Instructions

• : Children under four should not use scissors, and kids four through nine should use safety scissors.
• Step 1: Create the basic card Create a basic card by folding a piece of construction paper in half, and then in half again. Don’t feel you have to stick with red and pink. Using non-traditional colors will make your card stand out.
• Step 2: Cut a cool edge Trim the edges of the card with decorative-edge scissors, which create an interesting edge as you cut. Designs include scallop, wave, ripple, and torn paper.
• Step 3: Pick a cover image Decide what you want on the cover. You can draw or paint something right on the card; create the design on a separate piece of paper; or use a personal photo, a picture from a magazine, or a king or queen of hearts from an old deck of cards.
• TIP: Make your own craft paint by mixing three parts glue to one part water and a few drops of food coloring.
• Step 4: Punch it up If you’re transferring an image onto the cover, punch holes around the edges and lace a piece of ribbon or yarn through them, tying the ends into a bow at the top.
• Step 5: Prep the cover Glue a background on the cover, like a doily, a square of velvet, a piece of fabric, or some aluminum foil. Or, use one of those materials to create a border.
• TIP: Use decoupage glue—it won’t leave bumps the way regular glue can.
• Step 6: Glue on the picture Glue on your cover image, and add whatever embellishments you’d like: beads, candy hearts, stickers. Leave room for a greeting if you’d like.
• Step 7: Write messages Using a slim marker, write your cover greeting and a message inside. For a more professional look, use a stencil-alphabet kit.
• TIP: Not feeling inspired? Find a poem online, paste it into a document on your computer, format it in fancy font, and glue it inside the card.
• Step 8: Be nice! If the cards are going to classmates, make sure no one is left out.
• FACT: Valentine’s Day is the second most popular greeting-card holiday, after Christmas. Mother’s Day comes in third.

You Will Need

• Construction paper
• Decorative-edge scissors
• Drawings or pictures
• A hole punch
• Ribbon or yarn
• Fabric scraps or aluminum foil
• Glue
• Decorations
• like beads and stickers
• A slim marker
• Perfume
• Safety scissors (optional)
• An old set of playing cards (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Stencil-alphabet kit (optional)
• A computer and printer (optional)