Valentine Trio

 Hello!  I'm so glad you stopped by my blog, today.  I have 3 very special cards to share with you.

All three cards are the same size.  The final card size is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".  I really like this square card.  What's more, this size card still fits in a standard envelope; no extra postage needed.  Cool!

To shop the items used to make these cards, click VALENTINE.

 Here are the measurements:

• Card base:  Basic White card stock for the "thinking of you" card, Basic Black card stock for the other 2 cards - all card bases are 8 1/2" x 4 1/4", fold in half.   
• Mat layer:  Magenta Madness CS, 4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
• Top Layer:  Basic Black CS for the "thinking of you" card, True Love DSP (154281) for the other two, cut 4" x 4".

For these cards, I used two stamp sets and various dies to cut out hear shapes and the banner.  Remember, purchasing the Bundle will save you 10%.

• Quite Curvy stamp set - 154430; or in Bundle with Curvy dies - 156228.
• Lots of Heart stamp set & Many Hearts Dies - Bundle 156202.
• Floral Heart Dies - 154306; or Bundle with Always in My Heart stamps - 156194.
• Always Dies - 154307; or Bundle with Forever & Always stamps - 156200.
• The Designer Series Paper used (the geometric and the polka dots) is a package of black & white florals, stripes, geometrics, polka dots, etc. - called True Love Designer Series Paper (12 sheets, double-sided 12" x 12" papers).
• In the 2021 JJ Mini Catalog, see the stamps, dies & papers on pp.10-15.  The Curvy set & dies, p.23.

I will give you the steps to make each of these cards.  In most cases, for each card I first did the stamping and die-cutting of all the elements I needed.  Then I assembled the elements onto the card.

Here is the first card:

Procedure:

• Glue the Magenta mat and the layer of DSP to the black card base.  As I said, the geometric DSP is a selection from The True Love DSP  (154281).
• Stamp the swirly heart image from the Lots of Heart stamp set using Magenta Madness ink onto white CS.  Die cut this heart out, using the Many Hearts Dies.  (This stamp set and dies can be purchased in a Bundle, 156202.)
• Stamp the curved floral image from Quite Curvy stamp set in black ink onto white card stock.  Using Stampin' Blends, color in the flower & leaves.  I used Light Rococo Rose and Light Seaside Spray.  Die cut this image, using the banner die from Floral Hearts Dies.  This die also scores the fold lines for you.   
• Die cut the "Love" out of black CS, using Always Dies.
• Assembly:
• Glue the "Love" to the bottom corner.
• Using Stampin' Dimensionals, adhere the heart and the banner to the card front.
• Inside:
• On white CS 4" x 4 ", stamp the sentiment and the column of little hearts from Lots of Heart set in Magenta Madness ink.  Adhere to inside.

Envelope:  stamp the same column of little hearts to the envelope flap.

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This 2nd card uses one of the floral selections from the True Love DSP:

Procedure:

• Glue the mat and DSP to the black card base.
• Using Many Hearts Dies, die cut the large heart out of Magenta Madness card stock and the smaller black hearts out of black CS.  
• Die cut the LOVE out of black CS using the Always Dies.  Glue this to the Magenta heart.
• Use a length of Magenta twill ribbon (approx. 12"-13" long) from the 2020-2022 In Color Ribbon  (in the Annual Catalog, item 153623).  
• Adhere the ribbon in a "Z" to the center of the card front like this: using some Tear & Tape or Stampin' Seal+ place 2-3 vertical strips of adhesive onto the card front, where you know the heart will cover them; then form a "Z" with the piece of ribbon diagonally, sticking it down on the adhesive strips.
• Use Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the heart over the top of the ribbon; make sure the dimensionals are placed so that they contact the DSP, not the ribbon, to insure good adhesion.  
• Glue small black die-cut hearts to bottom edge & top corner, or as desired.
• Inside: 
• On white CS 4" x 4", stamp the sentiment from Lots of Heart set in Magenta Madness ink.  
• Adhere a piece of the DSP 1" x 4" to the bottom edge.  
• Add small hearts (optional).  I found I had a lot of extra die-cut hearts, in black and Magenta from these projects.  I save these to add to other projects, as well.

Envelope:  I cut a piece of the DSP using Envelopes Dies, but you could cut a strip approximately 1" x 5 1/2", glue it to the flap, and trim.  (I did this on the final envelope, below, you'll see.)

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On the 3rd card I used the large detailed, somewhat ornate die from Floral Heart Dies, paired with the lighter-mood, flirty polka dot DSP.

Procedure:

• Glue the Magenta Mat and the Black top layer to the white card base.
• Using the large die from the Floral Hearts Dies, cut once out of Magenta Madness CS, and again out of the polka dot DSP.  This will assure you have an exact fit of the polka-dot heart inside the Magenta outline piece.
• Stamp the sentiment from Quite Curvy stamp set in black ink onto white CS.   Die cut this sentiment using the banner die from Floral Heart Dies, positioning the curves of the sentiment to approximately line up with the curve of the banner.  Fold the banner on the score lines.  (You can add the die-cut heart at this point or later, at the end.)
• Assembly:
• Position just the Magenta heart outline piece - without gluing it yet - where you want it onto the the black card front. Leave it in place (unglued).  Now you will glue the POLKA DOT HEART into the center - I put some Liquid glue directly onto the center of the card, then carefully placed the polka-dot heart onto the glue, fitting it inside the Magenta piece.  You could alternatively put the glue onto the back of the heart, and then carefully place it onto the card.
• Now gently pick up the Magenta piece (remember, you haven't glued it down yet, right?); now add glue to the back, and glue it down around the polka-dot heart.
• Using Stampin' Dimensionals, adhere the banner across the front of the heart.
• Inside:
• On white 4' x 4" card stock, stamp the heart image from Lots of Heart stamp set (the dotted image, keeping with the polka-dot theme of the card front); stamp the sentiment; and add  a strip of DSP (1" x 4") along bottom edge.
• I added more of the die-cut little hearts that were previously cut out (you'll have many extra hearts from the die).

Envelope:  Cut a strip of the DSP approximately 1" x 5 1/2" (slightly larger than the envelope flap); glue to the envelope flap & trim.  Add more hearts, as desired.

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I hope you found some inspiration here, today.  If you want to make all there cards, I would suggest cutting your card bases, the mat and DSP layers, and the 4 x 4 inside pieces first.   Then do whatever stamping is needed.  Next, do the die-cutting of the various hearts & the banners.  Then start assembling.  You can mix & match heart pieces as you go, creating a variety of looks.  Just have fun with it!

Shop any or all of the products:  click HERE.

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That is all for today.  Leave a comment below; let me know what you think.  If you have any questions, or are in need of a Demonstrator, let me know.  I'd love to help in anyway I can with your crafting projects.

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Thank you for taking a look, today!      Happy crafting!!

Stay safe, be well, take care,

                                     Julie