We just received the dreaded email from Bee's teacher: "Please no candy or edible treats with valentines this year." WHAT? What's a valentine without some candy, especially to a group of 6 and 7 year olds? So we scrambled to think of something the kids will actually use (rather than buying cheap plastic party favors or going the uninspired sticker or pencil route).
Remembering these escort cards and holiday tags, we rounded up some red and white fabric and started making valentine bookmarks. To get started you'll need: white cardstock, an x-acto knife and ruler, a bone folder, a cutting mat, a 1.5" heart craft punch, a glue stick and some fabric scraps (cut to roughly 2" x 2").
First you'll need to print out the template on white or cream cardstock. I use an x-acto knife and a metal ruler, being careful not to cut all the way through the ends of the paper so my template stays together while I am cutting. It also helps to run a bone folder over the line where the bookmark folds (marked with a red dashed line on your template). This will help the card fold smoothly, so you won't have a jagged edge.
Use your heart punch to punch out the heart on the bookmark. If you don't have the right sized punch, you can try cutting the heart with a sharp x-acto knife.
Glue the fabric scrap to the inside of the bookmark, placing it so it will show through the cutout heart when the bookmark is folded. Then apply glue to the entire left side of the bookmark (the side with the heart cutout) especially along the edges and around the heart. Fold your bookmark carefully in half.
Use a bone folder to smooth out the glue and make sure every part of the heart is thoroughly glued down. Pay special attention to the edges. You can use all kinds of fabric, but since such a small amount of fabric shows through the heart, those with a small repeat work best.
For a nice finishing touch, round the edges of the bookmarks with a corner rounder.
I've got a few other ideas up my sleeve for these fabric hearts.. Stay tuned!