The Victorians popularized the “cobweb” valentine of intricately cut paper; I made this one-of-a-kind 21st century version in 2012. (Visit this article for an exhibit description of the Metropolitan Museum in New York’s historical collection.) I began with the red heart with its Valentine’s Day message, adhering it to light cardboard for stiffness. Topping that is thin gold paper which I cut into a pattern of nesting half-hearts and finished by adding a ribbon. Pulling up on the ribbon unfurls the gold heart to reveal the message.
