age (and a focus span), both they can assist collect and minimize the scraps, or you’ll be able to prep the scraps as you go and simply allow them to have at it with the location/glue. You would even prep them upfront or purchase pre-cut paper shapes.

Tip: The impact of tissue paper over building paper all the time finally ends up fairly cool and is a straightforward method to cowl up any uncovered spots quick.

4. Contact it up. As soon as your collage is as busy as you’d like, go over any little unfastened edges or cussed flaps with a bit extra glue. This isn’t papier-mache — it’s not like the entire thing must be utterly lined in glue, however it’ll be simpler to chop later if every little thing is effectively adhered. Let dry completely.

5. Hint your shapes. When collage is dry, use a cookie cutter and marker to hint hearts over the collage (I discover it simpler to hint the skin of the cookie cutter). You may get as choosy right here with the location as you need, however the purpose is to attempt to get as many Valentine’s Day playing cards out of this factor as potential.

Tip: No cookie cutter? Make your individual form to hint utilizing an additional piece of tagboard or cardboard — or skip the form all collectively and minimize the entire thing into squares, rectangles or triangles. (Bonus: You’ll don’t have any wasted scraps!)

6. Lower it into little Valentines! Like I mentioned above, the issue of this step will rely upon the thickness of your completed mission (which is essentially reliant on the thickness of your base layer), however I used to be capable of do a good job even utilizing thicker cardboard and a typical pair of scissors.

And that’s it! See — hardly definitely worth the detailed description, however Pinterest and the Goog-bots prefer it once we do it that approach.

We plan on utilizing this identical idea for vacation ornaments, bookmarks and simply plain ol’ items (suppose how fairly it could possibly be to easily body a number of of those little guys!).

Glad crafting, gang! Oh, and if you happen to make these, tag us at @themomedit and @thepigandquill, so we are able to see and share your creations.

Sending massive Valentines hugs, buddies.
Em

Guys! Comply with me on Instagram for extra peeks into our life on the Northern California coast. And if you happen to really feel so inclined, pop over to my private meals + life-style weblog, The Pig & Quill, the place I share salty scribblings from my kitchen and residential life. Byeeeeee!

Oh, hey, pinners…