Aunt Annie's Crafts logo

Aunt Annie's Crafts

Craft projects and more!

Valentine's Day Crafts

Valentine's Day fun for everyone

Valentine's Day Crafts

Valentine's Day fun for everyone
 
advertisement
Valentine's Day Crafts

Valentine Suncatchers

More than decorations, they're love notes!
Heart-shaped suncatchers for Valentine's Day
What you will make:

Make heart-shaped suncatchers (or star suncatchers) for those special people in your life, or brighten a room by hanging suncatchers in the windows. Suncatchers are easy to make, and are a great vehicle for creativity—make them in a variety of colors and add embellishments to dress them up. You'll get as much enjoyment from making suncatchers as from looking at them.

Related crafts: Bookmark these suncatcher crafts for other seasons and holidays: Snowman and Angel Suncatcher Ornaments, Halloween Suncatchers and Easter Suncatchers.

Here's what you need:
  • Computer paper: white or red
  • Tissue paper: white or colored
  • Glue
  • Crayons or markers
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Tape
  • String, yarn or thread
  • Optional: Cellophane, foil, vellum, paper punches, and glitter.

This project is rated EASY to do.

Share this craft with friends and family
Share on Facebook Share with a pin on Pinterest Share using email
Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
advertisement

How to Make Valentine Suncatchers

Read all of the steps before starting.
Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Choose a heart suncatcher pattern: color or black & white. Download the pattern for the suncatchers and print it on computer paper. The first two patterns include the frames and the centers for two suncatchers. To make six suncatchers, print the two Frames patterns and one Centers pattern.  To make the colored version of the Centers translucent, print it on vellum or plain paper that you wax (see Waxing Paper craft).

Bonus star suncatcher patterns: color or black & white. Download the pattern for the  star suncatchers and print it on computer paper. The patterns include the frames and the centers for two star suncatchers.

There are two sizes of suncatchers on each pattern sheet—small and large. The large suncatchers are about 3¼" (8 cm) wide and small ones are about 2¾" (7 cm) wide.

White or colored paper

White paper

Frames
Printable pattern for suncatcher frames
Centers
Printable pattern for suncatcher centers

White or colored paper

White paper

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Color (optional)
Color the suncatcher frames - be creative

Color the suncatcher frames, or leave them white. Draw tiny hearts, or maybe wavy lines in a rainbow of colors—use your imagination!

Tip: You do not need to color the frame centers, since they will be cut out.

Step 3: Cut
Cut out surrounding boxes

Cut on the box outline around the suncatcher and tissue patterns. Make the cuts straight and the corners square.

Tip: There are two frame patterns for each suncatcher.

Step 4: Fold and Cut
Fold in half then cut out the suncatcher frames

Fold each box in half on the dashed line. Cut around each heart pattern on the solid black line. Do not cut along the fold. Cut out the centers of the frames. Now, open each piece flat. Keep the center heart and the surrounding box. We can use them, too. See how in Easy Valentine Cards.

Tip: Trim around the edges, if needed.

Easier option: The thin frames can be difficult to handle. An easier way to make the suncatcher frame is to just cut the center heart—this simpler frame is a rectangle with a heart cut out. See the sample to the right.

Step 5: Trace and Cut Tissue Paper
Trace the tissue pattern then cut the tissue paper

Put the tissue pattern face-up on a piece of tissue paper. Trace around the pattern with a pencil. Remove the pattern. Cut the tissue paper on the line you traced.

Tip: White tissue paper works well, but colored tissue paper is a nice option. You can also use foil, vellum or colored cellophane instead of tissue paper. Most craft stores and florists carry a variety of colored cellophane and vellum is available in a variety of colors and patterns at craft and scrapbooking stores.

Step 6: Glue Together
Glue the tissue paper between the two heart frames.

Glue the tissue paper to the back of a suncatcher frame. Glue another frame on top, with the back sides together. In other words, glue the tissue paper between the two frames. To keep things neat, you may want to cover the table with a piece of waxed paper before gluing the tissue paper—sometimes, the glue can go through the tissue paper and make a sticky mess.

Tip: A glue stick works well.

Step 7: Hanger (optional)
To make a hanger, tape a loop of string to the top of the suncatcher.

Decide how you want to use your suncatcher. You may or may not want to add a hanger. To make a simple hanger, tape a loop of string or yarn to the top of the suncatcher.

Tip: Another way of making a hanger is with needle and thread. Thread the needle with a doubled strand of thread about 12" (30 cm) long. Punch a hole with the needle in the center at the top of the suncatcher. Pull the thread through the hole. Remove the needle. Put the tail through the loop and pull tight. Knot the two ends of the tail together.

That's it! Your suncatchers are ready to hang!
Valentine suncatchers hanging in window

Keep up with Aunt Annie's Crafts on Facebook, RSS feed or with our newsletter.

advertisement
 
Privacy Policy | About | Contact © 2024, AuntAnnie.com