DogGone Delightful Stampin'

Mix-It Up Mondays! ~~ A Belated 4th of July Celebration!

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

I'm back.  The past 2 weeks have been a blur; with 4th of July and activities.  And then . . . suddenly, the death of a close "family" member for which we had to leave suddenly and make a VERY fast trip to Bismarck, North Dakota last week.  We just got back in late on Saturday, and I'm feeling a little discombobulated (LOL) as I try to get things sorted out and back in place.  I have the Annual Christmas In July Class this Saturday, and so I'm trying to get my head screwed back on straight so I can focus on preparations for that.

 

I had wanted to share some fun for 4th of July last week; so we'll do a "Belated" 4th of July design today; and then move into our Christmas in July fun here on the Blog as well!!

 

I had great fun designing this card yesterday.  I've had it bumbling around in my brain for the past 10 days; but it really came together yesterday.

With the requisite layers of red, white & blue, (Real Red, Basic White, and Night of Navy), this fun card pops with "Celebration" for any occasion!!

 

I wrapped the layers with 3/8" Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon and 1/4" Real Red Ribbon.

I incorporated the Circle Sayings stamp set with the Paper Florist Dies to create my fun flowers (we'll call them fireworks! LOL); and used the fabulous set of stars in the Give It a Whirl Dies cut from Holographic Trio Specialty Paper for some shine and pizzazz.

 

Finished off with a fabulous sentiment and some more stars on the inside, send this card off to your favorite person!!

 

 

The next Coffee & a Card virtual class series kicks off shortly!!  Check out all the details on my Class Schedule page.

 

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

 

Happy 4th of July from DDS Studios!

Hello Fellow Stampers ~~

My goodness!  The entire month of June went by and I didn't share with you even once!! And I'm feeling mightily guilty!  We've been busy here at DDS Studios, however.  We had our first in-person class in more than a year (the last one was in early March 2020 before the Pandemic shutdown happened).  We've been sharing on our Virtual Coffee & a Card class.  We've seen Mike's oldest son get married (after having to delay the wedding from last year); and both sons have finally been here for a short visit, which has been a welcome change to the isolation that I know both Mike and I have felt keenly over this past year and a half.  I also held my Annual Studio Clean Out Sale in early June and will be moving the remaining items online shortly!  So keep an eye out.

 

So, I think as we kick off July with Independence Day, that seems a befitting time to get back to trying to blog and share with you online.  I'm encouraging everyone to start sharing me in the private DDS Facebook group.  If you haven't joined yet, be sure to click HERE and request to join!

 

I always like to share a patriotic card for the 4th of July.  Usually I make it a "birthday-themed" card (especially since my Uncle actually as a 4th of July birthday!).  Today I decided to make the card a "grateful for your sacrifice" card.  I feel we should pause today and remember all those who have given of the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy our Freedom today!

 

This is not an overly difficult card; but it carries that Red, White & Blue punch!!  😊😊

On a Thick Basic White cardbase, I have laid a Real Red and Night of Navy cardstock strip measuring 1-3/8" each.

 

The fabulous sentiment is from the Color & Contour stamp set; stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with Gold Emboss Powder.

I used the fabulous tags tucked in the Potted Succulents Dies set to cut out the sentiment and frame it with a piece of the incredible Gold Metallic Specialty Paper.

I used more of that same paper to cut out a variety of stars using the Stitched Stars Dies.

I tied a piece of 1/4" Gold Shimmer Ribbon with a piece of Gold Simply Elegant Trim, and attached it in the background.  Then I overlaid using dimensionals for the sentiment tag, several of the larger stars; and glue dots for the smaller stars.

It's finished off with a scattering of Gold Metallic Pearls.

 

Simple . . . Patriotic . . . to the Point!!

Thank You to ALL who have served and ALL who have sacrificed.  We Honor YOU today!  As we celebrate the Freedom our Founding Fathers laid the course for so many years ago!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

 

Normally I feature birthday throughout the month of June to honor my birthday month; and July is fun with Christmas in July!  Since I basically blew off June -- LOL -- we will feature both themed cards during the course of July.

And stay tuned . . . because there is a new catalog on the horizon; and so much more!!!

 

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

 

 

 

 

So Saturday ~~ 4th of July Birthday Card !

Hello Fellow Stampers ~~

And Happy 4th of July!!

I hope everyone has found a way to celebrate our Nation's Birthday today, despite our trying times!!

It's that time of year again . . . a 4th of July birthday in the family!!!  Interesting I think to have a birthday on the 4th of July!!  I think it makes that person EXTRA special; don't you ??

So I try to dig deep each year and create a birthday card that feels "patriotic" and yet Birthday specific all at the same time!!

And here is this year's contribution!!  😊😊😊

 

Designed as a white background on a white card base, I embossed the background first with the Dainty Diamonds 3D embossing folder.  A nice textured background for a "starburst" feel.

Then I pulled out two other items - first, the new Pattern Play stamp set; and second, our Stitched Star Dies.

First, I used the star confetti image in the stamp set, alternating Real Red and Night of Navy on Whisper White cardstock.  then I used the star spray die to die cut from this pre-stamped piece; then used Fine-Tip Glue to attach across the center of the card.

Then I used several of the detailed star dies from that set to cut out an assortment of stars from Real Red and Night of Navy cardstock.  Then attached those with Fine-Tip Glue as well.

 

By the Way, . . . I used that same stamped cardstock and overstamped the sentiment in Night of Navy, and fussy cut that out.  Pretty cool, huh? 😉😉

The card is finished off with Rhinestones to add that extra "firework" sparkle!!

 

The inside of the card is finished off to match the front!

And that wonderful "Happy Birthday" sentiment that seems to match the front sentiment so well? . . .  You'll find it in the stamp set in the Looking Up All Inclusive Card Kit!

 

 

I think today's design works to celebrate both my Uncle's birthday AND our Nation's -- don't you ?? 😊😊

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful rest of their 4th of July Weekend!  Stay safe & have some creative fun!!

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

Thank You for Your Service ~

 

Good Morning Fellow Stampers ~

Happy Memorial Day!  Today is when we pause to remember those who have sacrificed home, safety, family, and even their lives to keep us free and safe.  We can never give enough thanks to those who have sacrificed so much.  My own father served during the Vietnam War.  He was a radio operator stationed in the southeastern part of this beautiful state I live in.  My mother has shared with me recently how he got his orders to go over to the front at one point, and how she was sick to her stomach for weeks until they heard that his number had not made it in the cut and he could stay here.  I am thankful he never had to experience the horrors of war and that although he served out his time in the Air Force, he was able to be here for his family throughout his lifetime.  I know he was always proud of his time in the military; and I am proud of him to this day.  Thank you to all of you reading this blog post today, if you are family of those who have served, or have even served yourself, for all you have done for our country!

 

It's time for this week's Paper Players [PP346] challenge.  I thought it only appropriate to design a card of "thanks" on this day of remembrance.  This simple sketch worked well for my interpretation.  I also am showcasing some soon retiring products in today's design as we only have 3 days left to enjoy this past year's products.  So let's go play - ready?

 

I chose a classic red, white & blue theme for today's "thank you" design.

Starting with some wonderful designer series paper that will be retiring as of the 31st - the Irresistibly Floral Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Not enough attention has been paid to this wonderful collection of "emboss resist" paper.  It has wonderful patterns, and is all set to go for you to do sponging, spraying, watercoloring - any technique that works well with emboss resist.

I chose to play with my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors today.  You can purchase these wonderful watercolors through Amazon.com

 

The fabulous thing about watercoloring is that there is no right or wrong; and every time you play it turns out differently.

Gansai Tambi watercolors have a wonderful thick pigment to them; and are wonderful as you add water and move them.

They worked very well on this paper; and as you can see, I played around a couple times; what ended up on the card was different than my first attempt.

I like them both!

The Irresistibly Floral SDSP, holds up well to water; and the "emboss resist" areas clean up easily when you rub with a piece of paper towel.

 

A piece of Vellum creates the horizontal "barrier" from the sketch and everything else is built on top of that.

I punched a "banner" using the Best Badge Punch - we'll still have this one in the next catalog.

And then I created a collage using a number of products that will no longer be with us at the end of the week.

Stars Framelits and the Hello You Thinlits are some of my favorite dies - and I'm sorry to say they will be gone shortly.

My Stars are some of my more used dies; and I do intend to keep them in my inventory.  Be sure you have a set before they are gone!!

 

I stamped the "to you" from the Banners for You stamp set (not retiring but the bundle with the framelits is) in Night of Navy on the Whisper White "banner" - laid some fun Gold Metallic Thread on the back adhered the piece over the Vellum.

The stars are popped with dimensionals, and finally the "thanks" is attached with fine tip glue.

 

I pulled my soon retiring Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set for this wonderful array of stars on the inside of this card.

This stamp set has a wonderful variety of images for any season or time of year - be sure you check it out before it's gone!!

 

 

I hope today's "Thanks to You" Memorial Day design inspires you to thank a veteran you may know.  Take some time today to remember all who served or lost their lives on our behalf.

LAST CHANCE!  This is your last chance!!  Retiring stamp sets and products are only available while supplies last so grab your favorites now.  Select items on sale up to 50% off! 
It's all over at midnight on May 31st!

 

 

Until Next Time . . .

 

 

 

 

Happy Independence Day! To Old Glory . . .

 

Good Morning Fellow Stampers -

 

I may be away from the Studio, but I have not forgotten you.  And today, we are going to forego the Paper Players challenge in lieu of this special holiday!  I usually do a series of fun 4th of July cards, often pulling out my favorite Patriotic Bears; this year I've done a Patriotic design Here and There; but I really have been more focused on playing with our new products this year and have not been as inspired to play with the red, white & blue.

Today, however, it seems appropriate that we do just that; and I am going to CASE a fabulous and beautiful card design from one of my very favorite Stampin' Pretty Pals -- Kim Jolley.  She posted this card up for our group some weeks ago; and then it kind of went viral within our private Stampin' Up! demonstrator group; and then on Pinterest.  I was very happy for her and thought she was ingenious to have thought of this.  I have had this card on my mind for several weeks, and simply had to re-create it, changing up the details and playing a little bit to fit my aesthetic.  I hope you will enjoy, and feel inspired today as we celebrate the independence of our great country!

 

 

 

 

 This incredible card is created with the new Swirly Scribble Thinlets set.  Isn't it amazing what a little ingenuity and creativity can come up with from a few simple cuts of paper? I left the front of this card to speak for itself, and have moved any kind of sentiment into the inside.  Technique Tip:  You want to use your Fine-Tip Glue Pen to put down these delicate die cut pieces.  However, be careful; too much glue squeezes out the edges and can "ruin" your card.  I struggled a little bit with that on today's design, and these fine "strips" on these dies.

 

 

 

Dapper Denim

Cherry Cobbler

Whisper White

 

 I chose what I refer to as "Americana" colors for my card design today.  From the moment I saw the Dapper Denim and Cherry Cobbler colors together, I just knew they were perfect for that vintage "Americana" feel.  In fact, I have made patriotic quilt items and accessories with just this color scheme and feel to them, and I really love it.  It feels "old" to me :-)

 

 

 

The other thing I attempted on this card was to add some "shading" to the edges on the upper and under sides of my "stripes" with my Cherry Cobbler stampin' write marker.

Unfortunately, when I was done and looked, I realized I had accidentally "nudged" some of these areas without realizing it with my fingers and smeared some of them onto the white background.  So I was a little disappointed.  A little "lesson learned" for me.  I'd probably not try the shading the next time around.

 

Here's what I did with the inside of my card design, using the fabulous Number of Years stamp set and the coordinating Large Numbers Framelits.

 

 

 

Before I go, I just thought I'd leave a food for thought.  I think that it is important to look beyond the picnics, bar-b-ques and fireworks and remember those who fought for the freedom and independence we all enjoy today.  I'm afraid that we are so many generations removed from those great men, that we have forgotten the price that was paid, the intentions these men had, and the foundation that was laid for our inheritance.  We would not be here today, enjoying what we have, if not for the foresight and drive of our Founding Fathers.

 

 

The Torch of Freedom

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

- John Adams July 3, 1776

 

 

Blessings to you all on this Independence Day My Friends!  And to Old Glory . . . Long May You Wave!!

 

Until Next Time . . .

 

 

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