Hang your hearts on a tree

When the roses have yet to bloom and your yard is looking bleak, try these hanging hearts to imitate some early blossoms.

By Jo Calvert

Carol Gooding has come up with a cheerful way to celebrate Valentine's Day. To brighten up the grey of the landscape and the spirits of her winter-weary Toronto neighbours, she hangs a colourful collection of papier-mâché hearts on the bare branches of her front-yard tree. They're a unique way to add outdoor colour – after Christmas lights and before daffodils – and they're a surefire way to coax a smile from even the coldest face. Carol has had such fun with her hearts, she wrote to us about sharing her idea with Canadian Living readers. So get your children involved in the papier-mâché fun, paint the finished hearts in bold colours and tie them to a tree of your own.

Papier-Mâché Hearts
Finished hearts range from 7.5 to 18 cm (3 to 7 inches) high.

YOU NEED:

Newspaper

Flour and water, for paste

High-gloss acrylic spray varnish

Acrylic paint: white and desired colours

Flat poster brushes

Fabric ribbons

Liquid fray preventer (available at sewing supply stores)

Masking tape

Plastic-covered twist ties, approx 7.5 cm (3 inches) long

Large bowl

Whisk

Cake rack

Plastic sheet
TO MAKE:
Note: Protect work surface with a plastic sheet. When applying papier-mâché, paint and varnish, let dry completely after each coat.
1. Bunch newspaper into 3 same-size balls for each heart; tape together into triangular heart shape. With small piece of newspaper, form point at bottom of each heart; tape in place.
2. Hold 2 twist ties side by side; fold in half, then twist ends together to form 1.5 cm (5/8-inch) hanging loop with ends fanned out under twist. Position 1 loop between top curves of each heart; tape ends to front and back.
3. In bowl, whisk together equal parts warm water and flour, to make paste.
4. Rip newspaper into strips, approx 2.5 x 7.5 cm (1 x 3 inches). One at a time, dip strips into paste and apply to each heart, covering with layer of overlapping strips. Place hearts on cake rack, turning occasionally, until dry. Repeat process, applying a total of 3 layers.
5. With poster brush, paint white primer coat on hearts. With poster brush, paint 1 or more coats of desired colour(s), painting solid colour or pattern as desired.
6. Spray hearts with 2 or 3 coats of high-gloss acrylic varnish.
7. Cut various lengths of ribbon for each heart: for streamers, hanging ties and bows. Apply fray preventer along all cut edges, then thread ribbons through hanging loop and tie to secure.

Designer's Tips

Decorate your house with hearts or hang them in winter-bare tree branches.
With the leftover ribbons, tie extra bows around tree branches.
After outside use, remove ribbons, then wash and press if necessary. Wipe hearts with a damp cloth.
Let hearts and ribbons dry between layers of white tissue or plain newsprint for several days before storing in plastic bags.

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