One of my favorite things about card making is the creative freedom to break the rules. Who says cards have to be rectangular? Sometimes, stepping outside the usual shapes can breathe new life into your designs. That’s exactly what I wanted to do with today’s project—create a shaped Valentine’s card that still fits into a standard envelope but adds an extra dose of charm.
This heart-shaped card features the Henry Twila Valentine Clear Stamp Set from C. C. Designs. The playful illustrations in this set are perfect for Valentine’s Day, and I knew they would look adorable on a layered heart design. Instead of starting with a traditional card panel, I built my own shape using Nested Heart Dies (from SBC) and a mix of coordinating cardstock. The result? A layered, dimensional Valentine’s card that feels extra special but is still simple to put together.
Unexpected Shaped Card:
Creating a Strong Base for a Shaped Card
When making shaped cards, stability is key. Unlike a standard top-folding card, a shaped card doesn’t have a full rectangle of cardstock to support it. So, I started with a traditional 5” x 7” piece of cardstock, scored and folded, to act as my foundation. This trick ensures that the finished design is sturdy and stands up well on display.
Next, I die-cut several hearts using Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock—one of my go-to cardstocks for strong die cuts. I also cut additional hearts from Nectar, Sorbet, Midnight, and Mint cardstock. To make each heart stand out, I layered the colored hearts onto the white ones, creating a matted effect. This little detail adds contrast and dimension, keeping the design from looking too flat.
Pro Tip: If you’re layering die cuts like this, liquid glue gives you a little wiggle room to adjust before it dries. This helps keep everything perfectly aligned!
Building the Card Shape
Since I wanted to make sure my final design still fit in a 5” x 7” envelope, I used a simple trick: I cut a piece of copy paper to 5” x 7” and used it as a placeholder while arranging my hearts. I started by placing my folded card base at the bottom, then layered my matted hearts around it, overlapping the edges for a seamless look. Once I was happy with the arrangement, I adhered everything together.
To add even more structure, I tucked in additional colored hearts where needed, making sure the edges overlapped just enough to keep everything secure. This technique not only fills in any gaps but also ensures the final shape is well-balanced.
Adding the Stamped Elements
For the focal point, I wanted to bring in the adorable Henry and Twila characters. I stamped them onto Hammermill Smooth Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink—a great ink choice when working with alcohol markers like my OLO Markers. I colored the images to match the soft but vibrant Valentine’s color palette, then fussy cut each one.
I also stamped Twila onto Nectar Cardstock in a matching ink color and matted her onto Mint Cardstock. This tone-on-tone stamping technique is a great way to add interest while keeping things subtle. I adhered this piece near the bottom of the card as an additional focal point.
Pro Tip: When fussy cutting images, leaving a small white border around the edges can help them pop off a busy background. It also gives you a little more room for error if your cutting isn’t perfect!
Bringing the Design Together
To finish the card, I stamped my sentiments directly onto a few of the hearts using Versafine Onyx Black Ink for a crisp, bold impression. I also added a few smaller die-cut hearts as accents, arranging them to create movement across the design.
For a little extra detail, I used a white gel pen to add highlights to my stamped and colored images, as well as a few of the hearts. And because no Valentine’s card is complete without a bit of sparkle, I dabbed Stardust Stickles onto some of the small hearts for a subtle shimmer.
Final Thoughts
Shaped cards are such a fun way to mix things up in card making, and they don’t have to be complicated! By starting with a standard card base and building the shape on top, you get the best of both worlds—a unique design with the practicality of a regular card.
This heart-shaped Valentine’s card was a joy to make, and I love how the layers and colors play together. The best part? Even with all the dimension, it still slides perfectly into a 5” x 7” envelope!
If you haven’t tried making a shaped card before, I highly recommend it. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a great way to make a handmade card feel even more special. I’d love to hear what shapes you’d like to try next—let me know in the comments!
Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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