A Big Valentine Parade

One thing I love about winter:  a gal can spend oodles of time indoors crafting, without too much guilt.  No gardening to do, no pool to vacuum and skim, no plants to water.  :o)

And so, I've been holed up in the craft studio a lot.  Here are a bunch of Valentine cards to share as a result:

See that faceted gem nestled in the cluster?  I stumbled upon a few packages left at Michael's the other day, and they were only 79 cents on clearance!  I took whatever they had left.  They are so pretty!

Stamps: A Lovely Birthday - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, floral pattern - SU Ink: Real Red - SU; Vintage Pink - Prima; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: Ash Pink seam binding - Hug Snug / Zipper Stop; pom pom trip - Darice Accessories & Tools: faceted gem - Recollections; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Fancy Tags Two die - Spellbinders; Copic marker; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

This next card -- very clean and simple in design -- is for my mom.  She LOVES black and white, and all things crisp and modern (remember the black frame and wreath gift I made for her?  Last one in the post.)  The heart was punched from a Philosophy bubble bath package.  Though the camera didn't capture it, there are polka dots embossed on it.  I could not get a good shot of that.  I added some red Liquid Pearls around the perimeter.  The Hero Arts sentiment was stamped a couple of times in a row.  The relative flatness of this card makes it cheaper to mail to Mom.

Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts Paper: Basic Black, Houndstooth - SU; white - PTI; red packaging Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Ruby Red Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Full Heart punch - SU

Love how this next one turned out.  The soothing natural tones paired with deep red make my heart go pitter patter.  I used an older Stampin' Up! set, A Happy Heart.

After stamping the large font-filled heart, I layered on some punched hearts, popping up only the center one.

Pearls and lace -- aaaah!

ETA:  I'm entering the above card at Fusion Challenge.  Thanks to my friend Sindhu for letting me know that my card would fit nicely in the challenge. :-)

Stamps: A Happy Heart - SU Paper: Confetti Naturals, patterns - SU Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler - SU Fibers: crochet trim - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Heart to Heart punch - SU; pearls - Queen & Co., Recollections

After stamping Bella Toile background (SU) on a red card base, I did not want to cover it up too much.

I made the ribbon rosette by using gathered lace, some white thread and a loose stitch along the edge.  After I pulled the thread, it gathered nicely into this little adornment.  Some Verve Small Phrases sentiments tucked under the glittered chipboard hearts will remind my daughter that she is special to us.

Stamps: Small Phrases - Verve; Bella Toile - SU Paper: Real Red, Whisper White - SU Ink: white - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug / Zipper Stop; white gathered lace Accessories & Tools: glittered chipboard hearts - Recollections; gold/pearl brad - Bride's / Michaels

Before I go, I want to answer a question that I received on my Bridal Collection post:

Paulette Manion has left a new comment on your post "The Bridal Collection - Part 1": 

Elegance personified! You're sure to wow all visitors to the shop! I am curious: How do these loaded cards fit into an envelope or are they presented another way? 

Yes, making loaded cards does pose a challenge for packaging.  Instead of the standard A2-size envelope, which fits a slim 4.25" x 5.5" card, I use an A6-size envelope.  It measures 4.75" x 6.5".  I count on these larger envelopes for mailing my 'fatter' cards.  I bought mine in bulk from Mark's Finest Papers - A Heinrich Co. a while back, but I could not find this size in their store as I write this post.  Plenty of other sites carry the envelopes, though.  Just search "A6 envelopes" in a browser, and you'll get a boatload of options.

So glad you were able to stay for a little visit.  I hope you have a wonderful day!