Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to make DIY Wood Conversation Hearts:
- Wooden Hearts: I used these wood hearts from Amazon that are about 4 inches wide. You could also use these wood hearts from Walmart if you don’t want to wait for shipping. (Here’s another Amazon option with faster shipping; please note they aren’t quite as thick and the shape is slightly different.)
- Acrylic Paint: I used inexpensive acrylic paint from Walmart in six different shades: Lilac Mist, Blue Cotton, Lime Tree, Pale Daffodil, Orange Sherbet, and Pink Polish. I mixed some of the blue (and some white) in with the green to get more of a mint green instead of lime.
- Foam Paintbrushes: I used these brushes from Walmart. It’s faster if you have one brush for each color paint.
- Parchment Paper: I tried the project with regular Reynolds parchment paper that comes on a roll, and parchment paper sheets. Either one works; the sheets are slightly easier to use.
- Conversation Hearts Printable: Get the printable here or from the blue box directly above the word “supplies”.
- Sandpaper and a Gift/Credit Card
How to Make Wood Conversation Hearts
Paint the Hearts
The first step is to paint each heart whatever color you’d like. You will likely need two coats of paint. I like to use a different paintbrush for each color. That way I can paint the first coat of each color, then tuck the brushes inside plastic bags and let the hearts dry. Then you can use the paintbrushes again for the second coat without having to wash them in between. Set the hearts on top of inverted cups and allow them to dry thoroughly. You can use a hair dryer to speed the drying process.
Sand the Hearts
Next, use some sandpaper to make sure the fronts of the hearts are nice and smooth (the words will not transfer well if you skip this step). If desired, sand some of the paint along the edges off, giving the hearts a distressed look. Be sure to wipe all the dust off the hearts after sanding.
Prep the Parchment Paper
Now it’s time to add words to the fronts of the hearts! No need to paint or write the words on – we’ll use parchment paper to transfer printed words onto the hearts. If you are using parchment paper sheets, use a paper trimmer to cut one to 8.5×11 inches. If you are using parchment paper from a roll, tear off a piece about the size of an 8.5×11 piece of printer paper. Then use scissors to cut the parchment paper slightly smaller than your printer paper. Use scotch tape around the edges of the parchment paper, making sure it’s flat, to adhere it to the printer paper.
Print + Transfer Words
Now you can print the Conversation Hearts Printable directly onto the parchment paper! If you’ve cut a sheet to size, feed it directly into your inkjet printer (I have not tried this with a laser printer). If you have taped parchment onto printer paper, make sure you feed it so the words will get printed on the parchment side. I tried both of these methods and neither one jammed my printer, but it’s possible you will end up with a paper jam. If you do, remove it and try again. ***Be sure to use the BEST setting for print quality.***
The ink does not settle into the parchment paper the way it does on normal printer paper, which is what allows you to use this as a transfer. So make sure not to touch the words once you’ve printed them! Cut out one phrase from the page and flip it over onto one of the hearts.
Do I have to Work Quickly?
Don’t stress about getting all the words transferred super fast – the transfers will still work great after ten or fifteen minutes. (They’ll actually work longer than that, but the transfer will be a little less vibrant.)
DIY Valentine’s Day Decor
As you remove the paper, you’ll see the words transferred onto the wood heart like magic! Repeat with the remaining words. You can see that the text shows up a little darker on some colors than others, and they all have a slightly distressed look – which is perfect because the text on the actual heart candies does too. And don’t worry, once you’ve transferred the ink to the hearts it won’t rub off!
DIY Wood Conversation Hearts
Supplies
- 4 inch Wood Hearts
- Acrylic Paint
- Foam Paintbrushes
- Parchment Paper
- Sandpaper
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Equipment
- Inkjet Printer
Instructions
- Paint each heart and allow to dry.
- Sand the fronts of each heart smooth. Sand edges to distress if desired.
- Cut a parchment sheet to 8.5×11 inches. Or pull a piece of parchment paper off a roll and trim it to slightly smaller than a piece of printer paper. Use scotch tape along the edges to secure it to a piece of printer paper.
- Print the Conversation Hearts Printable onto the parchment paper, using the BEST setting for print quality.
- Cut one of the phrases out, taking care not to touch the words. Flip the paper over and place it down on a wood heart. Do not slide the paper around.
- Hold the paper steady with one hand and use the other hand to rub the edge of a gift card or credit card along the words for 15-20 seconds to transfer the ink.
- Repeat with the other hearts, then they are ready to display.
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