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Valentine Card Challenge

© Mary M. Alward

Have you bought your Valentine cards yet? Maybe this year you would like to create beautiful, unique cards. There are many different types of Valentines that you could make. Let me tell you a bit of Valentine history that will give you ideas on how to make cards that will delight the people you give them to.

Paper and written Valentine cards became popular in the 15th Century. A Valentine from that era is very rare. There is one on display at the British Museum. It is the oldest Valentine in the world.

In the early years, Valentines were handmade. Rebus Valentines had verses where tiny pictures were used instead of words. For instance, instead of writing the word love, a little heart might have been drawn. They were much like the Rebus puzzles that preschoolers see today. Maybe you have a younger brother or sister that you could make a Rebus Valentine for.

Cut-out Valentines were made by folding a piece of paper several times. Small, pointed scissors were used to cut out lacey patterns. This makes a delightful card. Use a piece of white copy paper to make your design. Glue it to a piece of red card stock or construction paper to make your Valentine.

Pinprick Valentines are easy to make. They were very popular at one time. When I was a child, I received one of these from my grandmother. I wish I still had it today.

To make a pinprick Valentine, use a white piece of copy paper. Use a pin to prick a design in the paper. Create any design you wish. It could be a heart, a cupid, or something else. When using the pin, be sure not to prick your fingers. When your design is complete, glue it to a piece of red card stock or construction paper. Or, maybe you'd like to reverse the project. Use a piece of red copy paper or even tissue paper. Prick your design into it and glue it to a piece of white card stock or construction paper.

During the 1800s, Valentine cards began to be manufactured in factories. In the beginning, they only came in black and white. They were usually handpainted. Maybe you'd like to paint a Valentine card. You could do it in silhouettes, or use color to paint a beautiful picture.

Fancy Valentine cards were made using ribbon and lace. Paper lace like the doilies we see today were not made until the mid 1800s. Real lace was used to make these Valentines. Ask an adult to give you some ribbon and lace. Then, create your own very unique Valentine. Here is a picture of a lace Valentine.

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