Happy 4th of July USA

Hello and welcome! In the U. S. Independence Day is just around the corner and several challenges are honoring it through our country's colors, our flag {stars & stripes} or the holiday itself. So naturally I played along with Tip Top Tuesday's #79 and Just Us Girls #141 challenges to express my patriotism. My sketch inspiration comes from the one and only, Jen Shults, and her sketches are always a challenge {that's why I love them!}. You can see the current Deconstructed Sketch #56 plus visit the archives for past sketch inspiration. I believe most of them are open to link throughout the year so it's not too late. The Crafty Catz #137 Embossing was great to play with because it gave me another opportunity to use my Stars Impression Plate by Taylored Expressions to emboss my vertical navy panel.

The colors of red, white and blue were established by the JUGS challenge and Independence Day or Stars & Stripes were challenge requirements of Tip Top Tuesday. I incorporated both on the TTT challenge and my stripes are represented by the red/white twine. The patriotic banner in the 4th of July Wreath set make my Picket Fence Border Die look festive. I punched three .5" circles using an EK Success punch and stamped the letters USA from You're My Type-Upper. Blue stars were strung onto red burlap string and red liquid pearls add another pop of color and visual interest. White brads anchor the four chomped corners and finish it off nicely.

Here's a Top Tip for you, to center your sentiments it is helpful to use a grid acrylic block and place all of the stamps & embellishments on it so you know everything will be centered properly. Also, It is much easier to stamp after punching but before when using a die. It just makes life easier! Another thing I did was to stamp my banners in blue ink so it would blend better. Seasoned stampers know this already but maybe it will help a newbie out there. :)

I'd like to welcome my newest blog followers and thank everyone for their encouraging comments. BTW, most of my recent posts have been CAS due to Father's Day and recent masculine birthdays but I'm happy to report that some "girl stuff" is on the way. :) Have a swell hump day {a.k.a. Wednesday}!

Note: I "Caught Their Eye" at Top Tip Tuesday with this Stars & Stripes card. WooHoo!
~Lisa

Supplies:
Ink: Memento Paris Dusk, ColorBox Chalk Ink Lipstick Red
Paper: Choice Snow White (TE), red, blue & white cs (Bazzill Basics)
Accessories: Take Note Frame 3 (TE); We R Memory Keepers 1.5" corner chomper, brads (PS); buttons (Hobby Lobby); red/white twine (Doodlebug); red burlap string (Maya Road); Copics B28 & R29; Ruby Red Liquid Pearls (Ranger)