Thursday, June 30, 2011

July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  If you've hopped here from Wendy Coffman's Blog, welcome!


I can't believe it's July already.  How does this happen?  We've only had a few sunny days this summer in Seattle!  It doesn't seem like summer...  But it must be summer - the summer stamp sets are out!  This month's Stamp of the Month is called American Celebration (yes, Canadian stampers, there's a Canadian version, too).






It's so festive and 4th of July-ish...BUT it's still versatile for use throughout the year.  Check it out!


Here's the "natural" thing to do with a stamp set with stars and a flag on it...something for the 4th of July!






You could also stamp the same background, and change the sentiment to Happy Birthday or something.  It's perfect for boy cards.


At first I wanted to use an unusual color for the big "explosions," so I went with Topiary.  Then for the other colors, Sunflower, Moonstruck and Holiday Red.  But I didn't like the Topiary explosions and ended up switching to Moonstruck instead.





I don't know, I just liked the blue better as the dominant color.




I filled in the empty spaces with smaller stamps from the set - I did some 2nd generation stamping with the Sunflower falling stars.  Then edged the whole thing in Sunflower.  It looks kind of messy to me, though.  (but in a good way)




I wanted to use the "celebrate" from the set - stamped it and cut it out.  It gets kind of lost in the stars.  Better to set it apart:


I used Holiday Red as a mat.

ahhh, much better
Still, it looks kind of plain.  Need some bling!  I put some Twinkle Brads on the side.  I've had those things hanging around for over a year.  I stare at them and think how pretty they are, but have never used them. Now's my chance!  (They're retired, but you could always use the Blue-Green and/or Red-Pink-Purple Sparkles instead.)  Plus, you could scatter those all over your explosions.




Still, I think I need "something."  How about a mat?  I wanted to emphasize the Moonstruck more, so that's what I'm going with.  Love it!


I like it!
Supplies Used:
American Celebration (D1458, $22.95 (or less with your qualifying order)
Card Stocks:  Moonstruck, Holiday Red, White Daisy
Inks:  Moonstruck, Sunflower, Topiary, Holiday Red
Twinkle Brads (retired)


Here's my different-use-of-the-stamp-set-card.  I actually can't take credit for the blue ribbon idea - it was from my upline, Naomi.  But I like it!  The really great thing about this card, is that you can make lots of these cards.  Not much stamping!  


Using a Moonstruck stamp pad, I stamped the big exploding stars/fireworks stamp on Pacifica paper.  Then I punched it with CTMH's scallop punch.  It looks just like the head of an award ribbon.  So cool!


You can't tell in the picture, but I slightly curved the hanging ribbons so they weren't quite so flat.










These are the B&T papers I considered for the background.  Any of them would work.  Had to pick one...


Front of the paper - too busy?
I like the back side of this paper better...




I also couldn't decide what to put in the center of the ribbon.  My first instinct was to stamp something and punch it out with a circle.  Then I started digging around in my 'stash.'  Gotta remember to shop your stash!  I had these crazy badge buttons from the Tinkerin' paper pack (Clover Meadow, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow and Twilight).  One of them was a smiley.  My other idea was to use a Filigree Charm.  That would have worked with one of the less whimsical papers, I think.  Smileys win, hands down, every time.




I liked the "Thanks, You're the best" stamp for this card...get it?  Blue Ribbon...You're the best...






A nice blue mat...some random stamping (yellow falling stars) on the white...and then finished!




Supplies Used:
American Celebration (D1458, $22.95 (or less with your qualifying order)
Thank You (D1361, $22.95)
Paper Pack:  Fanfare (X7138B, $12.95)
Card Stocks:  Twilight, Tulip
Stamp Pads:  Moonstruck, Twilight, Sunny Yellow
CTMH 2" Scallop Punch
Badge Buttons (retired)


Thanks for stopping and looking at my creations!  If you like what you see, subscribe to my blog (upper right hand corner of this page).  If you want to make these cards - shop online!  If you want to learn more and live in the Seattle area, come to a card class.  I have them regularly...and I would love to see you!


Now hop on over to Debra's Blog to see what fun ideas she has for you!  Thanks for peeking at the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

11 comments:

Paige Dolecki

I always love random stamping and your medal with the smiley face is just adorable! I have a bunch of those metal Tinkerin trinkets left and now I know what to do with some of them!

Paige

Terrie Dodd

Knew I would see some fireworks this month and I loved yours!!

Judy Faye Garner

Love the random stamping

Sheila Bennett

What a festive card. It's just like watching fireworks shoot off overhead. :)

Krista Ritskes

Very cool ideas! Love them both.

Diana Soling

cool cards!!

Mary Eisen

Love the random stamping - love all the cards!

Nalazoo

Great random stamping - I love it when images overlap and the background is really filled in. So many possibilities using different color variations.

Haley D.

That award idea is just too cute! I love how you showed your thought process in pictures. Great projects!

Kathleen

I love the B&T you created but the medallion takes the cake!

Vickie Tagatz

Love the colors you used on card!