Materials: 
    Card stock (I used Passport Cover, Gypsum color) 
    Miscellaneous small colored papers (grab some red!) 
    Buttons (I used pink and deep maroon) 
    Raffia (I used scraps and some long pieces) 
    Metallic Gold Ribbon 
    Decorative Edge Scissors - optional 
    Glue Stick and Tacky Glue 

Step-by-Step: 
I began by cutting the bottom card stock piece that would be the main card.  I got two cards out of each piece so open they measure 4.25 X 11", opened they measure 4.25 X 5.5" - mine open from right to left but any size will work.. 

Next, I cut out a piece of mustard paper about the same, just eye-balling it.  I then cut the mustard paper to be about .25" all the way around using Fiskars Deckle edge scissors.  Any scissors will do and even a plain edge looks very attractive! 

Cutting out hearts is never fun, and after a few tries, I finally had some I liked.  Then I began to play with my composition.  The top example shows how I put the mustard paper on the card stock with an even border all around.  I wanted the next card to be different, so the example to the right has the mustard paper put at an angle.  I did have to cut the border smaller for the card with mustard paper on an angle.  

Now it was time to string some buttons!  I felt like a kid again!  For both cards, I strung the raffia through in the largest pieces I had floating around.  In the top picture (with the pink button), I added some gold thread also.  In the second card on the right, I simply tied the long pieces into a bow.  When you cut your raffia to the desired length make sure to cut it rather randomly on the edges to retain the nice wild raffia look. ;) 

Next, you have to play some more until you are happy with your compositions!  When you are all set to glue, use a glue stick for the mustard paper and heart.  Then put a small dab of tacky fabric type glue on the button.  You will need a little weight on the button to hold it down while it's drying...I used a soup can (the edge). 

And that's it!  As usual, feel free to incorporate your own ideas, papers, strings, colors, etc. and just use these ideas as a starting point and for inspiration! 

Step 1:  Take an ordinary sponge and cut a heart shape out of it.  Don't worry if it isn't a perfect heart...these are handmade Valentines and will look great! 

Step 2:  Cover your work space with newspaper and keep some paper toweling close by in case of a spill.  Then, carefully pour a small amount of paint on a piece of wax paper.  Dab your sponge around so that just a thin layer of paint is on your sponge. 

Step 3:  Now carefully dab your heart sponge on your small pieces of heavy paper.  Repeat your dabbing on the other pieces of paper. 

Fun things to try:   
-  Instead of adding more paint each time you dab your sponge, try letting your sponge dry out a little and make lighter colored hearts. 
-  Use more than one color paint and try some overlapping. 

Next Issue:  Next time, we're going to give you some ideas for adding embellishment or more details to your cards, so make sure you check back!