DIY: Valentine’s Crafts with JAM Paper

Just before the holidays, I snagged a great deal on a Silhouette Cameo bundle. It’s the ultimate consumer craft machine – between all the cut files from other designers and the ability to create my own cut files in Adobe Illustrator, the options for being creative are really limitless.

JAM Paper has an amazing selection of envelopes and paper sheets in every color and size you can imagine (and if that’s not enough, they also have wrapping paper, office supplies, and a whole host of other stuff). They sent me a package of ultra-versatile letter-size Kraft paper (and matching Kraft envelopes – both 100% recycled with post-consumer waste), and I knew pairing them with the Cameo’s power would let me make some cute and crafty Valentine’s Day treats.

I also had some sheets of colored cello lying around (like anyone would, of course) so I knew I wanted to make something to play with transparency and create a little piece of “love art” to hang up at home or the office.

I found some great heart-shaped word art to load up in the Cameo, and I sized it to fit my paper.

After the Cameo made the cut, I used a glue pen to adhere the cello to the cut. I was worried that it wouldn’t stick, but the cello clung right to the glue. Score! Once the glue dried, I trimmed around my heart shape and was able to stick it up on my window – the perfect little bit of color to brighten up my desk and celebrate love.

I was digging the cello and kraft combo, so I decided to go back to the Cameo once more and make a few *actual* Valentine’s to give out on Valentine’s Day. I found some cards I like and resized them so I could get two on a sheet – waste not, want not!

Once the Cameo was done cutting, I followed the same steps I used on my heart suncatcher – I used my glue pen to get in the delicate parts of the card and then carefully laid the cut design onto the cello. The cards turned out pretty snazzy, I must say. I think some other holidays call for this special treatment.

After all that, I think the envelopes felt a little left out. So I decided to punch a few holes.

Nope, these aren’t going in the mail. Jason is a nostalgic guy who’s not really into material gifts (which makes Christmas shopping that much more difficult). But since we’ve got a ton of pictures piling up on our hard drive, and I’ve even in some of them now that I’m not so ashamed of how I look, I figured he’d enjoy a handy photo album. The envelopes create pockets to store the photos in so I don’t have to tack anything down.

What crafty goodness is everyone else making to celebrate the season of love?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.