How to Make Your Own Valentine's Day Card

Over the years, Valentine's day has become more and more a commercialized holiday. Maybe because its about finding that perfect gift, colorful bouquet of flowers, candy, jewelry, and taking your sweetheart out to her favorite restaurant. This can add a lot of stress with trying to find the perfect gift and live up to all of the Valentine's Day expectations. It can also put a strain your pocketbook.

Sometimes the simplicity of a homemade Valentine's card can make up for all of the commercial gifts we exchange on this loving holiday.

There are several ways to create your own Valentines day card without breaking the bank. By creating your own individualized Valentine day card for your honey, it will mean much more than something you paid $5.00 for at the Hallmark store. Create a unique card, by using pictures and cropping them on to pretty scrapbooking papers or card stock. If you are already a crafter, you may be able to save money by using things you already have on hand. Finish the project by using rubber stamps and pastel colors to personally express your love and devotion to your sweetheart.

If your sweetheart is a man, you can go for a more masculine theme, including Harley Davidson or John Deere Tractors. If you sweetheart is a woman, the sky is the limit -- from hearts and flowers to her favorite movie theme, there is something on the market that matches everyone's taste. The key is to be creative and really make this card as unique as the person who will be receiving it.

Most supplies that you will need for your card can be found at craft stores and scrapbooking suppliers around the country. This includes coordinating stickers, embellishments and letters that will go with your desired theme accordingly. You will also want to have a pair of scissors on hand as well as hot glue, a glue stick or double-sided tape.

Create your own card from your personal computer-

You can create your own cards from some basic photo editing software that most people have right on their own computers. By cropping your favorite photo of yourself or of the two of you together, you can add a unique background that will draw attention to the picture. Add a unique poem or lyrics to your favorite song to the inset. This technique individualizes the card and makes the gift a one of a kind. Print off on colored paper and embellish the envelope with stickers and glitter. If you are really into computerized scrap booking, there are dozens of programs available that you can easily transpose a variety of backgrounds and implement your favorite pictures to create a one of a kind 3-D effect that looks stunning and professional. A high resolution quality printer is highly recommended for a card project if you want to create cards from your computer.

Create your own card from scrapbooking paper-

Using your favorite scrapbooking papers and embellishments, allows you to create a one-of-a-kind look that your sweetheart will love. There are thousands of different designs and patterns to choose from on the market today. Create your own card by using the scrapbooking paper itself, or you can purchase card stock as a base and add your favorite papers to the card stock. The card stock method will establish a sturdy background for you to apply paper, stickers and embellishments.

Create your own card from a poster board-

A poster board also offers a solid background for creating your card. By cutting the poster board down to size, you can make it as big or small as you wish. You can even cut the board into different shapes to create a personalized look. Embellish with tissue paper or your favorite craft or scrapbooking paper. Don't forget to use ribbon, stamps, buttons and letter stickers to make your card stand out.

Utilize your online resources to find poems, quotes, song lyrics and other romantic and heartfelt sayings to include in your card. Also check out quotes from your favorite author, musician and poet. Quotes from Shakespeare can add a loving touch to your card that will surely melt the heart of your lover. Don't forget to add how you feel in your own words to stick with the homemade-heartfelt theme.

Other embellishment suggestions include decoupage, gold leaf, feathers, glitter and lightweight beads.

Use your imagination to create a card that speaks from your heart.