Let's Thank Our Heroes

Hey Friends!

Today I'm sharing cards I designed to show appreciation for our nation's military heroes.  A friend asked me for a set of cards she could use to send to retired military friends on Veteran's Day, but why wait for a special day?  Our troops both active & retired need to know they are appreciated everyday!

These are quick and easy to make.  Both use only two colors of ink - Real Red and Dapper Denim -on a Thick Whisper White card base.

There are four different stamp sets that I used on these cards.  The sad thing is, three of the four are on the retiring list!  I use them all a lot, and will continue using them for my own personal projects.  On the first card, the swooshes and hearts are from Work of Art.  This one is carrying over to the new catalog coming in June.  The "thank you" is from Tin of Cards, and "for your service" is from Endless Thanks, both retiring in May.  The white star is die-cut from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper with the Stars Framelits Dies.  The Stars Framelits are also on the retiring list.

The second card uses Gorgeous Grunge to make the spatters across the card - I stamped 2 different images multiple times to get this effect.  Gorgeous Grunge is retiring and will no longer be available after May 31.  The stars once again are cut using the Stars Framelits (retiring) out of Dazzling Diamonds and Red Glimmer Paper.  The smallest stars were punched out with a previously retired punch.

I used Real Red & Dapper Denim  cardstock to make a box that holds a dozen of these cards and envelopes using my Envelope Punch Board.  The square decorating the boxtop was cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits.

I hope you have enjoyed this project!  

Visit my website today to see the complete list of retiring products.  Any order that contains one or more of the retiring stamps or dies used in this project will get a free pdf instruction sheet of how to make the card box - just make sure to provide me with your email address!

Happy stamping,

Pat

Thoughtful Branches Hydrangea

Hi Stampers,

I'm so excited to share with you today a sneak peek at the new, limited edition Thoughtful Branches Bundle!  You can purchase it beginning August 2 through August 31, while supplies last.  As a demonstrator, I was able to order it early and begin using it right away.  Did I mention how awesome it is to have early access to new products and catalogs?  One of the many perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  I love my job!

As soon as I saw this stamp set, all I could think of was using it to create beautiful hydrangeas (one of my favorites)!

I love these colors together.  The background cardstock is Smoky Slate with some random Gorgeous Grunge dots stamped in Smoky Slate.  I always reach for Gorgeous Grunge whenever I feel like there's something missing from a card.  I hope that set never retires - I would be so sad!  My hydrangea is mounted on a 4" square of Shimmery White cardstock that has a light watercolor wash of Sweet Sugarplum.  The squiggly frame is one of the design elements from Tin of Cards.  The leaves are die-cut from Pear Pizzazz, my favorite go-to green.  The star of the show is in 2 layers - I stamped it  first using Sweet Sugarplum ink on Sweet Sugarplum cardstock.  Then I die-cut it and cut a second one (not stamped) from Rich Razzleberry which I mounted behind the stamped layer to give it depth.  It doesn't show in the photo (darn!) but the entire flower head is covered in a beautiful, shimmery coat of clear Wink of Stella.

Almost as lovely as the real thing...

Don't forget about Bonus Days - just under two weeks left to earn discounts!  For every $50 of Stampin' Up products you purchase by July 31, get a $5 off coupon to use in August.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I would be honored if you choose me as your Stampin' Up demonstrator.  

Happy stamping,

Pat

Congrats on your new Home Tweet Home

Hi Stampers,

Buying a first home is a milestone in life and a definite cause for celebration!  This week a lovely young couple that I know moved into their very own first home and I made this card for them.

Aren't those little birds sweet?  I started with a piece of Whisper White and sponged on a few clouds using a stencil I cut by hand and some Soft Sky on a Stampin' sponge. The branch, birds and flowers are from Swirly Bird.  The leaves are from a different stamp set called Love & Affection. Colors are Emerald Envy, Dapper Denim, Peekaboo Peach and Daffodil Delight.  "Congrats to You" comes from Tin of Cards.

Here's how I made the birdhouse - I think you're gonna like this!

I started by stamping a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock with Dapper Denim ink and the Hardwood background stamp.  Then I cut a strip 1 1/2" wide to fit into the middle slot of the Triple Banner Punch.  

This is how the back of the punch would normally appear when you slip the cardstock in it -

But, if you take the leading edge of the cardstock and pull it out of the punch like this-

You get a birdhouse as tall as you like!

The roofline is just as simple.  In this case, I cut a 2" wide strip of Crumb Cake cardstock and punched it with the Triple Banner Punch as you normally would.  Then without ever removing it from the punch, simply slide it forward and punch again: 

You end up with a roof that fits perfectly on your birdhouse.  The bottom of the birdhouse is another piece of Crumb Cake cardstock cut 2" x about 1/8" on your paper trimmer.  I stamped a simple design on both pieces from the Tin of Cards stamp set for a little extra interest.  I turned the birdhouse, roof & bottom over and used Tear & Tape adhesive to attach the 3 pieces together on the back.  The last step is to punch a small hole in the center and adhere a piece of Basic Black cardstock behind it. When you are ready to adhere the birdhouse simply take the backing off of the adhesive and mount it on your card front.  An enamel heart shape in Peekaboo Peach is the finishing touch.

These little birdhouses are fun and easy to make using the Triple Banner Punch because the pieces fit perfectly together.  I want to try another card like this with multiple birdhouses in different heights and widths.  Maybe these ones will be on posts in the ground with flowers growing up around them!

Thanks for looking!
Pat