Category Archives: 4th of July

Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal

Carta Bella God Bless America Patriotic Celebration Kit by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal with Carta Bella God Bless America

Hello, Friends!  Memorial Day seems like the perfect date to share this Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal.  Happy Memorial Day, my friends!  How thankful I am for all the selfless men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.  Today we pause to remember them all, and then we enjoy the liberty they fought for as we gather with our friends, neighbors and families to celebrate the Red, White and Blue!

God Bless America!

I’ve been planning this kit since the end of December 2020!  The minute I saw Carta Bella’s God Bless America collection, I  knew I wanted to use it to help usher in Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July.  If you love the Red, White and Blue…as I do…and you are a fan of Vintage Americana, then I think you are going to love this kit.  It’s one of the best I’ve created thus far for Button Farm Club.  It’s got a little bit of everything in it: Mini Album, Home Decor, Memory Keeping and even a couple of cards and tags.

The anchor of this kit is this vibrant 6″ x 9″ mini album.  It’s not just a great place to keep all those wonderful family photos from summer fun; it doubles as home décor!  The dimensional cover features this fabulous vintage fire engine, handmade rosettes and handmade mini pinwheels.  And of course, the tutorial shows you how easy it is to make those handmade embellishments.

But just like a great fireworks display, this album has some unexpected delights.

Red, White and Blue Banner

I thought to myself…”How fun would it be to build a box pocket mini album with a red, white and blue banner tucked inside?”  So I did it!  And I ‘m so glad I did!

The mini album also has loads of room for photos and journaling thanks to a flip page/pocket/waterfall feature.

The Exploding Box

Every great 4th of July celebration includes fireworks.  So I build an exploding box mini album into this kit.

Thanks to all the flips and flaps inside this clever little box, you’ll find even more room to add photos of your family celebrations.

Patriotic Cards

Even after creating all these wonderful kit elements, I found enough paper to create a couple of beautiful patriotic cards.  So I added a special bonus tutorial showing you how to make them along with a set of sweet little red, white and blue tags.

When you put this whole ensemble on display together , it makes a real visual impact.  I have it on display in my studio right now, and I just love it!

What Comes in the Kit

Everything you need to make the items seen here comes in your kit.  Just add basic crafting supplies like adhesives and tools like scissors, paper trimmers, and scoreboard.  (If you decide to make the bonus cards, you will need to add 2 sheets of 8 ½” x 11” cream cardstock to the kit supplies. )

Kit supplies:

  • Carta Bella God Bless America 12×12 Collection Kit (comes with stickers) 12 sheets of double-sided textured cardstock
  • 2 additional sheets of God Bless America cardstock
  • God Bless America Solids: 6 sheets of color-matched textured cardstock
  • Frames and Tags Ephemera Pack
  • God Bless America Ephemera Pack
  • Enameled Patriotic Charms (2 per kit)
  • 2 yards Red Lipstick Ribbon
  • 1 yard each red, white and blue burlap string
  • 12×12 chipboard sheet for making the album base
  • Little Birdie Flowers
  • Basic Written Guide
  • Private Links to Video Tutorials that you can watch over and over again
How to Order

The price for the kit is only $49.49!  I can’t even believe that!  You can order your kit today at The Button Farm Club.

If you’d like to see this kit in action, please enjoy this 10 minute video tour.

Ok, my friends!  That’s it for me!  I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day, and take a moment to give thanks for the fact that we live in the Home of the Free because of the Brave!

God Bless America!

Cheerio,

kathy

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket Card by Kathy Clement for Really Reasonable Ribbon Photo 01

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  Today I’m breaking out the red, white & blue with this Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket.  I’m not sure where this year has gone to, but it’s almost summer!  Yikes!  That means it’s time to get some Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day projects rolled out.  Thankfully, Really Reasonable Ribbon has a huge supply of Patriotic Ribbons!

A personal favorite is the Patriotic Plaid featured in this fun little Pinwheel Pocket card.  It ties such pretty bows, looks great as a border, and leftover pieces can be tucked in as a fishtail banner behind a rosette.

Patriotic Pinwheels and Tags

I can’t remember the last time I made a pinwheel, but it’s been a while.  Paper drinking straws are less than satisfactory in a beverage….but they make a great stem on a pinwheel!  Is your straw the wrong color?  No problem!  Dress it up with Flag Grosgrain Ribbon as I did here.

Grosgrain ribbon makes a great border, too!  The tiny blue stars grosgrain ribbon has sold out in the RRR shop.  But no worries!  You can sub in the Tiny Red Stars Grosgrain in the border and tag streamers.  Stick with the Poppy Red Checkerboard Satin that I used, or add a pop of blue with Electric Blue Diamond Satin Ribbon instead.

Any way you combine colors, red, white and blue always looks amazing!

A Peek inside

Did I forget to mention that this card opens?  Add a flap and pocket feature inside the card to take it to the next level.

There is plenty of room to journal on the back side of the flap, and room to add a nice sized photo, too.  The ephemera border is easily transformed into a pocket when you only place adhesive on 3 sides.  That gives you room to fold a 6″ x 4″ journal card and tuck it in.  You could even add a little ice cream gift card here.  Because let’s face it, friends…a cone in the summertime is about as all-American as it gets!

I hope I’ve shared some fun ideas that you can use as you make your own red, white and blue projects.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section.  To comment, click on the “REPLIES” button right below the title at the top of this page. 

You’ll find a linked supply list below the signature.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

 

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

 

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Celebrating the 4th of July with Authentique Paper

Hello, Friends!   Let’s  celebrate the 4th of July with a card salute to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!   All this week the Authentique design team is sharing inspirational  Independence Day and Summer themed projects over on the Authentique Paper Blog.  I’m getting the party started with a festive Liberty Pop-Up Shaker Card.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue

  • First, create a 5″ x 7″ top fold card base from red cardstock.
  • Next, cut a background from a 4 7/8″ x 6 7/8″ panel of blue designer paper.
  • Then cut a 4 7/8″ x 2 1/2″ belly band from the stars/text panel.
  • Now stitch around the perimeter of these panels if desired.

Authentique Liberty Pop Up Shaker Card by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design PHoto 01

  • Cut (2) 2″ x 6″ fishtail banners from complementary patterns and adhere to the left hand side of the background panel.
  • Now fussy cut around the edge of the 3×4 flag image and mat on red cardstock.  Adhere in the center of the card.
Star Spangled Shaker Element

Now create the star shaker element.

  • Use a nested star die to cut 2 (3 3/4″) stars from patterned paper. Set one star aside to form the back of the shaker element.
  • Place a smaller nested die in the center of the other star and die cut to create a frame.
  • Now cut the large star a third time using clear cardstock.
  • Adhere the clear cardstock to the back of the star frame.
  • Then add 3 layers of 1/8″ foam strips to the back side of the frame.
  • Next fill the frame with your shaker elements.  Adhere the die cut star to foam tape and press in place to seal.
  • Die cut several more small stars from red and blue metallic paper.  Use these to embellish the card.
  • Finally add flowers, ribbon, buttons and letter tiles.
Stand and Salute the Flag

Create a fun pop-up scene inside the card.  You can find a tutorial for making this style of  pop up card HERE.

Decorate with more die cut stars, fussy cut elements and stickers from the paper collection.  There’s even a fun little flip down sentiment panel located at the bottom of the card.

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

My Daddy raised me to love this wonderful country and to respect its flag.  I can still see him standing with his hand over his heart any time the flag passed by.  He and my uncles served during WWII and my grandfathers and great uncles served during WWI.  Two of my brothers served in the military; one in the demilitarized zone in South Korea and the other did two tours of duty in Vietnam.  My niece served in the National Guard and supported the troops in Afghanistan.

Independence Day reminds me to be grateful for all the sacrifices that have been made so that I can enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Our history is not perfect.  No nation’s is.  But America keeps moving toward the lofty goals set forth by our Founding Fathers…and that is something to celebrate!

I wish you all a blessed, safe and Happy 4th of July!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

 

Authentique July Desk Calendar Tutorial

Authentique July Desk Calendar Tutorial

Hello, Friends!  It hardly seems possible, but it’s time to share my Authentique July Desk Calendar Tutorial with you.  This year is really flying by, isn’t it?   If you’re new to the blog, I’ve been sharing a monthly desk calendar made with the Authentique Calendar Collection.  These 6×6 easel style calendars double as a mini folio to hold photos and memories from each month of the year.  Many of you have told me that your are giving these as birthday cards.  I think that is a brilliant idea!

The easel design of each calendar allows it to fold flat for storage.  My hope is that you will pull these out year after year, perhaps adding a new photo or memory as time goes by.

This month I’ve added lots of stars, glitter clothespins and patriotic plaid ribbon to enhance the gorgeous vintage images and patterns.

You’ll find all the usual bells and whistles inside the folio: a July calendar for recording special dates, wallet sized folios, photo  mounts, journaling spots and a nifty hidden pocket folio.

Authentique July Desk Calendar Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

This larger folio has a pull out tab and room for (3) 5×5 photos.

Authentique July Desk Calendar Tutorial on YouTube

If you’d like to make this July calendar project, just follow along in this video tutorial.

If you are new to the series and want to get caught up, you can find the other Desk Calendar Tutorials HERE.   You can also find other calendar projects made by my Authentique teammates over on the Authentique blog.  To purchase the products used in  making this calendar, check out the linked supply list below this post.

I hope you enjoy making these sweet calendars as much as I enjoy designing them.  We only have 5 more to make!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01
Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial for the Authentique 4th of July Group Post

Hello, Friends!  If you live in the US, let me wish you a very Happy 4th of July!  To help everyone celebrate this patriotic holiday, the Authentique Paper Design team is hosting a group post loaded with red, white and blue project inspiration.  My contribution is this quick and easy to make Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial.  It’s the same style and size as the Authentique Confection Waterfall Mini I shared with you all in June.  So if you’ve been wanting to whip one of these cute albums up, today is your lucky day!

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 02

The album measures 6 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ with a 1 1/2″ spine.  I’ve wrapped it with Authentique Spectrum Old Glory cardstock and decorated it with the Liberty 12×12 collection.  Since I share all the details in the video below, I’ll just share photos for you to enjoy here.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial: The Spine

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 03

To create this festive spine, follow these steps:

  • Punch a hole in the center of the spine, about 1/2″ from the top edge.
  • Fold an 18″ length of 3/8″ wide ribbon in half.  Pull the fold through the hole, then pull the ribbon tails through that loop.  Adjust, then tie a bow.
  • Attach a vintage safety pin under the center of the bow.
  • String charms on jump rings, then slide onto the safety pin.  Close.
  • Place a Tim Holtz Remnant Rub onto the face of the white plaque before attaching to the pin.
Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial: A Peek Inside

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 04

Double waterfalls are secured with 3/8″ ribbon.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 05

Each waterfall measures 43/4″ square.  Cut Spectrum Tricycle Red and Old Glory Cardstock to 5 1/4″ x 4 3/4″.  Score a 1/2″ flap on each panel. The liner sheets are 4 1/2″ square.  This way, you can add a 4″ x 4″ photo and still have a pretty paper border.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 06

Create flaps with the 3″ x 4″ images from the collection.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 07

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 08

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 10

The bottom layer of each waterfall is a double pocket with little ATC tag inserts.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 10

Cover Graphic 45 ATC Laser Cut Banner Tags with designer paper quickly by die cutting the liners with the G45 ATC Die.

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial and Project Share on YouTube

If you’d like to see more of what’s inside the album and learn how to create it, please enjoy this YouTube video.

 

Our Family 4th of July

Independence Day is one of our family’s favorite holidays.  We all gather together for a cookout, a swim, potato salad, watermelon, games and lots of laughs.  When dusk falls, we go to a nearby park to enjoy a fireworks display.  We’ve followed this tradition for decades, and we all agree, it’s one we want to continue to observe.

We are so very thankful for those who served, suffered and sacrificed so that we can celebrate and live in freedom.  God Bless You, and God Bless the USA!

Wishing you all my fellow Americans a safe, happy and healthy 4th of July!  For all the rest of you who live outside the US…thanks for your friendship!  I appreciate you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Authentique Liberty Waterfall Mini Tutorial Supply List