As promised, I'm back this afternoon with some WOW projects made with the new Stampin' Up! Big Shot Die Cut Machine and exclusive Dies! This great little machine will be available for you to purchase beginning Tuesday, September 2nd. Click here to see a seven-minute video about the Big Shot and all it can do! All of today's projects use the Top Note Bigz Die, one of the exclusive Stampin' Up! Dies that come with your Big Shot when you purchase either the Special Edition Starter Kit or the Special Edition Starter Kit with Bag. Did you know that the Big Shot can cut through more than 50 different materials like they are butter? Click here for more information and enjoy this preview -- there is so much more to come!
Isn't this darling? The picture frame and the child! This is my daughter on her first birthday. She's going on nine now so this has been a few years ago but it's still one of my favorite photos of her. Oh for those sweet baby days! I made this photo frame using the Small On Board Books Basic Chipboard, the fabulous Bella Rose Designer Series Papers, A Rose is a Rose stamp set, some of our fabulous ribbons and the Big Shot and Top Note Bigz Die. I attached the designer papers to the chipboard, using a Anywhere Glue Stick. I centered the Chipboard piece (dimensions are 5 x 7 1/2") upside down on the Die and ran it through the Big Shot Machine (it's really effortless, even when using this thick chipboard). I sponged the inside and outside edges with Pretty in Pink Ink. Stamped and cut out the Rose images using Regal Rose, Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery and Kiwi Kiss inks and applied them with SNAIL and Dimensionals. I added ribbons and ... Voila! 
I attached a thin piece of cardboard to the back with Sticky Strip around the edges (the top is left open to insert your photo). And then made a little stand out of a scrap of chipboard. You can see this in the picture here. And that's it! I definitely think it's a keeper ... the frame and the child!
Well, after I made the frame I had this wonderful chipboard cut-out of the Top Note Shape and knew that I needed to do something with it, so I made this card. The card base is Riding Hood Red with a layer of Whisper White on the inside and outside. I cut out a bunch of flower and leaf shapes using scraps of Bella Rose DSP and cardstock and several of the Sizzlets dies that you can purchase to go with your Big Shot. I inked the edges of everything and just started layering shapes on the card. When I had it the way I wanted it, I added some buttons and half-back pearls from the Pretties Kit using Mini Glue Dots and stamped the sentiment from Elegant Cheer, in Black Stazon ink. Oh, I did add some of the fabulous new Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon as well! What do you think?
I have one last card for you today. A very fast and easy one again using the Top Note Bigz Die. This has a base of Mellow Moss with a layer of Almost Amethyst. I wheeled Almost Amethyst ink over the top using the So Swirly Jumbo Wheel. I folded a piece of White Cardstock in half and positioned the cardstock on the Big Note die so that I wouldn't cut out the top edge. This makes a lovely shaped folded card. I sponged the inside and outside edges with Mellow Moss Ink and attached to the card base, adding a length of 1/4" Mellow Moss Grosgrain ribbon and tying a bow. Next, using the exclusive to Stampin' Up! Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip Die (it comes in the Bundle), I cut it out once with Almost Amethyst and again with Mellow Moss cardstocks. I cut apart the words and applied them to the card with SNAIL adhesive. Now that's a fast and easy card and isn't it cute and unusual.
I hope you've enjoyed this look at a tiny bit of what you can do with the Big Shot Die Cut Machine and the fabulous, exclusive Stampin' Up! dies. Check back often for more inspiration!
Blessings, Gretchen
OK, Gretchen, now you're making me kick myself for not getting this die next!!!!!!!! AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, I'm already broke. LOL!!!! OK, it WILL be the next die I get. What beautiful projects!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lori Stilger | August 31, 2008 at 06:42 PM
You are amazing, Gretchen! I just love all your samples.. they are sooo inspiring!!
Posted by: Joyce Persenaire | August 31, 2008 at 07:04 PM
checking out your blog....found out it is your daughter! She is PRECIOUS! Great site. I am going to bookmark it and check back for ideas!
Posted by: Pattie | August 31, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Ohhh.. I forgot to add.. your daughter is a darling baby angel! :)
Posted by: Joyce Persenaire | August 31, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Absolutely Fabulous, Gretchen. You've got it goin' on girl! TFS!
Posted by: Robin Merriman | August 31, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Sorry Gretchen, I want to steal your daughter. She is such a cutie. Well if she in nine now she MAY have grown just a tad. LOL! Anyway, I just love family photos. They bring such a smile to your face. Great Job. Keep it coming.
Posted by: Paula Kay | August 31, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Gretchen - I love the idea of using the negative to make a picture frame. How smart is that!
Posted by: Linda McClain | August 31, 2008 at 10:01 PM
These are absolutely gorgeous! I especially love the frame - brilliant!
Posted by: Andrea Walford | August 31, 2008 at 10:17 PM
This is just adorable! I love what you did with this die. I must say I have BS envy. Since I purchased it, I haven't really played with mine. Thanks for sharing and your daughter is just adorable.
Posted by: Charlotte B | August 31, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Honestly Gretchen, you are so very talented. I plan to play with the Big Shot more this week. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jen F | August 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Such a beautiful baby girl! Love your top note frame, it's stunning!
Posted by: Sharon | September 01, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Hi Gretchen, your daughter is a cutie pie and I love that frame and those cards, what an awesome and inspiring blog you have! Enjoy your day!
Lisa Davis
Posted by: Lisa Davis | September 01, 2008 at 07:57 AM
That is one beautiful child! And the frame ain't bad either. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Carolyn Mustopa | September 01, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Gretchen, your projects are amazing! That frame is gorgeous and so is your daughter!
Posted by: kathleenh | September 01, 2008 at 09:55 PM
What a beautiful picture frame (and beautiful daughter, too)! I can't believe this die is on backorder!! I need it. Thanks for inspiring us all.
Posted by: Michelle M | September 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM
What a doll baby your daughter is! I just found your blog and love your work. Thanks for sharing. Crystal N
Posted by: Crystal N | September 03, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I came accross your blog not that long ago, and it has become one of my favorites. I am hooked on blogs!! I just love your projects. Maria
Posted by: Maria Getz | September 03, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Great idea with the frame and your daughter is adorable. Thanks for sharing all the cards with DSP lately. I've been looking forward to them each day.
Posted by: Kathy | September 05, 2008 at 05:48 AM
I absolutely love your Top Note frame!!! Your daughter is just adorable too! You were my inspiration for this Thanksgiving frame I made for my Mom. http://lwdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/11/top-note-harvest-frame.html She just loved it. Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic project!
Posted by: Lynn | November 28, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I love your color combinations!
Posted by: Robyn Correa | December 14, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I absolutely love the frame and card project! What a little cutie pie daughter too!!! They really do grow up too quickly. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Wanda Williams | January 25, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I don't know what is more adorable the frame or your precious daughter. I really enjoy your site, thank you for all your inspiration.
Posted by: Janet K moore | February 04, 2009 at 11:55 PM
While going through your archives I came across this precious card whereupon sat a sweet angel, what a delight. Had to tell you I love your work, and this little card and girl kissed my heart. Cudos. Jo
Posted by: Jo Witney | January 29, 2010 at 06:15 PM