Memorial Day Thanks

Today we Americans honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.  In honor of those who have served I have made today's card.  Thank you for serving.  Thank you for giving up your loved one so we can be free.  Thank You!

I made this card for OWH (Operation Write Home).  It will either be used to write an "any hero" message to our troops or it will go in the box for them to send out.  Either way would work.  I went to the OWH website to see if there was anything special going on this weekend and found the following picture that pierced my heart.

The picture says it all.  I did a google search for Memorial Day images.  There are some fabulous ones out there.  Here are just a couple that I wanted to share with you.

Now back to my card.  While making this card I thought about our troops and prayed for those who are serving, thankful for all who have served and said a prayer for those who have lost loved ones in service.  I never forget the spouses, children and parents who are on the homefront.  Their sacrifice is often just as great. 

My card is a simple flag.  I used some paper that is about to retire and ran it through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die.  Next I embossed the red DSP with the Stripes Embossing Folder. I then took a small rectangle of blue paper and ran it through just the corner of the Top Note Die.  I used some snail to adhere the two patterned papers together.  Add a banner and you are done.  :)

What will you be doing this Memorial Day?  Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy your day and the freedom you have.  Take a moment or two to remember those who have died.  Perhaps make a card for someone who is serving, or a quilt for the wounded or a scrapbook page to preserve your family's memories.  Enjoy your campout and smores by the fire.  Hit the stores for some super sales.  Spend time with your family or even just enjoy a nap!   Enjoy this great nation that was bought at a very high price.

One more time I want to say thank you to our nation's heroes!  You are not forgotten!!!

Creative Blessings, 

Heather North

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Curly Cute (retiring May 30th)
Paper: Comfort Cafe DSP(retiring), Fan Fair DSP (retiring), Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla

Ink: Midnight Muse

Misc.: Top Note Die, Stripes Embossing Folder

Stripes Embossing Folder

Top Note Die

Curly Cute

Travel With Me

Today is a travel day for me.  While I am not going to Paris, I can dream of going there some day.  I love to make cards like this and put them on a shelf in my hobby room for inspiration and dreaming.  This card looks 100 times better in person. 

 

The Eiffel tower was embossed with Black Embossing Powder, then I used a yellow marker to color in the "lights".  It's hard to see in the picture.   The medallions are made using white embossing powder.  Then I used various colors of sponges to create the sky and grass.

The   love charm hanging from the taffeta ribbon was found on the Clearance Rack.  I'm not sure if it's still available, but you can click HERE to check.  ;)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



Artistic Etchings



Stampin Sponges



Trinket Hearts
$2.79



Queen of England

My challenge for today was to make a card inspired by London, in honor of the 2012 Olympics.  When I think of London, I think of royalty.  Of course, right now, I also think of the Olympics, so here is  my nod to the Queen of the Olympic games.

When I first read the challenge for the card a day blog roll, I thought I would go vintage and Victorian.  As you can see, I did not.  :)  The banners remind me a bit of flags, so in honor of all the flags being raised at the Olympics, I added these.  The circles on the paper are a nod to the Olympic rings.   The color choices are for England's flag. 

As for royalty, I had to make a crown.  I planned to do the crown in gold, but I don't have gold embossing powder.   I thought I did, but I was wrong.   Instead, I inked up the stamp with More Mustard, and then dabbed on some Champagne Mist Shimmer paint.  It sparkles and shines!  I had to add a bit more bling for the queen, so I also added some basic rhinestones and sprayed the card with Shimmer Mist spray.  (you can't see it in the pictures, but when the light hits it the card sparkles)

Now I pass the torch on to you.  Take up the challenge and make a card inspired by London, England or the Olympics.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stampin' UP products used

Paper: Polka Dot DSP, Summer Smooches DSP
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, You're A Gem (retired)
Ink: More Mustard, Island Indigo
Misc.: Champagne Shimmer Paint, Basic Rhinestones

Stampede Challenge #3

Joan asked me if I would be interested in being a guest designer for her monthly challenge.  I was so honored!  Who would have thought somebody would want to see my creations that isn't related to me?
Boy was this one a challenge.  The sketch was easy to work with, but the colors were more difficult.   River Rock is one of my least favorite Stampin' Up colors, but it is growing on me. Strangely enough it was getting the 2 blues to match up with the 2 nuetrals that caused me difficulties.  I love a challenge though.  I always learn something. 

Here is the Challenge



Here is my take on the sketch.  I tried to stay pretty close to the original sketch and colors for my first try.  You can see my second attempt HERE where I went completely Christmas, turned the sketch on it's side and used different colors.  (What a rebel!)

I did add a (Basic Grey Satin) ribbon knot to the card.

I couldn't leave the card like that though because it was "screaming" for some black brads up in the left hand corner.   While I was at it I added some stickles for a little sparkle, though it's hard to see in the picture. Which do you like best? 

 The inside of the card has a mat of River Rock patterned paper that I uses on the front.  I like the look of a dark background base, so I often add a light mat on the inside of the card for the greeting.

The best part of this card is that River Rock patterned paper.  I had it in a mat stack I bought WELL before moving up here to WA.  It was the one paper in that stack I thought I would never use, and it was PERFECT for this challenge.  Now I kind-of wish I had more of it because it is a nice soft neutral.

If you would like to play along, head on over to Joan's Daily Stampede and submit your card/scrapbook page or just look at what others are doing with this challenge.