Independance Day Step Card

I'm sharing an Independence day card with you today....
Two weeks ago I was searching for a suitable balloon die for the new baby cards I will be selling soon. (all will be revealed lol), While searching I found a die set from Sizzix designed by Stephanie Barnard, I watched a youtube video to find out more

I bought this set which arrived last Thursday. There are 23 dies in the set. In comparison with buying just one balloon die I really have found myself a bargain. In the set are the main dies for creating the base and an L shaped layering piece for the front, then 3 different sized balloon dies and three shadows for them. also 3 different tails for the balloons, There are also 3 dies to cut patterns in the balloons and a die which cuts a tiny row of balloons too. The words "Happy, Birthday, For, You" and their shadows complete the set, such a versatile collection of dies.
So the first make with this set had to be a card for my American friends who will celebrate Independence day on July 4th

Stars stripes and plain scrapbooking papers were used to die cut the balloons and other pieces after cutting the main piece from plain white card, 

a star punch was used for the star embellishments and my Sizzix Alphabet Framelits set was used to cut the letters and numbers. The card came together very easily, I am very happy with the results

I am entering this card into some challenges as follows...

Crafty Creations: Red White and /or Blue #292
Pile It On: Flag Colours #75
Creative Craft Cottage: Spots or Stripes #42
Craftin Desert Diva's: Red White & Blue

Magic Window Card

 I love it when I find a shape or technique which I have never tried before. This week I found a magic window card, I found inspiration for this card from You-Tube. After Googling it I realised that some folk called it a shutter card too! I knew this interactive card would be just right for the encouragement card I needed to make for friends who are going through some painful health problems.

I followed a tutorial HERE at first without embellishing it to just make the card and learn how the shutter part worked, but it was a bit small at 4"x4"so I made it again to measure 6 x 4, a size I felt happier with.

I love the way this magic circle (or shutter) card works ...as the card is opened the shutter inside opens to reveal the "Thinking or You" message, it reminds me of a camera lens shutter in slow motion, . I found it hard to stop playing with it LOL! The "think bubble" was made using a die from an X-Cut speech bubble set which looks a bit like a cloud, I cut it from a piece of card then cut around it to make a frame around the aperture. I used tiny flower and scalloped oval punches for the bubbles!

The dark blue and green colour combo is one of my favourites especially when the green is somewhere between sage and lime!
I had a dotty theme going on inside with the scrapbooking papers and embossing folders I used, all the papers were from K&Company "Hopscotch" 6x6 scrapbooking paper pad.

This was also a good opportunity to use the fabulous Owl Builder punch from Stampin' Up, I love this cute little owl it's fab for using up the scraps of card and papers which I cant bear to throw away! I used tiny black sticky flat back pearls to complete the eyes, are these owls cute or what? they always make me smile LOL
I also used the Stampin' Up embosslets butterfly folder which die cuts and embosses 5 different butterflies at the same time, such a useful thing to have! I layered the butterflies and used flat back gems to complete them. The bellyband (first picture) uses the Stampin Up framelits labels collection and the matching pricking template.

The "We Are",   "Thinking of You"  "& Praying" were all computer generated. I didn't want the card to become too fussy and lose the simple message that "We Are Thinking of You & Praying" so I didn't add any more embellishments.

I find it hard to see family and friends go through stuff, I wanna wave my magic wand and make it all better and easier for them. but I don't have one!!! I do have something far far better though.....My faith in God! and the power of prayer! and the hope that brings.

I'm entering this card into some card making challenges...
Get Creative: "Butterflies"
Creatalicious: "Butterflies"
Dragonfly Journeys: "What's the word, Bird"
Crafty Hazelnuts: "Patterned Papers"
AAA Cards: "Woodlands + Something New

Cards Galore: "Anything Goes"

Craft Your Passion: "Anything Goes"
Sisters of Craft: "Anything Goes"

I think I have ticked all those boxes! I have butterflies, birds, the woodlands is an owl and the something new is the magic circle card itself, I have used patterned papers and yes anything goes!

here's hoping for a win! but have to say i had mega fun wth this one.

thanks for dropping by, I love  to see who has visited so please leave comments, God bless you and all you set your crafty hands to do! xx