Next to Christmas, Valentine's Day is my favorite papercrafting holiday! I love everything associated with this romantic day -- doilies, lace, glitter, hearts, Cupid -- so I tried combining as many of those things as I could on this Valentine tag!
I also wanted to create a faux-embossed look for the background of the tag -- it's really simple. Here are the easy steps:
1. Die cut all the pieces you will need, out of Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic cardstock. I only had the 6x6 pad, so my tag is about 1/4-inch shorter than the die (which is fine, since I added the Vintage Lace paper trim to the bottom), but you could use the 12x12 version cardstock pad. I just aligned the top of my cardstock at the top of the tag die, so only the bottom edge would be short. All the colors you need are in the pad: wine, pink and black. The reverse side of all this cardstock is the kraft color. Notice right now, Cupid is pink and facing the other direction. Also, I originally cut the "Love" word out of pink cardstock but it ended up blending into the background too much, so I switched it to black (click on any photo for a larger view):
The Mini Love Struck Cupid is a Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die so you will either need the Movers & Shapers Base Tray to use this die in your Big Shot machine, or you can use a Movers & Shapers Base Die like I did -- I just placed Cupid in the Tag & Bookplates die I used to cut my tag shape.
2. Turn cupid over to his kraft back side and cover him with Glossy Accents, then sprinkle on Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Glitter -- I love how well this glitter matches the kraft cardstock!
Tip: Use temporary adhesive to hold Cupid down to your work surface, as he will tend to start curling with the thick layer of Glossy Accents! Set him aside to dry.
3. I wanted to emboss the tag but didn't have a heart embossing folder, so I created a faux-embossed look myself! I just die cut a bunch of hearts (My Favorite Things' Staggered Heart Border makes it quick and easy by cutting a bunch of hearts all at once!) and adhered them to the tag, using X-Press It Glue Marker:
I like that this marker has a little broader bullet tip than a fine-tipped pen adhesive -- it covers the die cut quicker but is not too large for even the smallest pieces.
4. You could leave the background like this, if you'd like, but after the hearts were thoroughly dry, I lightly sanded the hearts to reveal the kraft core. I like the distressed look!
5. To adhere thin die cuts like this pretty Avery ELLE-ments Simply Said: Love die word on a textured background surface, I like to use rolled up Mini Glue Dots:
6. Die cut the Tim Holtz Sizzlits Deco Strip Vintage Lace from black kraft core cardstock and adhere to bottom of tag with the Glue Marker.
7. Adhere Cupid to the tag using Copic Foam Tape -- thin strips of the tape can be cut to fit the smallest of areas:
8. Stamp the Avery Elle Simply Said: Love words "you" and "xo" with Versafine Black Onyx ink on the pink die cut Mini Love Struck heart. Adhere pink heart with Mini Glue Dots to a black heart, offsetting it for a shadow effect.
9. Tie May Arts 1-1/4" Black Silk Ribbon through the tag hole with Black Baker's Twine.
I hope you'll try some of these tips in your Valentine project making . . . Thanks for stopping by today! ~ Sharon
