American Patriotism

I really LOVE Stamp Simply's new American Eagle stamp and was inspired to make another very CAS patriotic card using our new sets.  This project is straightforward and no-frills for masculine appeal (although I think the ladies might like it too), and since it has no bows or rhinestones it's flat and therefore suitable for mailing without requiring extra postage for hand canceling.    

I used small and large circle dies to cut a peek-through window through the card front and the striped designer paper so that the starry background could peek through.  If you look closely you'll notice that I used a metallic gel pen around the edges of the papers to add just a touch of sparkle.  The eagle is attached to the front of the card only by the very tips of its wings.  It was stamped with Memento ink, colored with Copic markers, and then backed with another die cut from designer paper so that it would look nice from the back side when the card is opened.

The small numbers above the eagle are from Tim Holtz's Collector's die set.    

 

I also used the metallic gel pen to go around the edges of the fishtail banner, and to add a "drop shadow" effect to the stamped sentiment.  Just that little bit of extra attention to detail really elevates the look of such a minimalist card.  

Once the card is opened, the gold pearlescent stars inside become visible.  (You can see that peek of designer paper that backs the eagle from this angle.)

I graduated from high school in 1976 which was the bicentennial of our nation's independence.  Maybe that is another reason that I love making patriotic cards so much! 

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - The American Eagle Bundle
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - The Pledge of Allegiance
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Patriotic Stars & Stripes (Old Glory)
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Fishtail Sentiment Banners
• Sizzix Thinlits Dies by Tim Holtz - Collector (1776 small numbers)
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Circles SM
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Circles LG
• Echo Park Let Freedom Ring 6x6
• Luxury Pearlescent Metallic 105# Cardstock - Gold 15 ct
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• tea dye distress ink
• faded jeans distress oxide
• gold metallic gel pen