Live Out Loud!

Saturday my sister celebrated her 50th birthday and during this last year she has had several major changes in her life. It is like she was once a caterpillar and now she has now finally turned into a butterfly. And while it isn't my place to discuss her life, I have to comment a little because the way she is now grabbing life with both hands has inspired me to make this card for her.
My card is called Live Out Loud. And that is certainly what she is doing now and I love it!!

It is a bit difficult to get a good photo through acetate.

To begin I pulled out my most favorite scrapping tool....my Ultimate Tool and I also pulled out the Ultimate Advanced Construction Techniques DVD. If I am ever stumped on what to make, I just get out this DVD and I am always inspired to make something wonderful.  I know I say this all the time but honestly it is really the truth!!

I used a red piece of patterned paper for my example.

This time I decided to make a simple Stepper card. I started with a pieced of yellow card stock that measured 6" x 9". I got out my boxer board and put it on my Ultimate Tool. (You do not have to use the Ultimate tool or a Boxer board to make a Stepper card but it certainly makes it quick and easy when you do)

This shows the mountain and valley folds.

I worked on the inches side of the Boxer board. On the Ultimate Tool, the true measurements run down the handle side of the board so you will want to butt the short side of the paper against the handle side. Then you will score the paper at 2", 4", 5 1/2", 7" and finally at 8".

You should score on the patterned side of your paper and fold over and then back. This stretches the paper so that your paper doesn't tear along your score lines. You will then fold the card back and forth into mountains and valleys.

I colored an image of Lottie, Humphrey's sister in bright bold colors with my Spectrum Noir markers. These bold colors remind me of the bold life my sister is now living. After coloring the Humphrey's Corner - Birthday Girl stamp, I fussy cut the image out.  (perfect stamp - right?!)

I used some double sided adhesive squares to adhere the image to the middle "mountain".  I was so lucky to find in my stash a piece of printed acetate that was perfect for this project. It had a perfectly sized, perfectly printed circular sentiment. Don't you just love when a plan comes together?! lol

After I trimmed it a tiny bit, I used double sided tape to adhere it to the back of the tallest mountain fold. Then I pulled it over my image and adhered it the same way to the front of the card. I pulled out some complimentary patterned paper and after cutting it to fit, I adhered it over the front and back panels to hide where I attached the acetate.

All that was left to do to finish was to add some decorative ribbon tape and a flower. What do you think?? Do you like it as much as I do?? I sure hope you do and I hope she likes it too.

Are you guys ready for the 4th of July holiday tomorrow (US folks obviously)?  I am taking my kids to the parade in the morning, having a holiday cookout at our house with some swimming in the pool and then going to see fireworks at night.  I can't wait and neither can my children!!   They love spending the 4th of July in Oklahoma.   What are your plans for tomorrow??  Want to share?

Have a safe and happy holiday!!