Patriotic Birdies!

Is it just me or do we all feel a bit more patriotic as we get closer to July 4th? And I think that red white and blue together are lovely colors. 

I believe its a good idea when you can, to be deliberate in your stamping, by that I mean having a reason for everything you put in your card or creation. I chose the scalloped circle nestabilities and put the white ringed with red in that order because it reminds me of the bunting you see draped on country farmhouses on the porch railings. I chose the Martha Stewart flower punch because bright colorful flowers are part of summer, but they also slightly mimic fireworks, so I added the bright red microbeads to the blue and white flowers for centers. The red gingham reminds of of summer picnic cloths, the white vintage die cut in the corner, the gingerbread you find on older homes. The light blue panel that backs everything up on the kraft represents the blue sky you want to appear when you have a picnic. 

Even knowing I wanted to use this set in a patriotic card, I was still a bit puzzled for layout, but Clear Dollar Stamps is having a guest designer contest right now and they posted a layout that looked like fun to try, this is very loosely based on that layout. You can see the details for the contest and layout here. I liked the divide in the middle, so I could have my red checked background AND include blue! The corner of my card bent a little, it was a windy day and while I thought I'd utilize natural light to take my photo, it blew over! Thanks for looking.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Pretty Perches, Stampin' Up! Dad's Day (BG on blue panel)

Cardstock: SU Kraft, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, PTI Poppy, Neenah Solar white, red gingham check DP from Hobby Lobby

Ink: SU Green Galore, Glorious Green, Close to Cocoa, white craft, Pacific Point, PTI Poppy, Versamark dazzle pad

Other: Martha Stewart punch, red microbeads, white lacy sticker, Cuttlebug vintage die cut, Azure blue glitter, blue rivet, white button . . . I think that's all