Short History of Valentine Cards

January 13, 2026Leave a comment

Long before die cut hearts and doilies, Valentine’s Day began as the feast of Saint Valentine, a priest martyred on February 14th for performing marriages for despite a ban by a Roman Emperor. By the Middle Ages, poets were already linking the date with romance, and lovers began exchanging handwritten notes and verses to mark the occasion. Early valentines were intimate, the declarations of affection carefully folded and sealed with wax.

By the 1800s, new printing techniques and affordable postage turned those private notes into something more playful and decorative. Elaborate lace trimmed cards, colorful illustrations and clever verses filled Victorian mailboxes. In America, Esther Howland helped popularize these printed valentines, transforming the tradition into the greeting card exchange we know today.

Something that hasn’t changed is the heart of the practice: Valentine cards focus on taking time to say “you are loved” with paper, ink and imagination.

This card, inspired by the #creativechallengesu January sketch, carries history forward in a fresh way. The soft layers of Stampin’ Up!®️ Love Notes Mix & Match 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper give it a collage charm (nod to the past), while the stamped elements from the Valentine Kisses bundle dish a dash of whimsy (embracing today).

You can play along, as well! Create a card inspired by this sketch and post it on your social media with the hashtag #creativechallengeSU during January 2026.

Paper changes and styles evolve, but the magic of sending love through a handmade card keeps fluttering along, like a blue bird of happiness winging a love letter to it’s intended 💌

Interested in a longer history of Valentine cards? Visit this excellent article by Rare Bird Antiques!

For supplies to create your own Valentine cards, thanks for shopping my Stampin’ Store ~I’ll mail a hand-stamped thanks!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Zinnias for Catalog Sketch, June Bundle Sale

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024Leave a comment

Have you noticed the 22 card sketches on page 22 of the Annual Catalog? You’ll want to turn to these any time you’ve lost your crafting mojo, for they will give you a “map” to follow as you get back into your stamping groove.

If you look closely, you may spy samples throughout the catalog that follow a sketch, as well.

I decided to use the Simply Zinnia bundle to follow this sketch for the #CreativeChallengeSU :

These colors feel like SUMMER and make me want to plant some in my yard.

I know that the Simply Zinnia bundle and Flowering Zinnia Suite are backordered (as of June 6, 2024) but they should be back in stock by the week of June 24th which will give you time to order the bundle during the June “Extra 10% Off” sale on all BUNDLES (Stamps + Dies)!

During June, the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines are all 10% off as well – original size, mini and Boho Blue mini machine, too! Bring one (or a second one) home to your craft room.

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Flowering Zinnias Suite Collection (English)

$83.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$13.00

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Lemon Lolly 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Mini Glue Dots

$7.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

$7.00

A Sherbet Swirl Colors + April Virtual Class!

February 23, 2024February 25, 20241 Comment

The Global Design Project Color Challenge #GDP433 had me in the mood for ice cream…sherbet to be precise!

Can’t you taste the strawberry, lemon and orange? I pulled the Ice Cream Swirl bundle out and chose one of my go-to card sketches for showing off a large image, such as the ice cream cone: The Easel Card!

It was probably by design, and not by accident that the GDP colors were closely tied to one of the #creativechallengesu color combinations for February, too, so I did stamp my sherbet in Sweet Sorbet and added a swirl of the same color.

This is my card when it’s closed, and I embellished it with a few hearts from the Adhesive-Backed Hearts & Flowers pack:

An easel card is easy to make: The card base (Lemon Lolly card stock) is 11″ x 4.25″ and I scored this one at 3″ and 5.5″. Remember to ONLY ADHERE the bottom half of the layer that will stand up to the bottom 3″ of your card base. Add a small element inside that can prop up the easel- in this case I created a fruity donut in the same colors and put it on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I’ll be using the Ice Cream Swirl bundle for my second 2024 Virtual Card Class in April!

While this class will spotlight the Ice Cream Swirl bundle (Item #162771) -NOT included in the class fee- the projects may alternatively be created with the Simply Sparkling bundle (Item #162871) OR the Beautiful Balloons bundle (Item #161457) any of which can be ordered in my Stampin’ Store: http://bit.ly/lonistampinupstore

Registered class members will receive a class packet with all the consumable supplies (card stock, envelopes, Designer Series Paper, etc) needed for 5 projects we create together during the class, PLUS two full sized accessories (2 embellishments we will use in class) and a color copy of the completed projects. (Remember: Class kit DOES NOT include stamps or ink…you can use what you have or order from my store). Crafting Happiness Virtual Class fee: $37

Class packet includes*:

Tinsel Gems Four- Pack (Item #161623)
Iridescent Shaker Circles (Item #161625)
Card Stock, Designer Series Paper and accessories cut for projects
One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
Envelopes and packaging
Sweet surprises!

(* while supplies last- if items sell out before packets are mailed, items of equal value may be substituted)

Also needed:

Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (or Mini Machine) or similar die cutting machine for coordinating dies
Ink Pads: Pretty Peacock, Berry Burst, Lemon Lolly (OR Daffodil Delight), Calypso Coral, Lemon Lime Twist, Pecan Pie (OR Crumb Cake)
Watercolor Pencils Assortment #1 (Item #161700) OR Stampin’ Blends (colors above)

The class will be privately streamed to YouTube and you’ll receive a link via Email on April 16th to watch and craft along with me, or watch at your convenience anytime!

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