Semi-Secret Valentine
When it comes to matters of the heart, its challenging to find the best way to express our heartfelt sentiments to the objects of our affection. We want to tell them. But we don’t. We do. We don’t. Yikes! Let’s face it, it’s not easy to muster enough courage to plop down in the seat next to your bus crush and announce that you’ve loved her since kindergarten. And trusting your best friend Billy to the deliver the message for you could backfire if he spills the beans to everyone on the bus but your bus crush. Or worse, what if he sits next to her and is overcome by her sweet, shy smile, and instead of declaring your love for her, he declares his own?! It’s just too risky.
So we’ve come up with a Valentine’s craft that takes all the pressure off of you and puts it squarely on the shoulders of your beloved. Your job is simply to write your sweet nothings in your most legible second grade handwriting (cursive if you dare!) and stuff them in the prettiest little translucent valentine heart, along with lots of pretty little sparkly things. Her job, if she chooses to accept it, is to decipher and unscramble your message and attempt to make some sort of sense out of it. Just like real life! And if she can’t make head nor tails out of your mixed up musings, at least you haven’t embarrassed yourself, and maybe she’ll give you credit for the cute presentation!
You Need:
Two sheets of semi-transparent paper (velum or cellophane work great). We used one sheet each of light pink and clear vellum.
Pen and paper with which to write your sweet nothings.
Scissors
Hole punch
Red or pink string or yarn to “sew” your heart closed. We used red & white baker’s twine.
Small paper hearts or other Valentine’s Day inspired sparkly do-dads to tuck inside the heart. More is more.
Courage.
How to Do It:
1. Tackle the hard part first! Compose at least 15-20 rough drafts of your love note and then select the one that you feel best describes your feelings. Use proper grammar, and a dictionary to check spelling. If this step takes you more than one day, avoid leaving your drafts in a place where your mother or {gulp} older brother could find them. We caution you against procrastinating with this most important step because dashing off a haphazard note in sloppy penmanship will show a lack of conviction that will no doubt cost you dearly! Don’t forget to sign your name (and last initial if there are a lot of Connor’s in your class).
2. Cut every single word out, one by one. Don’t chop off the tails of your g’s and y’s. Details, details!
3. Draw a big heart on one sheet of the vellum paper. Don’t be skimpy here! A tiny little heart will send a mixed message and cause confusion and/or hurt feelings.
4. Layer the two sheets of paper and cut out the heart.
5. With the two sheets still together, use the hole punch to punch holes evenly around the outside permitter of the heart.
6. Lace the string carefully through the holes, leaving enough space open at the end to insert the words from your note and sparkly pretty things. Take care not to wrinkle or outright mangle the heart during this delicate process as the recipient could infer certain things from your lack of control.
7. Finish lacing the heart, tie a knot, and leave a little extra string at the end to tie into a loop for hanging.
8. Personally hand deliver to your sweetheart no later than Valentines Day, with a confident smile and friendly greeting. Resist the overwhelming urge to shove it in her hand and run away screaming.
small hands big art is an art studio in South Charlotte that offers classes, camps, & parties for children & young adults.
8025 Ardrey Kell Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28277
704.246.8271
www.smallhandsbigart.com
