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Esther Howland, know as the "The Mother of the American Valentine," was a Victorian era artist responsible for popularizing Valentine greeting cards in the US. Her work featured delicate layers of doilies, scrap images and paper cuttings. Her exquisite pieces are the inspiration for this Valentine card tutorial.
Supplies: Valentine + Flower Scraps, Cards, Dresden Frames + Doilies + Hearts, Paper Glue, Scissors
Step 1: Prepare your supplies: Cut apart a mix of Dresden pieces in varying sizes. Do the same for the scrap images.
Step 2: Begin assembling a mix of Dresden pieces and scraps: matching frames to scraps and choosing which pieces overlay others well. Lay them over your card before beginning to glue to check placement.
Step 3: Glue pieces in place. We glued corner pieces first and worked our way toward the center of the card. Let dry.
Step 4: Repeat to make more cards.
Tips: Don't be afraid to cut Dresden pieces apart to fit your card. For the rose bouquet card (below left) we cut the pillars and corner pieces to better fit the dimensions of the card.
Dresdens look good layered on scraps. Each card below features a Dresden element on top of a scrap: golden bird on rose bouquet, golden heart on heart wreath held by couple, golden bird over heart.
We built on cards from sets that include Italian paper-lined envelopes for an extra special touch.
Specific Supplies Used:
Pink Rose Bouquet, below left top: Dresden flourishes DFW320-G-B + bow DFW782P + dove DF8534AG + rose bouquet scrap S7232
Red Rose Bouquet, below left bottom: Dresden corners DFW309G + frame DF7906G + corners DFW61G + blue flower frame scrap S7352 + rose scrap S7344
Valentine Couple, below right top: Dresden corners DFW67G + bow DFW782P + heart DF7601AG + couple scrap S7177 + flower swag scrap S7352
Fancy Dove on Heart, below right bottom: Dresden doily DFD003-G + dove DF8534AG + corner flourishes DFW320-G-B + bird on heart scrap S7232 + flower swag scrap S7352
Item No. DF8534-AG
Sheet of 8 Dresden doves and 3 tiny floral sprigs, largest dove measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7364
1 sheet of scraps featuring vignettes of cherubs in floral borders. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.5". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. COC125
This tin holds 125 grams of specialty paste. Made famous by its delicious marzipan almond scent, this iconic Italian glue is non-toxic and solvent-free. It will take you from the craft room to the classroom and the office. It works beautifully on paper, cloth and photographs. Ideal for card making, scrapbooking and paper arts. Made in Italy.
Item No. RC-BSC-103
Beautiful Italian card set with 10 envelopes and 10 cards in a pretty paper-covered box. Folded cards measure 3-1/4" x 5-1/4"; envelopes measure 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". Classic Florentine paper with gold highlights lines the envelopes; cards have a red border on front. 100% cotton watermark paper. Made in Italy by Rossi.
Item No. RC-BSC-021
Beautiful Italian card set with 10 envelopes and 10 cards in a pretty paper-covered box. Folded cards measure 3-1/4" x 5-1/4"; envelopes measure 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". Classic Florentine paper with gold highlights lines the envelopes; cards have a navy border on front. 100% cotton watermark paper. Made in Italy by Rossi.
Item No. RC-BSC-070
Beautiful Italian card set with 10 envelopes and 10 cards in a pretty paper-covered box. Folded cards measure 3-1/4" x 5-1/4"; envelopes measure 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". Classic Florentine paper with gold highlights lines the envelopes; cards have a golden border on front. 100% cotton watermark paper. Made in Italy by Rossi.
Item No. RC-BSC-027
Item No. RC-BSC-048
Item No. S7353
1 sheet of scraps featuring angels in delicate floral and lattice frames. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.5". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF8534-S
Sheet of 8 Dresden doves and 3 tiny floral sprigs, largest dove measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". Silver foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF8534SB
Sheet of 8 Dresden doves and 3 tiny floral sprigs, largest dove measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". Steel blue foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFA707G
These are the prettiest Dresden foil frames we've seen! Each sheet has 16 pieces broken up as follows: 3 sets of 3 frames plus floral centerpiece 4 Art Nouveau swirled flourishes. Gold foil on front, ivory paper on reverse. Largest frame measures 3 5/8" by 2 3/4"; floral centerpiece measures 1 1/2" by 7/8"; Art Nouveau flourishes measure 1 3/8" by 3/4". Made in Germany.
Item No. RC-BSC-514
Beautiful Italian card set with 10 envelopes and 10 cards in a pretty paper-covered box with clear lid. Flat cards measure 3-1/4" x 5-1/4"; envelopes measure 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". Classic Florentine paper lines the envelopes; cards are flat and have a deckled edge and embossed border. Made in Italy by Rossi.
Item No. RC-BSC-404
Item No. S7232
1 sheet of scraps featuring pink and soft red roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. RC-BSC-513
Beautiful Italian card set with 10 envelopes and 10 cards in a pretty paper-covered box. Folded cards measure 6-3/4" x 4-5/8"; envelopes measure 7" x 4-3/4". Classic Florentine paper lines the envelopes; cards have an embossed indented area on front and deckled edges all around. 100% cotton paper. Made in Italy by Rossi.
Item No. S7411
1 sheet of scraps featuring a mix of beautiful pink roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7448
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful bouquets of pastel pink and yellow roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7434
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful bouquets of pink roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7409
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful clusters of pastel pink and yellow roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7372
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful bouquets of red and pink roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFA713R
Each sheet has 12 pieces -- 6 heart frames and 6 floral hearts. The heart frame measures 1-5/8" across by 1-1/2" tall. Red foil on front, kraft paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7393
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful images of red, pink and yellow rose bouquets. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF7601AG
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF7601SF
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Aqua foil on both sides. Made in Germany.
Item No. COC20
This medium glue stick holds 20 grams of specialty glue. Made famous by its delicious marzipan almond scent, this iconic Italian glue is non-toxic and solvent-free. Closed tube measures 3 3/4" tall and about 1" wide. Clean up with water. Made in Italy.
Item No. DF7601LB
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Light blue foil on both sides. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7346
1 sheet of scraps featuring roses in pastel pink and yellow. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF7601P
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Pink foil on both sides. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF7601R
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Red foil on both sides. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF7601S
Sheet of 20 Dresden floral hearts, each measuring 3/8" x 1/2". Silver foil on front and back. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7362
1 sheet of scraps featuring roses in shades of pink and red. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7269
1 sheet of scraps featuring floral hearts and angels. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. COC40
This large glue stick holds 40 grams of specialty glue. Made famous by its delicious marzipan almond scent, this iconic Italian glue is non-toxic and solvent-free. Closed tube measures 5" tall and about 1-1/8" wide. Clean up with water. Made in Italy.
Item No. S7416
1 sheet of scraps featuring beautiful floral hearts and bells. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7354
1 sheet of scraps featuring floral heart and dove scenes. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFD003-G
One (1) Dresden foil doily with ornate scrolled design. Gold foil on front and reverse. Made in Germany. Measures 2-3/8" x 3-3/4" overall; center measures 2-1/4" x 1-1/4". Doily is semi-sturdy and perfect for card making, embellishing and any project where you need a fancy accent.
Item No. DF7906AG
Set of four Dresden frames and one embellishment. Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany. Largest frame measures 3.25" by 4.25".
Item No. DF7906S
Set of four Dresden frames and one embellishment. Silver foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany. Largest frame measures 3.25" by 4.25".
Item No. DFD003-S
One (1) Dresden foil doily with ornate scrolled design. Silver foil on front and reverse. Made in Germany. Measures 2-3/8" x 3-3/4" overall; center measures 2-1/4" x 1-1/4". Doily is semi-sturdy and perfect for card making, embellishing and any project where you need a fancy accent.
Item No. S7166
1 sheet of scraps featuring pretty floral hearts. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.5". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7177
1 sheet of scraps featuring Victorian couples and flowers. Sheet measures 7" x 9.5". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7250
1 sheet of scraps featuring brides, grooms and flowers. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.5". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7173
1 sheet of scraps featuring hearts with flowers. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782AG
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782G
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. S7344
1 sheet of scraps featuring roses. Sheet measures 6.5" x 9.25". Scraps are die-cut and embossed on acid-free paper. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782SF
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Aqua foil on front and ivory paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782P
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Pink foil on front and back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW61AG
Sheet of 20 Dresden corners, each measuring approx. 1" x 1". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
