Paper cutting has been a craft for many years in many countries all over the world. In Germany, the art of paper-cutting design is called "scherenschnitte," which literally means scissor-cuttings. It was a popular folk art in the 1800s, used to decorate birth and marriage certificates and even Christmas decorations.

Tools and Materials
Valentine paper-cutting template
Heart background template
Martha Stewart Crafts 12-by-12-inch "Candy Shop" Crafting Paper Multipack or any lightweight light and dark pink paper
Transparent tape
Spray adhesive
Martha Stewart Crafts Collector Box or decorative paper for displaying
Bone folder
Craft knife
Self-healing cutting mat

Papercut Hearts How To
1. Print out valentine paper-cutting template.

2. Fold light pink paper in half with a bone folder.

3. Using transparent tape, secure valentine paper-cutting template onto light pink paper.

4. Using a craft knife and a self-healing mat, cut out all shapes.

Tips for Cutting
1. Start with the small inner shapes and progress to the larger shapes. Start at every corner -- do not cut past the end of a line. Replace the cutting blade often.

2. When all the inner shapes are cut, cut out the outer shape of the heart.

3. Unfold the cut heart.

4. Print out the heart background template on a darker shade of paper, and cut out the heart shape.

5. Lightly spray adhesive onto the back of the light pink (cut) heart.

6. Center the light pink heart on the background heart and press lightly.

7. Mount the two attached hearts in a collector box using pins. Or mount the two attached hearts on another piece of decorative paper cut to fit a basic frame. Center and secure the hearts to the background piece with spray adhesive; frame the entire piece.

Resources
The Martha Stewart Crafts 12-by-12-inch "Candy Shop" Crafting Paper Multipack and the Martha Stewart Crafts Collector Box can be found at Martha Stewart Crafts.