Celebrate Freedom

Happy 4th of July!!!  While it's nice to have a day off in the middle of the work week, today is about more than just that and fun in the sun.  I wanted to make sure I remember that I live in a country where I am blessed with many freedoms and privileges.  We are not a country without problems and shortcomings, but I feel lucky to be able to celebrate Independence Day in the United States of America.  And today I have a card showcasing my patriotic pride!

I'm here to tell you about Tickled Pink Stamps' sponsorship of Fab 'n' Funky.  Appropriately enough their challenge is "Stars and Stripes" (#128).  I do have striped designer paper and a die cut star on my creation, but what I loved was this designer paper I found at Joann that had the words stars and stripes printed all across it!  It was perfect for this card!  

The TPS digi image I selected for my card is Party Pinkette Coraline.  She is colored with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers.  I paper pieced her balloon with the striped paper as well as using it for the star.  The star and ribbon banner dies are both from Spellbinders.  That fabulous rhinestone flourish is a Michaels Recollections embellishment and it reminded me of fireworks so I added it to the card.  The sketch I followed is a fairly CAS one over at Sentimental Sundays.  It was a bonus part of the "Be Patriotic" (#109) challenge this week. 

 Be sure to stop by the Tickled Pink Stamps blog to see what the other {PINK} ladies have dreamed up for this challenge.  Not everyone is celebrating July 4th so it's fabulous to see their creative interpretations of the theme!

I will be attending a cook out at my parents' house with the small man today.  We didn't make it to see any fireworks displays this year (with the exception of the illegal ones someone in the neighborhood lights off at all hours of the night!) but we'll enjoy our holiday just the same.  It's probably for the best considering I'm the girl who managed to burn her finger on a fairly innocuous sparkler one year!  lol

Thanks for visiting and hope you have a spectacular day no matter what country's colors you hold dear!

I'd also like to enter this card into the following challenges:
- Celebrate the Occasion: #69-4th of July 
- Die Cuttin' Divas: #72-Red, White, and Blue plus add a patriotic symbol (star)
- Party Time Tuesdays: #75-Be Patriotic and Show Your Country's Colors (USA=Red, White, and Blue)
- Incy Wincy Designs: Patriotism- Use only colors or items from your country (USA=Red, White, and Blue)
- Love To Create: #22-Stars and Stripes 
- Made Especially For You: Independence Day + bling
- My Craft Spot: #62-4th of July & Canada Day 
-  Paper Playtime: #78-Die Cuts with Red, White, and Blue as main colors
- Tammy's Scrappin Corner: #17-Celebrations/4th of July
- Creative Inspirations Paint: Inspired by Independence Day 
- Gingerloft Challenge: #43-Red, White, and Blue 
- 2 Sisters: #98-Red, White, and Blue with optional glitter/bling 
- Just Us Girls: #143-Wild Card-Use Stars and Sparkle 
- Bloggers: Celebrate the 4th
- Card Makin Mamas: #48-Color Challenge-Red, White, and Blue 
- Our Craft Lounge: #123-Let Freedom Ring 

- Pattie's Creations: #47-Color Theme-Red, White, and Blue
- Simply Create Too: #16-Country Where You Live
- Stampin with the Dragon: Red, White, and Blue
- Sweet 'n Sassy: #60-Stars and Stripes

{hugs}
Regan