4 Fab Valentine Paper Craft Ideas

We’re in the final stretch leading up to the lovey dovey-ist day of the year, and this week I’ll be sharing some of the fun Valentine’s Day craft ideas and freebies that I’ve spotted in my recent travels on the interwebs. I hope that you’ll spot something in this fab bunch of love-themed crafts that you’ll want to add to your Valentine’s Day festivities this year!

4 Fab Valentine's Day Paper Craft Ideas

Above, clockwise from top left : Conversation Heart Boxes by Damask Love // Breakable Heart Favors by Chiara Alberetti Milott for Oh Happy Day // Origami Candy Boxes by Vitamini Handmade // Heart-shaped Tea Bag Tags from Martha Stewart

images from their respective sources

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags | Paper Crave

These gift tags are so easy to make, and the white-on-white color scheme goes with pretty much any style of gift wrap, too!

I used a variety of stencils from My Favorite Things to create embossed, patterned backgrounds for the tags and heat embossed them with pearl white embossing powder for a look that’s understated and modern, with a subtle shimmer that really makes the patterns pop.

The gift tags that I used are some of my new k.becca designs, but you can use any white gift tag to create a similar look if you don’t have a digital die cutting machine.

My Favorite Things Stencils

Here’s what you’ll need:

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tag Instructions

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags, Step 1

Step 1 : Tape a piece of scrap paper to a smooth surface with low tack tape (I used washi tape). Then, tape your stencil over top of the scrap paper, also with low tack tape. Make sure that you only tape the top of the stencil to your surface so you can easily flip the stencil up and remove the tag when you’re finished stamping. You’ll also be able to easily place another tag under the stencil afterward (sort of like a screenprinting setup).

Smoosh the Versamark inkpad over the surface of the gift tag and cover the portion of the stencil that is on top of the tag with ink.

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags, Step 2

Step 2 : Pour the embossing powder over the tag, using a coffee filter (or a piece of scrap paper) to catch the extra powder. Pour the extra powder into the coffee filter, tap off any remaining powder granules from the tag, and funnel the powder back into its container.

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags, Step 3

Step 3 : Use a heat gun or heat tool to melt the embossing powder. It’s a good idea to use craft tweezers to hold the tag while you’re heating the powder so you won’t risk burning your fingers. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Wait until the embossing powder is completely cool, and add the baker’s twine so you can tie your tags to gifts, homemade gift packages, and all sorts of holiday-type gift stuff!

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags | Paper Crave

photos by Kristen Magee

Weekly Wrap #167 : Elizabeth Olwen for Madison Park Greetings

Weekly Wrap

Elizabeth Olwen for Madison Park Greetings

I’m completely smitten with Elizabeth Olwen’s new collection for Madison Park Greetings. Her lovely patterns are a perfect fit for the packaging goodies, which include gift wrap, washi tape, enclosure cards, gift boxes, and my favorite, a mini packaging set. And, if you’re looking for some non-paper goodies, then you’ll want to check out the sweet magnets and iPhone cases in the collection, too.

Madison Park Greetings is offering Paper Crave readers a 20% discount for the Parkside Papers shop through March 28, 2014. Enter code PAPERCRAVE to receive your special discount. Thanks, Madison Park!

Elizabeth Olwen for Madison Park Greetings

Elizabeth Olwen for Madison Park Greetings

images from Madison Park Greetings

Free Holiday Printables by Zü

Free Printable Holiday Box | Zü

I was instantly enamored with this absolutely adorable trio of free printable holiday goodies from Zü. The cute triangle box, gift wrap sheet, and gift tags are just the thing for creating sweet and lovely holiday gift packaging, and they’re just a few of the awesome freebies and tutorials that you’ll find on Zü.

Thanks so much to Linnette for introducing me to this beautiful French blog and boutique!

Free Printable Holiday Gift Wrap | Zü

Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags | Zü

images from Zü