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)