DIY Scratch & Win

From my earlier posts i'm sure you can see that I am not the biggest fan of Valentine's Day. I think it is, along with most fancy holidays these days, a money sucking, Hallmark Holiday that makes people feel obligated to buy the "perfect" gift for their loved ones and then makes the people who have no loved ones want to drown their sorrows in over-priced chocolates wrapped in sparkly red foil. With that said.. again.. I also want to clarify that I am not hating on the lovey-dovey fourteenth day of February in question, just offering an alternative view and opinion to the day.

For those of you who enjoy are still stuck on deciding what to get your loved ones for Valentine's Day, i have a neat little project for you! Who doesn't love some good ol' scratch tickets?! I know I do! Here's how to make you're very own, just in time for the "special" day:

Supplies:

• Card Stock in the color of your choice (not in photo but will be later)
• Printer 
• Dish Soap (Any brand, I used Dawn)
• Metallic Silver Acrylic Paint (cheap stuff from Dollarama)
• Small paintbrush
• Scissors 
• Packing Tape
• Newspaper (to cover your work space)

Remember the paint must be Acrylic paint, any brand, any color, as long as its Acrylic!

Next you're going to either want to download the template online at www.BHG.com or create your own design (this doesn't just have to be for Valentine's Day either, it would be a neat gift for all occasions!). This website also have a bunch of other awesome ideas to try out. 

Fill in the hearts with whatever you'd like. If it's just for a friend a movie or coffee date might be nice, and if you are tired of being nice and want to get a little naughty please feel free. Just DO NOT mix up the cards and give your "Steamy Bubble Bath 4 Two" to your grandma instead of your lover! Awkwarddd...

Once you have the template you want, go ahead and print it right onto your cardstock in any color you wish if you printer will let you. If not, you can print on regular paper in your choice of color and paste it onto a slightly larger piece of cardstock for an even fancier look.

I was able to print right onto my cheap pink Cardstock which I also bought at Dollarama and the package came with three other colors so now I can make snazzy scratch & win tickets for everyone all year long! :)

Now that all your cards are printed the painting is all that's left. I found it helpful to write who I was giving the card to prior to painting over the prizes just so I did't fall into an awkward mix up. 

Next mix together 1/3 dish soap and 2/3 paint and thinly coat your first layer onto your hearts to cover the words. This may take up to 3 or 4 coats. The first few cards I did I just piled on the paint on the first coat and not only did it take forever to dry, it was also really bumpy unlike the smooth, even finish of the cards i took my time layering on. It really is up to you and how much time you have. 

Let fully dry before touching and TA-DA!! 

A bunch of lovely DIY Scratch & Win Valentine's Cards!

Good Luck and have fun with this project, it is a relatively easy craft that can be done in a hour from start to finish (minus drying time, I left mine over night just to really be sure). 

Have a lovely evening folks :)

XXOX