Tag Archives: Flag Day

Happy Flag Day Greetings

Carta Bella God Bless America Greeting Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Happy Flag Day Greetings with Carta Bella God Bless America

Hello, Friends!  Happy Flag Day to all my American followers.  This is the day when Americans celebrate the Stars & Stripes.  I was thinking about this yesterday morning, and decided to pop in the studio to make a quick card to share with all of you today.

Flag Day and My Childhood

Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in rural Vermont, Flag Day was a true holiday. Everyone flew the flag in one way or another.

Since our elementary school didn’t start summer recess until the last week of June, we were still in class.  If Flag Day fell on a week day, we observed it with some lovely traditions.

Preparations were made well in advance of the day.  We made American Flags from red, white and blue construction paper. We learned about Betsy Ross, and knew that we celebrated Flag Day because the Stars and Stripes became our official national flag on June 14, 1777.  The meaning behind the colors was always reviewed (red for courage, blue for vigilance and justice, and white for purity.) 

We practiced “bringing in the colors” with small American flags on sticks.  Some lucky child was picked to lead the rest of the class in the Pledge of Allegiance.  And we always sang our favorite patriotic songs like the chorus to  You’re a Grand Old Flag, This is My Country, There Are Many Flags of Many Lands, God Bless America, and My Country ‘Tis of Thee,   The grand finale was always The Star Spangled Banner.  We knew all the verses, and we sang them all, too!

The portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln smiled down on our enthusiastic renditions of these tunes, our little hearts swelled with pride in our nation, and we all felt like one big happy family.

I miss those days.  How about you?  Every nation should have a day that celebrates their country’s colors and history in such a meaningful way.

About the Card

This is a simple layered 5 1/2″ square top fold card.  Here’s how it came together:

  • Begin with a 5 1/2″ x 11″ panel of navy cardstock. Score it in half at 5 1/2″ to make a to fold card base.
  • Next, center a 5 1/4″ square panel of white cardstock over the navy blue and adhere.
  • Now mat a 4 7/8″ square of the blue floral paper on a slighlty larger square of navy blue.
  • Then mat this on a 5 1/8″ square of red cardstock.
  • Now mat a 2 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ panel of the plaid paper on navy blue cardstock and adhere on the left hand side of the card.
  • Next, mat the 3″ x 4″ image on slightly larger pieces of navy blue and red cardstock.  Center and adhere as seen in the photo.
  • Next, adhere banner flags from the ephemera pack under a pinwheel and attach to the image.
  • Finally add a bow and flowers in the corner.  Tuck glitter stars in between the flowers to finish.
A Peek Inside

Here’s a peek at the inside.  I almost printed out the words to the Pledge of Allegiance and added them on the top.  But then I thought a sentiment panel was a better idea.

Thanks for letting me share my childhood memories of Flag Day with you today.  I’d love to hear about yours in the comment section below.

Happy Flag Day, my friends!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio and Video Tour

Just in time for Summer: Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio and Video Tour

Hello, Friends!  And Happy Memorial Day to all my US friends!  This holiday weekend is the official kick off for summer here in the states.  We enjoy parades, picnics and family fun. It’s also a day when we honor those who gave their lives in the service of our country.  As a young girl, our family always visited the local cemetery to decorate the graves of those who served in the military.  It’s a somber day, but also a day when we celebrate the freedom that was won for us with great sacrifice.  So it’s the perfect day to share this Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio and video tour with you.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 1

To make this folio, I first created two 5″ x 7″ side fold card bases from kraft cardstock.  Then I overlapped the cards to create a trifold base.  Next, I scored the base at 4.5″, 5.5″ 10.5″ and 11.5″ to create a trifold folio with two 1″ spines.  This gives you lots of room to add pockets, mini folios, and waterfall features.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 2

Decorate the album with stickers, Petaloo flowers, die cut stars, ribbon and scrabble tiles.  To add extra texture, machine stitch around the perimeter of each page.

A Peek Inside

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 3

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 4Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 5

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 6

Create a decorative belly band for photo mounts by wrapping them with a 1″ strip of patterned paper, gluing together on the back side.  Then cut an image from a 3″ x 4″ journal card and glue to the front of the belly band.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 7

A large center pocket holds two mini 3.25″ x 4.25″ fold out folios.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 9Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 10Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 11

The small pocket on the inside can hold a gift card or other small memorabilia.

How to make a Waterfall Feature

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 12A waterfall feature is a great way to mount loads of photos in a small space.  Here’s how I made the waterfall feature for this Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio:

  1.  Begin by cutting five 4″ x 5″ rectangles from patterned paper.
  2. Then score 1/2″ from the left on the long side of each rectangle.  This forms the flap for your waterfall feature.
  3. Use a corner punch to shape the edges, if desired.
  4. Crease the score lines.
  5. Add glue or adhesive to the back side of the first rectangle and line up along the top edge of the panel.  Glue in place.
  6. Continue adding panels, lining each flap up so that it is flush with the previous rectangle.  Do not overlap, just line up.
  7. Add a decorative cover to the waterfall feature, if desired.  I mounted mine on waste chipboard to add a little extra dimension.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 13

In this photo you can see how each flap lines up.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 14And here is a side view.

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Heroic by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 15This is a project that you can easily complete in an afternoon.  To help you get an idea of the flow of the album, I prepared a short 5 minute video tour.  Enjoy!

Authentique Heroic Patriotic Folio Video Tour on YouTube

Be sure to stop by the Authentique Blog today as we are doing a group share of projects made with this beautiful Heroic collection.  I know you’ll be inspired!

I’d like to wish you all a very safe and healthy Memorial Day. And I’d also like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the service men and women who keep our country free.  You are appreciated more than words can say!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List & Product Links

Please note:  I have provided product links when possible, but some items have been in my stash for a long time, and may no longer be available online.  Feel free to substitute when necessary.

Authentique Heroic 12×12 Collection Kit

Heroic 6×6 Pad

Petaloo Botanica Chantilly Mixed Blooms, White

Blue Baby Botanica Mixed Blooms

Red Botanica Chantilly Mixed Blooms

1.5″ Silky Crush Ribbon, Red

Patriotic Plaid Ribbon

My Favorite Things Die-namics Stitched Star Die

Scrabble Tiles (U, S, A)

Tim Holtz Idea-Ology metal embellishment from my stash

2 Sheets of 8.5″ x 11 Kraft Cardstock

Red and Blue Cardstock for Matting