Banksy-Inspired Girl and Heart Balloon Valentine Card

Like many of you, we are still thinking about Banksy’s prank, the shredding of his famous Girl with a Balloon painting at auction.  It captured the attention (and imagination) of artists and kids alike.  And, it has inspired us… for Valentine’s Day!  (That red heart balloon!)

We were inspired to make our own homemade Artsy Girl and Her Red Heart Ballon Valentines and we show you how you can make your own, too.  (We even created a printable frame and heart for you, to make the the Valentine Day card assembly process easier.)

Step 1: take some photos against a white background.

We have photoshop so we took our photos against our garage door, knowing we could edit out the lines and window of the garage door later. But if you don’t have photo-editing capabilities just take your photo against the plainest background you can find (a plain white wall or even in a handball court).

Step 2:  Then have your pictures printed out in 4×6 black and white. “Increase the contrast” to create more white than gray if you have that option.

Step 3: Next you’ll need to gather your supplies to assemble your final card

• our handy gold frame and heart balloon printables can be printed on cardstock (see below)
• an exacto knife or blade and a self-healing mat
• 8.5 x 11 plain piece of cardstock folded in half for the card
• double stick tape
• a black fine point pen

Step 4: Click here to print out the “gold picture frame” and “heart balloon” to attach to the card. Then cut out the gold picture frame and the heart with your exacto knife or blade.

Step 5: Stick the balloon to the your photo.

Step 6:  Next cut the last quarter of your photo with your exacto knife (or with a scissor) in straight lines.  This will achieve the being shredded through a shredder effect that we are inspired by in Banksy’s art.

Step 7: Turn everything over. Attach the partially “shredded” photo to the back of your frame with double-stick tape. (Extra credit: If you want to be really authentic, attach a piece of kraft paper in the blank space where the photo is slipping down. This will simulate the back of the frame when you flip it over.)

Step 8: When everything is attached, stick the frame assembly to your 8.5×11 card that is folded in half.

Step 9:  Add a small line for the balloon tail and you are good to go!

Step 10: Now all you need to do is write a Valentine message inside.  Here are some ideas for you:

• Thanks for being an irreplaceable friend. Happy Valentine’s Day!
• Happy Valentine’s Day to my valuable friend!
• Here’s to our Invaluable Friendship. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

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Dear Banksy we love your sense of humor and art and this craft was made to inspire kids and others to embrace art and create it (which is a good thing, right?). If you’re unhappy, please contact us and we’ll take it down ASAP.