Chalkboard Graduation Card (LNS Challenge 221)

The Late Night Stampers Challenge this week is to create a celebration card: 

This week we want you to create a card, scrapbook page, 3D item, or anything else you can think.  For instance: Graduation is coming up so make a graduation card/ gift card holder/ scrapbook page.

I chose graduation since I have a daughter graduating this year.

I've been wanting to try the Chalkboard technique for a while and decided graduating from school, where they use chalkboards, was a good start.  Most of the stamps are from Pure Gumption.  The banner and numbers for the year are from Designer Typeset.  It's the first time I've used the new photopolymer stamps from Stampin' Up!   Turns out I like them.  They are much better than the acrylic stamps I tried years ago.  You can see some cute samples that I re-posted from the Stampin' Up! blog here.  The stamp inside the banner (congrats GRAD) is from Blue Ribbon.

I made the chalkboard frame by dry embossing the card front with my Big Shot and the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  Then I used my SU! Paper Trimmer* to cut out the inside rectangle.  That way the chalkboard is actually framed (as opposed to just taping it on top).  I love using the Paper Trimmer for tasks like this because I can use the built in ruler to see exactly where to put down and lift up my blade.  Plus, it gives me much more control than a craft knife (with which I can never cut straight).

Thanks for stopping by my blog to check out my take on this week's challenge.  You can see the rest of the design team samples and link your own entry at the Late Night Stampers Challenge site.  Hope you'll play along.

*Features of the SU! Paper Trimmer:

A cutting and scoring tool made with crafters in mind!

· Cutting and scoring.  Cut anywhere, in any direction.  Full 12" cut or score.
Keep scoring and cutting blades on the track at the same time.

Includes:
1 cutting blade and 1 scoring blade.
· Measuring. Extended 6-1/4" base. Extend ruler to 15-1/2".
· Storing. Compartment under base to store blades, scoring stylus, more!