I'm baaaack! and a Patriotic theme Paper a la Mode challenge at The Outlawz this week

Hello, my crafty friends!

Things are starting to settle down a bit so I'm back with a new card for you. I have been making some new ones today because I have almost run out of the ones I made in the last large batch 3 weeks ago. I made a card to celebrate Independence Day for a card swap. I paper pieced the American flag and let me tell you, it was quite a challemge! I really liked the way it turned out and I have no idea who ended up receiving it but I hope that whoever did enjoyed it. It took several attempts to get the pattern the way I wanted it and by the time I got all of the pieces cut (and there were a BUNCH of them, it was pulling my hair out!! As I told some of my Outlawz teamies, I try very hard not to curse but I slipped up several times while I was making this card. It is my sample card in the Paper a la Mode challenge this week, where the theme is Patriotic, in keeping with our 4th of July celebrations, but anybody can play along as long as they celebrate patriotism for whatever country they reside in. It doesn't have to be American patriotism and our neighbors to the north celebrated Canada Day on Friday so we're hoping to see a variety of projects from around the globe.

Here is my first sample card for my new design team! I was so excited to be able to contribute something I was really proud of, even if it did cause me some major grief in its making. All the little stars were made using a corner punch that has a star on it and the stripes were just sketched to look like the flag is flying in the wind.

Even though thetow sections which comprise the flag are relatively flat, I was able to use foam pop dots to make them appear more 3-dimensional. The stars behind the flag were dry embossed using a Cuttlebug border folder. All of the solid color cardstock is from Recollections and the patterned paper on the inside is from DCWV's All About Boys stack. I thought it worked perfectly for this card.  The frame is gold glitter cardstock, from DCWV's Mariposa Cardstock stack. The red glitter letters/numbers as well as the blue letters are cardstock stickers that I bought at Hobby Lobby. Even though I wish I had made 2 of these while I was at it (so I could keep one), I don't think I will ever attempt this pattern again unless I have a lot more time to mess with it.

So there you have it. If you enjoy great challenges with awesome prizes, come join us at The Outlawz. There is a different challenge each day of the week so there should be something that appeals to you no matter what part of paper crafting you enjoy most. Happy July 4th if you live in the U.S.; otherwise, have a wonderful week!  Until next time...

Happy crafting!
Anniebee