VALENTINE HEART 

A big paper mache heart with a special place for valentine goodies ~

cards, candies, and other good things.

 

Large paper mach heart with slot for goodies is about 21" across and is similar to the large paper mache kid's heart project below.  You can follow the tips and instructions for the Kids Heart project with a few adjustments and additions.  The basic instructions as to how to mark and cut heart out of cardboard are the same as are the instructions for paper mache.   Following are the changes for the beautiful and welcoming front door heart.

 

After you mark and cut the basic heart you will also mark and cut a second piece which will be attached to the first piece, creating the front slot for goodies.

After marking and cutting the first heart (our is 21") you will mark and cut a second piece after cutting off the top portion (about 7") so you will have a heart piece minus it's top.  You will also need a side piece of cardboard about 1" wide and 30" long, or long enough to fit front piece to back (as the side ).  You will work this piece with your hands a bit to make it curve, bending as you go.  Cardboard is great this way as it is so easy to use and the paper mache covers up any bumps and imperfections.

Same as it is for the first heart project you will cover your heart and heart front piece with paper mache.  You will not be putting them together yet, that won't happen until both hearts are dry.  After they are dry (don't forget to use weights to keep them flat while drying on wax paper), you will tape the long side piece in place joining both heart pieces together.  After side piece is taped in place, you will paper mache the sides and ends.  To keep the heart in shape and so top won't sag in a bit, you can stuff a little newpaper in the slot while sides are drying.  After the sides are dry, paint the entire piece with Gesso (or any white acrylic paint, even house paint) and after that is dry, you are ready to paint your design.

Have fun with your design.  You can copy the sample or do whatever you like.  I love folk art and I usually end up with a folk art look to my projects.  I don't like to worry about my design being too balanced and perfect so I just dive in and see where it goes.  I start with simple shapes, lines, etc and then just keep adding more designs and details.  Acrylics make it easy to keep adding more paint to your designs and as a last step it's easy to add more hearts and flowers or white dots and lines here and there for extra pop.  

 

Finish with a clear acrylic top coat and a hanging wire.  Hang on your front door and hope for the best.  At the very least it will make people smile and that's always a good thing.