This simple craft turns paper plates into a photo frame that looks like a wreath of paper hearts. It’s great for kids to make at home, or as part of a group project with friends or a daycare or Sunday school class. You can use ordinary paper plates or buy inexpensive colored paper plates in the party section of dollar stores. The plates can be any size, but 9 inch plates work especially well for holding a standard 4 x 6 photo.
You can leave the hearts plain or write personalized messages on them for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day.
To help very young kids make the craft, draw hearts on heavy paper and cut them out for the kids to trace, or precut some hearts for them.
Things You’ll Need:
- two paper plates
- scissors
- two sheets red or pink construction paper or cardstock
- pencil
- glue
- piece of red or pink ribbon
- markers (optional)
- heart stickers (optional)
- photo (about 4 x 6)
Make Paper Hearts
- Draw about a dozen hearts on the construction paper or cardstock, with each heart ranging in size from about 2 to 3 inches. (They don’t have to be perfect.)
- Cut out the hearts.
- Optional: Write Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day messages on the hearts such as “I love you,” “You’re the best,” or “XOXO.”
Make the Frame
- Carefully poke a hole in the center of one paper plate using a scissors or sharp pencil.
- Cut away the middle of the paper plate, leaving only the outer rim.
- Glue hearts all around the paper plate rim, with the points of the hearts facing in and the rounded parts of the hearts toward the edge, until it’s completely covered. (If you’re using more than one color of paper, it looks great to alternate colors.)
- Optional: Add heart stickers to the paper hearts if desired for extra sparkle.
Prepare the Backing
- Cut a piece of red or pink ribbon about 12 inches long.
- Glue (or tape) both ends of the ribbon to the top of the back of the paper plate. This will allow you to hang up the frame using the ribbon.
- Put a line of glue along the bottom and sides of the outer edge of the front of the paper plate. Leave the top unglued so you can insert a photo.
- Place the heart covered frame on top of the paper plate backing. Press it in place and allow the glue to dry.
- Slip a photo through the opening between the top of the paper plates. Make sure the corners of the photo get tucked under the edges of the paper plate rim. (If the photo is too small to be held in place by the frame, you can glue it to a larger piece of paper first.)
Christy Jones - Christy’s how-to articles have been published in Sew Simple, Soft Dolls & Animals and The Cloth Doll magazines. She has been a ...
