Valentine Card Ideas for the Hopeless (or Eternal) Romantic

The Elegantly Said Stamp Set - in my opinion - is one of the most beautiful and romantic sets Stampin' Up! has available. It's perfect for this time of year and made for hopelessly romantic valentines. I mean, "True Love Stories Last Forever?" YES! They Do! And it doesn't get any more mushy than that.

Polished Pink and Petal Pink Cardstock and Ink

Double stamped lace pattern with Stamparatus
One card horizontal lines, One card vertical lines

The intricate lace stamps are very crisp and precise, even heat embossed with VersaMark ink. You do not lose a single detail and I can tell you from experience not all brands are created equal and Stampin' Up!'s cling (rubber) stamps are top notch! 

Here is a video tutorial if you are interested. We will also cover details on the blog today. 

FREE CLASS (Facebook Live) Tomorrow! 11:00 am

I have a free online class series to celebrate the launch of our new catalog and Saleabration brochure. The next class is tomorrow, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:00 am on Facebook Live. This is something everyone can watch but I will have an ordering special starting tomorrow as part of this class. You can get updates on all of my classes, events, lives and more on my email list. Click here to sign up: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/GLk7fdL

SALEABRATION IS HAPPENING NOW!

From January 4 to February 28, 2022 you earn free products when you spend $50 or $100! What a perfect time to shop!

PRODUCTS USED FOR THIS CARD

• Elegantly Said Stamp Set
• Petal Pink Cardstock
• Petal Pink Ink
• Polished Pink Cardstock
• Polished Pink Ink
• Basic White Cardstock
• VersaMark Ink Pad
• Heat Emboss Tool
• Anti Static Tool for Heat Embossing
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Frayed Ribbon
• Paper Trimmer
• Heart Punch Pack
• MultiPurpose Glue
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Tear and Tape Adhesive
• Stitched Rectangle Dies (3 x 4-3/8" Size)

MEASUREMENTS, STEPS & TIPS

• Card Base: 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 and scored at 4-1/4" (Basic White)
• Stitched Rectangle Layer (3 x 4-3/8") I chose Petal Pink and Polished Pink for My Cards
• Extra Cardstock for Your Hearts - Basic White and Coordinating Color Cardstock
• Frayed Ribbon (Cut piece slightly larger than the Stitched Rectangle) tuck flaps behind layer

The card layout is fairly simple. The "extra" step is the heat embossing. I love the way the lace stands out against the cardstock pinks. You, of course, can use regular ink if you do not want to heat emboss. I'll include heat emboss instructions here:

• Cut half sheet of cardstock if you'd like to create background stamping and like to have extra room to stamp or for any possible mistakes. This size also allows to cut the rectangle and punched out hearts
• Run anti-static tool across the area where you will stamp with VersaMark
• I used a clear block of the lace pattern shaped like an L
• Position your stamp in the corner, ink with VersaMark ink and stamp 
• To create the background pattern, position the stamp above the one you just did but place the stamp "upside down" and now you can nestle the patterns into each other, almost interlocking but not quite touching. Repeat this across the cardstock and re-ink with VersaMark in-between each stamp
• Set down a piece of scrap paper large enough to catch the embossing powder unless you keep it tidy in a tupperware container! I'm not quite there, yet, lol!
• Sprinkle powder over stamped images and heat with the heat emboss tool
• Cut Stitched Rectangle
• Punch Heart with the heat embossed lace pattern on it
• Punch Scalloped Heart with Basic White Cardstock
• Stamp Sentiment the bottom center of your card base
• Wrap ribbon around the rectangle and pop up rectangle on dimensionals before adding to card
• Glue lace heart to the Scalloped Heart
• Place dimensionals on heart and place over the ribbon (Center)

I tend to punch upside down (so I can see where I punch)
just be careful not to pinch yourself if you punch this way

PRECISION STAMPING (with the Lace Strip Stamp and the Stamparatus)

You can do this with a single lace strip stamp or you can make the strip double sided like I did. The key to getting this straight and aligned is your Stamparatus. The Stamparatus is a precision stamping tool. It has many benefits but this is probably its most used function. 

• Place stamp on your cardstock where you want to stamp
• Pick up the stamp with the Stamparatus plate (make sure stamp clean when positioning)
• Ink and stamp every hinge with the VersaMark ink
• If you want single sided lace strips you will add your heat emboss powder here
• If you want double sided lace strips...
• Turn the cardstock over
• Clean your stamp and again position it where you need to stamp your image
• NOTE: If you want a close line you will position the stamp slightly overlapped with the image you just stamped. Part of the image will be covered with stamps. Line up the pattern.
• Pick up stamp with the Stamparatus plate and ink and then stamp at every hinge
• Your patterns should line up perfectly all along your piece of cardstock
• Add your heat embossing powder and heat with the heat tool

Practice this. You find the position you like best for the double sided image. Not every line has to be perfect. Remember, you are cutting out the stitched rectangle so you can pick the best patterns and cut.

I hope you enjoyed this card project today! Are you a hopeless (or eternally hopeful) romantic? I think it goes without saying that I am too!

DID YOU KNOW

There is a Starter Kit Special during Sale-a-Bration! From January 4-February 28, 2022 you can add TWO FREE STAMP SETS to your Starter Kit. Extra value and make that wish list a reality! There's also an amazing community of stampers called the Luvly Stampers I'd love to welcome to when you sign up. Purchase the Starter Kit here: https://www.stampinup.com/join?demoid=2212777

Happy Crafting!

Melinda