Monday, January 14, 2013

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:



©2013AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy



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17 comments:

  1. Wow so amazingly beautiful, really love it. I again I really need a silhouette machine. So beautiful. Have a nie day

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  2. Beautiful! Yet another reason to get a Silhouette!

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  3. OH WOW!!!!!! The tree is AMAZING!!!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!

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  4. I love this tutorial. Great job on this--I'm dying to try it.

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  5. Wow! This is absolutely beautiful. Great tutorial and great outcome. Jodi @ www.meaningfulmama.com

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  6. Wow! Thanks for all the comments. I am loving my Silhouette cutting machine. It has inspired a new direction of creativity for me so expect more to come!

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  7. Very lovely! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Oh my goodness!!! this is soooo adorable! great blog you have. I hope you stop by to link - http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/01/link-party-3.html
    Nancy

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  9. These are amazing. And I have a Silhouette too!

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  10. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments. This afternoon I am working on my Silhouette again designing something new. We'll see if it is successful or not... I'll keep you posed.

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  11. Congrats!!
    You have been featured at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!! Come on over and grab your featured button, you deserve it :)
    http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-51/

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  12. Beautiful! Pinning. I just got a Silhouette, but I haven't been able to try it yet. Thanks for the idea!

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  13. This is beautiful. You did a super great job of showing how tto make it . Thanks a million.

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  14. c'est super original et tendre aussi , j'adore , bon jeudi ,
    bisous frifricreations.

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