Project: Heartfelt Notes

February 14 is, of course, Valentines Day. Why not declare the whole month of February *Tell them you love them* month and take the opportunity to say something encouraging to those who make your life rich and meaningful? That means friends, family members, people from the past, and anyone who could use an expression of love and appreciation - just about all of us, I imagine!

Here's a great idea: Send a heartfelt message in a collection of colorful heart shapes, enclosed in a wrapper of handmade paper. The wrapper is a round sheet of handmade abaca and petal paper, folded to form a neat enclosure which may be sealed with a wax seal or another paper heart.

To Make the Wrapper:

(1) Form a round sheet of paper by using an anti-spatter screen, usually used to keep grease from leaping out of a frying pan. I recommend buying a new one or washing the old one very thoroughly! In our photo, we have uses a 10 inch diameter screen.

(2) When the sheet is pressed and dried, fold the right and left edges in to the middle until they overlap about 1/4 inch. Now fold the top and bottom edged in to the center until they meet.

Making the Heart Messages:

Using a variety of coloured handmade papers, (this is a great way to use up scraps that you couldn?t bear to discard!) draw or trace 5 or 6 heart shapes about 3 inches wide. Write messages on the hearts and tuck them inside the wrapper.

Finishing:

Use a wax seal, another paper heart, or a fancy sticker to seal the package. Deliver or mail to delight the recipient. If you tape the open edges closed, this package may be mailed as is.

by Heidi Reimer-Epp and Mary Reimer
authors of 300 Papermaking Recipes
founders of Botanical PaperWorks papermaking studio.