By Sheila Schmitz, Sunset online editor

If standing in line at the card store doesn't appeal to you much this week, consider making your own perfect valentine. For added pizzazz (with very little effort) make it a pop-up. It's so easy. And all you need is heavy paper or card stock, scissors, and glue.

I love clashy pinks and oranges together, but of course you can choose a more tasteful combo.

To make a card that fits a standard 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 envelope:

1. Cut one piece of paper to 9 3/4 x 7. This will be the background color and the outside of your card. For the inside of your card, cut another piece of paper to a 9 x 6  rectangle. A third smaller piece of paper will become your 3-D pop-up shape.

2. Fold the two bigger pieces of paper down the center. Glue them together with rubber cement or a glue stick. Once they're stuck together, fold again to secure the center crease.

3. Cut out a heart (or other symmetrical shape) from your third piece of paper. Leave a small tab on either side. Fold the tabs against the back of the heart.

4. Add a dot of glue to each tab and press the heart onto the center of your card. The fold of your pop-up will line up with the fold of your card.

5. Press the whole thing flat under a book for a minute or two. When the glue is fairly dry, fold your card closed (the heart should pop out toward you). Press again under a book until the glue is nice and dry.

This is a great chance to play with paper. You can clash like me ...

...or use soothing pastels. Consider recycled and found papers: you can make the heart from a map to a surprise getaway or a page from your favorite Jane Austin novel.

Heartfelt thanks to my friend Camille Korsmo for showing me the magic of pop-ups!