ChickSpeak

By adding a unique touch this Valentine’s Day, you can personalize what you want to say, while saving a few bucks.

Making your own valentines may seem intimidating, but in the end it’s easy, fun and cheaper than buying individualized cards or boxes of small cut-outs with graphics like Strawberry Shortcake on them.

Before getting started, visit your closest dollar store, where you can find affordable, crafty options. Some items to pick up include:

• Construction Paper
• Stickers
• Ink pad with 8 stamps
• Printed Ribbon
• 1 Pack of Metallic Tape with 3 colors
• 1 Pack of Glitter Glue with 8 sticks

My total for above was only $6 and I had more than enough to work with! Additional items that you need, you can find around the house, which include a glue stick and a pair of scissors.

After you’ve gathered all your materials, consider the option of including graphics. If not, skip steps one and two below.

1. To snag words, images or art to use for your cards, revisit your old stack of magazines. You may even find some useful items in the Sunday issue of your local newspaper - ads, believe it or not, may come handy.

2. If you don’t have easy access to print media, hop on the Internet to sites like www.HipsterCards.com and www.bust.com/cards and start printing. I stopped with these two sites, but I’m sure there are others just as resourceful. A color printer is best for this option.

3. Now that you have everything, start cutting, folding, sticking and gluing.

4. There is no right way or wrong way to make a card. Whatever size, shape, or layering of colors feels right, will most likely look right. If you’re not happy with a card, keep adding layers or scrap it and move on.

Good luck and Happy Valentine’s Day!