Simon Says Stamp Heart to Heart Blog Hop Day #2

 Welcome class!

I'm super excited to be able to participate in the second day of the Simon Says Stamp Heart to Heart blog hop--thanks for coming to my "classroom!"  You've arrived here from Charlene Madrid's blog, and you'll be heading to Maura Hibbits next!  If you  want to start today's stop at the beginning make sure to head to the Simon Says Stamp blog HERE and get caught up! We're giving away a $25 coupon to the Simon shop from EVERY stop on the hop from the comment section...leave a comment and the winners will be be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, January 14th, along with redemption details!  And even more fun--the not-yet-released Simon Says Stamp exclusive Friend Like You 3x4 stamp set is automatically added to your cart that contains any purchase of Heart to Heart products! This gift with purchase will expire 1/11 at 11:59 pm EDT or while supplies last.

If you love a bold pink moment and a cheeky sentiment, this one’s for you. Today’s card features the Words of Love stamp set plus the Reverse EZ Strips: Galentine’s Day products from the new Heart to Heart release from Simon Says Stamp—layered up with a big stitched heart and a statement die cut.

So here's the lesson plan:

Step 1: Prep your A2 panel + heart pattern

1. Trim a white panel to 4" x 5.25" (so it leaves a clean border on your A2 card base).

2. Create the bold heart background.  Blend a mix of pink/purple inks over a heart stencil (I used the Falling in Love stencil from Simon Says Stamp) to get that punchy contrast.  I used the Pawsitively Saturated Ink line from Simon Says Stamp blending from Bubblegum to Sweets to Taffy. 

3. Set the panel aside to dry for a minute while you build the focal point, and once it's dry, use a white gel pen to doodle on the stenciled hearts.  My gel pen of choice isn't a gel pen at all--I use a white Sharpie marker!

Tip: For a smoother blend, start with the lightest ink first and build up darker shades where you want depth.

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Step 2: Create the big stitched heart focal piece

1. Die cut your large stitched heart from white cardstock with the Stitched Rounded Hearts dies from the Heart to Heart release.

2. Ink blend across the heart to create a soft gradient—lighter at the top and deeper toward the bottom.

3. If you want extra interest, add a little heavier shading along one edge to give it a “curved” look.

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Step 3: Stamp the “Words of Love” text overlay

This is where the card gets that collage-y, romantic vibe.

1. Lightly tap your heart with an anti-static powder tool (especially if you’re embossing).

2. Stamp the large heart from the Words of Love stamp set across the heart.

3. Optional but gorgeous: heat emboss the text in clear embossing powder so it sits slightly raised and crisp.

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Step 4: Add the big die cut sentiment

1. Die cut Love Your Guts from white cardstock several times and stack your die cuts on top of each other for dimension.

2. Adhere the sentiment right across the center of the heart.

Tip: If your die cut has thin areas, a precision-tip glue bottle makes placement way less stressful.

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Step 5: Add the Reverse EZ Strip sentiment

Time for the punchline.

1. Choose a sentiment from Reverse EZ Strips: Galentine’s Day (this card uses “PARTNERS IN CRIME”).

2. Die cut it using your favorite shape from the EZ Strips die collection.  I went with tried and true rectangles here.  

3. Pop it up with foam tape and tuck it right across your main die cut sentiment.

This little strip grounds the whole design and makes it feel finished.

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Step 6: Assemble the card

1. Adhere your heart background panel to the A2 card base.

2. Add foam tape behind the stitched heart and place it slightly off-center for movement.

3. Double-check spacing so your focal heart feels centered even if it’s angled.

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Step 7: Finish with sparkle

1. Scatter a few Bubblegum Pawsitively Dazzling Gems across the card (a triangle cluster always looks intentional).

2. Press firmly and let everything dry.

Tip: Keep the sparkle mostly on the heart so your background stays bold but not busy.

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Final Thoughts

This design is such a fun mix of sweet + snarky, and the Words of Love text gives it that layered, love-letter feel—especially paired with the Reverse EZ Strips: Galentine’s Day sentiments from the new Heart to Heart release at Simon Says Stamp.

Feel free to check out the entire Heart to Heart release HERE, and below you can find the links to the products that I've used on this card. The links above and below are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you, making it easier to create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Supplies Used:

• Simon Says Stamp Words of Love Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Falling in Love Stencil
• Simon Says Stamp CZ Love Your Guts Die
• Simon Says Stamp Rounded Stitched Hearts Dies
• Simon Says Stamp EZ Strips Reverse Galentine's Day
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink:  Bubblegum
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink:  Sweets
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink:  Taffy
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Dazzling Gems:  Bubblegum

Class dismissed!