How to Laminate a Placemat for Valentine's Day Crafts

Making a Valentine's Day place mat is an easy and fun craft activity that can add the secret ingredient (love) to any meal. Adults and children can make place mats from any flat image or decorative paper using a simple roll of contact paper. Valentine's Day place mats can be used throughout the year to say "I love you."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Roll of clear contact paper
• Colored papers
• Scissors
• Decorations like love notes, chocolate wrappers, photos or pressed flowers (optional)

1. 
    

   Unroll the contact paper to a length of approximately 14 inches and cut in a straight line. Cut a second piece of contact paper and set it aside.

2. Arrange your background image or patterned paper on your tabletop, leaving a 1/4 inch border of contact paper around the edges to ensure a good seal.

3. Begin to arrange your decorations once the background is centered and secured. Letters of the alphabet can be cut from pictures, patterned paper and candy wrappers. Layering pressed flowers can give your place mat a romantic look. Photographs can be cut into heart shapes to show your love.

4. Secure the top layer of contact paper once you are happy with the appearance of your place mat. Be sure the edges match up perfectly with the bottom layer. Trim any extra contact paper that hangs over the edge so it doesn't attract dust. Use a blow drier on a low setting to melt the adhesive around the edges and secure the edges of your place mat.

5. Use these place mats to create a Valentine's Day table for your special dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use original photographs in your place mats.
• Black and White images contrast nicely with brightly colored backgrounds.
• Wipe place mats clean with water and a wash cloth.
• Do not use chemicals or immerse your place mats to clean them.