Hello everyone! I'M BACK!!! Can you believe that it's been more than 5 months since I posted on my blog? I can't! I needed to back-off for a bit, to give some attention to numerous home-work-family-personal-child-and other issues! I never dreamed that I would be away for so long! I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to personally e-mail me and let me know that you've missed me. You'll never know how much that means!
Anyway, I'm back now and hoping to rebuild my Stampin' Up! business as well as my blog following! And speaking of blogs -- do you notice that I have a new banner? I created this myself using My Digital Studio 2 and a brand new kit for May called "Be Yourself". I love the colors and swirls!
It's #133426 ($9.95) and can be ordered in my online store (click on the cute little Shopping Mouse in the right side-bar). And by the way, did you know that you can download a 30-day FREE sample of MDS2 and try it out before you purchase it? Yep, it's true! You can do that in my online shopping store as well!
Anyway, enough of that! I've got a beautiful card to share with you today! As you probably know by now, the countdown is on for many of your favorite Stamp Sets and Accessories from Stampin' Up! The new Idea Book and Catalog will be available the end of May (I can't wait!). And that means, many of our favorites from the old catalog are being retired. One of my favorite sets of all time, Just Believe, is among those sets soon to go. So, of course I had to create something special with this fabulous set!
I also used three of the retiring colors on this card -- Baja Breze, Certainly Celery and Regal Rose! I just sponged the ink on a small rectangle of cardstock, stamped the images (with Black Stazon ink) over the top, attached it to the Card Base with Stampin' Dimensionals and Added some whimsical little butterflies! I embossed the Whisper White layer with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. A few Rhinestone Brads add the perfect shimmery touch!
If you want to recreate this card for yourself, here are the measurements:
- Layer One -- Baja Breeze Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded in half to make the Card Base
- Layer Two -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25" (emboss before attaching)
- Layer Three -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 3 x 4", sponged with three colors of ink. Stamp the silouette stamp over the top with Black Stazon Ink. Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals. Attach butterflies (created with the Elegant Butterfly Punch) and Rhinestones.
- Layer Four -- Inside of Card -- Whisper White cut at 4 x 5.25" -- stamp a few colorful images for added interest.
So there you have it, a really simple and fast -- but beautiful -- card to share with someone you love! That's my favorite kind!
I do hope you'll come back soon for more Ideas & Inspiration. I've got some really cool surprises planned for you, including a fabulous new incentive program for those who order through my Stampin' Up! Online Store! I'll reveal the details soon!
Until then ... Blessings, Gretchen
so glad you are back! Hope everything and everyone is ok!
Posted by: fran Zuccaro | May 05, 2013 at 07:36 PM
what a great way to come back.... what an absolutely gorgeous card this is.... I love the soothing effect it had... thanks for sharing your creativity and welcome back
Posted by: Mz Cookie | May 05, 2013 at 07:46 PM
So Happy you are blogging again. I love your work. Today's card is no exception; so beautiful.
Posted by: Darlene L | May 05, 2013 at 07:49 PM
It's good to see you are back. I hopeall is going well for you once again.
Posted by: Eunice B | May 05, 2013 at 07:51 PM
It's great to see your smiling face once again! I've thought of you alot and wonder where you were hiding at :).
Posted by: Mary | May 05, 2013 at 07:55 PM
Yes, I can believe that it has been 5 months. I have missed your posts. I hope all is well. Your cards are always so beautiful and inspirational. I will once again look forward to your blog posts. I love your new banner. I have thought about MDS but with silouhette software and cricut craft room software I am just not usre that my computer could handle it all. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with all of us.
Posted by: Rhandi DeMars | May 05, 2013 at 08:03 PM
I'm so glad you are back. We must take care of ourselves and do what we need to do. However, you were really missed and hope all is well in your world again. The Just Believe stamp set is one of my favorites and I so love what you did with it. Looking forward to following you again!
Posted by: Brenda B | May 05, 2013 at 08:06 PM
So glad you are blogging again. Your card is beautiful. Love the colors.
Happy stamping.
Posted by: JoAnn B. | May 05, 2013 at 09:14 PM
So glad you are back. You have been missed.
Posted by: Karen O | May 05, 2013 at 09:25 PM
It's great to see you blogging, again! You've been missed! Lovely card; thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Doris | May 05, 2013 at 09:41 PM
So glad you are back. I so enjoy your creations. I hope everything is better in your life now.
Posted by: Sharon Maranich | May 05, 2013 at 09:43 PM
I am soooo glad you are blogging again! Missed you alot..Ella
Posted by: Ella Conner | May 05, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Welcome back Gretchen. You have been missed. I love Just Believe also; so glad I have it. Great card and colors. Thanks. No online software yet. Maybe some day.
Posted by: Judy | May 05, 2013 at 11:09 PM
Welcome back!!! Trust everything worked out in your family and you are back on track.
Posted by: Linda | May 05, 2013 at 11:19 PM
Welcome back! Missed you, but I know that life gets in the way sometimes. Hope all is well with you!
Posted by: Janine A | May 05, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Welcome back Gretchen! I've missed your creativity. Beautiful card!
Posted by: Matilde Hanna | May 06, 2013 at 02:34 AM
Welcome back. You've been missed.
Posted by: Shelley | May 06, 2013 at 06:39 AM
I am so happy to see you back. Hope all is well for you and your family. I love
that you give the sizes for each layer. Can't wait for more creativeness from you.
Posted by: Laura Harbin | May 06, 2013 at 08:08 AM
Very glad to have you back, Gretchen!
Posted by: Katy McGloin | May 06, 2013 at 08:38 AM
Blessings to you and your family. Welcome back!
Posted by: Mickey | May 06, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Gretchen, I am so happy that you are back and that you and your family are doing well. Your projects are so exquisite and I often case your work.
Posted by: Sandy Kay MacFarlane | May 06, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Welcome back Gretchen! Missed you and your creativity. This is a gorgeous card!!
Posted by: Grace | May 06, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Welcome back - you have been missed.
Posted by: Amy Garigan | May 06, 2013 at 03:12 PM
WELCOME BACK, Gretchen!!! You have been sorely missed....and happy that all of the things that you needed to attend to have been taken care of and we have you back! I love this card...it is beautiful and yes, I will be re-creating it....thank you for sharing and for the tutorial!!!!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | May 06, 2013 at 07:40 PM
Oh my goodness, it is great to have you back! I missed you! Your inspiration was amazing & I enjoyed your blog!
Posted by: Patti Beachy | May 06, 2013 at 08:23 PM
So glad your back !!! Hope all is well for you now. I have missed your inspiring posts. I so look forward to your E-mails. Love your style.
Posted by: Brenda Lassaline | May 06, 2013 at 09:10 PM
Welcome back!! I missed you. Hope all is well and everything sorted out. LOVE the card!!
Posted by: Martina Best | May 06, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Glad to see you are back. Missed you and all your cards Gretchen
Diana in Wisconsin
Posted by: Diana Laabs | May 07, 2013 at 08:36 AM
Very glad you are back. I follow you on pinterest so I knew you were still "around" but I have missed your blog.
Laura C
Posted by: Laura C | May 08, 2013 at 02:42 PM
Welcome Back! You have always been an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Jeanne Atkins | May 08, 2013 at 09:46 PM
So glad to see you are back and doing well. I kept checking hoping each time it would pop up with something new. Blessings to you and your family.
Posted by: Lynnette P | May 10, 2013 at 09:59 AM
So very happy you are back! I have always followed you as I love love love your style!
Posted by: Kathy | May 13, 2013 at 01:24 PM
Glad I decided to check on you today. I was happy to see that you were back.
Posted by: Sue | May 23, 2013 at 02:26 PM
So glad you are back! I kept you in my favorites bar, and just kept clicking every now and then. Hope all is well, and looking forward to being inspired again by you!
Posted by: Jackie Hart | June 07, 2013 at 09:29 PM