Pure Gumption and Epic Day Graduation Card

NOTE: You can make this card in the class on 5/17. RSVP ASAP. Thanks!

This graduation card has a lot happening. First, is the message and the graduation cap, from the stamp set Pure Gumption. Next, the background. Hexagons are hot right now. And maps seem perfect for graduation cards since the graduate is just starting out on life's adventures. I know the map is kind of hard to see in the pictures, but it's there as part of the Epic Day DSP background.

I made two variations. There's not a lot of difference, but I thought I'd show you both so you can see.

Here's the inside of the card. I used the stamp sets, Congrats, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and Pure Gumption.

Graduation Tri-fold Shutter Card

Here is the card I made for my daughter's graduation.  Yes, we gave it to her last week when she graduated.  It just didn't make it to the blog until now.

I chose to make a trifold shutter card because I think they make a very special card and I definitely wanted something extra special for such a big event.

Here is the front of the card.  I made a punch art gown and mortar board.  I tried to copy her graduation attire, but I left off one medal just because I couldn't get it to fit right.

 This card uses lots of retired items, mostly because her school colors are blue and gold.  When Stampin' Up! had the color renovation a few years ago, I hoarded Brilliant Blue because it is a perfect match.

The mortar board is just a square tilted to the side.  I cut the tassel out of card stock and attached it with a retired brad.   The purple cord was made with retired twine which I colored Elegant Eggplant with my Stampin' Write marker.  My hands were very purple afterwards!  I used one of the circles on the Owl Punch to punch the medal from Brushed Gold card stock.

Here are views of the card standing up and open (one from the front and then a top view):

Here's the card open and lying flat so you can see all the panels.  The stamps are from Word Play (retired - "Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams" is perfect for graduation cards),  Designer Typeset Photopolymer (the graduation year - "2013"), Teeny Tiny Wishes ("Happy Graduation" on the bottom of the right panel) and Pure Gumption (all the rest).  The Designer Series Paper is Razzleberry Lemonade (retired).  The right panel is blank to allow for a personal message and signing.

 Here's what a Tri-fold shutter card looks like if instead of opening it according to the cuts and folds you just open it like a regular card (basically fold back the front panel).   You don't really open it this way, but if you decide to try to make one, this view might be helpful in letting you know that everything is laying right.

 I hope you've enjoyed seeing this card.  I spent a lot of time on it and poured a lot of love into it.

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!