This homemade heart-shaped pinata is a perfect decoration for a Valentine, Engagement, Sweet 16, or Bridal Shower celebration. You can use the heart-shaped Valentine pinata as a gift container, cardholder, or in the traditional way as a game filled with treats for your Valentine’s Day party or any other celebration, even a child’s birthday party.

Refer to these illustrations

List of Materials:

• 12″ to 15″ (30.5 to 38 cm) heart-shaped latex balloon
• 1 cup (250 ml) flour, or wheat wallpaper paste
• 3 yd (2.75 m) each ribbon, 1/2″ (1.3 cm) wide: pink, dark pink, green, white
• Several sheets of tissue paper: pink, light pink
• 3 white ribbon roses with leaves, 3″ (7.5 cm)
• Glues: rubber cement, glue stick
• Miscellaneous items: newspapers, heavy-duty thread, ruler, paper towels, black marker, water, large bowl or pan, straight pin, scissors, masking tape

Directions:

1. Preparations:  Cover a flat work surface with several layers of newspaper. Tear, do not cut, newspaper sheets into 2″ (5 cm) strips of varying lengths. Torn edges blend easier and add strength when covering the pinata.
2. Balloon:  Inflate the balloon, and knot with thread. Place balloon on paper towels. See the Step 2 illustration and mark a 3″ (7.5 cm) square on the back. 2″ (5 cm) from the top, with black marker.
3. Shell:  Mix a paste of 1 cup (250 ml) flour and 2 cups (500 ml) water very well in a large bowl. dip newspaper strips in paste, 1 at a time. Blot any excess paste on paper towels, and cover the balloon with layers of paper strips. Alternate horizontal and vertical layers, completely covering the entire balloon, except the marked 3″ (7.5 cm) square. Let dry; pop balloon with a pin. Remove balloon pieces, and trim edges of opening.
4. Harness:  See the Step 4 illustration to wrap pink ribbon tightly around pinata edge, then around the center front and back, going from top to bottom. ribbon should intersect at the center top and bottom. Tape with masking tape as needed to prevent slipping. Knot; tie ends to form a 6″ (15 cm loop hanger at the top.
5. Fringing:  Fold each sheet of tissue paper crosswise, and cut into 3″ (7.5 cm) strips; see the Step 5A illustraion. Fold each strip in half lengthwise. Clip every 1/4″ (6 mm) to within 1/2″ (1.3 cm) of cut edges to fringe; see 5B. You may fold and cut several sheets at once. Open each strip and refold lengthwise with opposite sides together; do not crease fold. Use glue stick to spot-glue straight edges.
6. Covering:  Place pinata in a large bowl or suspend it for easier covering; refer to the photo. Begin at the center front, and apply rubber cement in small areas at a time. Clue the straight edges of the fringed tissue stips; overlap to completely cover. Follow the heart shape as you glue, and alternate the pinks as shown. fill pinata with treats before covering the opening.
7. Finishing:  Refer to the photo to glue the ribbon roses to the center front. Tie pink and white ribbons into multi-loop bows, leaving ends to hang. Add several green ribbon streamers to hang, also. Overlap and glue to bottom.

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