Handmade Valentine Cards

Do you enjoy making Valentines but get stuck for Handmade Valentine Cards?  With a few basic card making supplies, you will be able to make beautiful Valentine Cards.  Here are several cards that I have made that will give you some ideas and inspiration. There is an abundance of supplies for creating Handmade Valentines. Joann Fabrics had Valentine’s Day crafts out before Christmas! I’m not kidding!!! There was a display of doilies, foam heart shapes, and ribbon filling an aisle while I was still Christmas shopping. With just a few supplies, you can create Valentine’s for all of your loved ones.  After a visit to the craft supply store you will have tons of Handmade Valentine Cards Ideas!

Making Handmade Cards is a fun hobby and so addictive.

This sweet penguin is bringing a bouquet of roses to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to someone he loves!

Basic Supplies Needed to Make Handmade Valentine Cards

• Cardstock – I always have cardstock on hand in a gazillion colors, but to make Valentine’s you can stick to shades of pink, red, black, and white.
• Patterned Paper – The scrapbooking section of craft stores is loaded with beautiful designer or patterned papers.  You can buy papers individually by the sheet or in a pack.  Buying paper in a pack is more economical, and it’s nice having papers that coordinate so you don’t have to match anything.
• Rubberstamps or digi stamps – Rubberstamps are available at craft stores.  Digi stamps are available for download online.  You can resize them to fit your project, and you can print them over and over.
• Ink, markers, and/or colored pencils – If you using rubberstamps, you will need ink pads.  You will also need markers, pencils, or watercolors to color your images.
• Die Cut Shapes – I use the Cricut to cut shapes for my handmade Valentine Cards.  You can also find precut shapes in craft stores.
• Scrapbook Adhesive – You will want to use a tape runner type of adhesive for attaching your papers, and die cuts.  Tape runners are dispensers with double sided tape that you apply directly to the paper.  Wet adhesive is not recommended for card making, because it causes the paper to curl and become stiff.  If you need help choose adhesives, visit Card Making and Scrapbooking Adhesive
• Paper Trimmer

This pink piggy sends “Hogs and Kisses” for Valentine’s Day! The little bit of black in this card really makes the bright pink stand out.

Optional Supplies Needed for Creating Beautiful Handmade Valentine Cards

You will probably want a variety of supplies to decorate your cards.  There are so many fun supplies to choose!

• Doilies – They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes and can be used on the backgrounds of cards.
• Stick on rhinestones and pearls – I prefer rhinestones and pearls that already have adhesive, but larger non adhesive gems can be attached with glue dots or tacky glue.
• Lace – A variety of lace can be added to cards to create borders or glued in circles to make flowers.
• Ribbon and Fibers – Ribbons and fibers are pretty accents on Valentine’s Card.  You can tie tassels and bows or add a border.
• Border punches – I often use border punches to create patterns on the edges of papers.

This tree Valentine’s Day Card is made using the Cricut, a wavy cutter, tiny punched hearts, and a Stampin’ Up Stamp.

Handmade Valentine Cards Basic Instructions

If you’ve never created handmade cards before, here are a few basic instructions.

• For the base of the card, I start with an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of cardstock.  It’s the most common size for handmade cards.  If you cut it in half on the 11″ side, you will have two pieces that you fold in half to make two cards.  The front of the cards will be 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ and will fit into an A2 size envelope.  This is a common size envelope that is readily available in the card making section at the craft store or at Walmart or Staples.  If you want a larger card, you can fold the 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of cardstock in half and have a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ card.  It will fit an A9 size envelope.
• As mentioned before, use a tape runner style adhesive.
• A paper trimmer will come in handy for getting straight, even cuts on the cardstock and patterned papers.
• You may need additional adhesives depending on what kinds of supplies you use for decorating your Valentine Cards.  Glue Dots are useful for attaching anything that’s glossy, embossed, or glittery.  Tiny pieces are easily attached with a glue pen.

This sweet girl is holding a Valentine Card for her loved one. The brown and pink color combination work really well for this Handmade Valetine Card. I added a ribbon, ribbon slide, and fabric flowers to decorate it.

Handmade Valentine Cards to Inspire You

Here are some Valentine’s Day Cards that I have made.  I have used a variety of supplies and techniques.  Click the photos to get more information about how the card was made.

A Digital Stamp was used with a Cricut Frame to create this sweet card. A few stick on rhinestones, flourish die cuts, and flowers complete the card.

Some Handmade Valentine Card Ideas have a very simple layout, and others are a bit more complicated.  I enjoy using a variety of materials and supplies.  I’m not limited by any certain manufacturers and often use whatever I have in my stash of supplies.

As you look at these cards, notice that the supplies don’t “scream” Valentine’s Day.  By having pink and red papers and supplies in your stash, you’ll always have what you need to put together a quick Love card.  Heart embellishments and papers can be used for wedding, engagement, and anniversary, making them a staple in my supply kit.

This sweet ladybug Valentine Card could be for another occasion.  You could send it for a little girl’s birthday or as a friendship card to someone who loves ladybugs!

The heart bouquet that this hedge hog is carrying makes me think of Handmade Valentine Cards, but this card could also send Get Well Wishes.  Hearts and love supplies shouldn’t be limited to just Valentine’s Day Cards.

If you need help with rubber stamping, visit How to Use Rubberstamps.

With food allergies on the rise, non edible Valentine’s Day gifts are gaining popularity.  This Handmade Valentine Card holds a colorful pencil which will be used long after the holiday has passed.

If you’re new to card making, this card with heart shaped die cut is a great place to start.  You don’t need tons of fancy supplies to get started.  I used basic supplies to create this Handmade Valentine Card Idea.

I enjoy making handmade cards and loved creating these Handmade Valentine Card Ideas.  I used the Cricut Explore to craft this ladybug Love card.  This ladybug is one of my favorite Cricut Die Cuts!