Because Of The Brave, We Celebrate!

Hello friends! It's officially summer and it sure feels like it here in Texas!! Our first summer holiday is next week, and I thought it was a great time to pull out Honey Bee Stamps' awesome Big Pickup: Americana Add-on and use it with our much loved Big Pickup Tailgate stamps and dies!  This is just one of several awesome products in the Sunkissed Summer release that is perfect for celebrating our heroes!

First I stamped the Big Pickup Tailgate stamp and a few images from the Big Pickup: Americana Add-on set with Intense Black ink onto 80# Neenah. I also stamped the most adorable dog that is in the Loads of Fall Add-on. I colored the images with Copic markers. Here is a list of the markers I used:

• Truck: R59, R46, R35
• Blues: B39, B37, B26, B16
• Dog: E55, E23, E53, E51, E50
• Grays: C9, C7, C5, C3, C1, C00; N9, N8, N7

When I finished coloring, I die cut all of the images with the coordinating dies.  I forgot to stamp the license plate and chose the sentiment "blessed" from the Tailgate stamp set.  I think it's perfect because I feel blessed to be born in our great country!

To make the shaped card base, I cut a sheet of 80# Neenah to 5" x 9". I scored it at 4-½". Then I placed the Big Pickup: Tailgate die onto the folded card with the top edge just off of the folded edge. I ran it through my die cutting machine. Then I glued the colored Big Pickup: Tailgate to the card.

To make the multi-colored fireworks with the stamp from the Americana Add-on I placed white cardstock into my MISTI. Then I used a blue and red watercolor marker to color directly onto the stamp. After stamping it down, I repeated the steps several times to get the coverage I liked. Then I swiped a clear sparkle pen over the stamp to add a bit of sparkle. I repeated this a few times until I was happy with it. I know the photos don't show the sparkle, but it is there, I promise!

I used glue and foam dots to adhere all of the elements to the truck. Then I used a white gel pen to add detailing to the tires and tail lights.

Next I stamped a sentiment from the Because of The Brave stamp set with red ink and cut it out with the coordinating die. I glued this on the inside of the card.

I added a few gems from the Americana Gem stickers for a bit more sparkle!

I love the Big Pickup series and this new Americana Add-on is just fantastic!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a wonderful and crafty day!

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