VALENTINE PROJECTS

This project is rated as: EASY

Materials needed: Computer paper, crayons (or colored pencils or paint), craft knife (or paper cutter or scissors)

Two Valentine projects are provided:

1. VALENTINE ORNAMENT

You can make a cone shaped ornament to give to someone as a Valentine's Day gift.

If you have a color printer, you can show a pre-colored image of the Valentine cone and then print it.

If you do not have a color printer (or prefer to do your own coloring,) you can show a black and white Valentine cone, print it, and then color it yourself with crayons, paint, or colored pencils.

In either case, cut out the cone alone the outer black edges. Then roll the cone into an approximate cone shape. (It is easier to glue if some shaping is done first.) The right edge of the ornament has a dashed line parallel to the right edge. The area between the dashed line and the right edge of the ornament is called the glue tab. Apply glue to the glue tab. Now, complete the cone by bringing the glue tab under the left edge and press the two edges together with the left edge along the dashed line. You may need to hold the edges together until the glue dries.

You can use the ornament for a Valentine's Day decoration for yourself, or you may want to give it to someone as a gift.

2. VALENTINE CARD

Would you like to send a Valentine card to a loved one? Would you like it to be one you have made yourself? Here is your opportunity to do that. You have several choices.

If you have a color printer, you can show a pre-colored image of the Valentine card and then print it.

If you do not have a color printer (or prefer to do your own coloring,) you can show a black and white Valentine card, print it, and then color it yourself with crayons, paint, or colored pencils.

After printing the card from your browser (and coloring it,) it is time to fold it. You will notice some fiducial marks (a cross in the center of the page and some dashes near some edges.)

Hold the page so the picture of cupid is upside down to your upper left.
Fold the top of the page away from you making a crease along the horizontal center fiducial marks.
Turn the page around so that cupid is upright by your right hand.
Fold the left side of the paper (away from you) to the right side, making a crease along the vertical fiducial marks.
Make sure the the folds are tightly creased.

Due to the fact that the image may not be centered on the page, after folding, the edges may not meet. That is OK because you need to trim the card to size. It is best to do the trimming with a paper cutter or a craft knife. If you do not have either of these, you can do the trimming with scissors but you should practice on a folded sheet of blank paper.

First, trim away the right edge of the card so that the card is 3.5 inches wide.

Next, trim away the bottom edge of the card so the card is 5.0 inches tall.

You now have a completed card. It will fit into a standard envelope. Write a message (if you want) on the inside, sign it, put it in an envelope and mail it to your loved one.

Some users may find that their browser prints the desired image too large or too small. The image was designed to be printed at 96 dots per inch (dpi). Your browser may print at 72 dpi (MacIntosh), or at 120 dpi or maybe some other value. You may be able to select the printing dpi in your browser. Special images, color and b & w, are provided for MacIntosh users.

If you have a problem with image size, you may take this alternative approach. Display the image you want to use. Instead of printing it, position your cursor on the image, then click the right button on your mouse. This will give you the option of saving the image to a file. Once you have a copy of the image, you can use your graphics software to resize it, add other elements to it, etc. Then you can print it.

Have fun with these projects!

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http://www.auntannie.com/