Stamping 411 - Simply Grateful

For a week that started out kinda cruddy, it's ending on a few high notes!
It's true that dreary weather can really affect my mood sometimes and this week was no exception. But yesterday and today have been absolutely gorgeous here and we have a similar weekend to look forward to. It's beautiful days like this that make me want to stand up and shout "Yay God! Great job!"
Plus, my friend Laura decided to join my Stampin' Up! family and became a demonstrator yesterday! I am thrilled to now have her as not only my friend, but team mate as well! Welcome Laura!

Even though it took a while, once I got my mojo back this week, I had a little fun with this week's Stamping 411 Sketch. Here is the simple sketch:

And here is my card:

See a little shadow there? Yep! That's because I did a little something different with the card front - lookie!

See, it lifts up to show a hidden panel behind the card front. Actually, that is the card!
It was so easy to do! I just cut a piece of the Autumn Spice Designer Series Paper at 4" x 7 3/4" and scored/folded it at 2 3/4" creating the top flap. It's fun to use the contrasts of both sides of the DSP this way! And since this DSP is cardstock weight, it's perfect for this style of card. It was layered on a standard card size piece of Cajun Craze cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

I cut a piece of Old Olive at 4" x 1 1/4" and punched the edge with the Scallop Trim Border Punch. After attaching it to the flap, I wrapped the whole thing with a piece of Early Espresso 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and again with a piece of Chantilly Crochet Trim.

See the inside view?

The Cajun Craze cardstock is cut at 3" x 4" and the Naturals Ivory Layer is cut at 2 3/4" x 3 3/4". These are the same measurements I used for the card front layers.
The design stamped on the inside is just second generation ink from stamping the front panel. I did sponge all the edges with Cajun Craze ink before layering anything.
Here's another look at the front:

Using my Days of Gratitude stamp set, I took out my Clear Block D and attached four of the stamps from the set to it, all three leaves and the acorn. I inked them up with Stampin' Spots (Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso) and stamped the focal panel all at one time. Reinking, I stamped it again to make perfectly patterned paper! So easy and so fun! Shannon West showed us a similar technique at Regionals and it was a real "Duh!" moment for me! Thanks Shanny! Loved that tip!

Those two panels were adhered to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals and then I added the greeting. It was stamped with Early Espresso onto Naturals Ivory cardstock and punched out with the new Decorative Label Punch. I punched out two more 1/2 pieces with Cajun Craze Cardstock and adhered them behind the greeting making a frame. The final touch was two Vintage Trinkets Button Brads in Copper on either side of the greeting.

I love, love, love this stamp set and these colors too! I am so ready for Fall now! Well, I will be after this weekend of nice weather! LOL!
Let me know what you think of this one, ok? And be sure to visit Stamping 411 to see what the other operators created from this easy-peasy sketch. You just might be inspired to join us! :)

Have a blessing filled weekend!
~~Robin