Puzzle Purse Valentine How-To

After seeing this design on the Martha Stewart website I knew I had to try it. (Link here: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/antique-style-valentine#slide_0 )

The past few weeks have been stressful on both of us so I won't be getting around to sending out Valentine's Day cards this year. Instead I'm posting this how-to. :)

For the first time I would suggest using a patterned paper because it gets a little confusing if you don't. Starting with pattern side down, fold the paper diagonally, matching corners, in both directions. (I used a 12x12 page but you could use 9x9 too.)

This is how the paper looks after it has been folded.

For the next step, measure out 4 inches from the edge and fold over with the pattern side still facing down. (If you use a 9x9 measure 3 inches.) Do this on every side.

This is how it looks with the top folded over. The paper should be able to fold into thirds essentially.

( There should be 9 different squares.)

The next step is to flip the paper pattern side up. Fold the corner back and meet the edges with the squares made in the last step. Do this in every corner.

When you've done that flip the paper back over and there should be a ton of confusing lines zagging everywhere.

For me this was the most confusing step but I did do it wrong the first time I tried to make it, haha. Pinch two opposite corners and push them inward. There is a good picture in the Martha Stewart link that shows which folds should go in which direction. After some wrestling it should look like this...

The middle is popped up a little bit but you get the idea.

Pick one of the patterned triangle flaps and fold it completely over the middle. In a counterclockwise direction, fold the flaps over like so.

With the last triangle, fold the corner under the pocket made by the other triangles.

Voila! You've made a puzzle purse.

Now you can decorate it however you want. I didn't have a lot of time to design them but I cut out a heart and glued it over a pink ribbon and wrote a little message.

Close up.

When you fold it back to the second layer you can write a message around the edges or draw pictures.

Traditionally these were love notes, so you can write something around each edge, continuing it on each layer. I chose a poem I found online.

For the second Valentine I made I cute out some patterned paper and glued it in the center square. I made a bow from the same ribbon as earlier and put a picture on top.

Another view. If you wanted to write a love note you could continue writing it along all the folds on the inside. Martha Stewart suggests numbering them so the person knows which line to read first but traditionally they did not do that, so it would be up to you.

I put a flower and wrote 'Happy Valentine's Day' but If i had more time I would have drawn flowers or such.

The outside with a poem on the edges and little stickers. These are just a couple designs, you could use stamps, glitter, embossing, all sorts of good stuff. Happy V-Day!