CELEBRATE the 4TH OF JULY

Today's card was inspired by a design by Barb Mann ... and also inspired by a couple of online challenges; Stacey Schafer's Curtain Call Color Challenge #36 of Real Red, Night of Navy, Kraft, and Whisper White and Create with Connie and Mary's 4th of July themed challenge (CCMC105).

It's blistering hot here in Phoenix, and I'm really wishing I was back in the Midwest where they know how to celebrate the 4th! On the other hand, I just finished up summer school yesterday, and am just happy to be starting my summer even if it is indoors!

RECIPE
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Real Red Prints DP, Kraft, Night of Navy, Real Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Night of Navy
Embellishments: Star Designer Brad, Silver Brad, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Star Punch, Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

RETIRING INDEPENDENCE DAY

It feels so good to stamp again! Here is another stamp set about to retire on June 30 - Independence Day. I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try 6/06/09. This is not one of my favorite designs, but I'm still warming up! Please bear with me, stamping friends!




RECIPE
Stamps: Independence Day
Paper: Washington Apple DP, Rockability Specialty DP, Kraft, Night of Navy, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Riding Hood Red and Night of Navy
Embellishments: 5/16" White Jumbo Brads, Star Designer Brad
Tools: Large Star Punch, 1/2", 3/4", and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ANOTHER BOX IN A BAG

I couldn't resist making another Box In A Bag (see previous post).

Edited To Add: Dawn asked about the dimensionals of the finished Box In A Bag. It measures approximately 5 1/2" tall x 5" wide at the top and 2 1/2" wide at the bottom x 2 1/2" deep.

RECIPE
Paper: Brilliant Blue Prints DP, Real Red CS
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Slit Punch, Star Punch, Round Tab Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tutorial: by Diana Gibbs, click HERE

INDEPENDENCE DAY

When the current Stampin' Up! catalog was first introduced last summer, one of the stamp sets that was an instant favorite of mine was Independence Day. The 4th of July is probably my favorite holiday ... when celebrated in the Midwest (Iowa/Nebraska to be specific)! When we're in Arizona for the 4th (which is usually the case), it is one lame celebration! It's usually 110+ degrees, fireworks are illegal, and just too darn hot to do anything! Btw, we've been above 110 degrees the last few days ... ughhh!!!!!!!! It's so-o-o hot!

I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) for this card. Everything on this card is pretty self-explanatory, but wanted to point out that the Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon is threaded through a hole created by the Horizontal Slot Punch, and the Real Red CS circle behind the "happy 4th!" sentiment was pierced using the Punches Plus Classy Brass Template. RECIPE
Stamps: Independence Day
Paper: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, and Real Red CS, Real Red and Brilliant Blue Prints DP
Ink: Red Red and Brilliant Blue Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Brilliant Blue Brad, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Punches Plus Classy Brass Template, Horizontal Slot Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

EVOLUTION OF A FATHER'S DAY CARD

I found this quite fascinating and thought I would share it here with you. This is a wonderful example showing how much stamping artists are inspired by one another!

Remember the card on the left? It's a card I designed, case-ing ...

Michelle, sf9erfan FS63 on SCS, who cased ...
Silke Ledlow, Sparklegirl FS63, who cased ...
Faith Hofrichter, markie's mom, the ORIGINAL artist

The first photo below shows a card my dear friend Wendy Bond (joelysmom on SCS) made case-ing me! I love the whole new look this card took by using the bright colors from Spring Break DP!

by Wendy Bond ...

This next photo is my friend, Lorri Heiling's 4th of July version of the card! I had the pleasure of seeing this card IRL last week when Lorri and I met for brunch at Paradise Bakery!
by Lorri Heiling ... One more! Scroll to the bottom of THIS POST to see Roxy's (Corinne Somerville) case.

That's SEVEN versions of ONE card! Cool, huh?!

SCS COLOR CHALLENGE 169 REAL RED * SOFT SKY * BLUE BAYOU

This doesn't happen very often, but I really like this card! (I usually don't get too excited about my own work ... I think they call that lack of self confidence? LOL!) I showed it to DH this morning, and he crunched up his nose and said, "is the star supposed to be obscure like that?". He didn't like it! That's unusual too ... he usually likes my cards, although sometimes I think he says he does just to humor me! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it!

I used this week's SCS Color Challenge (CC169) of Real Red, Soft Sky and Blue Bayou ... perfect combo for 4th of July! My card was completely inspired by THIS CARD by elizard on SCS. The layout of elizard's card really caught my eye! The large star is a chipboard piece from On Board Accents, covered in Real Red Prints DP.

RECIPE
Stamps: Independence Day, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Blue Bayou and Real Red PRINTS DP, Real Red, Soft Sky, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Blue Bayou Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: On Board Accents, Styled Silver HPH Star Brads
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, 1/2", 3/4", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen

Edited to Add: Marta asked where she can get the awesome star brads on this card .... they are from the Stampin' Up! Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware in the Occasions Mini Collection 2008 (pg. 7). Click HERE to view.

JUNE STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

These are the projects my friends made at my June stamp classes. All cardstock is cut and scored for my guests, an envelope is provided for each card, and they simply copy the sample provided.

Project #1 -- PATRIOTIC CARD

This card is a CASE from notimetostamp on SCS. See her original card HERE. The only change I made to the card was to add a sentiment from Warmest Regards stamp set on the front. Guests chose "Happy Birthday", "Thank You", or "Congratulations". This is a favorite stamp set that will be missed as it retired today.

Stamps: ARTIFACTS (RETIRING 6/30/07), Sentiment from WARMEST REGARDS (Level 1 Hostess Set ‘06-’07 Idea Book & Catalog)
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White CS
Ink: Night of Navy Ink Pad
Accessories: Silver Brads, White Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/16” Handheld Punch
Supplies: Foam Tape
NOTE: Double stack foam tape for added dimension. Fold star at lines for depth.

Project #2 -- PICK A PETAL SQUARE CARD WITH CD ENVELOPE

This card measures 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 to fit a 5 x 5 CD Envelope. Inspired by Cambria on SCS. See her original card HERE. I love the way the flower peeks through the window of the envelope! I'm in love with this new stamp set, PICK A PETAL! ... so many possibilities!

Stamps: PICK A PETAL (‘07 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog), “grateful” from SMALL SCRIPT (retired), small flower from SIMPLY SAID
Paper: Palette ‘o Prints DP (May Promo + available in the new ‘07 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog), Purely Pomegranate & Wild Wasabi CS (NEW IN COLORS available in the new ‘07 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog), Basic Black CS.
Ink: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi (NEW IN COLORS available in the new ‘07 Fall- Winter Idea Book & Catalog).
Accessories: Black Button, Sweet Shop Ribbon (pg. 234), CD Envelope
Tools: Scissors, 1” Circle Punch
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots to adhere button

Project #3 -- CRAYON RESIST AND EMBOSSING BIRTHDAY DOODLE THIS CARD

This card is a case from ltecler's card on SCS. See her card HERE. The Crayon Resist technique was something new for most of my guests. One of my guests said that this was the most beautiful card we had ever done at class!

Stamps: DOODLE THIS (Spring Mini ‘07), “Birthday Hugs & Wishes” from HUGS & WISHES (‘07 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog), Inside Message from CHEERY CHAT (retiring 6/30/07)
Paper: Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Lovely Lilac, Glossy White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, and Pink Passion (for message) Ink Pads, White Craft Ink Pad, Pixie Pink Marker for envelope
Accessories: Self-Adhesive Rhinestone from Michaels $1 area
Tools: Embossing Buddy, Heat Gun, Scissors
Supplies: Yellow Crayon, Sponge Daubers, 3-D Adhesive Dots, SU Winter White Embossing Powder
NOTE: Use SU Marker to curl petals of flower for dimension.
Technique: Crayon Resist and Embossing

Project #4 -- BOY BASKETBALL BIRTHDAY CARD

This card was inspired by amystamper on SCS. See her original card HERE. It may be difficult to see in the photo, but the words "happy" and "birthday" are stamped on the twill tape. Be sure to cut the basketball out with scissors ... punching it out makes it too perfect.

Stamps: SPORTING GOODS (RETIRING 6/30/07), “happy birthday” sentiment from EVERYDAY FLEXIBLE PHRASES, “to you” sentiment from SIMLE SAYING II (RETIRING 6/30/07), Inside Greeting from IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY
Paper: Buckaroo Blue and Cranberry Crisp (RETIRING 6/30/07), More Mustard, Very Vanilla CS, Treehouse DP (RETIRING 6/30/07).
Ink: Basic Black, Cranberry Crisp, Buckaroo Blue, More Mustard
Accessories: 3/8” Twill Tape
Tools: Scissors, Aqua Painter, Sponge
Supplies: Foam Tape or Stampin’ Dimensionals

Project #5 -- 4th of JULY TEALIGHT PAIL/BUCKET

This altered pail/bucket from the Target $1 Spot requires no stamping. It showcased the use of the Crop-a-dile which cut through the pail "like butter". It was a simple, fast project. There is a tealight candle inside the pail.

Stamps: None
Paper: Whisper White and Real Red CS
Ink: None
Accessories: Star Eyelets, and Red, White & Navy Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Crop-A-Dile
Supplies: Pail/Bucket from Target $1 Spot, Tealight Candle