Feb 10 2008
Valentine King
I’ve made a few different Valentines this year but I believe I’ve settled on this one for my husband. While it’s suitably masculine, it has enough ribbon to keep me happy. This is the playing card box I designed for this gift set at Christmas time. There’s a how-to with pictures in that post but if you’d like to see how it’s made with the Scor-Pal you can see it here where it’s featured in the Feb/March online magazine with lots of other fun projects. The box is full of conversation hearts, and after he’s done eating the candy he can take a deck of cards to work and play solitaire during the slow times — tee hee! As if he’d whip this frilly thing out in front of the guys!
The box is decorated with Stampin’ Up!’s retired Lexicon of Love. I stamped it twice, mounted the chipboard heart on the first image, then punched out the “cherish” with the word window punch and glued it over the heart. There’s a little piece of dimensional mounting tape under each end of the word to keep it firmly supported.
I used another retired Stampin’ Up! stamp on the middle background of the card — the By Definition background. The main image and the sentiment accent are from Crafty Secrets Bird Notes.
The feature I like most about the card is something that doesn’t show in the photo at all: The bird’s body is plumped up by the process of dry embossing on cardstock vellum. I first saw this done by Linda Bullard on this beautiful card. What a wonderful effect this is! I’m not very technique oriented so it took me a while to get around to trying this but, oh, my goodness, it was easy! After I stamped the bird on the vellum in Jet Black Stazon I placed the vellum panel face up on a craft foam mat — the same one I use as a cushion when using clear stamps. I traced around the outline of the bird with a stylus, gradually applying more pressure a little at a time so as to gently stretch the vellum without tearing it, per Linda’s instructions. Then I turned it over and ran the stylus in circular motions inside the lines. I turned it back and forth, repeating the process on first one side and then the other until I was satisfied with the effect. Coloring was done with SU! markers on the reverse side.
The vellum is adhered to white cardstock with Crystal effects. I repeated the dry embossing process after it was adhered to the white cardstock and placed a dimensional under the bird’s body to help maintain the plumpness before I adhered that panel to the black mat. This is a technique that’s worth giving a try. You won’t be disappointed once you see it in person. Thank you, Linda! And thank you all for stopping by today. Happy Monday!
Stamps: Bird Notes, By Definition, Lexicon of Love
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, cardstock vellum, American Traditional Designs Guy’s Life designer paper
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, SU! Markers
Accessories: May Arts ribbon, Creative Imaginations self-adhesive chipboard, Brenda Walton self-adhesive gems, dimensionals, 3/4″ circle punch
Fabulous set, Leslie…and I think it’s perfect for your husband!! I love your card and box, and saw your tutorial over at Scor-Pal! It’s awesome! I love how you’ve filled it with the candies, and it can later be used for cards!
This is so attractive - what a wonderful guy valentine!!! I’m sure your DH will be thrilled!!! Linda got me to try this technique a while back, and though I only did it once, it was fun and YES, it does yield such a beautiful result. I just wanted to keep touching it — LOL!!! Wonderful project!!!
Gorgeous set Leslie!! I love the box and the card is just wonderful!! The bird looks so real.
Dee
WOW is this ever gorgeous! Love the bird. I have that stamp and RARELY use it.
The rich colors are amazing
I LOVE your card! And I HAVE that set!!! What an inspiring creation, thank you VERY much! And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
I could see this bird was dimensional before I read your post! I thought it was possibly a photgraph popped up…. the detail is amazing! GREAT card. I love it!
Leslie,
This is fabulous, your husband will love it! The bird image and saying are so lovely on your card!
Leslie, this card is gorgeous! I have to tell you each time I see the title of your blog I chuckle. The first time I told my husband I was reading a blog called Running With Scissors, it brought and Ugh, from him. He went on to explain that he had a bad hand injury from running with scissors……so I’m not to mention it again if I can help it! LOL Interesting what comes up from things like this that you didn’t already know about your spouse!
These are beautiful. I love non-traditional Valentine’s cards and birds so this is right up my alley. Wonderful work.
you are Excellent!!!
come here and get your award!!!!!
http://sarah331980.blogspot.com/2008/02/look-at-what-i-got-and-now-i-will-give.html
OMGosh, that is such a cool card! Of course, I adore that bird, and I love the definition stamp in the background and how you gave it a masculine feel with the designer paper. You’re just a box-making genius!
Just beautiful!
barb
That blue paper contrast so well with the red. I really like the cards, fantastic work !
very cool, I especially love that tag!
These are just beautiful! I’m sure your hubby will be appropriately appreciative, but I’m with ya on one thing - I’m pretty sure he won’t be taking out the “cards” at work!
What an awesome technique. I must remember to try this, Leslie. Love the way the coloring looks, too, when it is done on the reverse side of the vellum. BEAUTIFUL!!
Leslie, these are just beautiful. I know I always say that but its always true!!! LOL I think I am also going to comment on the picture itself, its amazing! You really captured the beauty in your card and project!
Great stuff Leslie,
Jennifer
I’m sure the bird looks wonderful! What a great set! It has been a while since I’ve tried this….I have gotten away from doing “techniques” and should try a few again!
Beautiful card. Love it!
I wish I could be right over to see Rich’s plump little bird! I gave this tech. a try once, but must do again. I love the bright colors and masculine touches too. TFS
You are so clever. Wow, I wish my pinkie had an infusion of your talent!!!!
Wonderful Cards - I love the colors you chose!
This is beautiful Leslie! I think it is masculine ‘enough’ but still pretty enough to make us girly girls happy! Love the matching box of cards. Great Valentines Day project!
Linda
So pretty, Leslie! I can’t imagine how much better it looks in person…the plump little body is just so neat!!
Congrats on the wonderful tutorial for that fabulous playing card box on the Scor-Pal site. I finally got over there and checked it out. Your coordinating card makes this a colorful, stunning set. Love the match-up with the Lexicon and By Definition stamps and that polka dot ribbon. But most of all, I am dazzled by the fantastic job you did on that dry embossed bird image, Leslie!!! Your coloring is superb, and I’m so pleased you love the effect, which can only be fully appreciated IRL. Bravo!!! :o) Linda