Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show others you care. Here are a few hearty gift and greeting ideas to make and share with “family” and even outdoor feathered friends!

OPEN-HEART POMPOM PICTURE FRAME

• Cardstock (8 ½- x 11-inch)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Disposable plate
• White glue
• Pompoms (Valentine colors)
• Tape
• Picture of yourself (4- x 6-inch)
• Strip of magnetic tape

1. Fold cardstock in half. Starting from the folded edge, cut a half-heart shape that measures approximately 4 1/2-inches wide by 6 1/4-inches high.
2. With the paper still folded, cut out a smaller heart shape within the heart you just cut, making this one approximately 2 3/4-inches wide by 3 ½-inches high.
3. Discard small heart shape or use for another craft.
4. Open the heart with the hole in the center. This will be your picture frame.
5. Pour glue onto disposable plate.
6. Dip pompoms into glue then place around the heart frame until it is full. Let dry.
7. Tape picture of yourself to the backside of the heart frame.
8. Place magnetic tape to the backside of the heart frame.
9. Give as a gift to someone you love.

HEART STRINGS CARD

• Cardstock, white
• Yarn, various bright colors
• Large sewing needle
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Glue
• Heart template or cookie cutter

1. Measure and cut a 7- x 10-inch piece of cardstock.
2. Fold cardstock in half to create a 7- x 5-inch card.
3. Open card and lay on flat surface, so the fold is in the center.
4. Place heart template on one side of the card. Trace around the heart with a pencil.
5. Use needle to punch small holes that are evenly spaced along the heart outline you drew.
6. Carefully erase any remaining pencil lines.
7. Cut a long piece of yarn then thread it through the eye of the needle. Tie a knot at the bottom of the long end of the yarn.
8. Thread yarn in and out through the holes, stretching the yarn across the heart shape to create a criss-cross pattern.
9. Continue with step 8 until all holes have been threaded. Tie a knot on the backside of your design. Set aside.
10. Cut another piece of card stock that measures 6 ½- x 4 ½-inch.
11. Place glue around the perimeter of the paper in step 10. Then glue over the backside of your heart design to cover the underneath threading. Let dry.
12. Fold card back in half and write a Valentine greeting. Place card in an envelope and give to someone you love.
13. Repeat steps 1 – 12 to make other cards, using different colored yarn, if desired.

HEARTY BIRD FEEDER

• Pipe cleaners
• Ring-type cereal (Cheerios, Fruit Loops, etc,)
• Scissors
• Twine

1. Form pipe cleaner into the shape of a heart, making sure the two open ends are at the bottom.
2. String cereal onto the pipe cleaner until it is full.
3. Bring bottom open ends together and twist together to close the heart.
4. Cut and tie a piece of twine to the top of the heart.
5. Hang on a tree.

SUPER SLEUTH GREETING CARD

• 8 ½- x 11-Inch poster board
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Envelope

1. Create a special picture and/or message with markers on one side of the poster board.
2. Turn poster over and draw a line down the middle.
3. On either side of this center line, mark off lines in ½-inch intervals.
4. Use scissors to cut across the lines so you have 22 strips.
5. Shuffle the strips so they are out of order, then place in an envelope.
6. Give as a greeting card to a friend or family member and challenge them to put together your puzzle.

Related:

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