When Valentine's Day arrives each February, stores everywhere offer an endless selection of cards, especially for kids who exchange them with their classmates. But instead of purchasing valentines, Jodi Levine, editorial director of Martha Stewart Kids, demonstrates a few ideas to make memorable handmade cards that recipients will want to keep long after holiday's end.

Cut out four construction-paper hearts for each flower by folding a piece of paper in half lengthwise, then again lengthwise. To create guidelines for cutting, fold the paper in half widthwise and in half again widthwise, then unfold these two folds so you have a narrow strip divided into quarters. On the long side with only folds, draw and cut out four half-heart shapes, creating a total of eight hearts. Unfold and stack four hearts; punch a hole 1/4 inch up from the bottom. Fanning out the "petals" to form a flower, making sure to line up the holes. Use craft glue to attach the hearts together at their pointed ends. Write the recipient's name on one of the petals. Insert a lollipop into the punched hole.

Cut out several hearts from a strip of candy dots, and glue them to a small square of construction paper. With scalloped scissors, trim around the edges.

Flatten two paper cupcake liners. Glue construction-paper hearts, ribbons, or paper or fabric flowers to top of one liner. Write or stamp a note. Use a glue stick along the edge of the other cupcake liner; place candy in the center of this liner. Put the decorated liner over the candy-filled liner, press along the edges to secure, and let dry.

Special Thanks
Jodi Levine, Martha Stewart Kids editorial director