Suncatcher Heart Craft

This heart-shaped suncatcher craft is made from torn bits of tissue paper, clear contact paper and only a few more household craft materials. The resulting heart resembles stained glass when hung in a window. Light filters through the tissue paper and the heart looks amazing.

This craft is definitely a keeper and can be adapted for all holidays. Step by step instructions are listed below. Enjoy!

Great craft for Valentine's Day

This is all you'll need:

2 Sheets of construction paper - I used red and pink to aid with instructions but you can use 2 reds or 2 pinks

Pencil

Scissors

Clear contact paper

Glue Stick or glue

Hole puncher

Suction cup for hanging in window

You'll also need red, pink and white tissue paper torn into 1/2" pieces. Tear the tissue ahead of time.

• Using a heart template, cut out a heart shape from one of the pieces of construction paper to make a heart "window". *see hint below

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Then place the first sheet of paper over the second lining them up exactly, trace the heart onto the second piece of paper and cut it out too.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• You should end up with two identical sheets of paper with hearts cut out. I used red and pink here so the pieces of paper were easy to see in the photographs, but normally I would have used 2 reds or 2 pinks.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Measure and cut out a piece of clear contact paper just a little smaller than the construction paper and carefully stick it sticky-side down to one piece of the paper. Don't press down on the middle heart "window" or you'll be sticking the paper to what's underneath.

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Turn the paper over with sticky side up in the window and add the torn bits of tissue paper randomly or in any pattern you like to the sticky surface. Cover the entire surface.

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Now glue down the second piece of paper exactly on top of the first piece lining up the hearts. Be sure to get the glue close to the heart shape. You can use a glue stick or regular glue. If using regular glue, allow the glue to dry.

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Now add another piece of clear contact paper to the tissue paper side so both sides are sealed up. Press together well.

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Cut around the heart leaving 1/2" border of construction paper. Leave a little extra border at the top for punching a hole. Now you are ready to hang you heart suncatcher in a window.

  
  

  
  

  *Hint: The size of the "window" should be proportional to the age of the child. A young child may "burn out" before he or she is finished with a large window cut out. For a child 10-12 years old use 3/4 to a full sheet of constructon paper. For younger children use about half the size of a sheet of construction paper for the window.

This craft can be adapted for ANY holiday. As holidays come and go through the year I'll be posting more examples of this craft here on this page. Here's one we made with an Easter theme - see this Easter Kid's Crafts article for this craft and many more.

Here are some more ideas:

Balloons for a birthday - this sounds fun!

Shamrock for St. Patrick's Day

Egg or Cross for Easter

Flag for Fourth of July

Pumpkin for Halloween or Thanksgiving

Christmas Tree for Christmas

The possibilites with this craft are endless. I'd love to see a huge piece of artwork made in this manner. It would be a wonderful art project for teenagers.