The Bonanza Buddies set is one of my favorites from Stampin’ Ups! January-June Mini Catalog. I love the playful images and the colors in the DSP (Designer Series Paper) that’s part of that suite. However, this time I paired the Koala image with the From My Heart DSP to create this adorable valentine for my favorite guy – my grandson. He likes to get mail from Grandma Cand and I just know he’ll love this card!
Here’s a close up of the card. Isn’t it just too cute?
I love to mat my images with a smaller mat than most. Typically the mat layer is 1/4″ larger than the neutral layer. For a really narrow mat, make the mat layer 1/8″ larger than the neutral layer. I like to make mine between the two – my mat layer is 3/16″ larger than the neutral layer.
On this card, the first Smoky Slate layer is 1/4″ larger than the Thick Whisper White card base. The next Whisper White layer is 3/16″ inch smaller than the first Smoky Slate layer. Can you see the difference? I think mats just make things pop and they also help to ground your images.
You can Make It, Too!
Bonanza Buddy Valentine
Instructions
- Fold a 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" piece of Thick Whisper White cardstock in half. Crease with a bone folder to get a nice crease.
- Stamp the 'Happy Valentine's Day' sentiment on the inside of the card using Real Red ink. Do this now so that if you smear it, you can start over!
- Stamp the 3 small heart underneath the sentiment using Real Red ink.
- Attach a 5 1/4" X 4" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock to the card front.
- Attach a 5 1/8" X 3 13/16" piece of Whisper White cardstock to the card front.
- Cut a piece of 2 13/16" X 4 3/16" piece of Whisper White card stock.
- Stamp the 'Love You Lost' sentiment using Real Red ink on this panel. Tip: Since this is a photopolymer stamp set, use the Stampin' Pierce mat to get a crisper image. It gives just enough give to get a great image.Tip: Count to 5 before lifting your stamp off the paper to give the ink time to really sink into the cardstock fibers.
- Adhere it to a piece of 3" X 4 1/4" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock.
- Adhere the Smoky Slate cardstock to the card front.
- Cut out 3 hearts using the smallest Stitched Be Mine heart dies from the From My Heart DSP using your favorite die-cutting machine.
- Stamp the Koala using Smoky Slate ink on a piece of scrap Whisper White. Cut out the Koala using the Bonanza dies and your favorite die-cutting machine.
- Cut 3 4" pieces of Whisper White Baker's Twine. Tie a knot in one end. Glue the knotted end to the card front using glue dots. Position them about where the Koala's hand will go.
- Glue the other end of the strands where you want the hearts to be placed, trimming the twine if necessary. Use glue dots to hold them down.
- Attach the Koala to the card front using Dimensionals.
- Attach the hearts to the card front using Dimensionals.
Make the Inside Pretty
Decorating the inside of the card gives is such a finished, polished look. I usually take an element from the card front and continue it on the inside. However, for this card, I chose another sentiment and design element but used the same color as the front.
There’s still plenty of room to write a personalized message to my favorite guy. And I always add a date so that he can look back over the years (assuming his mom is saving them!)
Don’t Forget the Envelope
For this envelope, I decorated both the front and flap using the small heart and Real Red ink. One trick when stamping a number of items in a row, is to stamp the two ends and then the middle and then stamp the rest. This makes it easier to get the spacing right.
Here’s a picture of the front. Just one sweet, little heart.
I hope you enjoyed today’s card. I’ve included a list of supplies so that you can make the card, too! Just click on any image in the list to be taken to that item in my online store or click the Shop Now button below.
