Tutorial: Tissue Box Photo Hearts

Of late, through no decision of my own and just in time for Valentine's Day, I've learned in detail how the heart works. You see, Lo bought the boy a very detailed pop-up anatomy book which the boy now insists we read to him every night at bedtime. Circulation is by far my favourite chapter. It makes sense. It is clear to me. And it doesn't give rise to any awkward questions, unlike the digestive system, or God-forbid, the reproductive system. The boy and I were eternally scarred by a recent incident in which I foolishly decided to answer all of his innocent but far too probing questions regarding the reproductive system. It suffices to say that he is now elated, and entirely too relieved, to be a boy, loudly and happily proclaiming his boyness at every turn. But the circulatory system? Ahhh... The circulatory system is nothing short of beauty and elegance! And the heart, well... I simply could not live without it.

Should I get to today's heart craft then? Okay. Let's get to it, shall we?

Tutorial: Tissue Box Photo Hearts

You will need:

• Two different (and empty) tissue boxes
• Scrap of black construction paper
• Styrofoam tray
• Hole punch
• Exacto knife
• Pencil
• PVA (white) glue, and glue for foam crafts is also very useful
• Photos (Note: these will be cut up)

1. From your tissue boxes, cut 3 hearts of the same size: 2 of one colour, 1 of the other. The single heart will be sandwiched between the other two. From the center of the single heart, cut out a small circle. From the center of one of the other hearts, cut out a slightly larger circle. The centre points of these 2 holes should coincide.

2. Using your hole punch, make some confetti out of the black construction paper.

3. Glue the confetti along the edge of the good side of the single heart as shown.

4. Using the hole punch, make confetti out of the foam tray.

5. Using foam glue if available, attach a few pieces of foam confetti to the backs of both holy hearts.

6. Cut out a photo whose image will fit within the smaller hole of the confetti-edged heart.

7. Glue the photo onto the last unholy heart.

8. Glue the confetti-edged heart on top of this photo heart. Glue the big-holed heart on the very top.

And your photo heart is complete!!!

Now you could do one or more of the following with these little gems...

You could:

1. Add a hanger to your photo heart and make an ornament or gift tag.
2. Write a little message on the back and give as a Valentine's Day card.
3. Back it with a magnet. Fridge magnet at your service!
4. Make a whole bunch in all different sizes and string them together to create a photo heart garland.
5. Attach a whack of them onto a wire circle and make a photo heart wreath.

My goodness, the possibility and potential is virtually endless. Go to it! Have a tissue box heart, won't you?

Here is an alternative tissue box heart design minus the photo!

Now go have yourself a wonderful day, and I'll see you again soon!