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Hello everyone!  It's Melissa Phillips here today, with a few cards to kick off February, the month of all things pink, hearts, x's and o's.  Each card today uses fun, Valentine-themed products from My Favorite Things.  Not only is this my favorite time of year to create for, but also my favorite time of year to shop for paper-crafting supplies as well.  There are so many creative and inspiring products available.  Sctfeb2

The Stitched Heart Grid is one of my most favorite products right now.  I just love the possibilities that exist with this simple set of dies.  I created a heart-shaped window by using the Pierced Heart Stax dies, allowing the grid to show through the opening, and placing my tiny stitched hearts around my sentiment.

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I stamped my sentiment on a die-cut banner using the Well-Connected Alphabet stamp set.  This set is perfect for creating personalized Valentine cards and is so easy to use.  The letters connect together flawlessly to give you the trendy, modern, calligraphy look that you see everywhere right now.  Across the bottom of my card, I created a soft, dainty edge, using the Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 die cut and added a bit of stamping using and image from the So Much Love stamp set. 

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To create my heart-shaped window I started with a block of Whip Cream cardstock and a block of Tiny Checks patterned paper and the two largest heart dies from the Pierced Heart Stax.

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After die cutting a large heart from both the cardstock and paper, I placed the smaller heart die in the center of the large checked heart to cut an opening.

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I then ran my die cut cardstock heart through my machine with the Stitched Heart Grid, creating the stitched lines down the center of the heart.  Next, I die cut hearts from different colors of cardstock and adhered them in place.  So simple and fun!

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My next card uses the Love Stencil from My Favorite Things.  Combining Gesso or Texture Paste with my stencils is one of my most favorite techniques lately.

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This is a simple technique that adds dimension and touchable results.  The only hard part is waiting for the Gesso to dry :).  Once it was dry, I sponged ink over each letter, then used water to remove it from the Gesso, revealing each letter.

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I used a few floral images from the So Much Love stamp set and after masking a bit, added them to a couple of my Gesso letters.  Masking is another easy technique and can be done with a simple strip or two of washi tape or even post it notes, simply covering areas of your card that you don't want stamped.  Across the bottom of my card I added a scalloped border, created with the Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 die, and some darling, stamped arrows, also from the So Much Love stamp set.  I added a few splatters of DecoArt White Shimmer Mister and sequins to finish.

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Here's a quick step by step, showing how the card front looks after applying the Gesso over the stencil and allowing it to dry.  

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I selected a different ink color for each letter and sponged each color on using my Mini Ink Blending Tool and Blending Foam from Ranger Ink.

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To remove the ink from the Gesso covered letter and heart, I used a damp q-tip, removing the ink so easily.

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What would Valentine's Day be without flowers?  My last card uses the Roses in Bloom die cut stems combined with stamped flowers from the So Much Love stamp set.

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After stamping a portion of my sentiment on the top heart, I added my stem, flowers, and second part of the sentiment which I stamped on a die cut Stitched Sentiment Strip.  I LOVE sentiment strips….don't think I could live without these in my stash.

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All of these lovely elements were layered on top of a die cut Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame.  Scallops add such a feminine touch that dress up any card.  At the base of my die cut rectangle, I added stamped vines and a heart to pull all of the colors together.

These were each so much fun to create and share with you.  Make your own even more personal by simply switching sentiments, color combinations, shapes, images, etc.  Enjoy creating for those you love this month! Be sure to share with us by tagging us @sctmagazine on Instagram!

~ Melissa Phillips 

Supply lists: 

XOXO Card
Card Stock, Patterned Paper (tiny check), Stamps, Ink, Dies:  My Favorite Things, Patterned Paper (dots):  LemonCraft, Sequins:  Doodlebug Designs Inc., Buttons: Papertrey Ink

LOVE Card
Card Stock, Stamps, Ink, Dies, Stencil:  My Favorite Things, Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh, Gesso:  Prima, Mini Ink Blending Foam and Tool:  Ranger Ink

So Much Love Card
Card Stock, Stamps, Ink, Dies:  My Favorite Things, Paper:  My Mind’s Eye and Pink Paislee, Sequins:  Doodlebug Designs Inc., Glitter:  Zig Wink of Stella