Trio of Patriotic Cards

For my first card I used this fun sketch from The Deconstructed Sketch #49:

Go here to see what others have done with this sketch: http://deconstructingjen.com/archives/5846

Here is how I used the sketch:

 I used the star embossing folder and misted it with Gold Perfect Pearls instead of the Pearl Perfect Pearls. I've had this corrugated cardboard forever and thought it would add some fun texture. After trimming the ends of the cardboard I inked it with Fired Brick distress ink then layered the rest of the shapes on top. The top mat is die cut from a Spellbinders die and added the gold pearls. The stars are leftover from a project I did a long time ago and were the perfect size.

 For the sentiment I used the light blue cardstock and used Watermark VersaMark ink with white embossing powder.

Up next is a card I made from sketch#FTL188 found at Clean and Simple Stamping: http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2012/04/188.html Visit them to see many inspiring projects using this cute sketch.

Here is the sketch:

Cute isn't it?

Now here is the card I created with the sketch:

 I am pleased with how this card turned out. It might have to do with the fact it has a bit of glitter. I again used the star embossing folder and gold Perfect Pearls. Stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo ink then I colored it with Red and Clear Glaze Pens.

 Can you see how the glaze pens add shine in the photo? They also add just a hint of dimension without the bulk. So fun and easy to use.

 Again I used Watermark VersaMark ink to stamp the sentiment then used white embossing powder.

For my third and final card of the day I used this simple sketch #263 from CPS:

 See how the sketch was used by visiting here: 

http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/  This week CPS is being sponsored by Skipping Stones.

Here is what I created using the sketch:

 Once again I embossed the white cardstock with the Cuttlebug star embossing folder but this time I wanted a distressed look so I used the blending tool with Fired Brick distress ink and lightly ran it across the top of the embossed paper. Then I did the same thing with Vintage Photo. I used a distress tool on the edges and then inked the edges with Vintage Photo.

 I stamped the image on white cardstock and colored it with Glaze pens. I inked it with Fired Brick and Vintage Photo Distress ink to age it. Then I was in a dilemma. I needed to do something with the two end pieces. They were just sitting there blank. I couldn't think of a thing to do that would look right. I wanted to emboss them but I thought they would look out of place with out the middle block embossed too but I had already adhered the stamped image to the navy cardstock. Finally I decided just to go ahead and emboss all three pieces and hope that the ink from the Glaze pen would not crack when it was embossed.

 The ink held up and the image looks really cool embossed. Problem solved! I just rounded the outside corners and was done. I left off any sentiment that way it can be used just as a note card or even for someone whose birthday falls on July 4th.

I am only about two cards short of having 20 patriotic cards to send to From Our Hearts for our troops overseas. I can't believe I have made so many different using pretty much the same supplies and the same colors of cardstock. Although I must admit I am getting a little tired of red, white and blue ;). Thanks to all the great sketches I have used each card is unique and kept my mojo going.

Have a great week!

Teresa