Happy Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day everyone!

This idea came from two events. Independence Day and a stamper I know, Matthew, competed at Special Olympics last weekend. He placed fourth in Tennis singles, and fifth in Tennis doubles! Congratulations Matthew! Not sure how coordinated I would be at playing doubles. I think I would run in front of the other person to hit that ball.

I knew I wanted to make a celebration card for
both events. I used the Large and Small star punch from SU! I also used the Classic Stars Jumbo wheel from SU!.



Not all glitter is made equally! I was at JoAnn's for some curtain loops and spotted a glitter pack in the $1.00 bin. It quickly found its way into my little basket. What I want you to see here is the star on the left I punched out white cardstock, then glittered.

The punch on the right, I punched out in Brilliant Blue, then glittered. I think there is a big difference in the look of the two stars. So what is the lesson? If you are using colored glitter, try to match the color cardstock to the glitter. I think it enhances the glitter.

How I adhered the glitter to the cardstock...I used SU! Heat N Stick powder. I applied Versamark Ink, sprinkled the Heat N Stick powder on top, then heated it until it melted - but not overheat. When it is just heated, it is tacky like glue. I then added the glitter on top. For good measure, I heated it again - just a touch, and then turned the star over and pressed down - to set the glitter.

These are the two cards I came up with:

One to celebrate Independence Day and one to Congratulate Matthew on his wonderful finishes in Tennis!

Thanks for looking!

Flower punch

Here is my first attempt at a tutorial.

I made this card for Saturday Stash.

Here is the beginnings of the card.


I got this idea from a talented SU! Demonstrator, Ann Clemmer.

I took SU!'s five petal punch and punched out one in Rose Red and Summer Sun and Whtie.

























After I punched the flower in white, I stamped

Circle of Friendship in Rose Red on the flower.





























I then used SU!'s 1/2" circle punch and punched out the middle of the image. I then turned the white flower over and sponged Certainly Celery onto the flower petals.



















I then layered the Rose Red flower on top of the white flower so you get a multi petal look. Notice you cannot see the circle I punched out from the white flower. This is making good use of scraps. No one is going to see whether the white flower is missing any of its cardstock :)
















I then took the Rose Red flower and you can use the Dotto tape dispenser (temporary tape) or I used a Post-it note and "adhered" the flower to part of the adhesive. Works perfectly - holds the cardstock in place. Then insert the flower into the punch. It can get tricky if part of the Post-it note has adhesive exposed - it sometimes will "adhere" itself to the punch. Anyway, turn the flower so you "center" the punch on the petals.







Take the flower out and you can see the Post-it note holds the flower in place.



































The finished flower - a multi point flower. A couple of different looks from one punch.

























To punch out the center, I drew from point to point.
























Here is a pic of the Dotto tape. I am using the Post-it note still, but ran out of "adhesive", so I need to supply my own for this flower.

























1/2 inch circle punch. "X" marks the spot.


























Voila! Another flower!

























So, I layered the White flower, Rose Red flower, the punched out circle with sentiment, and then I added SU! Stampin' Dimensionals to the Summer Sun flower.










Now the finished look. I was pleased with how it turned out. I began to think of other looks I could do with this.

Also, I began to seriously think about doing a video. Took me many times to figure out how to put the pictures into the blog.


















I just wanted to show you one more thing. I punched out the flowers from Rose Red cardstock. I then used this as one of the bases of the card. Again, making the most of what I am using. Something to think about.



I would like to hear what you thought about the tutorial. Would you please leave a comment. I would appreciate hearing from you. You could make a suggestion as to what you would like to see as a tutorial in the future. I will what I can do.