Victorian Paper Valentines

Create some Victorian-inspired Valentines and garland with lace, doilies and assorted floral papers. These valentines make for a low-cost Valentine's Day craft project compliments of Heidi Borchers of Inspired at Home.

Materials:

For each:

• White watercolor paper
• Scissors: regular, scalloped edge
• Paper doilies- heart shape- red foil, white
• Stick Glue for paper (we used Aleene’s acid free Tacky Glue Stick Glue)
• Assorted gift wrap and decoupage papers
• Pattern

For potpourri card:

• Lace: 3” square- white
• Potpourri
• Glue (We’ve used Aleene’s Tacky Glue)

For garland:

• Hole punch-1/8” diameter
• Metallic Thread- Gold

Instructions:

1. Cut 1 (4-1/2” X 8” piece of paper. Fold paper in half widthwise. With left fold line of pattern aligned with fold of paper, transfer pattern to folder paper and cut out, using regular scissors. Trim edges of heart with scalloped-edge scissors, cutting off tab on right hand side (see photo).
    
2. Center and glue red foil paper heart doily on card front, using stick glue. Let dry. Cut desired motifs from gift wrap and decoupage papers. Glue cutouts onto card front as desired, using stick glue. Let dry.

Instructions for potpourri card:

1. Follow first step of card directions above, to make card. Transfer cutting line for potpourri card to the back of card front. Cut out, using regular scissors. Transfer cutting line for potpourri card to lace and remaining paper; cut 1 of each, using regular scissors and adding ¼” all around.
    
2. Place small amount of potpourri on small paper heart.. Squeeze thin line of glue around edge of heart. With edges aligned, press lace heart into glue, covering potpourri. Let dry. Squeeze thin line of glue around edge of cutout on back of card front. Center and glue lace covered heart on back of card front so that potpourri shows through cutout. Let dry. Center and transfer cutting line for potpourri card on heart shaped paper doily. Center and glue doily heart on card front as desired, using stick glue. Let dry.

Instructions for garland:

1. Cut 1 (5” X 16-1/2” strip of paper. Accordion-fold paper to match width of pattern. Transfer pattern to folded paper and cut out, but do not cut along fold lines. Trim edges of heart with scalloped-edge scissors, but do not cut along fold lines on tabs.
    
2. Unfold garland and lay flat on work surface. Using stick glue, center and glue 1 paper heart doily on each heart, alternating colors. Cut desired motifs from gift wrap and decoupage papers. Glue cutouts onto card front as desired, using stick glue. Let dry. Punch holes around edge of first and third hearts of garland (see photo). Thread 1 piece of gold thread through holes on each and tie in bow at top of heart. Center and punch 1 hole in tab at each end of garland. Cut 2 (8”) lengths of gold thread. Knot 1 end of 1 thread in hole at 1 end of garland for hanger. Repeat to attach remaining thread length to other end of garland.
    

See this and more Valentine card phrases and homemade Valentine cards in 22 Lovely Valentine Cards and Poems!