The Non-Traditional Valentine

This post comes to you from Edesa Brown, a member of my Close To My Heart team.  This was her first time blogging!  Please show her some love by leaving a comment below and/or visiting her Web site, http://2ndCreation.myctmh.com.  Enjoy!

I love making handmade cards.  When I give someone a handmade card, it’s like giving a special present made just for that person. The great thing about making handmade cards is they can look as unique as you want them.

For Valentine’s Day, I chose to make some non-traditional cards.  By non-traditional, I mean “not pink.”  By using colors such as Juniper and Creme Brulee, as well as ribbons and three-dimensional items, these cards stand out from anything you would see on store shelves.

Materials:

• Creative Basics – Veranda Collection
• Creme Brulee and White Daisy cardstock
• Exclusive Inks – Juniper
• Dimensional Elements Hearts
• Love Letters Rub-Ons
• Fancy Cuts Die-Cuts – Botanicals
• Sponge
• Pattern book – Originals

Card 1 – “You’re Special”

In this Valentine’s Day card, I used the “Background Blocks” pattern from the book, Originals.

I’m always looking for inspiration and my latest inspiration for cards came from the 2010 Spring Idea Book.  One look at the Creative Basics Veranda Collection and I saw endless possibilities.  What I really like about the collection is not only does it have two designs of B&T Duos paper, but it also has coordinating Creme Brulee ribbon.

Looking at the ribbon, I thought the Creme Brulee cardstock and the White Daisy cardstock would be the perfect complement to the Veranda Creative Basics Paper.  To finish my design , I decided to use a Dimensional Elements Heart and the Love Letter Rub-Ons.

For something a little different, I decided to change the color of the heart to Juniper.  I did this by using a sponge tool and applying an even coat of the Juniper ink to the heart—about two layers of ink.  Since I had a Juniper heart, I thought it would be a nice touch to use the same color ink on the edges of the paper.  I finished off the card by adding ribbon and the two images from the Love Letter Rub-Ons.

Card 2 – “Celebrate Love”

For the second card, I used the “Log Cabin” pattern from Originals.  I used the reverse side of the B&T Duos paper from the Veranda Creative Basics Collection and added a light colored rub-on.  As the center focus for this card, I used Fancy Cuts Die-Cuts.  I selected three different sized petals and layered them. For a finishing touch, I added the Creme Brulee ribbon.

For more non-traditional color ideas for Valentine’s Day cards, see Jeanette Lynton’s blog post, “A Passion for Purple!”

–Edesa

Carolyn’s note: Would you like to become a member of my Close To My Heart team like Edesa?  Now is a great time to become a consultant!  Being a consultant is a great way to bring in extra income and receive discounts on our amazing products. Because you are your own boss, you can set up your business to fit your lifestyle! Sign up today!