Stars & Stripes

Whenever someone says, "stars & stripes" I automatically think of old glory herself - the American Flag - and the 4th of July, and fireworks, and hot summer nights... that was the theme on the Whiff of Joy challenge blog this week. I got the sketch from another challenge blog.

I used my absolute favorite product - FUNKY FAIRY PAPER -on this card! I used the red from the Gorgeous Gingham collection. I used a nice blue from the Dainty Dots collection for my mat and to punch out all the stars. I'm sure I've told you about these papers before, but just in case -- they are SO AWESOME to have. The kits are EXTREMELY well priced, and each one comes in 90 (or more) different colors. For example, the dainty dots is in 180 different colors - each of the 90 colors with white dots AND with black dots. How thoughtful is that? Back to how useful these things are! You download the file (they're zipped so it doesn't take forever to download) and they have everything separated out by color family. Then you just print what you need in whatever size you need it. I've printed these as large as a full 8.5x11 sheet, and as small as a 2x3 mat. It's always clear and gorgeous. You can print with any printer (well, you do probably need a color printer) and I use my favorite (good quality at a good price) cardstock to print on. I like to use the Georgia Pacific brand. You can get it at Walmart for like $6 -- for 150 sheets.

Let me just add, I bought some Funky Fairy designs before I ever dreamed of being on their design team. I loved this stuff before, and I would have still loved it even if I wasn't lucky enough to be chosen for the team. So please, do me a favor, go check them out here. And if you're someone who really wants to try it and touch it before you pay for it, check out the inspiration blog here - there are a few kits available for free. They even have a FunkyFairy challenge blog here where you can use any stamp, any paper, any embies (as long as you fit the challenge parameters) as long as you use one of their designs (a mat or background, or anything). There are also some cool digital stamp type things that are part of some of the sets. Just go check it out so I will shut up about it, ok?

Okay, now for the rest of the details on the card. I inked all the edges with a blue fluid chalk ink pad. I used copics to color and used some flowersoft to do the flowers in the basket. I popped the big stars up with different heights of pop dots - so it looks way cool in person. My husband actually walked in and said, "hey, that's a pretty cool card." Which, believe me, is high praise from him!

enjoy (and think SUMMER thoughts)