Good morning, everyone! I've got some more inspiration for you today, using some of the great new products available for FREE in the Sale-a-Bration brochure. Remember, during Sale-a-Bration, now through the end of March, you receive a FREE set or product bundle from the SAB brochure with every $50 order you place -- NO LIMIT! And there are some great products available this year. My cards today feature the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper and Quick Accents Bundle, the Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon and Button Bundle, and the So Happy for You and Punch Bunch Stamp Sets -- all FREE with a qualifying purchase! Click on the SAB Brochure below to view it as a PDF file. If, send me an e-mail with your mailing address and I'll pop one in the mail to you today! Click HERE for a printable download of all the $14.95 and under catalog sets that you can also receive FREE during Sale-a-Bration.
This first card uses a cardbase of Old Olive, layered with Peach Parfait and Daffodil Delight. The DSP is torn on the bottom to add more texture and interest. I used the Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon and the flowers are Ice Cream Parlor Buttons, applied (with Crystal Effects) over one of the Quick Accents for a stem. A stamped sentiment and butterfly, from the So Happy For You stamp set, make quick work for this happy little card!
Now here is the card that I'm really excited to share with you today. It uses the fabulous technique called Imbedded Embossing that I recently learned from my Upline (thanks, Judi!). It's so quick and fun to do and I think the texture looks like counted cross stitch embroidery. It's definitely a WOW trick to keep up your sleeve.
I began with a Card Base of Old Olive and layered with Melon Mambo and Ice Cream Parlor DSP. The smaller mat is Old Olive with Melon Mambo layered on top. I stamped the flowers from the Punch Bunch Stamp Set on Whisper White (using markers to color in the images on the rubber), punched them out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and then adhered that to a Scallop Circle Punchie of Old Olive. Snail it all to the Melon Membo Layer and then run the entire thing (yes, both punch shapes and the Melon Mambo Mat) through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. WOW -- the texture is amazing. 
(click on any image to view it larger and really see the detail). It looks the entire thing is one piece ... hense the "embedded" part of the title. I can't remember how many hundreds or thousands of pounds of pressure the Big Shot uses as you roll things through it (I know I've heard that little fact 
somewhere but I evidently deleated it from my brain cells) but it smashes all those layers together so tightly that they appear to be printed on the cardstock. I tied this off with a bit of 5/8" Old Olive Satin Ribbon that that is all I needed to do for this card. Well, I did do a bit of stamping on the inside, you know me!
I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit today. I hope I've inspired you with some ideas to use your FREE Sale-a-Bration products! If you need help placing an order, let me know. I will be glad to assist you. Or you can order from Stampin' Up! 24-7 by clicking on my little shopping mouse in the right side-bar.
I do hope you'll come back soon. I guarantee more ideas and inspiration will be waiting for you! Until then ...
Love, love, LOVE that inlaid embossing technique! FABULOUS cards as always!
Posted by: Christyne | January 28, 2011 at 07:01 AM
Thanks for your tutorial. I was using tombow and the glue would kind of make the whole thing sticky around the edges. I never thought of snail, I igured the whole piece needed to be glued down. Will try this, I love the look of the embedded embossing. Deb
Posted by: Deb Hagberg | January 28, 2011 at 07:22 AM
I love your new blog banner!
Posted by: Jackie | January 28, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Gretchen, love your new blog banner. So bright & cheerful.Your cards are great. TFS Barb Nesplic
Posted by: Barb Nesplic | January 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM
I just love your stuff. I was an art teacher for years, seen a lot of art in my time, and your work just pleases me so. Thanks, M
Posted by: Marianna Gyger | January 28, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Gretchen I've not been around for a few weeks (so much sad news in my world - cancer everywhere), but I see you updated your blog banner....... LOVE IT! AND I love all your past projects that I did not comment on, but peeked at from time to time. So many beautiful things and most I'll be trying myself so thanks for the tuts. TFS
Posted by: diane oliver | January 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Ooh, that's pretty. I've been wanting to try this technique.
Posted by: Terry Schultz | January 28, 2011 at 01:09 PM
WOW That Embedded technique if Fab!! Love your Blog and information I always learn something from you on a daily basis Keep up the good work Blessings to you & Yours Mary Ellen
Posted by: Mary Ellen Cope | January 28, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Gretchen, your a genius! I'm off to try this myself now. Thanks!
Posted by: Donna O | January 28, 2011 at 08:18 PM
I love.your card it sure does give a wow factor to the card I like that it looks like cross-stitch
Posted by: kathy | January 29, 2011 at 09:33 AM
What a beautiful card and cool embossing. I just joined in getting your updates and I can say they have been the best and so much fun! You have a gift! hugs from MD
Posted by: Bette | January 29, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Awesome projects! Love using the buttons as flowers! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Rhonda L | February 03, 2011 at 01:37 AM