Simple vs Stepped Up...Set #4

Do you enjoy making simple or stepped up projects? If you are like me, you enjoy both! Sometimes it is nice to sit down and create some projects that are pretty but don't involve a lot of steps. Other times, I like to sit down and spend more time on a single card.  If you are like me, it depends on how much time I have and if I'm feeling really creative.

As I was thinking about it earlier this week, I thought it would be nice to have a selection of both types of cards focusing on a single stamp set. I have decided to do this project using the Gift of Joy stamp set.  This is a set in the September Mini Catalog that caught me attention the first time I flipped through the catalog. The simple drawings and two step stamping procedure are what caught my attention.

Tip: Two step stamping is the process of layering stamped images created to work together.

For my simple card, I repeatedly stamped the floral image around the edge of my card to create a floral frame. Then I stamped the sentiment directly onto the card front in Cherry Cobbler ink. Then I stamped three of the gifts, two directly on the card front, then one on another scrap of paper and fussy cut it out. I adhered it with a dimensional, slightly overlapping one of the other presents. To finish off the card, 

I added a few of the Secret Sea faceted dots.

For the stepped up card, I stamped the floral frame again, but this time on a piece of dotted paper from the North Pole Delivery DSP. I stamped the sentiment in Secret Sea ink on Basic White card stock and used the Textured Note dies to cut it out. I adhered it to the center of the floral frame with multipurpose glue. Then I stamped and fussy cut some gifts to adhere to the card front.  I tied three small bows with twine and adhered them using mini glue dots. To finish the card, I used some gold shimmer paint from my stash to add a little sparkle to the centers of my poinsettias.

Do you have a favorite today? I'd love to hear which one you like most!