How to Make a Gnome Card for Valentines Day

I couldn’t resist these super cute little gnomes celebrating the joys of spring. The digital stamps are really easy to colour but so effective. I’ve paired them with some bright spring themed papers and die cut details for a collection of adorable handmade greetings cards.

Keep on reading and I’ll show you how to make your own handmade cards. I’m including ProMarker blends and all the craft stash and crafting techniques I’ve used.

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Digital Stamping

The Digi image is from Polkadoodles, part of their adorable Gnome for Spring range. 

There are thousands of different digital stamps availible online. Click here to take a look at my favourites.

I print my digital stamps onto Ultimate Graphic 160gsm paper. It’s bright white so my colours really pop and it’s super smooth surface makes blending easier.

You don’t need a fancy or expensive printer to print digital stamps. I use a very old HP Officejet, any inkjet printer will do.

I’ve coloured this little cutie with my Winsor & Newton BrushMarkers.

Here’s the shade’s I’ve used:

Promarker Brush Colours – Reds

Promarker Brush Colours – Pinks

Promarker Brush Colours – Blues

Promarker Brush Colours – Greens

Promarker Brush Colours – Oranges

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Designer Papers

I’m using the Colours of Spring A5 paper pack which I picked up on sale from Polkadoodles.

I’m loving the bright and cheerful springtime colours. They felt like the perfect fit for these Gnome for Spring digital stamp designs.

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Die Cutting

I use dies to make frames around my digital stamps. I always colour my image first in case I make a mess of it.

Then I choose a die shape and size that suits my image and run it through my die cutting machine.

On this card I have used my XCut Oval die and Scalloped Oval, also from XCut. They have to be among my favourite dies. The oval shape adds lots of interest to my cards but keeps the focus very much on the main image.

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Embellishments

Keeping with the spring theme I’ve reached for another of my favourites the Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Tattered Floral by Tim Holtz. The flowers are small and cute, perfect for framing the main digital stamped image.

I’ve echoed the butterflies in the digital stamp designs and added a little die cut butterfly. I think they give my cards some dimension and a little something extra where there was a plain looking space. I’ve used one of my favourite die sets, Spellbinders Jewel Flowers and Flourishes. Aside from my frame dies, this one is my most used die set making it the best value set I’ve ever invested in.

I’m always saving ribbon from packaging and gift wrap to use on my cards. I raided my stash and found a variety of ribbons in bright spring colours.

I’ve also used gold gems to accent the die cut flowers and some pink brads to the corners of my card.

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Greeting

I bought myself the full set of Gnome for Spring digital stamps and accessories. This includes the sentiment set which I’ve printed out to use on these cards.

I’m loving having sentiments that match the card design so well and they’re such good fun!!

This one reads “Love You, Gnome Matter What”. I thought it would make a lovely Valentines card as well as being a nice birthday card for a close friend.

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Take a Peak Inside

I think it’s such a shame to receive a beautifully decorated card only to open it and be faced with a blank page. So I use more of my designer papers to decorate the insides of my cards. I mostly use scraps leftover from the main design and a 10cm square of plain paper to write a nice message onto.

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Take a Look at my Etsy Shop

This handmade greeting card is available to buy in my Etsy shop.

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Products I’ve Used

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Follow me on your favourite social media channel for more card making ideas and inspiration.

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• Etsy

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