Hello dear blog followers! I want to thank you for the many e-mails and expressions of concern that I've received from you during my little "blog sabbatical" these past several weeks. Following the end of Stamping 411, I just needed to give myself a little time and space to regroup. What have I discovered in my time away? I've discovered how much I miss stamping and sharing my creations with others. And I've discovered how much I appreciate this online community which has become such an important part of my life over the past years. And so, after some time to think and some honest soul searching, I'm back and I hope to be sharing many creations and conversations with you in the future.
And I'm beginning with this gorgeous (at least I think so) card that I created for a recent "Over the Top" Christmas SWAP! Can you believe that I made 36 of these? I wouldn't recommend it (mainly because each of those little lacy die cut pieces needed to be poked out individually). But it was fun to create something really special to share.
I began by creating the "music" with the Music Notes Standard Wheel. I stamped with Early Espresso Ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock. I then punched out the circles with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch, layered that on a 2" circle of Eary Espresso Cardstock and then attached it to the Large Delicate Doilies Sizzlet Die Cut out of the Champaign Glitter Paper (wow, is that paper gorgeous).
The Card Base is Cherry Cobbler with a layer of Early Espresso and another of Pretty in Pink. The Pretty in Pink layer is embossed with the Big Shot and the Northern Flurry Folder. The sentiment is from the Rejoicing with You stamp set.
The bird is punched using the Bird Builder punch and Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I inked the edges heavily
with Early Espresso ink to add some contrast and definition and added a Basic Pearl Eye. The double bow is tied with Cherry Cobbler Seam Tape Ribbon.
Again, thank you so much for hanging in there with me. I do hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!
O M Gosh! Your card is gorgeous. Welcome back!
Posted by: Jane Giggy | October 06, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Welcome back, we have missed you. :-)
Posted by: Gladys | October 06, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Nice to see you back Gretchen. Love this card it's gorgeous and I love that little poem.
Posted by: Penny Hanuszak | October 06, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Welcome back. You've been missed! Thanks for sharing this special card with us. Can't imagine poking out the little bits from 36 doilies...but it was worth it. :-)
Posted by: Doris | October 06, 2012 at 05:12 PM
Really missed your beautiful creations. Glad you are back. Love this card.
Posted by: Gmcmillan | October 06, 2012 at 07:36 PM
This is great news!!! What a rich, happy card, too! :)
Posted by: Celia Cawthon | October 06, 2012 at 08:36 PM
So glad that you are back. I checked your blog everyday and couldn't find out what had happened. So happy that you decided to continue. God bless.
Posted by: Edna Rhea | October 06, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Welcome back. Hope your time off gave you time to rest and do a few other things. I need a few days off from stamping also every once in a while. Got bless you for punching each of those little pieces from the lacy die . I just finished doing it to about 10 and that was it for the night. Pretty card. Edna
Posted by: Edna Burgess | October 06, 2012 at 08:49 PM
A little R&R is good for everyone. I for one, am excited and glad to see your beautiful art once more. This is so very pretty and the picture almost looks to me like a bauble where the music is stamped on the white. Love it.
Posted by: Judy Sander | October 06, 2012 at 10:27 PM
nice to have you back missed your lovely designs
Posted by: alison | October 07, 2012 at 01:15 AM
Gorgeous card, love your designs and colour combinations. Welcome back :) as a new subscriber I am delighted that you have decided to return as I discovered your site just as you started your r&r, but your fab cards on your site have kept me going.
Posted by: Annie | October 07, 2012 at 03:57 AM
Beautiful card! You are such an inspiration! I'm so glad you're back!
Posted by: SueB | October 07, 2012 at 07:56 AM
Welcome back Gretchen! The online community of stampers is not complete without you! I always love your beautiful creations. You are VERY talented! Heartfelt Hugs!
Posted by: Kim Smith | October 07, 2012 at 08:30 AM
I've missed your beautiful cards....and your words. Thanks. Chris in CO
Posted by: Chris in CO | October 07, 2012 at 10:19 AM
GLAD YOU ARE BACK...I CHECKED EVERY DAY WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN
Posted by: JUDY in PA | October 07, 2012 at 12:29 PM
So glad you are back. Been checking like a junkie everyday!!!!!
Posted by: tamiko | October 07, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Beautiful card, wonderful colors....TFS!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | October 07, 2012 at 10:53 PM
I'm so glad you're back because I love, love your stuff. And I love to CASE your stuff because it is just too beautiful not to.
So, with that in mind, I hope you don't mind if I CASE this beautiful card too.
Please keep up the beautiful work.
Posted by: Bea Redd | October 08, 2012 at 04:00 PM
So glad you are back! I missed your beautiful cards
Posted by: Clara Bender | October 08, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Gretchen welcome back. LOVE your card... the music with the bird is just PERFECT accent. hugs
Posted by: Diane Oliver | October 09, 2012 at 10:47 AM
so glad you have returned. Love your cards, heres to many more great creations in the future
Posted by: Susan | October 11, 2012 at 09:46 AM
So glad you are back. I'm glad you took time for self reflection tho. We tend to forget how important that is. Love this beautiful card. And like several before me said-I plan to CASE it! Thanks for sharing your lovely creations.
Posted by: Martha L. | October 11, 2012 at 01:31 PM