I am mailing all my Valentines this coming week, so I set aside time to make them this weekend; a nice break from working on Income Taxes and Cooking.
I was taught how to make 3 Heart Swans in my early parenting days and I thought they were a lovely card that I would like to make again.
I cut an 8.5” by 11” sheet of art paper into thirds and folded the thirds in half. I had my guy draw a pattern:
3 heart swan pattern
I cut it out – I find it easier to use smaller scissors or exacta knives:
cut out still folded
My kids added heart stickers for eyes (one even cut tiny eyes!) and another cut a V to make tail feathers.
Our Swan pair is busy gliding the Lake this morning; inspiring this idea.
We added glitter too and sometimes a poem and occasionally Hersey’s Kisses.
example
My partner made a chain of swans which he can connect with paste or tape and surround a cupcake paper for a surprise dish.
double folded swan chain
Here is a lovely paper cut Valentine from Denmark. These were on all the tables for a wedding!
Danish paper cut carriage with hearts
Are you making Valentines this year? Writing poems? Thinking chocolates, flowers and candy? What is your plan? Please share.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 5:50 am
Those are pretty! I don’t get the THREE hearts part, though. I only see two — inner and outer. Wish you’d shown a few of the decorated ones, too I haven’t done Valentines in a long time, but they’re fun to make from scratch.
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Of Snow and Groundhogs and Pandas by Barbara Swafford =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:13 am
I’m going to make some cards this weekend. How fun and creative. Just what I need to balance my online time.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:30 am
Those are so charming, Patricia Paper artwork is simple, but incredibly pretty and the imagination you can use is endless! Lucky recipients of homemade Valentines!
.-= Talon´s last blog ..Foundations… =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Hi Patricia .. aren’t they great – well done and so quieting, as you go about your craft work. I think I prefer your swans (even if they are pink!) to the made carriage and horse version .. and I love the different ideas for their use.
On Dot’s last post .. I left a note about Comment Luv .. in case it’s not corrected itself .. bye Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Groundhog Day, Candlemas and Jannie the First … =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Dot,
Maybe I will take some pictures of finished ones before I mail them off? I am not a crafting or photography guru – I just do this stuff for fun of it. Kim Wood bridge showed off their valentines of facebook.
The head of the swan is a heart, the neck and the body….3 hearts. If I had cut the V for tail it makes it a 4 heart swan?
Tess,
It is fun to balance time with something tangible and different. I love to laugh at myself and doing crafts gives me ample opportunity.
Talon,
My favorite paper crafts are when we make 3 dimensional masks. I married my artist as I am quite incapable in that department, but now 32 years later I am doing so good craypas work, that relaxes me. All of my children love craft projects – I like the fun together.
I guess the Dane’s are very into paper cutting art..I also have a beautiful card that is a window garden – laser cut?
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Hilary,
I chose pink in hopes that they would show up better in the pictures….
and my red paper had faded…..I do like the white with some soft glitter the best…most of all I like feeling relaxed like the swans gliding on the lake.
I will go check out your comment on Dot’s as what I did last night did not correct the comment luv…now I am 2 post behind. Thank you
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Those swans are really pretty!
Since Kelly’s school encourages hand-made valentines where possible, we will be starting some this weekend. In past years she has fcussed on quality and elaborate detail over quantity, and in a class of 26 kids, mom usually ends up making about 20. We’ll go for simpler ones this year, I hope.
xo
.-= Jannie funster´s last blog ..Gratitude =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Jannie,
I like these swans because they can be plain or fancy – and show that there are hearts in nature and all around us just to see.
Happy making Valentines
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Vitamins =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I love the swans!! I’m going to save this for Alex to make next year – I love the way they are attached to make a swan card.
Is the carriage one made with a template? Otherwise I could never do it – and don’t think I would have the patience even with one
.-= Kim Woodbridge´s last blog ..Thoughts on My Brother Turning 40 and Mullets =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I love the swans Patricia, and how the curves of their necks form a heart shape. Yeah… I know that’s the idea.
I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. I’m a single, bitter woman.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Book Review for “The Narcissist: A User’s Guide” =-.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Kim,
They are fun and kids like to make them. The carriage is laser cutting of paper I assume it is a template…I have an amazing one done of a garden window too, but it is not very Valentine’s Day!
Davina,
Hearts repeated from nature! Ha Ha…you make me laugh out loud…
My Grandparents were married on Feb. 14th and celebrated 60 years, but it was not Valentine’s Day until their children were nearly grown….they thought it was a funny coincidence. It is also National Potato Chip day which is older than Valentines Day!
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Vitamins =-.
on Feb 6th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
The swans are so pretty!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..The Word =-.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I haven’t made a heart in years — I forgot all about that. Now you got me thinking about making snowflakes and tracing my hand to make a Turkey. Good stuff!
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Top 10 Lessons Learned in Spirituality =-.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Mama Zen,
I am not much of an artist and I wanted to use a color that would show the pattern, they can be very elegant.
Kim posted her elephant hearts they were making…I think homemade valentines are so fun
JD
I just cooked a Valentines dinner for a daughter passing through…she was delighted to see the swan hearts and talked about cutting snowflakes and turkey hands too! Good memories.
How do you celebrate the Day?
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Making Valentines: 3 Hearts Swan =-.
on Feb 8th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Hi Patricia,
Ohhhhh! I like those swans. I’ve never seen that before, but do remember folding paper and cutting out hearts. Such fun!
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Don’t Let Your Heart Be Broken =-.
on Feb 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Barbara,
They are great fun to make.
…and I see my heart is still broken! I hope IT girl and your good post can get the job done…this is irritating, but I see by your post that I am not alone