Homemade Valentine's Day Cards

I'm working towards becoming a licensed Mental Health Counselor and creative expression has been and will continue to be a way for me to care for my own mental health.  (This blog is one of my outlets!) I'm a big supporter of art therapy!

Today I'm going to share how my friend Cara uses card making as one of her creative outlets.  This not only makes her happy, but it also spreads happiness to others!  I feel appreciative of the times that I've received her homemade card in the mail!

Cara and I met at band camp (you may laugh, but we took marching band seriously! haha) We were cabin-mates and we bonded over reading the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.  Our friendship grew as we shared similar interests in being creative,  finding adventures, and much more. Without further ado, I'll turn this over to her!

A couple of years ago I started making cards...for holidays, birthdays, or just because! It's a great way to de-stress and let out my somewhat creative side.  I never really know what the finished products will be, so it's always a fun process.  The past couple of years I've made valentines for friends and family. (maybe just because I like cutting out hearts?!) They're easy to do and a cute way to show someone you're thinking of them...

What You'll Need: Gather various art materials. Here's a great chance to recycle! I always use paper I have around, old newspapers and magazines, stamps, markers....also, have a glue stick and scissors handy.  For today's project I even used a silver candy wrapper for some glimmer on one of the cards.

Method:
1. Create the card itself by folding a colorful piece of paper in half.  I tend to cut them into different sizes. You can also buy blank cards from the store and use those as a base.

2. Add more depth and dimension by gluing a smaller piece of paper of a different color to your card base.


3. Cut away! Go through the magazines, newspapers, and paper to cut and collect letters, pictures, hearts. I always create a stockpile at the beginning of my project and then mix and match throughout....

4. Glue down your selection of words, shapes, and pictures to create the front of your card.  You can always add some extra touches with your own writing or a bit of glitter. 

5. Don't forget to add a personal message on the inside and there ya go, lotsa love ready to send! 

(Notice the shiny candy wrapper heart on the card furthest to the right.) I love that idea! -Amanda

Thanks Cara for sharing with us! What great way to show love....by taking the time to personally design a card for someone.  This has inspired me to make my own homemade Valentine this year!