Wednesday, May 13, 2009

God Bless America



Sorry so long without any updates! Busy time of year, huh? I've had two of these three cards in partial stages of completion since the end of last week and finally got them finished last night. They all use the powerful new patriotic sets released earlier this month by Our Daily Bread Designs.

For this first one, I've (once again) turned to a vintage look. I can't help it - I just love how well these sets look with a little aging and distressing! The eagle is from the set In God We Trust, and the sentiment is from God Bless America. I stamped in Versafine Onyx black onto watercolor paper, clear embossed, and then colored with a water brush and reinkers.


For this next one, I went with a more vibrant variation of the red, white and blue color scheme, which is easy to achieve with the fantastic patriotic papers available in the ODBD store.



The gorgeous, lifelike image of the American flag is watercolored with a water brush and reinkers. After it dried, I colored in the stars with a white gel pen. I trimmed down the image a little bit to show a little more of the background paper.


Last, I wanted to show how these sets aren't limited to patriotic colors. (Well that and I just couldn't wait to break into my new Wisteria paper pack by Basic Grey, which just arrived yesterday - LOL!)



The oval on top of a Top Note diecut is one of my go-to arrangements - love the way it looks! I accented with some paper pleating, which I almost entirely covered up (oh well!) and a flower and flourish combo. Easy!

Thanks for stopping by!

By the way, I usually post a My Favorite Things project on Wednesdays to go along with the weekly What's Up Wednesday feature. Since I took so many days off, I'm a little behind, so My What's Up Wednesday is probably going to be a What's Up Thursday ;) Which is a good thing, because I can't wait to incorporate some of Susan's tips for working with buttons! She has shared some great ideas in this week's How'd They Do That tutorial. Be sure to check it out!



God Bless America:
Stamps: In God We Trust and God Bless America (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: SU Ivory Naturals and Night of Navy card stock, Canson watercolor paper, red and white dps are Creative Imaginations (same sheet, red with stars on one side and white with red grid on the other); blue star print unknown (but I just got it at Michael's or JoAnn's a week or two ago, so it's current)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen and Vintage Photo; SU So Saffron, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand and River Rock
Accessories: water brush, 1/4" circle punch, distressing tool, SU vintage brads, PTI button, May Arts burlap string, Spellbinders circle Nestabilities and double-ended tag die, sewing machine

Grand Old Flag:
Stamps: God Bless America (ODBD)
Paper: PTI white, SU Real Red, Canson watercolor paper, Masterpiece Studios dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; SU Night of Navy, Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Baroque Burgundy, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Martha Stewart flourish edge punch, paper piercer, ribbon from stash
Size: 5 1/2" square

Abraham Lincoln quote:
Stamps
: God Bless America (ODBD)
Paper: SU True Thyme, Almost Amethyst; Basic Grey Wisteria; Canson watercolor paper
Ink: SU True Thyme; Ranger Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress inks
Accessories: SU Top Note die and Pretties half-back pearl; Spellbinders oval Nestabilities; amethyst twill (unknown); sewing machine; BossKut flourish die; Martha Stewart branch and flower punch; Dew Drops; Kaiser pearls

30 comments:

Betty Wright said...

GASP! I am speechless!!! All three are GORGEOUS!!! In awe at all the beauty!!! Wonderful work, Amy!!!

Jessie/knightrone said...

These are all stunning Amy!!

Michelle Woerner said...

Oh my! Each one prettier than the last. I just love all the details in this trio of beauty. That last one took my breath away! Perfection!

Denise Marzec said...

These are all AWESOME cards, Amy. Love Love LOVE that eagle card with the hemp and cool patriotic papers.

ChristineCreations said...

The first two are so regal looking Amy! Beautifully colored too. You've been busy girl!

Kathy Jones said...

OMGOSH!!!! Amy these are all STUNNING!!!! How do you do it - 3 completely different cards and yet every card is so perfect, you are incredibly talented!!!

Barbara said...

OMGOSH, Amy!! I don't know how to express how beautiful these are!! They absolutely bring me to tears, the whole patriotic ODBD set does that to me! Your work is such an inspiration, from your coloring to your layouts. That's why I keep checking in to see what beautiful masterpieces you have created!

Melissa said...

All of these are beautiful!

Many Blessings,
M.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Wow! These are all so gorgeous Amy!! Love the layout and colors on the first!! So Chic!! The flag on your second card is so vibrant and colored so beautifully!! The elegance of the third one just blows me away!! Awesome creations again girl!!

Kim said...

Amy, these are all incredible!!! You distress and age all you want! That last one, WOWEE!!!! Gah-jous!!

Julee (Vervegirl) said...

Wow, Amy! These are all just beautiful! Amazing work!

Paula Barin said...

WOW, awesome cards.

Dawn Easton said...

Oh my word Amy, these are all fabulous! Your patriotic cards are wonderful...that red/white/blue sure pops! GREAT dp they have!

Stacy Morgan said...

Amy these are fabulous! Each one is great in a different way! Awesome cards!

Judy Rozema said...

Amy, I am just speechless -- these are so beautifully done and so unique and magnificent!!

dpkennedy said...

I have never felt the need to make patriotic cards before, but these stamps and cards you have made are just stunning! I have been seeing so many beautiful samples lately that I might just have to join in! Truly beautiful and inspiring-not just in an artful way either!

Jekka said...

WOW!!! Just absolutely breath-taking cards. I can't pick a favorite because I love them all!

BPB said...

B !!!!!!!!!
E !!!!!!!!
A !!!!!!!
U !!!!!!
T !!!!!
I !!!!
F !!!
U !!
L !

America said...

WOW!!!!! Over the TOP beauties! Im so in Love with your PATRIOTIC CARDS Amy!! You are AMAZNG!

Niki Estes said...

Absolutely stunning cards, Amy!! I love all three of them!

Conniecrafter said...

OH WOW!!!! i love when you do vintage, the first is my favorite, so striking! Wonderful colors in the second and I never would have thought to do the last one with those papers but it works out perfectly!! Just love your work!

Tosha Leyendekker said...

I know I say this a lot...but you NEVER cease to amaze me with each new creation of yours. All three are gorgeous beyond words!! Truly!! Each one is filled with fabulous details and stunning color combos! Wow!!

Lorelie Kim said...

All such BEAUTIFUL cards!! You did the sets proud!!

Kelley said...

Triply amazing, Amy!

AlienAnessa said...

I'm speechless too, just gorgeous stinkin' work, wowy!!

Angella D. Crockett said...

Holy smokes!!! These are all so incredible!!! Wow, wow, wow!!

Silke Ledlow said...

WOW - WOW - WOW!!! All three are cards are FABULOUS - Amy!!!

Janelle Stollfus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janelle Stollfus said...

Awesome tributes to our country and patriotism - Amy and ODBD! Such wonderful stamps and paper.

Thank you for all your wonderful work of arts. I just can't get enough of your style, and blog info. You rock!

God bless!

PS. After I posted I had to delete my question about the edge punch. I figured it out.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards.... what kind of flower did you use on the card w/the Abe Lincoln quote?