Takin' It To the Top Thursdays with Bold Blossom

Hello everyone and welcome to a Brand New Feature at Stamping 411 -- Takin' It To the Top Thursday! Once each month, I will bring this popular feature from my blog to Stamping 411 where we begin with a basic card and show how to transform it into something SPECTACULAR by adding layers, texture, embellishments and simple techniques. I'll be issuing a challenge with each of the segments as well, for you to "step-up" your cards and projects. We'll include the Linky Tool each time so that you can show us how you are "Takin' It To the Top".

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.

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!

And now, my friends, it's YOUR turn! Let's see what you can do to take your cards to the top this week! It's easy to play along! You don't have to create three cards like I did. Just create one, but when you post it, tell us how you Took it to the Top! Try to add at least two or more simple changes (techniques, layers, color, texture, embellishments, etc.) that you wouldn't have normally done. Take your basic card, and then Take it to the Top! The Stampin' 411 Operators can't wait to see what you do with this challenge! Just post a link to your Blog Post (or Public Forum Post) below! You have until midnight next Wednesday, March 9th, to play along!

Alright ... let's Take it to the Top!

Blessings, Gretchen