Hello everyone! Takin' It To the Top Tuesday is back in 2010, this week with three lovely cards using the new I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and the gorgeous Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers, both from the Occasions Mini Catalogwhich begins TODAY! The colors are Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. In addition to the I {Heart} Hearts Stamp set, I used Well Scripted for the sentiment. I also used the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslet Die (which cuts and embosses at the same time) and the big Shot, along with the Full Heart Punch and the Heart to Heart Punch (wow, that's a lot of hearts). The ribbon is 1/4" Pretty in Pink Grosgrain. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this card. It's wonderful and complete all by itself. But let's see what happens when we step-it-up a bit by adding a few additional layers and embellishments.
Here is version two of the Takin' It To the Top card. It's the same basic card, just with a few extras added. On this version, I rounded all the corners with the Corner Rounding Punch. I added the luxurious and beautiful 5/8" Satin Ribbon in Pretty in Pink and tied on a faux bow. And I 
added an extra layer of Pretty In Pink cardstock around the edge of the focal mat with the sentiment stamped on it. You can also see the little bit of stamping that I did on the inside of each card peeking out on this one.
Okay, let's Take it to the Top! On this final card, again, the changes are very subtle. I added yet an additional layer, making the Card base Pretty in Pink. I added some piercing in top and bottom 
diagonal corners. I added a real bow this time and topped it with one of the new Real Red Corduroy Jumbo Brads. Subtle changes, yes, but just enough to let the recipient of this card know that you cared enough to put on those little "extra" touches to make it truly special!
That's it for today! As you probably know by now, the Occasions Mini Catalog is now available for orders and Sale-a-Bration has begun, which means that for every $50 in product that you order, you will receive a FREE gift from the Sale-a-Bration catalog, which includes some of the lesser-priced stamp sets from the regular Idea Book and Catalog! Take a look HERE and let me know if I can assist you in ordering anything!
Also available now are new Inspiration in Action Samplers from the Occasions Mini Catalog -- you can purchase DSP samples, ribbon samples and samples of some of the most exciting new embellishments from the occasions Mini catalog. Click HERE for more information!
This is a great feature. What a way to help people take their work from good to WOW! Thank you for continuing to inspire so many of us.
Posted by: Pat Huntoon | January 05, 2010 at 09:15 AM
Love these cards. It's great inspiration for my clients to see all they can be with just a few extra touches.
Thank you. Claudette
Posted by: Claudette Filiputti | January 05, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Gretchen,
Absolutely love these cards - will be casing them for sure - your blog is great for inspiration!
Posted by: Dawn | January 05, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Beautiful job, as always, Gretchen! I love what you did with the embosslit heart to give it a border - just adds so much to it! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Tammy Mendiola | January 05, 2010 at 10:39 PM
This final card is a Wowser! Thanks for posting.
Posted by: PaperPotter | January 07, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Gretchen- I just love your work- I tried out your clouds technique with the template and really like doing that- each one is a little different. The "heart" cards are awesome. Barbara Phillips
Posted by: Barbara Phillips | January 07, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Really cute samples! Love the DP you used and the way you scattered the hearts. Very creative.
Posted by: Kit Marie | January 15, 2010 at 10:10 AM