4th of July Sampler & matching card

Happy 4th of July!!!

I've got some fun 4th of July projects for you today as we celebrate 246 years of independence in America!

I was inspired by a fellow Stampin' UP! demonstrator, Michelle Haney, to create a 4th of July sampler frame using some retired products and lots of fun and new products from the 2022-2023 Annual Catalog by Stampin' UP!. This was perfect for a birthday gift that I plan on giving to my dear friend for her milestone 4th of July birthday!

I will share her sampler project as soon as she gives me the "okay".

As I worked on putting together my own, I chose to work on a different set of colors to make it bright and sparkly: Poppy Parade (red), Pacific Point (blue), Basic White and white glimmer paper. 

I wish you could see this frame in person because this picture does not do it any justice! There's lots of sparkle throughout as I tried to incorporate the white glimmer paper and rhinestones. I do LOVE the finished product and am so excited to gift it to my friend!

Frame Making Tips

• The frame itself is from the Celebrate Today Magnet Board Kit, which is  12"x12".
• The Poppy Parade squares measure 3-1/2".
• The Pacific Point squares measure 3-1/4".
• The Basic White squares measure 3-1/8". 
• In order to place your squares evenly on the frame, use an erasable marker to mark 3/4" margin around the frame-base as a guide. Place the 4 outside corner pieces first, then the 4 outside-edge pieces, then the center piece last.   

Here's a closer look at each piece:

Top Left
Striped paper from Sun Prints DSP (3" x 2-1/8"), 
sentiment from Cottage Rose stamp set.
Heart was punch out using Heart Punch Pack.

Top Middle
Stamp the cork image from
Bottled Happiness stamp set onto back
of Specialty Cork Paper (retired) then cut out.
"Bottle" is filled with Effervescent Elements.

Top Right
Swirly Stars cut from White Glimmer Paper 
using the Stitched Stars dies (retired).
Poppy Parade strips are 1/4" x 3-1/8".
"USA" from Alphabest Bundle.

Middle Left
Background uses Painted Texture embossing folder.
Bear image from Happier Than Happy bundle and
stamped using Crumb Cake ink.
candle from Sentiment Silhouette dies.
"July 4" from Alphabest bundle.

Center
White Glimmer Paper square - 3"x3".
White Glimmer Paper banner and
White stitched square is cut using Stylish Shapes dies.
Sentiment uses the Alphabest Bundle.

Middle Right
Background uses Merry Melody embossing folder.
Stitched circle is from Stylish Shapes dies.
White Glimmer Paper shapes and sentiment
from Charming Sentiments Bundle.

Bottom Left
Background uses Rays of Light Stamp.
White Glimmer Paper stars from 
Stitched Stars dies (retired).
Sentiment from Charming Sentiments Bundle.

Bottom Center
This uses the Cheerful Basket Bundle and the
Charming Sentiments Bundle. 
Hearts were colored using Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.

Bottom Right
 The stitched square uses the Stylish Shapes dies.
The stitching was cut out from square.
Flower image is from Bottled Happiness stamp set.
Sentiment is from Alphabest stamp set.

Frame making Supplies

Other than a couple of the retired products and the basic tools and adhesive, below is a list of supplies I used for this project.

40th Birthday Card

I couldn't make the framed sampler without making my friend a matching birthday card and just had to CASE fellow Stampin' UP! demonstrator, Tammy Wilson, for this fun and festive card. She has an AMAZING talent for layers and design! You can view her creation, here.

Below is my version of the same card:

Considering the time it took me to create the sampler frame, it felt like this card came together pretty quickly! I wish I would've distressed the paper like Tammy did in her card but I believe it still looks cute, don't you think?!

Card Making Tips:

• The card base is an A2 size from Thick Basic White Cardstock.
• The background piece measures 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" and was embossed using the Timeworn Type embossing folder.
• The Sun Prints DSP piece measures 3-3/4" x 5".
• Use Shimmery White paper that measures 3-3/4" x 5" to blend some Pacific Point ink in the center using a Blending Brush. I followed Tammy's instructions on the background.
• The Glimmer white pieces except for the swirl is from the Sentiment Silhouettes dies. The swirl is leftover from the top right piece of the framed sampler.
• The Poppy Parade twine is retired from the 2022 Jan-June Mini Catalog.
• The clear epoxy dot embellishments are retired from the 2022 Jan-June Mini Catalog.

Card Making Supplies:

All other current supplies except for basic tools that were used are listed below.

Thank you so much for joining me today and I do hope that you enjoy your 4th of July holiday with some extra time to do some crafting!!!

Feel free to share with me your comments and thoughts on today's projects in the section below along with what you do to celebrate the 4th!

Until next time ...