There’s something irresistibly charming about penguins, and for this Valentine’s Day card I leaned fully into that cuteness. I paired the Jubilee Penguin and Birthday Penguin dies as my focal images, letting them face each other inside a large heart to create a sweet, storybook moment that feels playful and heartfelt at the same time.
I started with a crisp white A2 card base and built the design in soft layers. The large heart was created using the Scallop Pinpoint Hearts dies, with a red scalloped layer framing a pink patterned panel. That scalloped edge instantly adds a romantic feel, while the pinpoint detailing keeps the heart light and whimsical instead of heavy.
For the background, I pulled several pattern papers from the Poinsettia Garland 6×6 pack. I love mixing patterns from the same collection because the colors always feel cohesive without competing with each other. The soft teal snowflake pattern at the top balances the warmer pinks below, and the floral paper grounds the design while still keeping it festive and cheerful.
The penguins were die-cut from white and black cardstock and slightly popped up with foam adhesive after assembly so they stand out from the heart. Their simple shapes and tiny details make them perfect focal points. They don’t need much extra embellishing to shine. I scattered a few small red hearts around the design to reinforce the Valentine theme without overwhelming the scene.
Along the bottom, I added a lacy strip from the Lavish Nordic Border set. This die is one of my favorites for adding instant elegance, and here it works beautifully as a soft divider between the patterned background and the sentiment area. A simple twine bow and a red heat-embossed “Happy Valentine’s Day” sentiment finish the card with just the right amount of texture and contrast.
This card came together quickly, but it feels detailed and special and perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or even just a sweet note to let someone know you’re thinking of them, you just have to switch the sentiment strip. Cute characters, layered hearts, and coordinated pattern papers really do all the work here.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this little penguin pair brings a smile to your face and inspires you to mix patterns and dies in new ways for your own handmade cards. 💕
Hugs,
Jyoti
Poinsettia Garland 6×6 pack Shop at: SSS |
Jubilee Penguin Shop at: PS |
Birthday Penguin Shop at: PS |
Nordic Lavish Border Shop at: PS |
