For Your Country

Happy Fourth of July to my friends in the United States!  We are a fortunate bunch to live in a country where freedoms are so widely honored.  We have the privilege to be who we are and to live our happy lives without fear that our happiness steps on the toes of the people around to us.  Well, sometimes we have to be especially careful because the people next to us refuse to put their shoes on…and sometimes we just have to stay off Facebook if we want to maintain our happy outlook…but I digress.  All-in-all, it’s a pretty grand country, and I’m proud to call it home.

To honor this day, I made this card:

For Your Country, Brushstrokes, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, July 4, military card

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Brushstrokes.  Brushstrokes is a new background stamp set in the 2015-2016 Annual Catalog.  Straight lines that appear to be washed across the page with a paintbrush – who doesn’t love that?  I inked up the lines on my  background stamp with Night of Navy and Real Red – one blue stripe to every two red stripes.  I positioned them vertically on the card front so that they wouldn’t appear like a failed attempt to mimic an American flag.  If you’d like to see my video about background stamps, click here.

    Brushstrokes background stamp, Stampin' Up!

    Brushstrokes background stamp, Stampin’ Up!

  • Simple Layout.  This card is created with a super-simple layout – a background bordered in red and a sentiment straight across the front.  It’s really quite simple, but that’s kinda the idea.  I didn’t want something complex and flashy, so I let the colors speak for me. In the stamp image, the soldier stands in a large patch of grass.  Without hiding the soldier at all, I laid the sentiment directly on top of the grass so that the soldier stand proudly from under the sentiment.
  • Second Generation Stamping.  Also called “stamping off,” the background of stripes is stamped off once on scrap paper before it’s stamped on this piece of paper.  It’s a great way to get a light amount of color from a stamp and adds a really nice effect to this card.

Stamp Sets:  For Your Country, Brushstrokes  Papers:  Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White  Inks:  Night of Navy, Stampin’ Write Makers (Real Red, Night of Navy)  Accessories:  Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today!  Whether your day is filled with cookouts or family gatherings or crafting, I hope it’s a wonderful day!

Brian

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28 Comments

  1. Such a lovely card; perfect!

  2. Happy 4th. of July to you too, Brian. You are right Brian, this Country is awesome!!! I was not born here but I’m proud to also call the USA my home!! I came here as a 21 year old bride almost 42 years ago and ever since then, I’ve lived a happy and fulfilling life here as an American Citizen.
    Your card is amazing, the sentiment says it all.
    Thank you for sharing and enjoy your weekend.

  3. Thanks for this patriotic card–it is really beautiful! As a Veteran, I think we are losing some of our pride for what this country stands for and the sacrifices the men and women who serve have endured. May everyone take a moment to reflect on our history and what it means to live in a country that is free and pass the sentiment of your card to future generations. Have a wonderful July 4th!

  4. Beautiful card, Brian! Love visiting your blog each morning…starts my day with a smile! Happy 4th to you, too!!

  5. Happy 4th of July and Many Thanks to the brave Men and Woman who have kept us safe and free. God Bless America may she always be.
    Thank you Brian for the great card to remind us all of Freedoms Price.

  6. You crack me up…especially your FB comment! Lol! BTW love your card

  7. So well stated! I appreciate your way with words.
    A beautiful patriotic card and a great quote!
    Shanna 🙂

  8. p.s. Happy 4th of July!

  9. The perfect card for our country’s birthday, Brian! That is why we are great, our freedoms won by our Military…God bless us all!

  10. Good Morning Brian and a Happy Fourth of July to you also. The quote you used in today’s outstandingly beautiful card is from my second favorite President. You did a great job.

  11. Happy 4th of July- your card is a wonderful expression of what freedom means. Remembering all the sacrifices of our brave military men and women reminds us that freedom is not free- it requires many sacrifices.
    Happy Birthday United States of America!

  12. Happy 4th Brian. Great card today and thank you for honoring those who keep us safe each and every day.

  13. Great card for today! A great and pretty reminder. Happy 4th to you and your family!

  14. Carol Carriveau

    Fabulous tribute to our Country Brian….have yet to order this wonderful background stamp, but you are inspiring me…..thinking of different colors for different times of the year! Wishing you a very Happy and fun/safe July 4th….thank you for this card and the JFK quote…made my day!

  15. As an Army Officer Mom I have to say, Thank You for honoring our heroes!! This is a beautiful card!! I love these stamps too ! Happy 4th !

  16. A most excellent and appropriate card to celebrate Indepenence Day.

  17. A wonderful tribute to our great country and also to those who serve to keep it that way. Have a great holiday Brian–wishing a happy 4th to everyone!

  18. Love Love Love!!! Happy 4th
    Everything about this card is perfect

  19. Great card ! love all that it stands for …..Happy 4th !
    Red ..white and blue hugs !

  20. Fabulous work as always! Happy 4th!

  21. Hee hee hee. Love the FB comment. Oh so true! Enjoy your 4th!

  22. This card is simply amazing. Quietly perfect, and I am amazed at the way you used the background stamp.

    The key to happiness is never listening to the news and only looking at kitten posts on Facebook. You can take that FACT to the bank. 😀

    As a designer, I’m curious about what made you choose two red stripes instead of strict alternation – it’s kind of genius.

    Loveyameanit.

  23. Happy fourth, Brian! A great card and really salutes our BRAVE men and women! And your comment was precious shoes vs toes and FB how true!
    You always give us a smile and or laugh. I usually get both! Thanks, my friend!

  24. Wonderful card! Happy 4th to you!!!

  25. Brian you never cease to amaze me, love today’s card and your outlook.

  26. Great card Brian I am so proud of all of the men, women in the armed forces and the families that also serve with them. I am proud to be an American.
    I am enjoying your daily posts! Congrats on meeting your goals!

  27. This is a great card and I love the look with that background stamp.

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