Valentine Cards 

So today you get a happy surprise--2 cards in one post and one Facebook Live video below! These cards were 2 of the ones we made this weekend at my stamp class and I couldn't decide which to highlight, so I did both and now you get to see how to make them. The first one highlights the Bouquet of Love Hybrid Embossing folder that cuts and embosses at the same time. Stampin' Up has had a few of these types of folders, but this is the first one I've owned. Notice the heart in the second card is cut out of the paper and embossed at the same time as the Real Red paper in the first card. They both use stamps from the new Sweet Conversations stamp set in the Jan-June mini catalog which is such a fun set.

Let's make two cards. First gather your supplies for both:

1. Basic White thick cardstock cut 8 1/2 by 5 1/5" scored on the long side at 4 1/4" and folded in half

2. Real Red cardstock cut 8 1/2 by 5 1/5" scored on the long side at 4 1/4" and folded in half (card 2), 3 3/4 by 5" piece (both cards)

3. Basic White cardstock 5 by 3 3/4" for the inside (card 2), a piece 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" (card 2) and a scrap for the sentiment (card1)

4. Sweet Talk DSP (#157616) cut 1 1/2 by 4 1/4" (the purple on card 2)

5. Pattern Party DSP (#155426)--4 by 5 1/4" piece of the black and white check/gingham (card 1)

6. Stamp set- Sweet Conversations (bundle #157624, stamp set #157618)

7. Embossing Folder--Bouquet of Love Hybrid embossing folder and dies (#157641)

8. Ink-- Memento Black, Real Red, Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Highland Heather, Blushing Bride, Petal Pink

9. Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels (#158130)

10. Black and White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon (#156485)

11. Basic supplies--bone folder, Paper Snips, Piercing Mat, adhesive (Multipurpose Glue), Regular Dimensionals, Die Cutting and Embossing Machine (mini or regular), Glue Dots

Let's start by making the first card. Fold the Thick Basic White cardstock in half and attach the black and white checked/gingham piece to the card front. Now place the big heart die from the Bouquet of Love dies inside the embossing folder (die facing your cardstock) and then place the 3 3/4 by 5" piece of Real red on top, making sure it is centered before running it through your embossing machine. If this doesn't make sense, please watch my video below. Save the center heart for card 2. Attach the red embossed piece to your card front using lots of Dimensionals or Foam Strips.

Using Real Red ink, stamp the "Luv U" on to a scrap of Basic White and either use the Sweet Conversations dies to cut it out, or fussy cut it. Attach in the center of the red heart. Tie a bow with the Black and White ribbon and attach using a Glue Dot. Scatter some Iridescent Rhinestones around your card. Stamp Happy Valentine's Day in Real Red on the inside. See a close up the outside below:

Now on to the second card. You are going to make your own DSP for this card, and have another piece for a second card! Take your  8 1/2" by 5 1/2" piece of Basic White cardstock and you will randomly stamp these stamps around the page. I started with the largest stamps and filled in with the smaller ones later. Make sure to stamp some off the page. Use Memento for the Luv U heart stamp, Real Red for the larger filled heart, Highland Heather for the smaller heart, Granny Apple Green for the lines, Pool Party for the XO (I put them together on one block), Blushing Bride for the line of 3 small hearts and Petal Pink for the small cluster of dots. I'd say I stamped about 5 times with each of the larger stamps and tried not to overlap. Here's a close up so you can see it better:

Cut this piece in half and place half on your Real Red card base. Attach the Highland Heather strip on top--if you have any smudged parts, cover them strategically with the DSP. Attach your cut heart using Dimensionals. For the inside, stamp Happy Valentine's Day and the small heart using stamped off Highland Heather (stamp it first on scratch paper and then on the page without reinking). Attach to the inside.

I hope you had fun playing with this stamp set. Tune in next week for more fun with this stamp set. Check out my Facebook Live below for more hints. And if you like what you see, please consider buying from me by hitting the red Robin above left.