Are we already half-way through 2018?! How did that happen? With July 4 just a week away, I am happy to share a sweet-and-simple patriotic card inspired by Donna Mikasa’s sketch for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge. It’s got everything a Fourth of July card should have – stars, stripes and the red, white and blue. Here’s my card:
And here’s the banner for Donna’s CAS(E) This Sketch challenge that inspired my card (this challenge goes live at 10am EST):
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Celebrate. I don’t comment on politics or religion on my blog because I want my posts to be a pleasant retreat where we can immerse ourselves in our shared love of paper crafting. Regardless of your personal views on politics today (and I’m happy for both of us to keep our personal views to ourselves), all Americans agree on one thing – we live in an incredible country that can both suffer and heal at the same time. We can never forget the parts of our journey as a country that make us strong, loving people – and we need to ALWAYS learn from our short history so that we can maneuver around the pitfalls of our past (or figure out how to reduce the pain from inevitable pitfalls). We need less rebuking and more celebrating. Tabs for Everything helped me celebrate – it has everything. Here’s a look at Tabs for Everything:
- Twinkle Twinkle. Twinkle Twinkle sounds like the perfect name for a Christmas-themed paper, don’t you think? Here’s a look at colors and patterns in the Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper:
I’ve created similar graphics for all of the new Designer Series Papers – you can see them here. Here’s a look at the Blueberry Bushel patterns in the pack of 2018-2020 In Color 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Papers:
- Patriotic Color Combination. We have so many blues and reds that can appeal to your patriotic side. I love Pool Party as an accent to the crisp, bright red, white and blue, so this paper from Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper (with a Pool Party background and Whisper White stars) was exactly what I wanted for my July 4 celebration. If you love this combination of Pool Party, Blueberry Bushel and Real Red as much as I do, please save this for future reference:
Stamp Sets: Tabs for Everything Papers: Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper, 2018-2020 In Color 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (Blueberry Bushel), Blueberry Bushel, Pool Party, Real Red, Thick Whisper White Inks: Basic Black Accessories: Wood Crate Framelits Dies, 1-1/4″ Circle punch, Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I hope you’ll pop over to the CAS(E) This Sketch site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge (this challenge goes live at 10am EST).
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
My Favorite Things. Want to see what I love most in this amazing book? Maybe you’ve missed something or maybe I can help you to pare down your wish list? Be sure to check out both days and let me know what you think! Click on the links below to review my list of Favorite Things:
- My Favorite Things from Stampin’ Up!’s 2018 Annual Catalog – Day One
- My Favorite Things from Stampin ‘Up!’s 2018 Annual Catalog – Day Two
Brian, I love the card you made for this weeks CAS this sketch! It is amazing.
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it! It’s a fun sketch. <3
What a great sample for this set! I love it!
Thanks so much, Mary Jo! <3
Yes! Circles were the magic to make the stars really pop!
Thanks so much, Mary! <3
Such a great card Brian. Hope you have a fun fourth of July celebration!
Thanks so much, my friend! Hope yours is wonderful, too! <3
Like your “We need less rebuking and more celebrating”, I always say, “Life is short, celebrate everything” (I once hosted a puppy shower, for example.) Glad you made an Independence Day card. I’ll have to get busy!
I adore you, Dianne! More puppy showers. Thanks so much for your comments.
Love the mix of DSP here! Very cool card!
Thanks, Windy! <3 You know how much I love DSP. <3
I love the stars and stripes DSPs you used. How clever! The stars really pop on the circles. You nailed it!! Enjoy our day!
Thanks so much, HJ! It’s always lovely to hear from you.
I like Dianne’s statement “Celebrate everything”. This card is perfect for the 4th! SU has the best shades for our Red, White and Blue! As always, great layering.
Thanks so much, Katrina! Dianne is right about a lot of things. 🙂 I agree with your take on Stampin’ Up! colors – I’ll be sharing some color combinations later this week. <3
Whoa Brian! I completely overlooked this set. I love the circles with the stars on this card and, of course, the idea of sending 4th of July cards. That is one holiday I do not have on my holiday card list. I’ll have to add it and also take another look at the Tabs set. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Thanks so much, Grace! By just changing the colors, this card becomes a perfect birthday or congrats card, too! so glad you like it. <3
I am always intrigued with how you come up with the ideas that produce such an eclectic mix of stamp sets. Wonderful combo Brian and it encourages me to be more creative! Your philosophy is spot on too!
Thanks so much, my friend! I love to share – especially with people like you. <3
Great card, Brian! Blueberry Bushel is the PERFECT patriotic blue! Thanks for sharing – hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July??
Thanks so much, Elisha! <3 I hope yours is spectacular, too!
Awesome and fun card Brian, love how you interpreted the sketch with such fabulous colors, especially the new Blueberry Bushel, what a gorgeous blue!!!!! Love it!!!
Thank you for sharing.
XO
Maria.
It’s a piercing blue that can go bright or rich, depending on what it’s paired with. <3 Thanks so much, Maria!
Yet another reason to get the Twinkle DSP. Great card, very clean even with the two pieces of DSP.
Thanks so much, Sue! I’m so glad you like it. <3
I absolutely love your card, Brian! Your design is both patriotic and playful! Seriously, you ROCKED it!
Thanks so much, my friend! You always know the right things to say. <3
Love love love !!!!! Ditto Suzie and Maria`s comments.
Good friends think alike !!
Ditto what I said to Suzie and Maria. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sonny! <3
Great take on the sketch!
Thanks so much, Leigh!
So clean and crisp and very patriotic!
Thanks so much, my friend! <3
Wonderful card with the sketch and you’ve informed me of some SU supplies that I had missed going through the catalog!
Thanks so much, Jean! I am so happy you like the card. I love to show new things that others might have overlooked. <3 I appreciate your comments.