Valentine Heart Tree Tutorial

Update 1/12/2014: I am now a contributing artist at Silhouette and you will be able to  purchase the Silhouette cutting files for this project at the online store. I have posted a Silhouette tutorial for this project here. The cutting file is available here. There is also a solid heart tree cutting file here.

My new supply of card stock came in so I can make another valentine tree and take pictures of the process. I often work that way. I make an entire project and then go back and replicate it for the camera, especially on items that I may want duplicates of for a table centerpiece. I shared this project with you a couple of days ago because I was excited and couldn't wait. Today I made the tutorial.

Before we begin please forgive my dirty hands. I am in the middle of three projects today and I have been experimenting with layers of stain. Yes my fingers are orange and covered with spray glue - but that's another project for another day.

Today is the Valentine Tree Tutorial!

I made the smaller open heart variety for this tutorial.

Supplies needed:

• Silhouette Cutting machine - (A patient crafts person could cut this out with an exacto knife by hand.)
• Heart Pattern - I made mine by duplicating hearts
• 3 sheets white card stock
• 1 sheet red card stock
• Paper glue - fast drying
• 1/8" wide satin red ribbon
• Scissors
• Long craft needle (6")

The process:

• Create your cutting pattern on the Silhouette using their software.
• I used 1 heart shape and replicated it for each row.
• I grouped the row, duplicated it and reduce the size.
• I built the tree by repeating that process.
• I then used the weld tool in the software to merge all the hearts together.
• I added another layer of interior hearts for cut outs.

• Cut three trees out of white card stock using the Silhouette cutting machine.
• Separate the tree from the cutting mat.
• Take 1 tree and quickly dab glue onto the tips of every heart along one side.

• Before the glue dries place a second tree cut-out on top, lining up the hearts.
• Press together and wait a little while for it to dry.

• Turn it over and lift up the top tree and again place a line of glue along the outer edge of one tree.

• Place the third tree on top of that row of glue dots.
• Allow it to dry for a few minutes.
• Separate the two tress on top and put a row of glue spots along the last seam.
• You are glueing the three trees together. If you are careful and don't bend the trees back, a graceful curve will form for each tree.

• Once the trees are together, move on to making the red decoration in the center. 
• In this one I created a suspended heart.
• It is made from 3 matching hearts cut out of card stock.
• Fold all 3 hearts in half.
• Glue a length of red satin 1/8" ribbon (about 15") to the center of one of the folded hearts.

• Glue the other hearts together with the first one creating a 3-d heart hanging on a red ribbon.

• Thread the red ribbon onto the long needle and thread that up through the center of the tree.

• Tie the top off in a bow so the red heart in the center hangings about 1" up from the bottom.

Create a series in different sizes. Other variations I tried include leaving the hearts solid and hanging 1/2" red beads in the center. I like them all!

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Valentine Paper Trees
• Scandinavian Hearts
• Ideas for Valentine Cards
• Home is Where the Heart is • A Valentine Door (with Duck Tape!)
• Valentine Wreaths
• Valentine Centerpiece 2012
• Simple Valentine Centerpiece 2011

©2013AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

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