Make a Valentine's Day Card Yourself with Super-Love

Hi, as the sweet Valentine’s day is just around the corner, so has everybody prepared for your special Valentine's Day gifts? Maybe you will think sending a Valentine’s greeting card is a very old-fashioned thing, but imagine that, if you received a luxury greeting card handmade by your lover, does your heart will throbs or not?

Fine, maybe your heart will throbs not just once, so follow me and study the special tips for how to make a luxury greeting card yourself…

If you know a little basic crochet, the rest of this project is fairly easy. If you don't know how to crochet, this is a fairly easy project for learning, or you could make the center heart from paper (or any other medium you want) and follow just the paper steps in the second half.

Step 1. Thread and hook

Use a fairly small hook, such as 0 or 00, and thin string or yarn. It doesn't have to be microscopic, just slender enough to look elegant. Use a hook size that is comfortable for your yarn or string.

Step 2. Chain six

Make a slip knot and chain six.

Step 3. Single crochet five back across the row.

Single crochet back across the row (sc5). Chain one as a turning chain (first row).

Step 4. A total of five rows.

Repeat for a total of five rows of single crochet. Don't forget the turning chain between rows. You should now have a small square of crochet, five stitches wide by five rows high.

Step 5. The first semicircle.

Chain one, turn,and double crochet into the center stitch (the third of five) of the previous row. Repeat this chain one and double crochet five more times, for a total of six sets of (ch1, dc) into the same center stitch. This leaves you with a semicircular shape. Slip stitch into the corner of the original square.

Step 6.

Make a second semicircle into the middle of the adjacent side, exactly the same as the first: crochet six sets of (ch1, dc). Work into the center of the next side of the square. Since you are now working into the side of your work, there won't be a specific stitch. Just pick a spot in the middle and work into it.

Step 7. Slip stitch.

Slip stitch back into the corner of the original square to join.

Step 8. The basic heart.

Block the shape into a heart. Pull gently on the edges until it's fairly flat and even.

Step 9. Add a decorative border, if desired, or stop at the basic heart. One easy border is a picot stitch

1.Single crochet.Work this stitch by doing a single crochet (sc).

2.Chain three.

3.Single crochet back into the same spot.

Single crochet again back into the same spot. Slip stitch or single crochet around the edge to the next place where you want a picot.

4.Picots.

Work the picots in locations so that they complement the heart shape and so that they are in about the same place on both sides.

Step 10. Tie off and sew in the ends.

Step 11. Making a template.

Cut paper hearts. You can fold a piece of scrap paper in half (this is the side of a junk mail envelope) to create a pattern. Size them to your crocheted heart.

Step 12. Small paper heart.

Cut one paper heart a little larger than the crocheted heart in a strongly contrasting color. It will help if this heart is out of fairly stiff paper or card stock.

Step 13. Larger paper heart.

Cut the other a little larger than the smaller heart in any coordinating color.

Step 14. Poke holes

Align the crocheted heart to the smaller paper heart so that it is centered. Use a push pin to poke holes where you will sew the heart to the paper. If you locate them evenly, it can help to flatten the piece and make it symmetrical.

Step 15.

1) Stitch on the crocheted heart.

Stitch the crochet heart onto the smaller paper heart. Use the same thread as you used to make the heart so the stitches are concealed.

2) Leave an open space in the center.

Leave an open space in the center on the back, to give yourself a place for the glue.

3) Stitching at the tips of the picots will help the heart lie flat.

Step 16. Mark the test fit.

Do a test fit of the paper hearts on the card without gluing them down yet. Mark the locations of the points, top and bottom, lightly in pencil.

Step 17. Decide what you want the card to say.

You can letter on the front or the inside, or both.

1.If calligraphy is not your strong point, you could also use a computer printer or stamps to letter the card. Or, leave the front blank and write in your own handwriting inside.

2.This is a great opportunity to use a calligraphy pen, fancy fountain pen, dip pen, brush, or other artistic tool.

3.Practice the lettering on a piece of scratch paper if you need to. Get the size and spacing about right for the card. It's especially important to practice if you're writing with anything you don't often use.

Tips:

- Draw guidelines lightly in pencil for the letters. You can even trace the letters lightly in pencil to help you get the spacing right.

- Write the letters. This is a handmade card, so don't be afraid to go for a handmade look.

- Wait for the ink or paint to dry thoroughly, then erase the guidelines. Repeat for the lettering on the inside.

Step 18. Glue the larger heart.

Apply glue to the back of the outer heart. Align it carefully on the card and smooth it down.

Step 19. Cut out a tab.

Cut a rectangular tab out of a piece of stiff cardboard, such as a cereal box. Score it and fold it in half.

Step 20. Mark the test fit.

Glue one side of the tab to the small heart.

Step 21. Glue the tab.

Apply glue to the other side of the tab.

Step 22. Glue down the smaller heart.

Align the smaller heart in the center of the larger one and glue it down.

The tab makes it pop up a bit. If you'd rather it didn't, glue the two sides of the tab together or use a single thickness of cardboard for the tab. The tab helps compensate for the thickness of the string you used to sew on the heart.

Step 23. Wait for the glue to dry.

Weigh the whole thing down with a heavy object until it dries.

Whew! The education finally finished ~! is this a very hard time for you? You could spend five dollars on a Valentine's Day card for the person you love, or you could take the time to make something that is truly special. …Actually this material is really is very detailed. So, try to make a Valentine card step by step, it will be very interesting …

* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China