paper heart garland

As I mentioned yesterday, I got a package of joss paper on Monday, and wanted to make something with it. This sewn-up heart garland can be made with other kinds of paper, of course (though I must note that my sewing machine doesn't handle card stock well; YMMV). To make it, first stack up several sheets of thin paper in various colors. Keep them stacked as you cut out a heart shape. Repeat until you have a bunch of heart stacks (I ended up using nine). 

Thread your sewing machine with colorful thread. I didn't have any matching pinks, so I went a bit contrasty with yellow. Sew through the center of the heart stacks one by one, spacing them out an inch or so in one continuous line. 

Use tacky glue to sandwich the ends of the thread between two pieces of paper. I used my one-inch hole punch for the top, and cut two free-hand circles for the bottom that were big enough to write a message on. 

Show off the many layers of your hearts by folding them in half, this way and that. 

Display your garland where a loved one will see it, or carefully slip it into an envelope or a small box and present it as a gift. I hung up my garland using a single glue dot, but a tack would be more trustworthy. 

Happy day to you, my Valentines!
xo