Graduation already?!

It's seems a little crazy, but school has already been out here for a few days.  It actually didn't snow much around here, so we got out the earliest we have in years around here....not that it mattered to me - I'm on maternity leave!

Anyway, I made a graduation card for one of our friends who graduated with his master's degree in theology. 

I saw this idea in our Stampin' Success magazine - mine's not as pretty...and I changed up the colors, but it wasn't too terribly difficult to make!

Instructions

1. Trace and cut the following from Basic Black Card Stock: one top piece and two bottom pieces.
2. Emboss one bottom piece using the Big Shot and the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Adhere the left, bottom, and right sides of the embossed card stock to the matching Basic Black piece to create a pocket for the gift card.
3. Stamp the "I'm so Proud of You" greeting in Concord Crush ink on the Whisper White Card Stock (2-1/8" x 7/8").
4. Punch the edges of the Crushed Curry Card Stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Adhere a 2-1/8" portion of the punched piece to the bottom of the Whisper White greeting and secure both pieces to the top of the bottom piece.
5. Punch more of the Crushed Curry Card Stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Cut it down to four 4" pieces and adhere them to the bottom of the Basic Black cap so that only the edge is showing. (Optional: cut an additional top piece and adhere it to the back of the top to help secure theCrushed Curry edges.)
6. Cut a 5-1/2" x 1/2" strip of Whisper White Card Stock. Stamp "Congratulations" on the card stock in Concord Crush ink. Adhere the strip to the cap as shown on the card and trim the excess card stock.
7. Cut a 3-1/4" x 1/8" strip of Concord Crush Card Stock. Adhere the strip to the cap and trim the excess card stock.
8. Attach the top of the hat to the bottom of the hat using a Black Glimmer Brad.