You can create this wonderful Valentine's Day gift using a Styrofoam heart form as its base. Then you can cover the heart in peppercorns (as shown in the photo) or you can use whole cloves. If you don’t have any of these spices handy handy, you can substitute as mung beans or lentils.
It’s a simple enough project for even the smallest member of the family to help create. All you need, besides the foam heart and spices, is some white craft glue and a little time. Once the heart is dry, why not decorate it with a pretty ribbon and a fresh flower. Then hang it up in the kitchen for a unique Valentine’s Day surprise.
Where to Buy the Spices and Foam Heart
Whole spices can be purchased at any grocery, health food, or ethnic store. You can buy foam Styrofoam hearts in a variety of sizes at your local hobby stores or make your own by cutting out a heart shape from foam inserts* from your computer or appliance purchases.
Materials and Tools
- Styrofoam heart
- Peppercorns (or whole cloves or small beans such as mung and lentils)
- White craft glue
- Small paint brush
- Newspapers
- Dressmaker’s pins
- Ribbon
- Fresh flower (optional)
NOTE: Remember to cover the working area with newspaper as this project can get a little messy.
Instructions
- Cover the front of heart form with an even coat of white glue, one side at a time.
- If using peppercorns, sprinkle one layer over the glue so that all the glue is covered.
- Press these down lightly with your hand. Let dry for a few minutes.
- Continue until all four sides are covered.
- Shake the form gently so that any loose spices fall off. If there are any gaps, apply a little more glue to that area and fill in with more spices. Let dry.
- If you are using whole cloves, push each clove into the heart, continuing until the entire heart is covered. If you have problems inserting the clove, make a small whole with a sharpened pencil or small nail first, then insert the clove.
- If you are using mung beans or lentils, follow the instructions for the peppercorns. Note: You’ll only need one layer. Be sure the completed form is completely dry before hanging up.
- To finish, fold the ribbon in half and glue the folded edge at the back of the heart. Use a dressmaker’s pin to hold in place, if necessary.
- Tie a bow at the top and hang up.
- Don’t forget to tuck in a pretty fresh flower as the finishing touch.
*How to Make a Styrofoam Heart
If you have it handy, you can save a little money by recycling the Styrofoam inserts that come inside computer or appliance that you may have bought, or ask a neighbour if they've got some.
- To make your own heart-shaped form, draw a rough heart shape in the size you want using a felt pen. Then use a serrated knife to cut the shape out.
- Work outside or keep a vacuum cleaner handy as cutting out the heart shape will be a messy task –bits of foam will stick to you and everything around you!
If you have more than one Valentine, you may want to create another special gift for that sweetie. Why not a very special clock instead?
