I call it the Mobile Paradox: I love mobiles but can never find a good place to hang them. This freestanding Heartmobile solves the problem. Made in minutes out of any empty cereal box it looks great plain, decorated, or with the original printing facing out.
Beautiful for Valentine’s Day or any day.
Personalize it for a one-of-a-kind gift
Heart shape is optional; try any simple shape
Steps At a Glance:
Ready? Here’s how:
1
You’ll need:
any empty cereal box
scissors
tape
pencil
two regular-size paper clips
a pushpin
2
Open the bottom and the side seam of the box. It’s okay if the paper peels; if the glue is stubborn try starting from the other end.
Draw two heart shapes on the box leaving about 3/4” of space all around the hearts.
Cut the hearts out. You can use the pushpin to make a starter hole for your scissor tip, close to (but not on) the pencil line.
Cutting tip: Most people usually cut with the scissors on top of the paper, but did you know you can cut with the scissors underneath? Try cutting this way if your scissors feel awkward at any point.
3
Cut a smaller heart out of one of the hearts you cut out of the box. Trim about 3/4'“ all the way around. The smaller heart might need a little more trimming to adjust the shape.
With the pin, make a hole and push the end of one of the paperclips through. Thread the paperclip securely into the heart.
Open the outside of the paperclip a little as in the photo.
4
Set the box flat and fold the sides so that they meet. Tape the whole side seam closed.
I like to have the small flap underneath, like this.
Form the box back into its usual shape and tape the bottom flaps closed.
5
Take the second paperclip and turn the center loop out and down to make an S, then straighten out one of the U bends so it looks like this.
Tape this hook onto the underside of one of the top flaps. You want the attached “leg” going lengthwise with the flap like it is here.
6
Close the hook flap, then the other flap, and tape them closed.
Hang the small heart paperclip on the hidden hook.
Your HeartMobile is finished! Give the heart a tap and see it dance around. It will move on its own with any little breeze.
and try this:
Decorated HeartMobile
You can decorate the box while it’s still flat if you like, or after it’s assembled. You can unhook the heart any time to decorate. See this post for tips on decorating brown paper.
Stained Glass HeartMobile
Cut a small heart shape out of the hanging heart. No need to use a craft knife, just cut into the heart, cut out the small heart, and tape the cut closed.
Tape a piece of tissue paper on the back over the cutout (see photo). Looks amazing set on a windowsill or anywhere it can catch the light.
Printed HeartMobile
If you like the look of the box printing on the outside (like I do!), just assemble the box right side out. Less work, looks great.
Thank you for reading! If you have questions, please drop me a line.