Handmade Valentine’s cards

On of the sweetest memories I have with my sister is making Valentine’s Day cards.  She would buy all these fancy stickers and shimmery paper in soft pink and vibrant red and who knows what else.  We’d spread it out all over the kitchen table and we’d just create to our hearts content.  Her’s always looked like a Martha Stewart magazine and I always wanted to copy them but she’d encourage me to come up with my own designs.  I remember feeling really happy when she’d comment that she liked mine.

Sure it’s faster to go buy Valentine’s day cards but there is something so sweet about giving a handmade one.  Plus it’s also a whole lot of fun to glue stuff.  I’m like a three year old I tell ya!  So I wanted to inspire you to make your own cards this season and bless some friends with them.  Valentine’s day isn’t just for couples!

Making your envelopes is a great way to recycle so here is what you need to get started:

+  Brown paper grocery bag(s)
+  Envelope
+  Watercolor paper
+  Watercolor paint (optional)
+  Yarn or string (optional)
+  Glitter heart cutouts
+  Foam heart stickers
+  Pen or fine tip sharpie in black
+  Glue
+  Double sided tape (optional)
+  Scissors

First you’re going to cut the grocery bag down one side and around the bottom  Now you can lay the paper down flat.  Next you’ll want to gently deconstruct an envelope to use as a pattern.  Place the envelope pattern on the bag, trace, and cut out.  Fold all four sides in towards the center.  Then you’ll want to glue the bottom flap up to the two sides and your new brown envelope is.  Reference the envelope you used as a pattern if needed.

Once you have your envelopes made you can start on your cards!  I like to take watercolor paper and cut it to the size of my envelope and then tear the edges.  I like the weight of the paper and how it looks when torn.  Now here’s the fun part!  You can swish on some watercolor paint as a background or leave the paper white.  You can add hearts or write words on the front.  Here’s a great tutorial on how to create faux calligraphy if you need some penmanship help. 🙂  Really it’s just up to you to be creative and have fun but I’ve also included a lot of pictures for you to copy or inspire you.

I hope you send out a lot of Valentine’s Day cards this year.  I know it will make people feel loved and cared for since you took the time to create something for them and remind them that they aren’t forgotten.  Plus real mail is pretty fantastic.  This is one easy way you can be intentional about considering others.  I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.