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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    Cut-and-Assemble Swallow Valentines

    February 5, 2025

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Free Printables, Premium, Valentine’s Day

    Print, cut, and assemble these charming swallow valentines in minutes! Whether tucked into a classroom valentine box or mailed to a dear friend, they’re a unique and heartfelt way to spread joy.

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    Printable Valentines with a swallow theme

    I designed these printable valentines with three key ideas in mind: they should be simple to make, beautifully unique, and fun to give. They deliver on all counts! With their hand-drawn details and interactive twist, they stand out from the usual store-bought options. My kindergartner loves them, and I do too! Whether you’re making them for a classroom exchange or sending them to a friend, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

    Include simple “from” information—or a fun secret message!—under the swallow’s wing.

    These valentines were created for both kids and adults. While I love the elegance of flourished calligraphy, I chose block letters for “Happy Valentine’s Day” to keep these kid-friendly. (My own kindergartener will be passing them out at school.) Under the wing, there’s a space to write a message, whether that’s simply “from” information or something surprising.

    Illustration of a swallow
    Today’s valentines were created from an original hand-drawn illustration.

    How to Make a Flock of Swallow-Themed Valentines

    1. Print

    First, select a lightweight cardstock. I opted for Paper Bag 80# stock from Paper Source for its warm, elegant look, but feel free to experiment! Just be sure to keep the paper weight at 80# or less so your home printer can handle it.

    "Paper Bag" Paper Source paper

    Then, print the Cut-and-Assemble Swallow Valentines PDF, which you can download here.

    Swallow valentines printable PDF
    DOWNLOAD THE SWALLOW VALENTINES PDF

    2. Personalize

    Next, go ahead and write “from” information in the blank area under the wing. Try to position your writing on the left; the right side will be obscured by a brass fastener.

    Names written on valentines
    You can include whatever hidden message you like under the wing. “To” information can either be written under the wing or on the opposite (blank) side of the swallow.

    3. Cut

    Now, roughly trim around each swallow—this makes precise cutting easier later. Then, carefully cut along the final outline, leaving a small 1-2 mm border.

    Cut-out swallow valentines

    Next, cut just around the outline of each swallow and its wing.

    Printable cut-out swallow-themed valentine
    Notice that there’s 1-2 mm of space between the swallow/wing outlines and the actual cut.

    4. Assemble

    Once you’ve cut out your swallows and their wings, position the wing over the swallow’s breast. Then, use a small hole punch to make a hole in both the wing and the breast.

    Assembling a swallow-themed valentine
    Assembling a valentine

    Next, grab a brass fastener (affiliate link), and stick it through the hole in the wing and the chest.

    Brass fastener on a swallow-themed valentine

    And voilà! A creative, unique, and interactive valentine.

    Printable Valentines with a swallow theme

    I loved every moment of making these valentines, but the real reward was my kindergartner’s reaction when he got home from school. He lit up the moment he saw them and can’t wait to bring a whole flock to his classmates! We’re planning to attach them to small candy bars with double-sided tape, but even on their own, they make a delightful statement. As for me? I plan to send them to a couple of friends, too, via snail mail. Even when they’re not paired with candy, these delightful little birds make a big impact.

    Thanks so much for reading, and happy creating!

    Warmly,

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About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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4 responses

  1. Judy Green Avatar
    Judy Green
    February 11, 2025

    Love this Valentine bird! I made some for my friends and used smaller copper brads. Super cute! Thanks Lindsey.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 11, 2025

      I think next year I’ll try the small brads, too! So happy that you like them. ❤️ Happy almost-Valentine’s Day!

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  2. westierunner Avatar
    westierunner
    February 7, 2025

    I make Valentines every year to send to those I love….because it’s never a bad idea to tell those you love that you love them! I usually count on you for my inspiration and wowser did you come through this year! This may be my all time favorite! Thank you so much Lindsey ❤️

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 7, 2025

      I think it’s my favorite, too … can you ever really go wrong with a bird-themed anything? 😉 Thanks for dropping by to send some kind words my way, and have an amazing time putting these together!

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The other day, I was thinking about sending out ho The other day, I was thinking about sending out holiday cards, and I immediately dismissed the thought with, “I have zero time to calligraph envelopes for those.” ✍️

... But is that true? I put it to the test for the latest article on the TPK Blog. Using some time-saving tricks I’ve learned over the years (like using a watery ink, a bouncy calligraphy style, and minimal pencil guidelines), I timed myself making three envelope concepts. Two of them took 5 minutes or less. The most time-intensive took 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The envelopes still turned out looking elegant, especially with the help of some artistic postage stamp collages. 💌

For clear step-by-step tutorials detailing how to make these envelopes and sourcing pretty postage, visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”)!

#snailmail #mail #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #happymail #snailmailrevolution #mailbox #postage #vintagepostage
After I chose this music to accompany this reel, i After I chose this music to accompany this reel, it dawned on me: drawing a calligraphy medallion is like, well, Belle’s arc with the Beast. 

At first, it’s a bit of a weird situation. Strange shapes, questionable structure, possibly some growling (à la “YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER. That’s not a request!”) when the inevitable ink smudge happens. You keep thinking, “I’m not sure why I’m doing this ... should I hop on Felipe and gallop away?” 🐎

But something shifts as the medallion starts to come to life. And when you finish that last detail and pull back, the music swells. Light bursts from your paper like it did from Beast’s digits as he transformed into a stunningly beautiful prince. ✨ You’re practically in a ballroom celebrating, and, wait, did your furniture just turn into an adoring crowd that’s celebrating your fortitude and skill?

(And now you know how my mind works 🧠 ... I love a good metaphor, no matter how weak it may be!) 

To learn how to make a calligraphy medallion, just search for “calligraphy medallion” on the TPK site (link in bio). You’ll find both free Blog tutorials and detailed premium worksheets.

... I’ll show myself out now. 🙈

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymedallion #calligraphydrill #calligraphypractice
My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remi My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remind you how cozy this season can be. 🍂 This project definitely fits the bill ... create it with a hot, comforting drink nearby and an excellent audiobook, and you’re in for a treat! ☕️ ✍️ The tutorial on the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) is super detailed, with mini tutorial videos to guide you every step of the way.

#autumnart #watercolortutorial #arttutorial #handpainted #paintingtutorial #pointedpen #dippen #flourishing
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Even if you won’t be indulging in candy, remember to treat yourself this season, starting this weekend! The holiday season can be hectic, and it’s important to claim some relaxing time for yourself. Cheers to the “holidaze”! 🥂

#halloweencalligraphy #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #handwritten #writingvideo #calligraphyvideo
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➡ Link in bio to visit the TPK site.

#calligraphydrills #halloween #calligraphypractice #learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #dippen #pointedpen
✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium membe ✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium members are working their way through a new version of The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. It’s an *awesome* course that’s even more thorough than the original version (which is saying a lot because the original course has 281 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ reviews)! We just had the Lesson 3 class discussion this morning, ️and I’m so impressed with how much progress students are making — and I love their observations! One person compared using the Brause EF66 nib to driving a Lexus, which I got a kick out of. 🚘 

Premium membership ($5/month) grants you complimentary access to the course through January 6th; take it live with us! Once this course wraps up, we’ll be moving on to the new Intermediate Modern Calligraphy Online Course in February. 

Find details by visiting the link in my bio. I’d love to help you build those foundational skills that will allow you to create gorgeous envelopes, place cards, invitations, quotes, correspondence, and much more! The Lesson 4 class discussion is three weeks from now, so you’ve got plenty of time to catch up. 😊

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #calligraphycourse #learningcalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #realtimecalligraphy
🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you 🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you through how to make this gorgeous illustration, step-by-step, with helpful instructional videos. To find the tutorial, visit the link in my profile, then navigate to the blog. ENJOY! 🤗

(PS - Loving the colors in the @greenleafblue Anthesis set ... I used French Orange Ochre, American Violet Hematite, Pyrrole Scarlet, and Italian Green Earth to make this pumpkin. All *fabulous* autumn tones!)
Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenle Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenleafblue last Friday! Samantha is exactly as thoughtful and creative as you’d imagine from her Draw Your… books — and this answer to Jennifer’s question says it all. ✨ Just have fun and make art!

☕ Want to watch/listen to the whole conversation? Head over to the TPK Blog to hit play on the recording! (Link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”.)

#artistchat #artist #samanthadionbaker #greenleafandblueberry #thepostmansknock #arttalk #creativity #sketchbooking #sketchbook #artadvice
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