Welcome to my #TGIFC58 project AND welcome back to our monthly Step It Up Hop! I love this hop because I think it reaches stampers on all experience levels. I love being able to showcase a project in multiple ways – I hope you like seeing the ideas. I thought it would be fun to combine the Step It Up challenge with the Color Challenge and flew away with it!

(click on the image above to go to the TGIF Challenge Blog)
This month my card(s) might be a little more "One Card, Two Ways" I can't really decide which one is truly "stepped up". They both have some stepping up in different ways.
I used my FAVE new stamp set right now, which is available TODAY!!! It's called
Swirly Bird and it has coordinating dies and it's AWESOME! I'll link to it when I can :)You HAVE to
get this bundle!!! It's seriously the BEST – brings so much FUN back in to stamping!
So, here is version 1:
This one I wanted kind of "bright and fun"
The kites are the great color combo of Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight. I LOVE all the fun details on this (even if I did cut out all those little "ribbons" for the kite strings…). See those cute, puffy clouds? They are from the
Tree Builder Punch. I love tools that do multi-duty! I love the pop of black from the
Baker's Twine and
Basic Black card base.
Then I wanted a "softer" card
So for this one, I went with a
Smoky Slate base, and instead of punching out
Whisper White clouds to put on a
Pool Party layer, this time I created some cloud masks by punching out some sticky-notes, and sponged Pool Party ink on a Whisper White layer. This instantly gave it a different feel. I wanted the kites to be a little softer too, so I adhered the kites stamped side down on to some
Vellum, and them cut them out again. I did the same with the "Celebrate" banner.
See how soft and pretty they are?!?!? I added a little sparkle with my
Wink of Stella clear brush too. Who doesn't love a little sparkle?
So, what do you think? Is one stepped up from the other, or are they just two different versions? Hmmmm? Would love to know what you think. Do you have a favorite?
Take a look through the hop! There is certain to be plenty of inspiration for you! Start by taking a peek over at
Lynn's blog to see what she has created for you this month!
Great cards Joanna! The kites are too cute!
love both of your cards Jeanna!! I haven’t tried the kites yet- super fun!
I must be ready for summer because I prefer the fun ribbons on the brighter kites! haha! I do like how you softened the second card tho. I wouldn’t have thought of vellum! 🙂
So cute! Mine is arriving today, sooooo excited! Love the sparkle!
Great cards! I too am loving my Wink of Stella pens. I would have said they’re stepped up in the other direction. Either way they’re both fantastic.
Love your cards! What a ton of fun details, on each one! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love the kite card! I wondered what to do with those little triangles. So cute!