Stylish Paper Hearts

I saw this being made on super scrimper savers special the other night but it didn't give very detailed instructions so I thought I'd write it up here!

Stylish Christmas Paper Hearts Decorations

You will need:

Old book or magazine
Scissors
Stapler
String
Ruler


Method:

First you need to cut out 6 strips at the following lengths; 2 strips @ 14cmx2cm, 2 strips @ 12cmx2cm and 2 strips @ 10cmx2cm. Cut your self a piece of string to the desired length that your paper heart will hang from...

Next you need to layer the different strips in the correct order, 14cm, 12cm and 10cm on top of each other. The second pile in this image is to show exactly the order the strips should be layered...

Now, turn over the first pile of strips so the shortest is underneath (all pieces in this pic are lined up with all 3 edges at the top). Place your string down the middle of the strips starting from the top edge...

Now you need to place your second layer of strips on top of the string, but this time the shortest layer will be on the top, so in order from the bottom you should have; 10cm strip, 12cm strip, 14cm strip, string, 14cm strip, 12cm strip, 10cm strip...

Now staple the layers together (taking care NOT to staple your finger as this hurts, a lot) at the top which will produce this...

Now, turn on it's side and pull over the two shortest strips and hold together...

Do the same with the middle length strips, still holding it together...

And finally bring round the 2 longest lengths of strips and you will now see the heart shape taking place...

Now you simply staple all 6 ends together...

And there you have it, a simple but effective Christmas decoration. I have hung them around my living room by pining string to the ceiling and tying the paper hearts at intervals all the way along. Any spare hearts I have used to hang from the fireplace or Christmas tree.

Quick and Easy Shortbread

No matter how skint we are everyone loves to munch on something sweet now and again. When times get hard there's generally no money for treats but this easy to make shortbread recipe ticks all the right boxes when you have that sweet tooth!

Quick and Easy Shortbread

Ingredients:

250g (8oz) grams butter
110g (4oz) caster sugar
360g (12oz) plain flour

Method:

Leave the butter out of the fridge so it softens a little, throw it in a bowl, add the caster sugar and beat the hell out of it with a whisk until it has a smooth texture (free muscle work out too!). 

Add the flour a little at a time and mix it in well, you should end up with a smooth paste like consistency. Put the mixture in the fridge to chill for 10/15 minutes - this makes it easier for the next stage.

Remove from the fridge and roll out so it's around 1cm thick. Cut into desired shapes (oblong is usually best) and stab it with a fork gently to make it look real (if you really want to, it's not needed)!

Place on a greased piece of baking paper inside a baking tray. Cook for around 15 minutes at 190c or until a golden brown colour. It may seem gooey still but the biscuits will harden as they cool. Leave out to cool and enjoy!