Blogger Challenge: Week 45

The theme for week's challenge is one that's near and dear to my heart--graduation. That's because I am almost done with my (second!) masters degree, this one in instructional technology. Just two more classes in June and I will graduate by the end of the summer--yay! It's taken three long and expensive years to complete this program and I'm so glad that it will be finished. I'm not sure if I can say with certainty that this will be my last degree, though. I'm one of those people that would be thrilled to be a full-time student again. I don't mind writing papers and doing research and all the stuff that comes with being a student--I know that's kind of odd, but that's just me . . .

Here's my card for the challenge. I used the In the Stars stamp set from the current SU! Occasions Mini Catalog. The images and the sentiment in the set are perfect for a graduation card. I stamped two of the star images in bright colors and trimmed closely around them. I added a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds to the big star image. The stars are set on a pair of blue panels, then attached to the cardfront with dimensionals.

I sewed around the designer paper panel for some more texture and interest. Please ignore my not straight sewing--I definitely need more practice with this! I added the sentiment in bold navy ink right on the patterned paper and tied a red ribbon around the panel.

Be sure to check out the rest of the challenge participants for more ideas for graduation cards. You can find links to their blogs in the sidebar to the right.

Materials Used:
In the Stars stamp set, Real Red, Summer Sun, and Night of Navy Classic inks, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, and Whisper White cardstock, Summer Picnic designer paper, Dazzling Diamonds, mat pack and paper piercing tool, white gel pen, dimensionals (Stampin' Up!); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities); red satin ribbon (Michaels); sewing machine