Simple DIY 4th of July cards are an easy way to let loved ones know that you’re thinking about them for the upcoming holiday.
I’ve created 10 patriotic-themed easy DIY card designs that are perfect for the 4th of July. In addition to sending cards just because you’re thinking of your family and friends, I love these patriotic themes for other card designs, such as invitations for birthday parties, bridal showers, and even weddings. There are so many ways that you can use these greeting card ideas for lots of different occasions.
If you’ve spent any amount of time on my blog, you know that I love to create craft tutorials on a budget. I strive to create handmade card designs that you can put together with basic crafting supplies. You don’t need any fancy or expensive tools for the greeting cards in this post. Most likely you already own many of the supplies you need and can buy anything else in a single trip to Michaels.
I wrote an entire post dedicated to basic greeting card supplies and tools. In that post, I cover my resources for many supplies that I used to create these cards, such as card stock, wrinkle-free paper glue, and my paper trimmer. In the next couple of paragraphs, I cover the specific stamp sets that I used to make my 4th of July cards. I link a few other specific products within the post.
4th of July stamps
The only “happy 4th of July” stamp that I use in this card collection is from the Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday set, which includes lots of holidays and a few assorted detail stamps. If you make a lot of greeting cards, you’ll find yourself reaching for these stamps over and over again. I love the variety in this set, and the quality is so good.
The fireworks stamps that I used are from the Arrietty different types of fireworks clear stamps set. I am so impressed with the quality of this stamp set. It’s one of the best that I own. I love the variety in the fireworks as well.
For both of these clear-mount stamp sets, you’ll need acrylic blocks. They’re a solid investment for anyone who is serious about greeting card making, as most clear stamps sets are higher quality than commercially-produced, wood-mounted rubber stamps.
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Tiny star punch
The other special supply that I used for my homemade 4th of July greeting cards is a 1/4 inch star punch. It actually comes in a set with a 1/4 heart punch. I know that it seems like a niche crafting item. But I have used these punches for so many handmade cards, including graduation cards, and other DIY projects. You’ll find yourself reaching for them often.
I’ve created a number of free printable components to help you recreate the patriotic greeting card designs as quickly and easily as possible. I include these resources with each card design.
I’ve created all of these homemade 4th of July cards in A2 size, as it’s an ideal size for both designs and messages. All of my card resources are formatted for A2 size. If you’re interested in templates for additional card sizes, please let me know! I’m happy to create them for you.
Happy crafting and happy 4th of July!
The Star-Spangled Banner
I made a single-page version of The Star-Spangled Banner vintage sheet music that I offer in my patriotic hymns sheet music collection (the original is split over two pages) and sized it for an A2 card. Then I layered it on a dark blue background and added white rick rack borders and tiny red and blue star detail. You can easily customize this concept with any patriotic sheet music.
[Vintage The Star-Spangled Banner sheet music A2 size]
Large layered star with America the Beautiful background
I layered five stars in various patriotic cardstock and scrapbook papers on a slightly modified version of the America the Beautiful vintage sheet music, another selection from my patriotic hymns sheet music collection. The largest star that I used is just a little bit larger than an A2 size card. I trimmed the edges slightly.
[Vintage America the Beautiful sheet music A2 size]
Happy 4th of July with flag borders
I created a large “happy 4th of July!” message that I printed on red cardstock and layered on dark blue cardstock. I finished the design with patriotic washi tape borders and tiny white star detail.
[Large Happy 4th of July! A2 size]
Where to purchase washi tape
I purchased the patriotic washi tape from GoatGirlMH on Etsy. She has a fantastic washi tape collection and provides fast shipping and excellent customer service. I also love BBBsuppliesCRAFTSHOP on Etsy for washi tape.
Happy 4th of July with patriotic stars
I used a “happy 4th of July” stamp in dark blue ink on pale blue cardstock, which I foam-mounted on red cardstock. Then I punched red, white, and blue stars in three different sizes – small, medium (similar), and large – and arranged them all on a dark blue cardstock background.
Land of the Free Home of the Brave
I created a large “land of the free home of the brave” message, which I printed on cream cardstock and layered on a dark blue background. I used a star scrapbook paper from Chevron Lemon’s 4th of July digital paper pack for the larger card background.
[Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave A2 size]
Scrapbook flag
I created a patriotic flag design with seven red stripes in four different scrapbook papers. All of the paper strips are 1/2″ wide. The long strips are just over 5 1/4″ long. The short strips are just under 3 3/4″ long. I used dark blue cardstock for the rectangle in the upper lefthand corner, which measures 1 1/2″ wide and just under 1 3/4″ tall. The widest part of the white star is just under 1 1/2″ across. Glue one component at a time and allow each one to dry fully before moving on to the next one to avoid having the card warp.
Happy 4th of July with firecracker candles
I’ve never gotten over the birthday card design I created with real candles and wanted to make a similar greeting card for the 4th of July with red and blue striped candles to look like firecrackers. I used a red polka dot scrapbook paper for the background. Then I added a custom “happy 4th of July!” message under the firecracker candles on dark blue cardstock. As the candles are heavier than most greeting card components, I recommend using a generous amount of tacky glue to secure them in place.
[Small Happy 4th of July! A2 size]
Let freedom ring with vintage patriotic sheet music background
I used a vintage patriotic sheet music selection from my royalty-free patriotic sheet music covers and songs collection for the background. I sized the sheet music specifically for an A2 size card and am including it in the download below. Then I created custom “let freedom ring” text, which I layered on textured tan cardstock and foam-mounted to the sheet music background.
[Vintage Patriotic Sheet Music and Let Freedom Ring A2 Size]
Celebrate with fireworks
I used eight different fireworks stamps from the fireworks stamps set linked at the beginning of the post in red, blue, and purple inks. There are so many ways you can have fun playing with color for this design. Allow each firework stamp to dry fully before moving on to the next one to avoid having the ink smear.
Then I printed a custom “celebrate!” on vellum to keep as much focus as possible on the colorful fireworks. You can use tiny dots of glue or small strips of double-sided tape to secure your vellum.
Light up the night with fireworks
The cityscape washi tape is what really brought this “light up the night” greeting card design together. I purchased mine from GoatGirlMH on Etsy, but I’ve seen it available from additional shops if she’s currently sold out. I lined up the washi tape carefully along the bottom of the card. Then I stamped three fireworks in red, blue, and purple from the fireworks stamps set that I linked at the beginning of the post. I finished the card with a custom “light up the night,” which I printed on vellum.
[Disclaimer: There are a few affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support!]
Did you make one or more of the 4th of July cards in this post?
I want to see your greeting cards! Tag your images #RoseClearfield on Instagram or Twitter or post a photo to my Facebook page.
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