Whimsical Recycled Heart: a Family Craft Project

I created this beautiful tutorial using recycled paper from old magazines. It is a lovely activity that you can do with your children as a family integration project, as they have wonderful skills that are even better when shared together. This project features a heart to symbolize our love and butterflies to represent flying high toward our dreams.

Old Magazine Pages

Folder/Cardstock: 14.7in x 9in

Heart Template Size: 10.6in x 7.5 in

Small Paper Squares (for butterflies): 2.5in x 2.5in

Scissors

Glue (Stick and Liquid)

Black Paint & Brush

Pencil

Fold your folder in half. On the folded edge, draw half of a heart measuring approximately 10.6 in x 7.5 in. Use your scissors to cut along the line and remove the inner heart. When you open the folder, you will have a perfect heart-shaped stencil to guide the rest of your work.

Take individual magazine pages and roll them tightly into thin tubes. Pro Tip: Apply a little glue while rolling to make the tubes sturdier, as they will form the structure of the heart. You will need roughly 16 tubes in total. Since the center of the heart is wider, join two magazine sheets together before rolling to create two tubes that are longer than the others.

Using your heart template as a guide underneath, arrange your paper tubes into a grid (lattice) pattern. Place the vertical tubes on the bottom layer and the horizontal tubes on top. Once you are happy with the spacing, apply a drop of glue at every intersection where the tubes cross so it doesn't fall apart when lifted. Let the structure dry completely for at least one hour.

Once the glue on the grid is completely dry and firm, place your cardstock template over the grid. Use scissors to trim the excess ends of the paper tubes, following the curve of the heart shape.

Now, paint the entire heart lattice structure black. Be very careful with the details to ensure every part of the magazine tubes is well covered with paint. Let it dry completely.

With the help of my daughter, we made origami butterflies following these steps:

1. First: Take a 2.5 inch x 2.5 inch square. Fold it in half diagonally, open it, and fold it in half diagonally the other way to create an "X" crease.
2. Second: Fold the paper in half into a rectangle and open it again.
3. Third: Push the sides inward along the creases to collapse the paper into a triangle shape. Press it down slightly. Take one bottom corner flap and fold it up to the top point. Do the same with the other bottom corner flap.
4. Fourth: Flip the paper over. Take the bottom point and fold it upward so it sticks out slightly above the top edge. Fold that little tip over the top edge to lock it in place to form the head. Pro Tip: Use a dab of glue here so it doesn't come loose. Finally, fold the wings slightly to give it shape, and your butterfly is complete.

Glue the butterflies onto the intersections of the grid wherever you choose. I tried to use primary colors to create a nice color sequence. Finally, let them dry, and you have your wonderful work of art ready to display.

Completing this project is incredibly satisfying. Not only have you transformed old magazines into a stunning piece of decor, but you’ve also spent quality time creating something special with family. This lattice heart, adorned with vibrant butterflies, stands as a beautiful reminder of sustainable living, shared love, and the dreams that lift our spirits. I invite you to try this at home and hope you are proud of your unique creation!