Eco Valentine's Day Cards

Materials

  • Conjoined Creations Soy Silk Fusion Kit* (soy fiber, craft medium and mesh)
  • Freezer paper
  • One cup of water, in bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Valentine’s Day cards with heart.
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Towel
  • Cardstock and envelopes
  • Craft glue
  • Scissors

Optional

  • Embroidery floss and needle
  • Small paper punch
  • Glitter
  • Sewing machine and thread
  • Computer with a printer or felt tip pen
  • Decorative paper

Kung Fusion (create the Soy Silk Fusion decorative fiber)

  1. Place a sheet of freezer paper (about 18″ is good) shiny side up, on a flat surface. As if you were pulling apart a cotton ball, separate Soy Silk fibers. Lay separated pieces out on the paper, overlapping and crisscrossing each layer while taking care to leave at least a 1″ border between the fibers and the edge of the paper. Make the final product about 1″ thick. You can also add some glitter or yarn scraps to the top layer.
  2. Once you’re happy with the look of your fiber masterpiece (the fluffier the better), lay mesh over the whole thing. Mix one part medium to three parts water and sprinkle lightly over fibers. Starting in the center and working outward, gently massage this mixture into the fibers, adding more water when necessary. Watch the fusion happen! Blot pieces to rid excess water.
  3. Slowly remove mesh and set it aside. Keep the fiber backed by the freezer paper. Let dry (this will take several hours). Then, cover the fusion fiber with a towel and press it with a medium-heat iron for 15-30 seconds. Voilà, you’re ready to get your card making on!

Card Attack

Cut out Soy Silk textile in desired shapes for your card design. Print out lovey-dovey messages in your favorite font from your computer on plain paper (pssst!…recycle by printing on the back of used paper). From here, unleash your inner artiste—either do your own thing, or use my valentines as inspiration. Here are my quickie tips:
Cupid’s Arrow: Cut out a heart from fusion paper; attach it to a card front by machine, sewing an arrow shape through it in a contrasting color. Glue down edges, if necessary.
Recycle Love: Cut out a heart and arrows from the fusion. Use contrasting thread and needle to hand embroider a running stitch through the arrows.
*Note: Soy Silk Fusion is eco-friendly, nontoxic and acid free. Look for it on www.scrapbooks.com.