Patriotic Cards - Stars and Stripes

Here are two patriotic cards I made, one in the traditional red, white and blue; and another in military colors, each made in a similar design.

For the red, white and blue card, I used red and white striped paper and white/blue polka dot paper on a blue card base. The focal point is a 2-7/8" stitched circle in white. I stamped "hello" and added various sizes of stars in red, white and blue.

For the military style card, I used a green card base and added a khaki colored backgroud that I embossed with a star embossing folder, and inked around the edges in brown. The focal point is again a 2-7/8" stitched circle in brown, with various sizes of stars in green and khaki colors. I stamped "hello" on a piece of khaki cardstock that I flagged on each end, and added that onto another flagged piece in brown. This was added to a strip of green cardstock at the bottom, as well as a couple stars. I actually made this card for my grandson who is spending the summer in basic training for the Army Reserves.

Both cards are standard 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches, side folding.

Supplies Used (both cards):
Stitched Shapes Framelits by Stampin' Up
Star Strip from the Mini-Treat Bag Thinlets by Stampin' Up
Star framelit from the Mini-Treat Bag Thinlets by Stampin' Up
Small Star Punch by Stampin' Up

Supplies Used (Red, White & Blue Card):
Striped and polka dot papers from the Brights DSP Collection
"hello" stamp from the "Hello" Sale-a-Bration set by Stampin' Up
Cardstock in Pacific Point, Whisper White and Real Red by Stampin' Up

Supplies Used (Military Card):
Stars Embossing Folder by Sissix/Stampin' Up
Cardstock in Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake by Stampin' Up
"hello" stamp from the retired "Ittty Bitty Banners" set by Stampin; Up

Note: By using the stars thinlet in the Mini-Treat Bag Thinlets set, I was able to cut out strips, remove the stars, and inlay the different colored stars into another strip, or use the stars elsewhere on the card. 

Echo Park "Summer Dreams" - Snow Cone Birthday Card

I recently purchased a very cute summer paper pad from Echo Park called Summer Dreams by Dani Mogstad. It is full of cute papers and this is just one example! I made this birthday card using the ice cream cone and popsicle paper with coordinating striped paper in the pack and one of the snow cones from the epherma pack.

I found cardstock that matched the colors in the paper pretty well and layered them with the patterned paper piece to create this card. My finished card is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches, top folding, with each layer being cut 1/4 inch smaller than the previous layer. I also added some coordinating colored enamel dots along the left side.

The products I used are as follows:
Echo Park Summer Dreams 6x6 Paper Pad by Dani Mogstad
Stampin' Up papers in Strawberry Slush, Pink Flamingo and Pool Party
Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Stitched Shapes (for banner)
Echo Park Summer Dreams Frames & Tags Epherma Pack
Stampin' Up Endless Birthday Wishes (stamped in Strawberry Slush)
Stampin' Up Colored Enamel Dots

A "cool" summertime card, don't you think?

Father's Day Mini-Album Card

Inside View Before Adding Photos

Last week I shared a fun fold card. Here is another one, this time a mini-album that is also a card! While I made this as a Father's Day card, it can easily be made into any kind of card you want. I started with two pieces of cardstock (black) cut 9-1/2 x 5-1/2" and 9 x 5-1/2".

On the 9-1/2 inch piece, score at 4-1/2 and 9". On the 9 inch piece, score at 4-1/2". Use the 1/2 inch tab created to attach the two pieces together and fold mountain/valley as shown. I folded it so the seam was in the back and did not show in the front.

I attached black and white patterned paper to each section, cut 4-1/4 x 5-1/4". I then attached mats according to my photo size. This will need to be adjusted based on your photos. My photos were trimmed to 3-3/4 x 4", so my mats were cut to 4 x 4-1/4". I added 3/4 inch decorative strips to the top of mine using patterned paper and a star strip die, but you can decorate anyway you want. I added some slip-in corner pieces using a photo corner punch and adhered my photos in place with double sided tape (tape runner).

Finished card is 4-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches and fits in a 6-1/2 x 4-3/4" greeting card envelope.

Supplies Used:
Stampin' Up heavyweight black cardstock (Hobby Lobby also carries a nice heavyweight black cardstock).
Black and white patterned paper from Stampin' Up (It's My Party)
Die Cut Stars and Star Strips from the Stampin' Up Mini-Treat Bag Thinlets
Simply Stated stamp set by Catherine Pooler Designs
Stampin' Up Stitched Framelit Dies

Joy Fold Birthday Card With Gift Card Holder

This card was so much fun to make! I have seen joy fold cards done horizontally and had never made one, but when I saw this vertical one on Pinterest made by Handcrafting With Heather, I knew I had to give it a try. I especially liked the fact that you could add a gift card holder inside! However, I didn't have any measurements, so I looked at the pictures and created my own, which may or may not be the actual "joy fold measurements." I am posting my process with measurements here if you would like to recreate a card like this. Finished size of card is A2, which is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches.

If the flap not staying down bothers you, you can add a cute paper clip to the side. I attached an arrow clip and after a few days the card stayed closed a lot better. With it unclipped, the recipient will know immediately where to open the card.

Here are my directions with measurements and photos:

Finished envelope/card holder is 3-1/4 x 3-3/4inches. I made mine using patterned paper. Fold on score lines and apply adhesive to undersides of flaps. Adhere to inside of card.

What makes this card especially fun is that you can use coordinating papers on each section to give it more character. Cut sizes for patterned paper are:

1. Base piece - 4 x 5-1/4"
2. Front and back of base flap - 2-1/2 x 4" (cut 2)
3. Front and inside pieces for insert - 3-1/4 x 4-1/4" (Cut 3 - cut one in white for stamped greeting, if desired.)
4. I made the gift card holder with patterned paper as well. See measurements above.

Here are a few more photos of the finished card:

Products Used:
Stampin' Up designed series paper (It's My Party)
Stampin' Up black cardstock
Die cut "Happy" by Catherine Pooler Designs
Balloon dies by Paper Smooches
Banner - Bundle of Stitched Shapes by Simon Says Stamp
Stamps - Stampin' Up (Perfectly Wrapped and Crazy About You), Paper Pumpkin (Pocketful of Cheer), and Great Birthday by Print Works Collection (purchased at Hobby Lobby)
Stampin' Up - baker's twine and enamel dots

Try going vertical and see how you like it!

Hand Stamped Daisy Thank You Card

I love daisies! In fact, they were my wedding flowers years ago. I have been inspired by a lot of daisy cards and projects I have seen lately on Pinterest, but I didn't have any daisy patterned paper, so I decided to make my own. I hand stamped this using the In Bloom, Ava's Favorite Flowers stamp set by Winnie & Walter. I also used the coordinating dies for the daisies.

The card base is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches, top folding. I first stamped a full sheet of white cardstock and then selected the area I liked best for the card front. That is easy to do when you die cut it. I used a 4 x 5-1/4 inch stitched die from Simon Says Stamp called Bundle of Stitched Shapes. After adhering that layer onto the card, I cut a strip of navy cardstock 1-1/4 x 4-1/4 inches and then layered the yellow floral designed paper (Stampin' Up) on top of that, cut slightly narrower.

I stamped and die cut the three daisies in navy ink, adding a small yellow circle for the flower centers. The "thank you" is from the stamp set called Simply Stated by Catherine Pooler Designs. I punched it out with a circle punch and inked around the edges using the matching navy ink.

I think it will be fun to make a whole set of these cards, maybe in different colors, although navy and yellow are one of my favorite color combinations.