Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action. I'm breathing new life into an old Blog Feature that you haven't seen here for quite some time -- Takin' It To the Top. Once each month, I'll be sharing a new Takin' It to the Top idea on the Stamping 411 Website as well as here on my blog. Click on the link to play along with the challenge that we have going on there.
You've asked for this feature to come back, and here it is! What's Takin' It to the Top? I'll make three different cards -- all similar in design, color and images. And then I'll show you how to take your projects from basic to stepped-up to beyond. Three cards which will show you the progression, and the difference, when you add basic elements to your cards to dress them up -- texture, layers, color and embellishments!
Okay, enough said! Today's Takin' It To The Top cards feature the adorable little stamp set called Bold Blossom. The colors for each card are Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo and Whisper White with just a touch of Daffodil Delight. Here's the first card ... the basic card. Now, there's nothing "wrong" with this card -- it's adorable, but it is basic. It would be a great card for a beginning stamper or if you need to make quick multiples. As you can see, I've stamped the leaves and flowers on a 3" square of Whisper White cardstock, mounted that on a 3.25" square of Melon Mambo, attached that to a 4 x 5.25" piece of Tangerine Tango and stamped the sentiment in the bottom right-hand corner, attaching the entire thing to an Old Olive Card Base (5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded).
Now, we're going to take that same, basic card and step it up just a bit! The dimensions, stamping and colors are all the same.
I've added some embossing on the Tangerine Tango Layer (using the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder and the Big Shot). I've added some 5/8" Satin Ribbon with a Faux Bow tied on it. I've stamped the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch. And finally, I've added a little butterfly at the top, attached with Stampin' Dimensionals.
These are all little things, simple things that you can do to step your card making up to the next level. If you don't want to do all four things, try just adding a couple of simple fixes to your basic card and see what you come up with.
Okay, are you ready to Take It To the Top! Here we go ... I had such fun creating this final card for my post today! It's bright and cheery and springy and full of whimsical elements and surprises. But as you can see, it's still begins with the same Basic Card that we started with. What's changed on this one?
To begin with, I created some fabulous flower embellishments using the Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons and some Pompom Trim. It's easy to do -- just apply Sticky Strip adhesive all around the back of the button (you kind of make "pleats" as you apply it in a circle). Peel off the red backing and stick the trim around the edge. I then stamped the flower image in Daffodil Delight, punched it out with the 3/4" Circle Punch and used a Stampin' Dimensional to apply it to the button. Click on the small image to view it larger.
Instead of putting 3 flowers on this final card, I just put two which allows more room for some additional butterflies -- one each in Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight.
Other small changes on this final card include adding a Scallop Oval Punchie under the sentiment and inking the edges of the Large Oval with a little Melon Mambo ink. And adding a real bow instead of a faux bow. And that it's. See what a difference just a few simple changes can make to take your cards from Basic to step-up and beyond!
That's it for now! Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope that you've been inspired to try a few, basic techniques to take your next project to the Top! And ... I hope you'll be back soon! Until then ...
hi Gretchen!
This is so cute! I LOVE the Pom Pom trim! Just adorable:) Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Julie A. | March 04, 2011 at 06:58 AM
Glad to see your Takin' it to the Top return! amazing what just one or 2 more elements can do for a card...thanks for sharing your creativity!!!
Posted by: esther | March 04, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Oh thank you for bringing the Takin' it to the Top back. I missed it very much. You did a great job and thanks for your inspiration.
Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy
Posted by: Carey Rogers | March 04, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Wow, Thanks so much! Just what I needed.
Posted by: Marilyn Brown | March 04, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Gretchen,
I'am so glad you are doing Taking it to The Top again. I loved all your ideas when you were sharing before. I cased so many of your project. Thank you for sharing.
Jan
Posted by: Jan Waters | March 04, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Gretchen,
How does your mind spring forth such amazing ideas? Can I borrow some of that creative thinking? Sigh...if I were only half as talented as you...
Thanks for sharing your special genius with us.
Posted by: Susan Nygaard | March 04, 2011 at 05:03 PM
"Takin' it to the Top" was my favourite feature when I first found your blog. I'm thrilled that you've brought it back! So many great hints and tips included in this post. Thank you, so much!!
Posted by: Doris | March 05, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Gretchen....this is absolutely fabulous.
So very happy you've brought back 'takin' it to the top'.....you rock. LOL
Posted by: Terry | March 05, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Oh my gosh! I absolutely love the pom-poms around the flowers!
Posted by: Rhonda L | March 05, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Takin it to the Top is back and the crowd goes wild!!!!! I am so glad, I too started following your blog due to your amazing Takin it to the Top. You always take it there, God Bless
Posted by: Donna | March 05, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Where did you get the Bold Blossom stamp set? I love the flower and the butterfly...
Posted by: ~Elle~ | March 21, 2011 at 03:44 PM