How to Make a Simple 3D Paper Heart: Sweet Valentine Decor
Have you ever wondered how to make a paper heart that feels special but not fussy? Then this little project is for you!
With a simple origami feel, it makes a sweet handmade gift for your Romeo or Juliet, or an easy Valentine decoration you’ll enjoy making and sharing.
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Does anyone else feel like Valentine’s Day sneaks up on them every year? After the whirlwind of the holidays, it always takes me by surprise. As in… “Here we go! Another reason to decorate!”
But honestly, it’s a nice surprise. It’s the perfect excuse to share a little extra love and devise creative ways to brighten up the house with pops of cheerful color.
The Simple Joy of a Paper Heart
As a child in school, there was something magical about snipping out a small paper heart and tucking it into a friend’s decorated Valentine box.
But now I have an easy origami heart DIY that is a little more sophisticated!
I promise, if you can make a paper cone (I know you can!), you’re already halfway to creating this adorable Valentine’s heart.
Easy, right? Let’s dive in!
Paper Heart Supply List
- Red or Pink Cardstock (construction paper or origami paper will work fine, but this project is better with a thicker paper like scrapbook paper)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Hot Glue or Scotch Tape
- Cardboard (Don’t overthink the cardboard…I used a leftover cardboard box!)
How to Make a Paper Heart
The first step is to create your cardboard base. Draw a heart shape on your piece of cardboard and cut it out using sharp scissors
You can freehand this, but I always prefer to use a felt heart from the dollar store when drawing a heart. Without a template, my hearts tend to look like they need some pick-me-up surgery!
Next, cut a bunch of 3″ x 3″ hearts from your cardstock.
I’m going for shades of red!
Making the Paper Cones
Take one square piece of paper and twist it into a cone.
This took me a few tries to get the cone shape that I wanted… tight tip at the bottom and a rounded opening at the top.
Once I got the hang of it, I was a paper-twisting machine!
I watched Britbox crime dramas while twisting…not exactly love-related content, but it kept me focused!
Once you have twisted the paper cones, add a touch of hot glue to seal the cone. I tried scotch tape, but they kept popping open. Just go for the glue!
I ended up needing more cones. So, my best advice is to twist LOTS of cones!
The number of cones that you need depends on the size of your cardboard heart. So if you have a larger heart, you need more cones.
I loved seeing my pile of red cones grow as I twisted them!
Creating the Paper Cone Heart
Starting at the bottom of the cardboard heart, glue each cone with the tip toward the middle and the opening facing out. Continue to glue the cones around the perimeter of the heart.
Angle them as needed so the cone openings face out and create a border around the cardboard. Don’t worry about spacing between the bottoms of the cones…they will eventually be covered.
Once you get the first layer completed, add another!
For the secondary layers, pull the cones back slightly so there is an angled “stack” of cones.
Keep layering!
I decided to change the shade of red on the fourth layer to a burgundy red.
As you add layers and try to fit them all in, you will find that you need to glue the cones in a more upright position…and then the cones are too long!
Just bend the bottom or cut the top point of the cone off.
How about some shocking pink for the center? Yes, please!
I love how sculptural this turned out!
It reminds me of a museum sculpture, a bee’s honeycomb, and a box of chocolate…all in one paper cone heart!
This paper heart DIY is perfect for all ages! Younger children can enjoy simple folding and decorating, while older kids can try more detailed designs to make their hearts extra special.
Display Ideas for Your Paper Heart DIY
Once your paper heart is finished, have fun giving it a moment to shine.
- Hang from a door.
- Set on a coffee table beside a book of poetry.
- Prop on a fireplace mantel.
- Leave it on the doorstep of someone special.
- Use as a table centerpiece flanked with, of course…chocolate kisses!
I styled it as a centerpiece on our kitchen island.
One paper heart, chocolate kisses, and a bottle of Grand Marnier are ready to go for Valentine’s Day!
This large paper heart makes a lovely statement gift for Valentine’s Day, especially tucked into a gift bag, used as part of the wrapping, or as the ultimate love note to make someone feel extra special.
It’s just as sweet for Mother’s Day, a thoughtful, handmade gift that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face and shows you took the time to create something from the heart.
Now get out there and start spreading the love!
Cheers!
A Little About Me
Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
– cheers –
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
Pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
Valentine’s Day with The Handcrafted Society
More Valentine Inspiration
A Valentine’s Day Decor Idea Using Tulips
14 Easy Valentine’s Day Decor Ideas
Shopping with Love
Missy, I’m in love with your paper cone heart!! It’s so pretty! I love the vibrant reds and pink. Thanks so much for sharing such a creative idea!
Thanks so much, Kim! This was a fun challenge and I’m so glad you were a part of it!
So much great texture! I am crazy about this!!! Great job Missy (and isn’t E in P, such a bright fun guilty pleasure?)
You are spot on! Thank you so much for your nice comment…it really means a lot!
This is just fabulous Missy! So out of the box and creative. Pinned.
Thank you, Wendy! And, thank you for creating the Handcrafted Society! What a fun group!
Oh my goodness, this is gorgeous, Missy!!!! I love how it turned out. I shared it to my valentine board to share 🙂
xoxo
Thank you so much, Jen! I really appreciate that! This was a fun project and I’m so excited for the Handcrafted Society!
Missy, I’m so impressed with your heart project and how gorgeous it turned out! Pinning of course!
You are so sweet, Michelle! Thank you so much!
Missy that’s sooooo pretty!! Love it!!
Thank you, Jennifer! I really appreciate it!
Missy this is impressive! I love how substantial it is too! I would love to make this for my hot pink front door!
Oooh! This would be so fun on a hot pink door! (Have to say…I am jealous of anyone with a hot pink door!) Thanks, Amy!
What a fun group to be a part of! I love your paper cone heart, Missy! So creative and beautiful! I’ve created many music sheet wreaths for Christmas but never thought about creating a heart this way. I’ll definitely be giving this a try! On a side note…I love Emily in Paris too, and will binge watch when I need a feel good show! I may or may not have watched all 3 seasons more than twice, lol!
Thanks, Kristy! I think I need to go back through and re-watch all the seasons!
WOW, amazing what one can do with paper. Love it.
I visited you via The Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home Wednesday Blog Link Party No. 65
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Missy,
This wreath is beautiful. Pinned. Congratulations, you are being featured on TFT/ https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2024/02/diy-valentine-crafts-on-tft.html
Have a great day.
Hugs,
Bev
Thank you so much, Bev! I always appreciate your link party!
I love this, Missy!! It’s incredible what can be created using paper and glue, isn’t it?! So festive for the season!
Thank you, Rachel! Happy Valentines Day!
Great instructions and the end result is stunning! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Lisa! I appreciate that!
Such a pretty wreath, Missy. Very creative.
Thank you so much, Carol!
This is really beautiful and I’m going to try it. My only question is how do you finish the back when you’re standing it up, as you do in your kitchen? Thanks!
This heart really is stunning, thanks for sharing with us at Handmade Monday, it will be a feature this week 🙂
Thank you so much, Julie! I appreciate you!
This is stunning! I bet that was quite challenging to do but it certainly paid off, so creative. 🙂
Thank you so much, Jayne!
Missy, this wreath is simply gorgeous! I love the ombre tones and the dimensional quality! Thank you for sharing! Creatively, Beth
Missy, thank you for sharing your paper cone Valentine heart at this week’s Create, Bake, Grow & Gather party! It’s truly stunning ♥
I’m thrilled to be featuring it today and have pinned it for even more inspiration.
Wow, this is really beautiful! I’ll be featuring this post at Thursday Favorite Things today. 🙂
Thank you for sharing at Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party. I look forward to ‘seeing’ you next week!
https://gmasphoto.website/categories/linkup-parties/
Take care and best wishes
Debra | Gma’sPhoto
wow! This look amazing!! I would love it if you would come and share this at my new Serenity Saturday link party at http://www.serenityyou.com
Love this so much! Featuring when my link party opens. Thanks for sharing!
Missy, this heart is simply gorgeous!! ♥
I’ll be featuring it at the Create, Bake, Grow & Gather party today and pinning too.
Such a beautiful wreath and perfect for Valentine’s Day. I am happy to feature your pretty paper cone wreath at Love Your Creativity.