Gretchen Barron

Beautiful Dimensional Roses

Good morning, everyone! You know what Saturday means around here -- a new sketch and challenge from the Operators at Stamping 411!

Selene always does such a great job with our weekly sketches and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this one ...

I 've been so anxious to try these beautiful dimensional roses that I saw on Julie William's blog. They are created using the new Extra Large Fancy Flower punch. Julie a fabulous tutorial and although these flowers take a little time and patience, her step-by-step directions will lead you through the whole process. Thanks, Julie, for such a great resource!

So, here's my finished card ...

I decided to do yellow roses, with tints of Regal Rose and Pumpkin Pie. I followed Julie's tutorial exactly and I'm pretty pleased with how these first roses turned out. I'm sure that the more of these you make, the better and easier they will get. I used Apricot Appeal cardstock and Regal Rose ink for the pink-toned rose and Barely Banana cardstock and Pumpkin Pie Ink for the two that are more yellow!

I sponged Apricot Appeal and Regal Rose ink onto the Swirly Bride Paper for the gorgeous resist background. The sentiment is from Well Scripted and the ribbon is 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain. I used Tombo Adhesive to make the roses and Pop Up glue Dots to adhere them to the card. I created the leaves using the Large Oval Punch. Here's a quick tutorial for that! Click on any photo to view it larger.

Take a scrap of cardstock (I used Old Olive) and fold it in half, creasing it tight with the Bone Folder. Hold the fold closest to you and position your Large Oval Punch as shown, at an angle. The larger "bite" you take out of the folded cardstock, the wider your leaf will be.

 

After punching, unfold the leaf and shape slightly with your Bone Folder. You could ink the edges or cut "notches" in the leaf to make it look even more realistic (I didn't do either of these on the ones I made). Slide and tuck the leaves under your flowers and attach with Pop Up Glue Dots.

Okay, here are the dimensions for today's card ...

1. Layer One -- Cardbase of Apricot Appeal Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5"
2. Layer Two -- Regal Rose Cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Swirly Bride Specialty Paper cut at 3.75 x 5". Using a sponge, swirl on Apricot Appeal and Regal Rose Inks and then wipe off the excess with a tissue.
4. Layer Four -- Regal Rose Cardstock cut at 2.25 x 3.25"
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 2 x 3". I stamped the sentiment in the corner using Black Stazon Ink. The ribbon is stretched across layers four and five. Roses, leaves and bow are applied in the corner, using Pop Up Glue dots to secure everything.
6. Inside of Card -- Whisper White cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25". You could do some additional stamping or sponging on the inside to dress it up a bit!

 

Don't forget to check out the Stamping 411post for this week and check out the beautiful cards that the other Operators have created. And of course, we hope you'll play along with our challenge this weekend. Just be sure to leave your name and the URL location of your creation with the Mister Linky Widget on this week's Stamping 411 Post. We're waiting to see what you create this week. And if you decide to try your hand at these beautiful roses, I definitely want to see what you make!

Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Weekend Sketch Challenge 121

Hello and good morning! The weekend is almost here and that means a new Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action!

Please note that the torn edge, shown on the sketch, can be replaced by any border punch or treatment, as you will see in my examples below.

I invite you to try your hand at this week's sketch. It's a great way to jump-start your MoJo and get you started when you don't know where to start.

Once you've had a chance to make your creation, just come back to this blog post and leave your name and the location information on the Mister Linky Widget below and we'll all be able to enjoy your creativity!

Okay ... ready for some examples to get you going?

Here's my first card using today's sketch.

Colors: Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White.

Stamp Set: A Rose is a Rose

Accessories: Brads (Earth Elements), 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots.

Tip for the Day: When tearing cardstock, you always want to tear toward yourself to get the softly feathered edge that you see in this picture!

 

I've got one more card for you today and then it's time for you to get busy with this week's sketch. This  one is all about bright, spring colors and light-hearted fun!

Colors: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Whisper White.

Marker Colors: Only Orange, Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise.

Stamp Set: Happy Moments (FREE Sale-A-Bration Set with any $50 purchase)

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder, 3/8" Gingham Ribbon.

Okay, my friends! Now it's time to see what you can do! Remember to come back and leave your information on the Mister Linky Widget below! I can't wait to see what you do!!!

  

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you'll be back soon!

Have you had a chance to check out my latest Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial for this darling Whimsical Wings Gift Box and set of Mini Cards! It's perfect for spring and for those special occasions that's we'll all soon be celebrating -- Mother's Day, Easter, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday's and just-because days!

Do you want to see what else is available to purchase on Inspiration in Action? Check out all the Tutorials and Kits that are currently available HERE!

Takin' It To the Top Tuesday with Bloomin' Beautiful!

Hello and welcome to Inspiration in Action and my Tuesday blog feature, Takin' It To the Top! Each week (well, most week's) I do three cards with the same basic layout, colors and Stamp sets and I show you how you can take your artwork from basic to beyond. It's truly amazing what a few extra layers, ink, texture and embellishments can do. So, with that said, let's Take it to the Top!

Here's the first, basic card. I've used a color scheme of Real Red, Only Orange, Glorious Green and Whisper White. I don't often use colors from the Bold Brights Color family and it's even rarer to use more than one color from that color family. But I think, because this winter keeps dragging on and has been so full of dreary days, that I am so ready for spring I'm jumping at the chance to use color ... and lots of it!

I do love the look of Only Orange and Real Red together and the Glorious Green seems like a great choice for an accent color.

I love this single stem poppy flower from the Bloomin' Beautiful stamp set. I've colored this one with inks and Blender Pens and love the way you can blend from one color to another with this technique. I used a bit of 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon and the Curly Label Punch and Curly Label Die (with the Big Shot and the Movers & Shapers Die). The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration set, Whimsical Words and was stamped with Black Stazon Ink.

Okay, let's take it up a notch ...

Here is the second, more intermediate version of today's card.

As you can see, I've added an additional layer to the cardbase, adding in some Glorious Green.

I've changed out the ribbon to 5/8" Satin in Real Red.

I added some light sponging with Real Red ink around the perimeter of the stamped floral piece.

And that's it ... a few simple changes can make quite a difference, don't you agree?

Alright, let's take it up another step ...

Here's the final version.

Look at the texture that I added using the Big Shot and the Finial Press Impressions Folder? And then to bring it out even more, I did some light sponging around the edges.

I added another two layers with the definition piece added behind the floral layers.

I framed the floral image using the Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches. See my tutorial HERE for how to easily cut squares and rectangles using these two punches together.

And look what I did to the flower? After watercoloring it, as I did for the first two cards, I painted over it with Champaign Mist Shimmer Paint and a small paint brush. It gives  it a lovely luster and shimmer in real life (you might be able to see it better by clicking on the photo to enlarge it).

So there you go. Three cards -- all using the same basic layout and materials, but adding a little bit each time to Take it to the Top!

So, how are you going to change your stamping this week to step-things-up a bit?

I can't wait to see!

 
 

I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll come back soon.

Have you had a chance to check out my latest Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial for this darling Whimsical Wings Gift Box and set of Mini Cards! It's perfect for spring and for those special occasions that's we'll all soon be celebrating -- Mother's Day, Easter, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday's and just-because days!

Do you want to see what else is available to purchase on Inspiration in Action? Check out all the Tutorials and Kits that are currently available HERE!

  

Takin' It To the Top Tuesday with Bloomin' Beautiful!

Hello and welcome to Inspiration in Action and my Tuesday blog feature, Takin' It To the Top! Each week (well, most week's) I do three cards with the same basic layout, colors and Stamp sets and I show you how you can take your artwork from basic to beyond. It's truly amazing what a few extra layers, ink, texture and embellishments can do. So, with that said, let's Take it to the Top!

Here's the first, basic card. I've used a color scheme of Real Red, Only Orange, Glorious Green and Whisper White. I don't often use colors from the Bold Brights Color family and it's even rarer to use more than one color from that color family. But I think, because this winter keeps dragging on and has been so full of dreary days, that I am so ready for spring I'm jumping at the chance to use color ... and lots of it!

I do love the look of Only Orange and Real Red together and the Glorious Green seems like a great choice for an accent color.

I love this single stem poppy flower from the Bloomin' Beautiful stamp set. I've colored this one with inks and Blender Pens and love the way you can blend from one color to another with this technique. I used a bit of 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon and the Curly Label Punch and Curly Label Die (with the Big Shot and the Movers & Shapers Die). The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration set, Whimsical Words and was stamped with Black Stazon Ink.

Okay, let's take it up a notch ...

Here is the second, more intermediate version of today's card.

As you can see, I've added an additional layer to the cardbase, adding in some Glorious Green.

I've changed out the ribbon to 5/8" Satin in Real Red.

I added some light sponging with Real Red ink around the perimeter of the stamped floral piece.

And that's it ... a few simple changes can make quite a difference, don't you agree?

Alright, let's take it up another step ...

Here's the final version.

Look at the texture that I added using the Big Shot and the Finial Press Impressions Folder? And then to bring it out even more, I did some light sponging around the edges.

I added another two layers with the definition piece added behind the floral layers.

I framed the floral image using the Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches. See my tutorial HERE for how to easily cut squares and rectangles using these two punches together.

And look what I did to the flower? After watercoloring it, as I did for the first two cards, I painted over it with Champaign Mist Shimmer Paint and a small paint brush. It gives  it a lovely luster and shimmer in real life (you might be able to see it better by clicking on the photo to enlarge it).

So there you go. Three cards -- all using the same basic layout and materials, but adding a little bit each time to Take it to the Top!

So, how are you going to change your stamping this week to step-things-up a bit?

I can't wait to see!

 
  

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge -- SSC139

Wow, is it really possible that another week has flown by already and here it is Saturday again (or soon will be, anyway)! Amazing! Also amazing is the sketch that Selene created for Stamping 411 this week.

Wow, this is is wide-open for your imagination and interpretation!

Don't forget to visit Stamping 411 to see what the other Operators have created this week and when you've had a chance to work with this sketch yourself, to leave your information so we can all enjoy your creativity!

Okay ... ready for my inspiration card this week?

Here you go ...

I've been in a Rich Razzleberry mood lately so incorporated that beautiful color into today's card as well, along with Kraft, Naturals Ivory and Chocolate Chip.

I used Inspired by Nature and Hope Happens Stamp sets. The ribbons are 3/8" Taffeta in Chocolate Chip and Kraft, tied with a bit of Natural Hemp Twine and a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button.

The sentiment is punched out with the Modern Label Punch and then mounted on the just slightly-larger Modern Label Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die and the Big Shot).

The layers, such as they are this week, are as follows:

1. Layer One -- Cardbase -- Rich Razzleberry cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded in half to form card base
2. Layer Two -- Kraft cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Naturals Ivory cut at 3.75 x 5". All the stamping was done on this layer and the ribbons wrapped around to the back and adhered with SNAIL adhesive.
4. Inside Layer -- Naturals Ivory cut at 4 x 5.25"

I colored directly on the rubber with markers -- Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry and Chocolate Chip and added a little extra grass in the background using Mellow Moss Ink. Some grass stamped on the inside finishes off this simple, yet beautiful, card!

Okay. Scurry on over to Stamping 411 for more inspiration and then get busy on your own creation.

We're waiting to see what you do this week for the Saturday Sketch Challenge!

 

Control Freaks February Blog Tour -- get ready for a great ride!

Hello everyone -- it's that time of the month! No, not THAT time of the month! Tomorrow is the 20th and that can only mean one thing -- another fabulous Control Freaks Blog Tour! This month we are featuring products and projects from the Occasions Mini Catalog. If you're already taking the tour, it must mean that you arrived from Lisa Martz's Blog! I just took a peek at her projects and ... wowzers is all I can say! If all 16 stops on this month's blog tour are like that, then you are definitely in for a great ride!

Okay, ready to take off?

I've got some great projects for you this month!

For this first project you need to get out your 1/4" Grosgrain ribbons! I went a little ribbon-happy here! But I couldn't help it. Actually the inspiration for this card was the wonderful egg stands that come in the Eggcellent Eggs Kit on page 23 of the Mini catalog. Yep, all those pastel colored pieces are actually egg stands that weren't assembled. They are wonderfully die-cut and punched for you. I simply coordinated each one with 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon and mounted them on a layer of Orchid Opulence cardstock and a Pretty in Pink Cardbase. The ribbon colors are Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal, Elegant Eggplant and Bashful Blue. I tied on a faux-bow to each strip of ribbon so they are positioned diagonally down across the card. The tag from the Eggcoutrements Stamp Set (pg. 22) was stamped with Orchid Opulence Craft Ink on Whisper White Cardstock and embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, punched out with the Small Tag Punch and Mounted on a Large Tag Punchie of Pretty in Pink. Well, I was having so much fun with the beautiful colors of ribbon that I just couldn't stop. Look what I did on the inside of the card! You can click on the image to view it larger.

Okay, on to my next project. I've had this little project in mind since I first saw the Heart Treat Cups that were so popular for Valentine's Day.

isn't this fun? And look at all the M&M's that you can pack into these babies! The construction on this is a little complicated because of how you need to punch the Full Heart Punch, but if you stop back in a few days, I promise that I'll give you some directions and more photos for how to do this.

Just suffice it for now that I used Garden Green, Green Galore and Gable Green Cardstocks (wow, that's a lot of Green), the Full Heart Punch, Heart shaped Treat Cups, a Filigree Brad and some 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon. On the inside of the card, I stamped the sentiment using the Go Green Individual Stamp (pg. 43 in the Mini Catalog). May the luck of the Irish be with you!

One more project from me and then I'll let you take a ride to the next stop! I absolutely fell in love with this Gift Box! Imagine the things that you could fill it with? Cards, of course ... or candy (lots of candy because it's a big box). How about a lovely silk scarf or a candle or jewelry or make-up. This would be a wonderful box to use for Mother's Day or Easter or any spring occasion.

Don't worry -- yes, I'll post instructions in a few days. I knew you were going to ask! We don't want to hold up the tour by putting those online now but I will get them for you very soon! Remember to stop back!

To create this, I used the On Board Scallop Circle Book (pg. 34 in the Occasions Mini) and the Folk Flowers Decor Stencils (pg. 18). Cardstock colors are Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. I applied the ink with sponge Daubbers. Ink Colors are Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose. I attached a pretty bow created with the fabulous new 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon and a Rhinestone Brad finishes it off with just a bit of bling!

Well, that's it for this stop! There are 16 stops in all so there's lot of eye candy waiting to be seen!

Have fun everyone! And thanks so much for visiting Inspiration in Action and for taking the Control Freaks Blog Tour!

Toot-toot! All Aboard!!!!

Sit back and relax while you travel to the next stop at the blog of the fabulous Melanie Schulenberg! Just click on the button below and you'll be there before you can say "good-bye". (ooh, I just peeked -- you are going to LOVE what she has for you!

 

The Control Freaks February Tour is Tomorrow!

It's almost the 20th of the month, and you know what that means ... Control Freaks Tour Time! We've got another fabulous tour line-up for you this month, featuring products and projects from the Occasions Mini Catalog! You will definitely want to come back tomorrow to hop on the bus. The Control Freaks are at it again!

If you just can't get your fill of Control Freaks projects, you might want to re-visit some of our previous tours. Click HERE to see what we've done in the past!

Weekend Sketch Challenge IA120 with Messages for Mom

Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action! It's Thursday and around here that means a new sketch and challenge for the weekend!

I just love it when I get to use circles in my cards -- they give such a friendly and organic feel to projects! I hope you'll enjoy working with today's sketch which gives you lots of room for your focal image within the half circle shape and room for a sentiment as well on the banner at the bottom of the card.

Are you ready to see what I've created for you today using this sketch?

Well ... here we go!

My card today uses two stamp sets from the Occasions Mini Catalog -- Well Scripted and Messages for Mom! This sweet card with it's soft colors and images just screams Mother's Day to me! At least, it's something I think my mother would like.

I used Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Whisper White Cardstocks and some 5/8" pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon. I colored in the floral spray (both on the outside of the card and the inside) with inks and blender pens for a softer look, adding Lavender Lace to the color mix. The butterflies were cut with the Beautiful Wings Embosslet and the Big Shot and I added a pink button from the Sherbet Designer Buttons and a Rhinestone brad.

And are you wondering how I got that cool scalloped effect around the circle?

That was done with the Scallop Trim Corner Punch. I began with two squares of cardstock, cut at 3.5" each. I punched out each of the corners with the Corner Punch, leaving me two squares that look like the photo at the right (click to enlarge).

I then turned one of those 45 degrees and attached the two together to give me this cool circular shape.

And then I cut my circles with the Circle Scissor Plus -- one in Certainly Celery and another just slightly smaller in Whisper White.

When you put it all together, it looks like the image on the right.

How cool is that?

From there on, I trimmed the entire piece with the Table Top Paper cutter to make it into a partial circle so the flat top would align with the top of my card (do this carefully because you are cutting through 4 layers of cardstock). Add embellishments, stamping and color and ... voila!

 
You know, I can't wait to see what you create using this week's sketch. Once you have a chance to work with it, come back here, leave your name and the URL location of your project on the Mister Linky Widget below, and we'll all get to enjoy your creativity!

I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll come back soon.

Have you had a chance to check out my latest Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial for this darling Whimsical Wings Gift Box and set of Mini Cards! It's perfect for spring and for those special occasions that's we'll all soon be celebrating -- Mother's Day, Easter, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday's and just-because days!

Do you want to see what else is available to purchase on Inspiration in Action? Check out all the Tutorials and Kits that are currently available HERE!

Takin' It To the Top Tuesday (er .....) I mean, Wednesday!

Good morning and welcome to Takin' It To the Top Tuesday... I mean Wednesday! I'm apologize that I'm a day late this week. I'm sure you can relate to the fact that sometimes there are not enough hours in the day and life moves along all to quickly! Before we get started with this week's feature, I want to thank so many of you for leaving comments last week about Takin' It To the Top! I love to read what you have to say and you left me valuable feedback about ways I can make this feature, and my blog in general, even more helpful for my faithful blog readers. And there was a little blog candy offer on the table as well. I had my daughter randomly choose the winner by selecting a number. And are you ready to hear who that winner is? Drum roll, please (rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr) ... and the winner is

Marianne Griffin, Congratulations!

Here's what Marianne had to say -- "Gretchen - thanks so much for taking the time to do these cards. When I see the first one, I think "I can do that", then I see how you explain the extra oomph on the second card and your explanation is so great that I think "I can do that, too" and when I get to the third one I'm totally blown away by how great it looks and again, with your guidance, I think I can do that one, too! I love Tuesdays now!!! Thanks so much!" And thank you, Marianne. Please e-mail me with your address and I'll have your prize package in the mail to you ASAP!

Okay, time to move on to today's projects.

I decided to go all-out with spring florals today but choose some perhaps unlikely colors -- Rich Razzleberry, Going Gray, Basic Gray and Old Olive. I saw this combination on some bed linens on a HGTV show (yes, I'm addicted to HGTV) and knew that I had to translate it into some paper art.

I used the stamp set, Embrace Life and just a bit of the 5/8" Gray Satin Ribbon for this first card.

This is a wonderful card -- elegant, simple and quick to make, easily duplicable (if you're making multiples) and quite striking on it's own.

But let's see what we can do if we step-it-up just a bit ...

Here's version Two! This time I added some embossing on Layer Two with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. I added more ribbon -- putting a strip across the middle of the card (and attaching to the back of Layer Two) and tying on a faux-bow.

Instead of stamping the leaves, I added leaves that were die-cut with the Big Shot.

And I put three of the gorgeous flowers on the card rather than just one.

To create these flowers, I stamped the image on Whisper White Cardstock with Black Stazon ink and then sponged on Rich Razzleberry with a sponge, trying to position the sponge in the middle of the flower with my finger (you could also use a Sponge Daubber but I really wanted to avoid a perfect circle which is what you will often get with the Daubbers). I then cut the flowers out, using Paper Snips (perfect for tiny edges and shapes) and then applied more ink to the edges of the flowers. They are attached to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Ready to Take It To the Top?

This is what I came up with for the final version! Quite different from the first, wouldn't you say?

I went all out with this final card today. I kept the Elegant Bouquet embossing but highlighted it by sponging on Rich Razzleberry ink over the raised images and on the the sides of the card.

I tied a real bow and attached it using a Pop-Up Glue Dot

I used the Lattice Die and Going Gray Cardstock to create the backdrop for the flowers and leaves.

And look what I did to the flowers? I sponged on even more ink to give them more depth and color. I added the little white dots with the White Gel Pen. And I attached half-back pearls from the Pretties Kit with Crystal Effects for a stunning finished flower.

For this final version, I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White, punched it out with the Modern Label Punch and added a mat to the back, cut with the Movers & Shapers Modern Label Punch and the Big Shot.

 There you go ... basic to more and beyond! And the great thing is that none of these cards is difficult to do. The last one takes a little more time, but not much. And the results can be absolutely stunning!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. There's no blog candy on the line this week, but I would still love to read your comments and feedback. Most importantly, take a second look at your cards this week and think of some simple changes you can make to take your projects to the Top! 

Marianne Griffin, Congratulations!

Here's what Marianne had to say -- "Gretchen - thanks so much for taking the time to do these cards. When I see the first one, I think "I can do that", then I see how you explain the extra oomph on the second card and your explanation is so great that I think "I can do that, too" and when I get to the third one I'm totally blown away by how great it looks and again, with your guidance, I think I can do that one, too! I love Tuesdays now!!! Thanks so much!" And thank you, Marianne. Please e-mail me with your address and I'll have your prize package in the mail to you ASAP!

Okay, time to move on to today's projects.

I decided to go all-out with spring florals today but choose some perhaps unlikely colors -- Rich Razzleberry, Going Gray, Basic Gray and Old Olive. I saw this combination on some bed linens on a HGTV show (yes, I'm addicted to HGTV) and knew that I had to translate it into some paper art.

I used the stamp set, Embrace Life and just a bit of the 5/8" Gray Satin Ribbon for this first card.

This is a wonderful card -- elegant, simple and quick to make, easily duplicable (if you're making multiples) and quite striking on it's own.

But let's see what we can do if we step-it-up just a bit ...

Here's version Two! This time I added some embossing on Layer Two with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. I added more ribbon -- putting a strip across the middle of the card (and attaching to the back of Layer Two) and tying on a faux-bow.

Instead of stamping the leaves, I added leaves that were die-cut with the Big Shot.

And I put three of the gorgeous flowers on the card rather than just one.

To create these flowers, I stamped the image on Whisper White Cardstock with Black Stazon ink and then sponged on Rich Razzleberry with a sponge, trying to position the sponge in the middle of the flower with my finger (you could also use a Sponge Daubber but I really wanted to avoid a perfect circle which is what you will often get with the Daubbers). I then cut the flowers out, using Paper Snips (perfect for tiny edges and shapes) and then applied more ink to the edges of the flowers. They are attached to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Ready to Take It To the Top?

This is what I came up with for the final version! Quite different from the first, wouldn't you say?

I went all out with this final card today. I kept the Elegant Bouquet embossing but highlighted it by sponging on Rich Razzleberry ink over the raised images and on the the sides of the card.

I tied a real bow and attached it using a Pop-Up Glue Dot

I used the Lattice Die and Going Gray Cardstock to create the backdrop for the flowers and leaves.

And look what I did to the flowers? I sponged on even more ink to give them more depth and color. I added the little white dots with the White Gel Pen. And I attached half-back pearls from the Pretties Kit with Crystal Effects for a stunning finished flower.

For this final version, I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White, punched it out with the Modern Label Punch and added a mat to the back, cut with the Movers & Shapers Modern Label Punch and the Big Shot.

 There you go ... basic to more and beyond! And the great thing is that none of these cards is difficult to do. The last one takes a little more time, but not much. And the results can be absolutely stunning!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. There's no blog candy on the line this week, but I would still love to read your comments and feedback. Most importantly, take a second look at your cards this week and think of some simple changes you can make to take your projects to the Top! 

How Did I Make That Box?

Last month, I showed you this project, a delightful little window box created with the Heart-shaped treat cups! Goodness, I've had so many people ask for directions on how to make this little project!

So, you asked for it and here it is! Click HERE for a 4-page tutorial with step-by-step directions and photos for creating this box yourself.

Click HERE to view the original post with coordinating card and Ghiradelli Chocolate holder!

Thanks for all your comments on this project! I can't tell you how rewarding it is when people are inspired by the things I create!

Happy stamping and crafting!