VALENTINES

 

Roofing tin (flashing) is inexpensive (hardware stores) and has a great look.  Spray painted with red high gloss paint, hearts can be painted and or decorated.  After painting and or decorating, hearts are durable enough to hang outdoors.  For kids, adults can cut hearts (with scissors or tin snips) in a variety of sizes and then paint with high gloss red spray paint.
Great stuff for decorating can be found at 99 cent stores such as beads, jewels, ribbon, stickers or anything festive like the "love" sign.  Fun to do in a group or to give to kids who are spending time in the hospital or are unable to be active.  Just bring painted hearts, acrylic paints, glitter, and ribbon or wire.

Materials

Roll of roofing tin  (flashing) from hardware store or Home Depot.  Buy a small roll to start with (unless you know you are making lots of large size hearts) and buy the lightest weight they carry (0.010 thick). 

Bright red high gloss spray paint.

Acrylic paints in assorted colors, paint brushes, glue, thin wire or ribbon or string or twine, small hole punch, sand paper and if decorating hearts, any items you may want to use such as glitter, beads, gems, stickers, etc.  If you like the "love" sign but can't find one at a 99 cent or craft store, you can make one out of aluminum wire, 18 guage.  Spray paint red.

Instructions

Decide on size hearts you would like to decorate and cut out some patterns for tracing.  I always use newspaper for patterns.  Trace hearts on your flashing.  The flashing is a little hard to handle when it comes off the roll as it wants to stay curled so you have to bend it just a bit to make is flatter.  Don't force it too much or you will end up with dents.  Trace hearts on tin and cut with tin snips or scissors.  Sand the edges a bit.  Edges will still be a bit sharp so when working with kids, remind them not to run their fingers along the edges.

Lay hearts out on some newspaper or drop cloth and spray red.  Wait till dry, turn over, and spray the other side.  Only spray one side if you plan on hanging hearts where just one side will show.

When dry, hearts are ready to paint and or decorate.  If you are hanging hearts in a row as shown in samples, you will need to punch holes in tops and or bottoms.  Attach hearts together with wire or ribbon or string.   

  Have fun!