In cutting out these hearts it may be necessary first to cut a pattern out of newspaper, making several trials before a satisfactory model is secured.
Lacy Valentine (Gold or silver paper, white tissue paper, scrap pictures, paste)
Cut from a sheet of gold or silver paper a piece measuring 5 × 7 inches. Fold this once through the middle so as to make a book of 3½ × 5 inches. Cut a piece from the tissue paper of 3½ × 5 inches. Fold this two or three times and cut into it tiny perforations—oblongs, diamonds, circles, hearts, etc. Then open out and observe the lacey effect. Practice this until something pretty and dainty is secured. Then upon the centre of the book paste a scrap picture and attach the tissue paper by its edges to the Valentine in such a way that the picture shows a little between the perforations. A narrow strip of stiff paper folded in three, to give the effect of a spring as described above, may be used at each corner. Inside of the booklet paste other pictures as fancy dictates. Also write therein some appropriate lines.
Spider-Web Design (Gold or silver paper, Bristol board, scrap picture, paste, scissors)
Cut a circle of gold or silver paper, three or four inches in diameter. Fold once, making a semi-circle; fold once more making a quarter-circle. Beginning at the point of the folded paper, make a tiny cut from one edge towards the other, but do not cut the point entirely off. Turn the paper and make a second cut parallel to the first about ⅛ inch away, the cut being from the other edge of the paper. Turn again and make a third cut. Each time the cuts grow in length owing to the increasing width of the triangle or quarter-circle. Continue thus until the circumference of the folded circle is reached. Then open out and you have a silver spider-web effect. Take a square or circle somewhat larger than the web, and in its centre paste a pretty bird, flower, or maiden. Then paste the web upon this background, putting the paste along the edges of the web, but leaving the centre free, so that the child can raise it and peer through the slits at the picture beneath.
Let city children send to country cousins scrap pictures, colored papers, etc., and sample Valentines, so that their friends may have the pleasure of making and giving.
Valentine Dinner
Soup: Put into the clear soup the noodle hearts, which may be purchased at a grocery store, or have a vegetable soup, slicing the vegetables and cutting them into little hearts with a knife.
Meat: Make chicken or beef croquettes, molding them like hearts.
Vegetables: Slice the boiled carrots and potatoes and cut into heart shapes.