Each and every person needs a reminder of his or her importance. Sending a handmade valentine is a great way to show how much you care—without the use of Hallmark’s very best. And if your thoughts don’t compile in the form of a valentine on February fourteenth, there’s no reason not to share them at any moment. With a little help from your garden and your supply closet, you can make herbed cards for Valentine’s day or other correspondence. Making the herbed paper and note cards is easy. Make them as festive or as detailed as you like.
Materials
• Wax paper (12 inches wide)
• 1 tablespoon fresh or dried petals or leaves (such as rose petals, lavender flowers, or small leaves)
• 2 or 3 facial tissues (such as Kleenex)
• 2 tablespoons white glue
• 1/2 cup water
• Small spray bottle
• Cotton cloth
• Iron
• Decorative craft scissors
• Plain or colored paper
• Glue stick
• Ribbon or lace for additional decoration
Instructions:
1. Cut about 2 feet of wax paper and lay it on a non-porous surface, such as a counter top. Then scatter the fresh or dried petals over the wax paper. Take a sheet of tissue and separate it into a single ply. Gently put the tissue over the petals, overlapping the petals by 1/4 inch. Repeat until all of the petals on the wax paper are covered.
2. Next, mix equal portions of white glue and water (about 1/2 cup glue and 1/2 cup water). Mix it in a small squirt bottle that has a spray (or spritz) option—a strong-stream spray won’t work. Spritz the top of the tissue with this glue mixture, covering every part of the tissue. You may not need to use all of the glue mixture you made. Using your fingers, gently dab small, uncovered areas with glue. Allow to dry completely—about 24 hours.
3. Some of the glue may have stuck to the counter top. Take a regular kitchen knife and gently loosen the paper from the counter. Next, put a light cotton cloth over the wax paper side and iron on medium heat. Press each area with the iron for only a few seconds or it will scorch. This assures that all areas will adhere.
4. Make a template the size you would like your cards to be and cut the paper to that size. Fold the flower paper in half—like a card. Edging it with scissors with interesting edging adds a nice touch. Then take any paper (card stock works best), and cut that paper about 1/2 inch smaller than the flower paper. Fold this paper and insert it inside the folded flower paper. Put a small dab of glue from a glue stick between the papers and you have great Valentine or note-writing cards.
Click here to learn about the The History of Valentine’s Day.