Simple Darlings American Style

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Clear & Simple Stamps is running a challenge for their customers. If you haven't entered yet, you still have another day or two to complete your project. All you have to do to enter is to submit a project using one of the Simple Darlings sets you can find in their store. You can find the full details on the contest here. They also issued a challenge to their design team members to create a 4th of July themed project with one of their Simple Darlings stamp sets. Even though the 4th was a few weeks ago, I thought I'd give the challenge a try.

I used the Birthday Darling stamp set with a few modifications. Instead of stamping the main image so that the Darling was holding a balloon and an envelope in her hand, I omitted these items when I was inking the stamp. I used the single balloon stamp and some sticky note masks to create a bunch of balloons in the Darling's hand.

I colored the image with red and blue Copic markers (what other colors would I use for a July 4th themed card???), then added some Crystal Effects over the balloon images to give them a shiny look.

I used some of the Scenic Route Liberty line patterned paper for a panel on the cardfront. I totally love the patterned papers in this line and I was so disappointed when I made a recent return visit to my (not so local) scrapbooking store where I first got the paper and found that there wasn't any more. Anyway, I wrapped a piece of starry satin ribbon around the panel and knotted it, then layered the image over the panel.

The sentiment "it's your day" is stamped in black pigment ink on a chipboard star that I inked with red craft ink. There's no "USA" in this set, so I had to think a little bit creatively (and that's a challenge after a long day at work . . .). I stamped the "it's your day" again on a scrap of red cardstock, then punched out a U, an S, and an A with a 1/4" circle punch. I attached those to the cardfront to complete the sentiment. I added a row of sticky rhinestones under the USA for a little bit of festive sparkle.

Now, I think I'm really finished with the 4th of July theme until next summer . . .

Materials Used:

Birthday Darling stamp set (Clear & Simple Stamps); markers (Copic Ciao); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Onyx Black pigment ink (VersaFine); white cardstock (Xerox); ribbon (Michaels Americana collection); patterned paper (Scenic Route's Liberty line); Night of Navy and Real Red cardstock, On Board chipboard star, 1/4" circle punch, mat pack and paper piercing tool, white gel pen, Crystal Effects, pop up glue dot (Stampin' Up!); self adhesive rhinestones (Jewelry Essentials)