Takin' It To the Top Tuesday with Kind & Caring Thoughts

Hello everyone! Tuesday on Inspiration in Action means it's time to Take it To the Top! This weekly feature will show you how adding a few simple touches can help you take your cards and projects from basic to beyond in three simple steps! I choose the Kind & Caring Thoughts Stamp set today (a Level 3 Hostess Gift you can earn for FREE -- ask me how!). The color scheme is Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. The design is clean and simple! Here's the first card. The Whisper White layer is 2.75 x 3.5". I stamped the sentiment along the bottom and then "masked" off the bottom part of the cardstock with a post-it note so that the flower stems wouldn't extend past the ribbon placement. The ribbon is 1/2" Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain.

Okay, let's take it to the next level and step it up a bit! As you can see, I embossed the Soft Suede layer (Layer #2) with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. I added an additional layer of Tempting Turquoise behind the Certainly Celery, and punched the bottom with the Scallop Trim Border Punch (you can earn this for FREE during Sale-A-Bration -- ask me how!). That's it -- those two simple changes did a lot to dress up the card, don't you think?

Okay -- are you ready to take it up another notch?

Let's Take it to the Top ..

Here is the final card today. Look at the difference a little sponging does to make those polka dots pop off the page! Other simple additions to this final version of the card include using the Color Spritzer to add little flecks of color on the Whisper White and some Dazzling Diamonds glitter, applied with a 2-way Glue pen. The sparkle is amazing!

That's it for the changes -- they really didn't take long at all to add and the cost was very minimal -- but I hope you'll agree with me that the difference between the first and final card is pretty amazing! And of course, you don't want to forget to do a little stamping on the inside of the card as well. This adds such a nice touch and surprise for those who open it up!

There you go -- three cards, each one stepped-up just a bit to take it to the top!

Thanks everyone, for stopping by today!

If you have't already done so, I invite you 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!

Hello everyone! Tuesday on Inspiration in Action means it's time to Take it To the Top! This weekly feature will show you how adding a few simple touches can help you take your cards and projects from basic to beyond in three simple steps! I choose the Kind & Caring Thoughts Stamp set today (a Level 3 Hostess Gift you can earn for FREE -- ask me how!). The color scheme is Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. The design is clean and simple! Here's the first card. The Whisper White layer is 2.75 x 3.5". I stamped the sentiment along the bottom and then "masked" off the bottom part of the cardstock with a post-it note so that the flower stems wouldn't extend past the ribbon placement. The ribbon is 1/2" Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain.

Okay, let's take it to the next level and step it up a bit! As you can see, I embossed the Soft Suede layer (Layer #2) with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. I added an additional layer of Tempting Turquoise behind the Certainly Celery, and punched the bottom with the Scallop Trim Border Punch (you can earn this for FREE during Sale-A-Bration -- ask me how!). That's it -- those two simple changes did a lot to dress up the card, don't you think?

Okay -- are you ready to take it up another notch?

Let's Take it to the Top ..

Here is the final card today. Look at the difference a little sponging does to make those polka dots pop off the page! Other simple additions to this final version of the card include using the Color Spritzer to add little flecks of color on the Whisper White and some Dazzling Diamonds glitter, applied with a 2-way Glue pen. The sparkle is amazing!

That's it for the changes -- they really didn't take long at all to add and the cost was very minimal -- but I hope you'll agree with me that the difference between the first and final card is pretty amazing! And of course, you don't want to forget to do a little stamping on the inside of the card as well. This adds such a nice touch and surprise for those who open it up!

There you go -- three cards, each one stepped-up just a bit to take it to the top!

Thanks everyone, for stopping by today!

If you have't already done so, I invite you 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!

Comments

[Chellie B]

Just incredible seeing the progression from 'good' to 'holy smokes' with a few well-placed embellishments. My mom always says a card's naked without glitter and a bow. Guess she's right (again!).

[Diane K]

This is an amazing feature on your blog! I'm going to re-create this for my workshop this weekend, it is awesome on its own, and is a subtle way to upsell! Thank you Gretchen, for all your great work and sharing. I always give credit where credit is due, including at my workshops. Thanks!

[Stephanie]

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. You are very creative and your creations are amazing.

[Beverly Gotthardt]

You took it to the top alright, sometimes it's that one last sequin that makes the difference, this time it was the dazzling diamonds. Great touch.

[JoAnn]

I always love your Takin' it to the Top projects! Thank you for sharing your ideas!

[Brenda Cook]

This would make a great class for new stampers.

Great job Gretchen! TFS

[Kimberly]

Gretchen I really enjoy your weekly Takin' it to the Top post. I'm no where's near as creative as you, so your ideas really help me look at my card making differently. Keep the mojo flowing!

[Kyla]

I love this! Thanks so much for adding this to your weekly blog posts! I just love the progression of the cards! I will be following every week!
thanks for sharing!! :)