We all have different memories and emotions surrounding big world events – royal weddings, global wars and landmark achievements. Those who are old enough remember the night a man first walked on the moon or the assassination of President Kennedy have vivid memories of the joys or pains they felt. We all remember where we were when the Challenger crashed and everything about Princess Diana’s wedding and her tragic passing. We remember what we were doing when OJ Simpson’s Bronco made it’s way down a California highway. Our memories are all different, but there’s a shared experience that makes these events important.
Twenty years ago today was filled with fear as we tried to understand what was happening and anxiety about what would happen next. Not all of us had the same connections to New York or to the people impacted on this tragic day, but it hit all of us very hard. We may have forgotten some of the details of that day, but we feel it all the same. Here’s a card I made to honor the 20th anniversary of September 11:
No one sends September 11 cards – I get it – but I really wanted to make this one. It’s a layout and color scheme that can work with any other occasion, but I wanted to make this card today. The two Pool Party beams and “Always Remember” sentiment make this card very specific to September 11, but a few switch-ups can turn this into a sweet birthday card or thinking of you card. For now, though, I’m going to talk you through the products I used to build this one.
The striped pattern that creates a backdrop on my card is pulled from the Pattern Party Host Designer Series Paper. It’s not Real Red (it’s Flirty Flamingo), but it offers a great background pattern that mimics the stripes on the American Flag. Here’s a look at the colors and patterns in the Pattern Party Host Designer Series Paper:
The Pattern Party Designer Series paper is a Host offering (available for $18 of Stampin’ Rewards for orders over $150). The 12″ x 12″ pack of papers includes 48 pages (4 each of 12 double-sided pages). One side of each page is a black-and-white pattern, and the other side of each page is a colorful pattern. If you need an excuse to place a $150 order or to combine orders with a friend to earn Host Rewards, Pattern Party is here for you.
I added three stars to the Pool Party bands and to the left of the sentiment (which is pulled from the Peaceful Moments stamp set). The stars are punched from Basic White cardstock with the Starlit Punch, part of the Stars Are Shining Bundle, new in Stampin’ Up!’s July-December 2021 Mini Catalog. Here’s a look at this bundle:
I used the “Be Merry & Bright” sentiment from the Stars are Shining on yesterday’s project – if you missed that, you can see it here.
Since my card is a nod to the anniversary of September 11th, I allowed myself to play with muted colors instead of Real Red and Night of Navy. Since I started with the misty Flirty Flamingo stripes in the Pattern Party Host Designer Series Paper, I added Misty Moonlight and Pool Party for the other accents. If you like this combination of Pool Party, Flirty Flamingo and Misty Moonlight as much as I do, I hope you’ll save this for future reference:
Stamp Sets: Peaceful Moments Papers: Pattern Party Host Designer Series Paper, Misty Moonlight, Pool Party, Basic White Inks: Misty Moonlight Accessories: Starlit Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I hope you are able to take some time today to reflect on this day.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
Christmas Whimsy Card Kit
On Wednesday I introduced you to the super-fun (and whimsical) card kit that’s showcased on page 6 of Stampin’ Up!’s July-December 2021 Mini Catalog. The kit is now available, and I don’t want you to miss out. To read all about it, click on the image below (or CLICK HERE to order it today):
Placing an order today? Of course you are! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned. If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you please add this Host Code – GFW3Y9J3 – when prompted. Thank you!
Thank you, Brian for creating this card to commemorate 9/11. It’s a meaningful message to all of us. Twenty years ago today our world changed.
Thank you so much, Stella. It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago. ♥
Brian, this post touched me deeply. Thank you for sharing it and for being the wonderful human that you are.
Awww, thank you, Penny. That’s terribly kind of you to say. ♥
Such a moving post and such an impactful project. On this milestone anniversary, thank you: for reminding us, for creating art with a purpose, and for sharing your soul.
I’m so happy to share, Linda. I needed to make this card, and I’m happy you like what I make. Kind comments like yours keep me going. All the best to you. ♥
Wow! A perfect card for today.
Dear Brian,
What a beautiful remembrance of 🇺🇸9-11🇺🇸 … thank you.
It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed. ♥️🇺🇸💙
The memories of that day will always be with us💔
Isn’t it hard to imagine it was that long ago?! What a day. Much love to you and your family, Suzie.
Simple but impactful card to mark 20 years. Thank you, Brian.
Thank you for this beautiful post. For some reason I have been so much more emotional this year than previous years. Thank you for remembering.
Very nice Brian and a fitting tribute.
I agree Suzie ! This is a very special card made with heart . I love it !
Thank you, my friend! ♥
What a fabulous card and a beautiful remembrance of 9-11.
Thank you for this lovely post.
Thank you, Kadie! Hope your day is wonderful. ♥
What a wonderful tribute to the day that effected us as a nation. I love how you put it on paper what was in your heart.
Thank you so much, Bette. I love to share and am grateful for kind comments like these.
Twenty years ago, I was living in Alexandria, VA and my husband worked in Washington, DC. My heart is till heavy…
Brian, thank you for this beautiful card to honor those that lost their lives on September 11.
Oh, Ann, I can’t imagine what that was like. I was in Georgia and paralyzed with fear. Much love to you and your family.
A heartfelt card and salute to a day we will never forget.
Thank you, Mary. I had to make this card. I watched the National Geography documentary last night and this morning – incredible.
Really love this card and maybe we should send out cards for 9/11. I know people who were in NY that day and could use the extra love and support today. Thinking of them all. Thanks for sharing your lovely tribute.
This card is just so awesome! Hugs my friend!
Thank you, Windy! Much love to you and yours.
Beautiful, awesome! Simple, heartfelt. All the things a great card design is. Such a nice way to honor this day.
Thank you so much, Susan. I always love to hear from you.
I still find tears flowing down my fact on Sept. 11th even though that horrible attack happened 20 years ago. I know my Mother had the same reaction every Pearl Harbor day. Your card is an amazing tribute of remembrance to a day of horror we must never forget. Thank you so much for sharing both your thoughts and talents with us today. Out of every horror must come some good and that day united us all together the way it should be. A giant hug to you my friend.
Thank you so much, Grace! I’m so grateful to know you and always appreciate your kind words. Much love to you on this day of remembrance. ♥
Impactful card. All our hearts share your paper and ink tribute.
Thank you so much, Cindie! ♥
I love this remembrance card of that fateful day 20 years ago. Let’s never forget!
Thank you so much, Hilda! Hope your day is wonderful. ♥
Wow…Brian this card made me take pause. What a special acknowledgment of a tragic day, yet a wonderful remembrance for a family that would love for their family member to be remembered. Bless you!
Thank you so much, Katrina! We’ve been through so many tragic and happy events in my lifetime – this one is a defining one. Much love to you.
Amazing…thank you for this wonderful remembrance…
Thank you for making this card. We all have different memories of where we were and what we were doing. Having lost people that day, your card is much appreciated.
Margaret Ann
Brian, what a beautiful card and a great remembrance of that day 20 years ago. I’m sitting in the exact place I was 20 years ago. And even though I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, I was thinking “no this has to be a movie” but as I watched I realized it was real. Thanks again for the beautiful card.
Beautiful card for such a solemn day.
A great card for today. You are right – I remember all those events that you listed, where I was, and more. Thank you for honoring today.
Thank you, Brian. Although I’ve lived most of my life in Ohio, New York City is still “hometown” to me ( you can take the kid outta Queens…). As a reporter, I covered our town’s 9/11 memorial service yesterday, then watched some of the television coverage, so this morning is the first time I saw your card — which actually took my breath away.
❤️
Brian – thank you for making this card. It is important to remember this day in a way that touches you the most and I think this card is incredibly perfect.
Living in Phoenix, it was very early in the morning at the time of the attack, but I was up early checking email and chatting with a friend before work when we saw it on our respective news channels. It was so unreal but as the morning went on, we all realized it was very real.
A day we’ll never forget.
God bless you and yours.
Donna
Thank you for posting this card Brian.