Valentine's Day Stained Glass Hearts

Yes, I'm at it again.  Along the same lines as my stained glass hand print turkeys and stained glass corn for Thanksgiving, we recently created stained glass hearts for Valentine's Day.  I needed a craft for a group of special needs kids who are older - so nothing too kid-like, but something fun, yet easy to do too, and let me tell you, they really got into making the hearts.

I used a roll of contact paper that I cut into about 12" wide pieces.  Each piece is big enough for one large heart and a couple small ones.  To give the hearts a bit more durability, you might use a second sheet to go over the back (we didn't).

I learned that the tissue paper can be any color... I tried at first to pick out "Valentine's Day" colors, like red, pink, white and purple, but soon learned the kids wanted to  use every and any color to make their hearts.  Square pieces are fine, or they can rip up pieces too, but I found that they also liked using tissue paper strips (see the photo for examples).

The kids covered the contact paper with bits of tissue paper, and when it was as close to completely covered as possible, I used the old "fold the paper in half and cut out half a heart shape" to cut out the hearts.  Some kids can do this on their own and others need help - but ultimately it didn't matter.  Everyone was thrilled with the results.

Simple curling ribbon can be attached (either through punched holes or just taped on) to use as a hanger, and TA DAAA!  you have a beautiful heart to hang in your window.   Have fun!!!