I found a set of heart-shaped cookie cutters at the thrift store recently but instead of using them to bake cookies, I repurposed a few of them for a sweet Valentine's craft project!

Altered Valentine Cookie Cutters

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These are the cookie cutters that I picked up for just $1.49. The vintage Valentine is from my stash and this is a photocopy that I'm using 😊

Step One - punch holes in the cookie cutters

To string the hearts together, you'll need to punch a hole through the top and bottom of each heart except for the smallest one which will only need a hole in the top.

I used my Crop-A-Dile heavy-duty hole punch. Unless you are new to LVC, you've probably heard me talk about this hole punch before.

This is all I have to say... GET ONE... they punch through anything. You'll thank me 😘

If you don't have a Crop-A-Dile, you can use a drill since these are pretty soft metal or an awl but you'll need to have a hard surface under the area where you'll punch so you don't bend the metal.

Step Two - add the backs

Pick out some scrapbook paper with Valentine colors or themes to use as backs for each heart. You won't need much, so scraps will do if you have them!

Trace around each heart and cut just outside the line.

Use white craft glue (I like Aleene's Tacky Glue) and run a thin bead of glue around the edge of the paper. Place the cookie cutter on top and give it time to dry.

TIPS: 

• I do not recommend hot glue with metal. It won't stick very well and may fall apart easily.
• You can place books on top if the cookie cutters aren't making full contact with the paper.

Once they are dry, trim any excess paper from around the edges.

Step Three - add garland

Using hot glue, add some mini garland in the color of your choice around the inside edge of the largest cookie cutter.

TIP: Hot glue will work here since you'll be putting it on the paper.

Step Four - prepare the Valentine

If you are using a copy printed on regular printer paper or the original Valentine, you'll want to add some stability. I used some white cardstock and a glue stick to add the Valentine to the cardstock.

Cut out the Valentine with the cardstock backing (glue them first and then cut them together) and then add some wooden craft sticks to the back with hot glue. This will help ensure that any delicate areas like arms and legs aren't easily bent.

Step Five - add the Valentine and embellish

Glue the Valentine to the top of the cookie cutter with white craft glue.

Then you can begin embellishing it!

You can embellish however you wish. I used a little piece of pink tinsel garland and glued it inside.

And then I added some vintage mini Shiny Brite ornaments in pink and silver on top of the pink garland.

I thought it needed a little more, so I cut some little pink hearts from a scrap of scrapbook paper and nestled them in with the ornaments.

This is the middle-sized heart. I chose to leave it and the smallest pretty plain so the focus is on the large one.

I shaped a little piece of wired garland into a heart and glued it to the bottom.

And the smallest heart has the same heart paper.

Step Six - string them together

Use some coordinating colored or Valentine-themed ribbon to string them all together.

You can use ribbon or garland to add a hanger to the top.

Isn't it cute?! 😃 It will be adorable with almost any Valentine's card.

I hope you enjoyed this idea! If you did, you may also like these ideas for vintage Valentines.

How to Display Vintage Valentines

Upcycled Doorknob Photo Holder (or Valentine holder)!

Altered Valentine's Day Plate

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