I need to say, right up front, I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t know why but it’s never been “my thing.” That having been said, I do like making Valentine Cards – but usually for my kids and nieces and nephews. Vintage, Distress and Shabby Chic always make me happy! It took me a loooooong time to learn to “Embrace Imperfection” and be okay with my distressed creations. What I’ve learned is NOT to look too closely at it as you are creating it because sometimes it’s just a mess and sometimes that’s exactly what it should be! This card is the final version.
I originally created the card without the key. I try not to get carried away but I felt that it needed something so I added an Idea-ology Key. Here’s what it looked like without it.
Art is so subjective and, at the end of the day, all that really matters is that it makes you happy to create it. But…I do LOVE knowing there are other people who appreciate things I’ve created. What do you think?? With the key or Without??? Leave me a comment and let me know for a chance to WIN BLOG CANDY!
- Apply Distress Stains –Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Old Paper and a tiny bit of Aged Mahogany directly to a Craft Sheet. Spritz it with water and run a piece of Manila Card Stock through and heat set.
- Use a small Blending Tool to apply Victorian Velvet Distress Ink through TH’s Lattice Stencil in various spots on the post card.
- Apply Picket Fence Distress Ink through the Hearts Stencil with a Blending Tool.
- Ink TH’s Script Stamp from the Papillon Stamp Set lightly with Black Archival Ink and stamp randomly onto the post card.
- Stamp part of the swirls from TH’s Fabulous Flourishes Stamp in Vintage Photo Distress Ink in opposite corners.
- Use a Distress Tool to distress the edges and ink with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
- Dye Crinkle Ribbon with the same colors of Distress Inks, crinkle and heat set.
- Die cut the ink well and feather from TH’s Mini Feather and Ink Well Die.
- Stamp the “love letter” from TH’s Random Quotes Stamp Set in Walnut Stain Distress Ink onto a piece of Manila Card Stock.
- Tear the “love letter” and apply Old Paper Distress Ink to a Craft Sheet. Spritz with water and run the “love letter” through the ink and Heat Set.
- Apply Tattered Rose and Vintage Photo Distress Inks sparingly to the “love letter” and ink the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Curl opposite ends of the letter and apply ink as desired.
- Lightly swipe Picket Fence Distress Paint onto the feather from the center outward, leaving lots of empty space. Heat Set.
- Apply Victorian Velvet Distress Stain Directly onto the feather and allow to dry.
- Distress the edges of the feather and ink in Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
- Apply Embossing Ink to the surface of the Ink Well Die Cut and pour Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder over it and heat set.
- Tie a piece of Rose Jute onto the Ink Well and fray the edges.
- Apply Rock Candy Distress Glitter to the swirls on the bottom right and top left of the card.
- Spritz the front of the post card with Tarnished Brash Distress Spray Stain.
- Wrap Tan Jute around the front of the post card and secure in the back.
- Apply Rock Candy Distress Glitter over some of the swirls on the post card.
- Attach the dyed Crinkle Ribbon to the post card and secure in the back.
- Tie a double bow using the “How to Tie a Double Bow Using Your Fingers Technique” – VIDEO IS HERE – and attach to the card front with Glue Dots.
- Attach the “love letter” to the post card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Attach the feather behind the ink well with Glue Dots and then adhere it to the front of the post card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Cut a piece of SU! Chocolate Chip Card Stock to 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Score and fold at 4 1/4″. Distress the edges with a Distress Tool.
- Attach the post card to the card front.
- An Idea-ology Key was attached to the bow with Jump Rings.
- Use a Splatter Brush to apply splashes of Tarnished Brass Distress Stain to the entire card front.
You sure do end up with a BIG mess when you Distress! LOL. I hope you find the Tutorial helpful. If you’d like, you can Click Here to Subscribe to my Mailing List. Thanks for stopping by and sticking with the post all the way through! I tried to incorporate a few of my favorite Card Challenges for this post. You can see them below.
Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp – Monday – “H” (Hearts/Tim Holtz)
Simon Says Stamp – Wednesday – Anything Goes
CC3C #21- Rock Candy Distress Glitter – for Tim Holtz Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge at cc3challenge.com Sponsored by Inspiration Emporium
Frilly & Funkie – Be My Valen-Twine (Jute)
Craft Hoarder’s Anonymous – Choose Your Challenge – Grid – (Ink/Spray/Paint, Seam Binding/Jute, Distressing Tool/Embossing, Bling & Key)
A Vintage Journey – “Love is in the Air” in the Tim Holtz Style
The Shabby Tea Room – Inspirational Photo (Hearts)
Inspiration Emporium – Love is in the Air
Mixed Media Monthly – MMC#9 – “Think Pink” – (Lotsa Pink on this project: Ribbon, Background, Feather)
Our Creative Corner – Tic Tac Toe – I used everything but crackle LOL – (Metal, Paint, Embossing Powder, Paint, Stamps, Stencils, Ribbon, Twine, Embossing Folder)
Hi Cathy! I see you’ve learned how to post to ATT! Your card is scrumptious – definitely more balanced WITH the key (perfect choice). Thanks for sharing!
Thanks soooo much! 😀
My preference is with the key. Love your choice of colors and how you layered your base.
Hugs-
Kavi
(ATT)
Thanks so much, Kavi! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
I like the key! =) I really love the beautiful background you created. yum!
Thanks so much, Lisa! I think everyone prefers the key! LOL
I also forgot to say thanks for sharing this with us at Inspiration Journal this month. =)
🙂 Thanks so much, Lisa!
Wonderful! Thanks for showing the step by step details. The distress creation is beautiful. I love the color combo you did. Gorgeous work! Cheers, Holley
Thanks so much, Holley! That’s what those of us who can’t color (beautifully like YOU do) have to do! LOL
I agree with other that the key was a perfect finish. Nice valentine!
Thanks, Debbie! Me too! 🙂
Wow, gorgeous vintage card! Like you, I’m not that into Valentines Day but I do love a vintage, shabby chic card for any occasion! I vote for the key…it gives a wonderful contrast to the sheer bow and layered papers!
Thanks so much, Karen! So glad you stopped by! 😀
That is a gorgeous card Cathy! The key is perfect…looks blank without it.
Love the background that you created and the way you finished off the
feather diecut.
Fabulous composition!
Wow! Thanks, Laurel! Your comment made me SMILE! 🙂
Congrats on being featured on Tim’s blog!!! You know you’ve made it when…LOL
Yes! Thanks, Laurel! It’s so fun to share the news with people who “get” it! 😀
Gorgeous card Cathy! I love the shabby look and your ink well is so cute. With the key I say 🙂
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
hugs
Mandy xx
Thanks, Mandy! It seems everyone is a thumbs up for the key! haha!
I appreciate the visit! 😀
Just beautiful! Love the soft colors and the shabby chic style.
Stacy (ATT)
Thanks, Stacy! Glad you stopped by! 🙂
Beautifully created with all the details and distressing..a gorgeous creation! I love Valentines Day…not sure why, guess it must be the chocolate..lol! Thank you for joining us at “The Shabby Tea room” for our “I {heart} you” challenge!
Diane TSTR DT
Thank you, Diane! YES! I do love the chocolate too! haha! Dropped by the Godiva outlet last week! I will need to stay away from chocolate for awhile! LOL So glad you dropped by and liked the card. 🙂
You sure made a gorgeous card for a celebration you are not a fan of. I love the theme, the colours and really appreciate you showing how it came together. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie.
Hugs!
Cec
Hi, Cec! Thanks so much for your kind words! They made me smile! 🙂
Cathy,
I’ve got to say this is the prettiest, grungy, distressed Valentine’s Day card I’ve ever seen! Love it! And I’m with you…Valentine’s Day is not a favorite of mine, at least to create for! But you have created a Valentine’s card the way I like them! Love the letter and the use of the dies with it. Perfect with the key, I think! I’m hitting the mailing list button, because I love your work!
Sara! Wow! Thank you SO much for your awesome comment! Truly heartwarming!
Thank you, thank you! 😀
Hey Cathy, what a beautiful card, love the romantic feel. Saw you linked to the Compendium challenge, I am struggling to see the Rock Candy technique on your card from the pics you posted… any chance you could add a photo of the bit with the glitter please? Cheers… Thanks for linking in
Hi, Hels!
Yes! I will do that right away. The Rock Candy Glitter is on all of the swirls. I loved the way it offset the grunge!
Thanks for stopping by.
😀
Hi Cathy, I love your card, the colours, design and techniques make a fab result. Personally I think your key gives it the perfect finish touch and brings the whole design together. Thanks for joining in the challenge at A Vintage Journey and good luck. Hope to see you back in our challenges soon.
Julie x
Thank you so much for your kind words, Julie! They’re truly appreciated. 🙂
I love the shabby chicness of the card and the key definitely adds that extra something! Thanks so much for the tutorial. It’s fun to see how others create!
Thank you, Heidi, for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial! 😀
A beautiful card and the addition of the key was the perfect finishing touch!
Thank you, Deb! 😀
There seem to be quite a few of us who are not really into Valentine’s Day, lol! Your make is quite lovely – thanks for sharing the details of the process. All of it came together beautifully – and yes, that key is just the right finish! xx Lynn
Thank you so much, Lynn! I appreciate the visit! 😀
Wow, this is stunning! Beautifully put together with fabulous colours! Thanks so much for adding it to our Love is in the Air challenge at A Vintage Journey!
Thank you, Astrid! I appreciate the comment. 😀
What a gorgeous card!!! Love that key! But that feather pen is my favorite!!
Thanks, Samra! Mine too! 😀
I had to laugh when you said Valentine’s isn’t your thing! That’s exactly how I started my Valentine’s Day card post! But even though it isn’t our favorite of “holidays,” I’m glad to see that you still brought your A Game with this card! It is stunning! I love the combination of energy and softness that is a hallmark of your work. Being an English major “word nerd,” I also really appreciate the nod to letters and writing. Thanks so much for sharing your skills with us for this week’s Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!
Wow! Thank you so much, Andrea! I truly appreciate your visit and the time you took to leave me your lovely comment. Thank you! 😀
I adore this card Cathy, it is perfect for a ‘love’ theme. You’re right, at the end of the day art is subjective but for me I like the key added, it leads my eye right up the page and creates more balance and harmony to the finished design – just my tuppence worth lol.
Thanks for sharing your talent at AVJ.
hugs Brenda xxx
Thank you, Brenda! Everyone loved the key so I’m glad I added it! 😀 Thanks for the visit and your kind words.
Love it Cathy!!!!!
Thanks, Gayle! 😀
Such a beautiful card Cathy! Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie and A Vintage Journey, and huge congrats on your Blogworthy!!! Jenny x
Thank you, Jenny! I’m glad you stopped by! 🙂
Hi, Cathy, It looks like Tim LOVED your Valentine, too! Congratulations on being a Blogworthy! The most wonderful form of praise and so well deserved!
OMG!, OMG!, OMG! I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR LETTING ME KNOW! Wow! Totally made my day! Thank you again, Sara! xoxoxox
Cathy…it was such a treat to meet you at Marjie’s class at CHA. Huge congrats on being chosen to be among all of the gorgeous Valentine projects Tim is showcasing on his Blogworthy links!! Your card is beautifully done and this honor is well deserved. Thanks for sharing your work with us at CC3C.
Hi, Candy! Yes! So fun to meet you too! 🙂 I am BEYOND excited to be one of Tim’s Blogworthy Links! Wow! I am just stunned!
Cool! something different! love the use of this die ….the inkwell and feather look great! thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Roxanne! 😀
Congratulations on being one of Tim’s Blogworthy Links!
Thank you so much, Anne! I have been on cloud 9 all day! 😀
WOW!!! The key was the perfect touch. What a beautiful card. Not a fan of Valentine’s Day either. Your card is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing 😀
hank you, Lois! I’m so glad you stopped by! 🙂
Cathy this is gorgeous! Congratulations on Blogworthy link!!
Hugs from Slovenia
Thank you, Ana! I’m still so excited! Congratulations to you as well! 😀
This is fabulous!
Thank you, Kathy!
Cathy, I love, love your card. The key is perfect. Beautiful
Thanks so much, Nancy! 😀
Celebrate a well-deserved acknowledgment!!! Your passion shows through to your creations. Beautiful card! Oh, and yes to the key 😉
Awwww, thank you so much, Lyra! What a nice thing to say! I truly appreciate it! 🙂
Hi Cathy!! I’m not sure if you remember me? I used to write for Paper Crafters Library and I got in touch with you last year to include one of your cards in one of my articles?
Well, I just had to come over and admire your Tim Holtz Valentine Blogworthy Link creation!! This card is amazing!! You’ve showcased his goodies and technique wonderfully!! CONGRATS on the BWL!! XOXO-Shari
Yes, Shari! I do remember you! Thanks so much for your kind words! I appreciate the visit too! 😀
Oh so pretty; love the background layers and the colors, beautiful card!
Congratulations on being Blogworthy !
Thanks so much, Rosann! I’m truly honored! 😀
Congratulations on the mention from Tim H.! You are and always will be ‘BLOGWORTHY’! Cath, this card is stunning….so Victorian and could be used romantically or also as a friendship note or Valentine. The key is perfect!
Thanks so much, Mama! xoxoxox
hey Cathy, me again… thanks ever so muchly for adding the photo in, I can really see those superb sparkles against the gorgeous grunge… thanks hun x
haha – Thanks, Hels! So glad you came back! 😀
Drifted over from ATT! The key adds so much-keep it on the card,for sure. Congrats for being recognized by Tim-what a great complement to your art.
Thanks so much, Anne! I’m glad you stopped by. 😀
Love your card and all the layers. Big congrats too!
Thank you so much, Colleen! I’m still smiling! 😀
Definitely with the key – thanks for the key
Thanks, Kerry!
If I had seen the keyless one first, I would have liked it. Seeing the key version, though, makes all the difference in the world! Definitely the key version!
Thanks so much! I think it’s unanimous! 😀
great card. Great instructions. Lots of work!
Thanks, Geneva! 😀
Wow Cathy, love, love love the colours and that cute feather! Thank you for joining us at Our Creative Corner. Congratulations on getting a blog worthy mention from Tim! Jan x
Thanks so much, Jan! It certainly was a thrill! 🙂
Such a gorgeous card! I love the crinkly ribbon and the feather. Congrats on being “Blogworthy” Thanks so much for playing at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.
Thank you, Donna! I was thrilled! 🙂
Beautiful card, so soft, love your project! ESpecially the background is stunnnig! Congrats on your Blogworthy link mention from TIm! Barbarayaya
Thanks solo much, Barbarayaya! I’m glad you like the project! The BWL was exciting, for sure! 🙂