Hello everyone! It's time for the Uniko Studio November Release & Reveal! There are a whopping 16 new projects being released today, and you'll definitely want to check them out! A new feature being added during this release are Digital Cut Files for your digital diecut machine. This month's release is all about Christmas and Winter. There are really a lot of fun digital papers to choose from--you'll see I used a variety of them on my cards below. To see the other design team members' projects, visit the Uniko Studio Blog for the links to their blogs.

**Make sure to read all the way to the end of this post. There is info on how to earn a chance to win some free goodies :)

Papers used from the Classics Christmas pack and 'Tis the Season

Papers used from the Eclectic Mix Christmas pack. Thank You clear stamps from the Label Love: Thank You set.

Paper used from the Eclectic Mix Christmas pack, and the Holly Jolly was cut from the paper in the 'Tis the Season pack.

TIP: If you are new to using Digital Files to create cards, I want to share something that I learned works well. I am very new myself and this time around I printed the patterned paper files on the color laser printer at work on regular printer paper. Then, depending on how I was going to use them, I either cut out the paper and attached to the cardstock like I would regular patterned paper you buy at the store. Or when using diecuts, I first adhered the paper to a piece of cardstock to give it more stability, then diecut it together. That resulted in a perfect diecut piece!!

This is only a small sample of all the wonderful things included in the UNIKO STUDIO NOVEMBER RELEASE!! Head over to the Uniko website to see everthing. Make sure to also visit the Uniko Blog for a chance to win Label Love: Christmas and ALL the Digital Products released this month!!

Uniko Studio Super FREE Saturday!

Hello everyone! I have my DT debut project to share with you for the Uniko Studio Super FREE Saturday. On the last Saturday of every month, Beverley is so kind to offer a new Digital Stamp Set and Coordinating Digital Papers, free for anyone to download! This month's theme is called Ho Ho Ho - Let it Snow! To see the other design team members' projects, check out the Uniko Studio Blog for the list of their blogs!

I created this card entirely in Photoshop using the Digital Stamps and one piece of the Digital Paper. The black stitched ribbon is a piece that came from the Bright Butterflies Additions set, and the rest of the elements are from the Ho Ho Ho set. To give it an extra special "pop", I added Stickles to all the snowflakes and the tops of the ornaments and under each "let it snow" sentiment. As usual, the picture doesn't do the sparkles justice ;)

Click on the image to see more detail in the sparkly snowflakes!

Uniko Studio Digital Design Team...YAY!!!

Good morning! I am thrilled to share some FABULOUS news with you. I have been chosen to be a member of the Uniko Studio Digital Design Team! If you are not familiar with this company, I encourage you to check out their WEBSITE and BLOG. Here is a short bio:

Uniko Studio specialises in surface pattern design & clear stamps for the hobby market. Uniko Studio features high quality photopolymer stamps designed & manufactured here in the UK, and if things go well we will branch out into other crafting supplies.

My role will be to feature the digital stamps and the digital papers in my paper crafting. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you, and seeing what creations you come up with too!

Now, head on over to the Uniko Studio blog to check out the rest of the Design Team members! I will be back shortly to share my first project with you!

DeNami Halloween Blog Hop

Welcome! If you are following the DeNami blog hop in order, then you should have come from the fabulous Greta Hess' blog. If not, and you want to start from the beginning, you can view the full list of participants over on the DeNami Design blog.

I really can't get over the fact that it's already mid-October, and Halloween is just right around the corner!! Aaaahhh, time is flyin'!!

My card is pretty simple and straightforward. I used the Jack O'Lantern Trio and heat embossed on the orange cardstock. The "punkin" diecut letters are stamped a few times using the Polka Dot Background with orange ink. The cardstock base is scored with diagonal lines for a fun, textured background! Thanks for stopping by! Remember....there is a chance to win two gift certificates to DeNami Design, so make sure to leave me a comment as well as on all the other participant's blogs!

Now, off to Deb's blog for an awesome stamped creation ;)

DeNami Anything Goes Challenge

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've participated in a DeNami Challenge! This one is awesome because you can do anything, as long as it has at least one DeNami Design stamp used in it. So, if you are a DeNami fan and haven't joined along yet, you still have a few days left! :)

The card below is for a wedding. I've used two of my favorite stamps: Solid Decorative Crest, and Decorative Flourish. It may be a little difficult to see in the photo, but I used the flourish to create a patterned background. It was heat embossed using pearlescent powder...so shimmery and pretty! I lightly inked the edge of the panel with navy ink, adhered to navy cardstock, then adhered to the base. The shimmery dots are Liquid Pearls (love those!). The decorative diecut label is popped up for added dimension. A small tag fastened with silk ribbon finishes it off!

Thanks for taking time to stop and check out my creation! I hope I've inspired you to make something pretty ;)

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami Design - Solid Decorative Crest, Decorative Flourish. Papertrey Ink - Tiny Tags

Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream; SU - Night of Navy

Ink: SU - Night of Navy

Other: Spellbinders Dies, PTI Die Tiny Tags, PTI Silk Ribbon, Liquid Pearls, Dimensionals

Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop

I'm thrilled to participate in the Papertrey Ink August Blop Hop! The theme this month is Autumn Textiles. It makes me a little sad though, because that means summer is quickly coming to a close. I do look forward to some slightly cooler temps, but I'm just not ready for summer to be over!!

One thing I look forward to in the fall is my wedding anniversary. Since the fall brings lots of earthy/manly colors, I thought it would be perfect to make my hubby's anniversary card for this hop. I think this card will go down in history as the earliest I've EVER made a card LOL (our anniv. isn't until mid Sept)!

I would have loved to used some burlap or felt, but I didn't have any on hand and didn't have a chance to shop. To incorporate some fall texture, I used the houndstooth stamp from the Mat Stack 5 Collection, and stuck with a very fall color scheme. The stamps from Modern Basics remind me of leaves, so I stamped them behind the Mat Stack 5 diecut. For some embellishment, twine is wrapped around the popped up diecut. Three buttons at the bottom add some more interest!

Thanks for making me one of your stops along the hop, and enjoy viewing all the wonderful creations!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Mat Stack 5 Collection, Modern Basics, Beautiful Butterflies (sentiment)

Cardstock: SU -Kraft; PTI - Rustic Cream

Ink:SU - Mellow Moss, Night of Navy; Tsukineko - Jumbo Java, Pumpkin

Other: PTI Mat Stack 5 Die, PTI Buttons, Twine, Dimensionals

DeNami Design Bright Bold & Beautiful Blog Hop

Welcome! If you are following the DeNami blog hop in order, then you should have come from the fabulous Virginia Larsen's blog. If not, and you want to start from the beginning, you can view the full list of participants over on the DeNami Design blog.

This month's theme is Bright Bold & Beautiful. I really love this theme, and can't wait to see everyone else's projects!! The reason I love it is because it makes me really think outside the box. As you can see from many of my recent posts, I have taken a liking to white or light colored card bases, with pops of color. So, I don't think I would have EVER come up with a card like the one below without participating in this hop. With that said, I hope I have inspired you to try something new, think outside the box, or even participate in a blog hop if you have never done it before!! :)

Anyway, this card is pretty straightforward. Black card base, three strips of bright cardstock with the rounded punched corners, and a white embossed focal point image framed by the same die cut. To finish it off, I popped it up for some dimension, and added the rhinestones on either side of it. I really LOVE it!! How about you?! I'd love to hear your thoughts :)

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to leave a comment here, as well as all the other hop participants' blogs for a chance to win one of two $20 gift certificates to the DeNami Design website!!

Now it's time to head on over to Kerri Smith's awesome blog! Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami - Elegant Floral Vine

Cardstock: SU -Basic Black, Taken with Teal, Pink Passion, Summer Sun

Ink: VersaMark

Other: Spellbinders Die, Corner Rounder Punch, White Embossing Powder, Recollections Black Rhinestones, Dimensionals

CAS Wedding Card

Hello everyone! I'm popping in quickly today to show you a CAS wedding card I made using Papertrey Ink stamps and a Spellbinders die. Hope you enjoy!!

CAS-ual Fridays - CFC61

I'M BACK!!!!!!!! I'm finally in the stamping groove again, after not posting in almost two months! :(

If you're wondering where I've been, well, my hubby & I have been a *little* busy lately. After waiting several years (yeah, YEARS), we've finally bought our first home!

YAY! WOOHOO! YIPEE! FINALLY! CHEERS!

We're still unpacking and trying to get settled, but it's definitely feeling like home now :)

One thing I'm SUPER excited about is that I have my FIRST EVER CRAFT ROOM! So, this card I'm sharing with you today is extra special because it's the first card I made in my new craft room *trying to contain my excitement, lol*

I decided to participate in CAS-ual Fridays current challenge, Let's Strip. I really love the DT samples, where everyone used strips of color or pattern in their cards.

I made this for my step-mom, who is currently going through some health issues, including hip replacement surgery. I wanted to make something bright and colorful that she could have in her hospital room to lift her spirits :)

I appreciate you taking the time to stop in today! I'll be back soon with more posts!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Beautiful Butterflies (sentiment & butterflies), Bkgd Basics: Diamonds, Fillable Frames #11

Cardstock: PTI -White

Ink: Stampin Up: Groovy Guava, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate; StazOn - Black

Other: PTI diecut - Fillable Frames #11

DeNami Design Pretty Pastels Blog Hop

Welcome! If you are following the DeNami blog hop in order, then you should have come from the fabulous Annette Holleger's blog . If not, and you want to start from the beginning, you can view the full list of participants over on the DeNami Design blog.

This month's theme is Pretty Pastels. I kept this card fairly simple, and only used one stamp. The Water Lily stamp is one of my all-time favorite DeNami stamps! I decided to stamp it repeatedly in a pattern, and it just happened to form a triangle shape. It wasn't intentional, but I think it totally works! It's difficult to see in the picture, but the cardstock below the ribbon is embossed with a striped embossing folder. The whole panel is popped up with dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to leave a comment here, as well as all the other hop participants' blogs for a chance to win one of two $20 gift certificates to the DeNami Design website!!

Now it's time to head on over to Wendy Elliot's awesome blog! Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami - Water Lily

Cardstock: PTI -White

Ink: StazOn - Black

Ribbon: PTI - Ocean Tides Satin Ribbon

Other: Copic Markers; SU - Stripes Embossing Folder; Dimensionals

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

It's time for another Papertrey Ink blog hop! The photo below is what we are supposed to use as inspiration for our card this month. I definitely got hooked as soon as I saw it! Such nice, soft colors for spring!

I used the Rosie Posie & Giga Guide Lines stamp sets for this card. The roses are adhered to a popped up diecut piece for the focal point. Giga Guide Lines are stamped in the background to create a pattern. Finally, Raspberry Fizz ribbon is added for a bold accent! I hope you enjoy my creation! :)

PTI Makie it Monday #62 - Step it Up: Layering

I'm thrilled to have had some time to participate in this week's PTI Make it Monday! I sure learned some great tips from Betsy Veldman's video over on Nichole Heady's blog, so if you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend you check it out!

I used the Mat Stack 5 Collection stamp set...one of my Favorite. Stamp. Sets. Of. All. Time! :) I don't think I will EVER get tired of using it!

So, the first one is a one layer card. It's actually very simple. I used the large label stamp, and stamped it 3 times so it bleeds off the bottom edge.

Do you recognize the Congrats stamp? Well, it's from the Signature Greetings set, but it says "Congrats You Did It!". I didn't want the "you did it!" part, so I masked off those words with a post-it note, and then finished off the "g" with a black marker!

For the second card, I found some great black and white striped paper in my stash that I thought was perfect! On top of that, I layered a smaller panel of cardstock with the main design and sentiment. For the label images, I diecut all three, and popped up the middle one with foam dimensionals. For an added touch, black pearl stickers were added to the top corners.

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your feedback on this MIM! Have a great week!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Mat Stack 5 Collection, Signature Greetings
Cardstock: PTI -White
Patterned Paper: Be & My Big Ideas

Ink: SU - Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron; StazOn - Black

Other: PTI - Mat Stack 5 Die; Pearl Stickers; Dimensionals

DeNami Ravishing Ribbons Blog Hop

Welcome! If you are following the DeNami blog hop in order, then you should have come from the fabulous Wendy Elliot's blog. If not, and you want to start from the beginning, you can view the full list of participants over on the DeNami Design blog.

This month's theme is Ravishing Ribbons. I think we've all made a card with ribbons at some point, haven't we? I wanted to think a little outside the box for this hop, and decided to do a pleated ribbon. I wanted to make it a bit more interesting than just a one-color pleated ribbon. So, why not a three-color pleat?! I think it looks pretty fun this way! How about you? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

The background border is stamped using a flower stamp from the Ornamental Flowers Petit Fours set. I "colored in" each flower using Stickles. The top panel was punched using a corner punch, popped up with dimensionals, and stamped with the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Thoughtful Greetings Petit Fours set. A very springy and sparkly card!

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to leave me a comment, and all the other hop participants' blogs for a chance to win one of two $20 gift certificates to the DeNami Design website!!

Ok, now it's time to head on over to Annette Holliger's awesome blog!

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami - Ornamental Flowers Petit Fours, Thoughtful Greetings
Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream

Ink: StazOn - Black
Ribbon: PTI - Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, Plum Pudding

Other: Stickles - Fruit Punch, Lavender, Lagoon; Dimensionals

Embellish Magazine Challenge

When I saw the colors for this Embellish Magazine challenge, I was immediately drawn in and HAD to make something! Aren't they just beautiful?!?!

One of my favorite stamp sets right now is PTI's Rosie Posie. I have seen so many gorgeous cards made with this set, and I still hadn't used mine yet. What on earth have I been waiting for?! :)

Well, here it is. I'm sure there are no such thing as blue roses, but what the heck...this is art, right?!? I can do whatever my little heart desires, lol! Anyway, I had fun making this and I hope I've inspired you to get out one of those stamp sets you haven't even used yet!! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI - Rosie Posie

Cardstock: PTI - Soft Stone, White

Ink: SU - Cool Caribbean, Brocade Blue

Dies: PTI - Rosie Posie; Spellbinders - Grand Labels Eleven, Circles

Other: Dimensionals, Rhinestones

Papertrey Ink March Blog Hop

Let me just say that I LOVE the color combo that was chosen for this month's PTI Blog Hop!! The inspiration photo is below.

I recently ordered some new goodies from PTI, and I just had to use my new favorite set, Mat Stack 5 Collection. It's such a "ME" set, lol. Can't wait to play with it even more!

So, here's what I created using the photo above for my inspiration. Stripes are really hot right now, so I played around a little trying to incorporate them in my card. I ended up just stamping a repeated pattern down the two sides of the card front...not really stripes per say, but I'm SUPER happy with the end result!!

What do you think?! I'd love to hear your thoughts :) This can easily be changed up by picking a different color combo. I also think it could be a really cute set to make as a gift.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI - Mat Stack 5 Collection, Beautiful Butterflies
Cardstock: PTI - White

Ink: SU - Cool Caribbean, So Saffron; StazOn: Black
Die: PTI - Beautiful Butterflies
Other: Dimensionals

PTI MIM #57, Colored Kissing

Whew! I finally got a chance to sit down and do some stampin' for this weeks' Make it Monday challenge! It's gettin' late, so I'll get right down to it!

Stamp sets used (all PTI): Modern Basics, Background Basics: Diamonds, & Think Big Favorites #12

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I appreciate any and all feedback! Have a great week!

DeNami Design Birthday Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog and the excitement of the DeNami Birthday Blog Hop! If you are hopping along in order, then you should have come from the UBER talented Lisa Petrella's blog. If you just popped in and would like to start at the beginning, head on over to the DeNami blog.

Do you ever get in a creative slump?? I sure have my moments. I had several ideas floating around for a birthday card, and when I tried doing what I thought was the "coolest" idea, it was just NOT working. So I scratched it, and came up with something very different. Does that ever happen to you? More often than not, I sketch out an idea and then my card comes out totally different than my original plan! LOL
So here's what my end result is....

Don't forget to leave me a comment here AND on every blog along the hop for a chance to win one of three gift certificates to the DeNami blog! How awesome would that be since the new release is out and ready and waiting to be used by you Creative Peeps!! Thanks for stopping by! The next stop is Kate's blog!

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami - Curly Garland Border, Starlet, Thoughtful Greetings
Cardstock: PTI - Rustic White

Ink: TH Distress Ink - Fired Brick, Pumice Stone
Ribbon & Button: PTI True Black

Other: Die - Spellbinders; Sweet Stamps-White Embossing Powder; Dimensionals

CFC #42, Hey Baby!

Hello peeps! I played along with CAS-ual Fridays Challenge - CFC #42, Hey Baby! (baby cards), and here is my creation! Perfect for a little baby boy. Thanks for stopping in for a visit ;-)

Supplies
Stamps: PTI - Borders and Corners - Monogram Edition
Cardstock: PTI White
Ink: Tsukineko - Jumbo Java
Embossing Folders: Stampin' Up-Square Lattice; Cuttlebug Embossing Borders-Just My Type (buttons)
Other: Letter Stickers - Doodlebug Design Inc; Ribbon - PTI Spring Moss Satin; Glitter - PK Glitter Glitz - Lagoon, Chartreuse

Hello Friend

Miss me? I'm back with another CAS creation to share with you. This is one I submitted to a Paper Crafts Magazine call, but was not chosen.

I used one of the designs from PTI's Giga Guide Lines set, stamped in several colors on white cardstock, and punched them out using two different sized circle punches. I then stamped 6 banner tails (from the Banner Builder set) on white cs, trimmed, and attached to the back of the circles. Using dimensionals, I attached all the circles and the sentiment to the card front. To finish it off, white pearl stickers add a pretty touch to the centers of the circles.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: PTI Modern Basics (sentiment), Banner Builder (banner tail), Giga Guide Lines (decorative motif)
Cardstock: PTI White
Ink: Stampin' Up-Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Pale Plum; Ranger-Pumice Stone
Punches: Stampin Up! 1 1/4" circle, EK Success 1 3/8" circle

DeNami Design Cute Chickies Blog Hop

If you've arrived here from Linda's blog, you are on the right track! If not, you can start the hop from the beginning at DeNami Design's blog. If you visit each and every blog and leave a comment, you have a chance to win one of three DeNami gift certificates (must leave a comment by Monday night)!

Ok, let's get down to business since you've got lots of cute stuff to see today! I chose to use the Heart Chickie since Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I've had this stamp in mind to use for my hubby's V-day card, since it's not real 'girlie', hehe! So I chose some masculine colors and kept this pretty simple. The Starlet stamp was used to create a patterned background. Hope you enjoy!!

Thanks for visiting! Your next hop is over to Dana's blog!!
There is definitely some eye candy over there! :)

Supplies:

Stamps: DeNami - Heart Chickie, Starlet
Cardstock: Stampin Up! - Cool Caribbean, Cherry Cobbler; PTI - Fine Linen

Ink: Staz-On: Jet Black; TH Distress Ink - Old Paper
Ribbon: Maya Road

Other: Dies - Spellbinders; Dimensionals

RIC5 & CFC39 - Happy Birthday

Hi guys! I am popping in real quick to share this card I made for the following challenges:

Runway Inspired Challenge #5

CAS-ual Fridays Paper Piecing

It's pretty straightforward. I used the light blue color from the RIC, and paper pieced the Water Lily stamp (DeNami) for CFC using a very subtle light blue striped patterned paper. Some dimensionals were used to pop it up, and I colored in a little shadow on the layer underneath to give it some depth (Copic marker).

The Spellbinders label is also popped up, partially overlapping the lace. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from PTI, and I stamped the Water Lily again at the bottom for a little more detail. The blue cardstock has a shimmer to it, which you can really only see it the upper left corner. It looks much 'cooler' in person!! ;-)

Stamps: DeNami - Water Lily; PTI - Gracious Vases (sentiment)
Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream; SU - Naturals Ivory; DCWV Latte Cardstock stack
Ink: Stampin' Up -Bashful Blue; StazOn - Jet Black
Other: Spellbinders Labels Twenty, Lace, Dimensionals

I Just Can't Live Without You...

Hey there! I need to share this Valentine-y card with you! I created this for my submission to the 2012 Spellbinders Design Team, but unfortunately I was not chosen to continue to the next round :(

I then submitted it to one of Paper Crafts magazine calls, but it wasn't chosen for that either.

So, can I get some LOVE for this card?! hehe. Anyway--I still really like this one, and it's fun to create my own little sentiments to fit just right on the Spellbinders banner dies.

Wanna know a little secret about the heart??

Well...I created it using just two of the stamps from the Papertrey Ink stamp set, Modern Basics! One is the cluster of three solid shapes (used for the two points of the heart), and the other is just one solid shape, that I easily rotated to fill in the curved left and right sides of the heart.

Can you see what I'm talking about?? I know...it's hard to explain with just words. If you need more explanation, just let me know in the comments section and I'll do my best to assist you! I dabbed some Liquid Pearls on the heart to give it some shine, and finished it off with a Prima Flower in the center.

Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream; Stampin Up-Cherry Cobbler.
Stamps: PTI Modern Basics
Ink: Stampin Up-Cherry Cobbler
Other: Flower-Prima; Ranger Industries: Liquid Pearls - Platinum Pearl
Dies: Spellbinders

DeNami Anything Goes Challenge!

Hey there stampy friends! I have a sweet little card to show you that I am entering in the DeNami Theme Challenge #9 - Anything Goes! My friends' daughter just turned one, and I thought this elephant would be a cute stamp to use on her card. I really don't have any kid themed stamps (just a few Baby stamps), so I had little to work with. I should really invest in some, right?!

Thanks for taking a peek! :)

Stamps: DeNami - Polka Dot Elephant, Polka Dot Background; PTI - Borders and Corners Monogram Edition (sentiment)
Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream
Ink: Stampin' Up - Pale Plum, Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Perfect Plum
Punch: EK Success - Open Scallop Edger Punch
Twine, Dimensionals

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Hey! It's time for a Papertrey Blog Hop! I'm excited to be participating in this one because it's been quite a while since I joined in on all the fun.

The challenge this time is to pick your favorite project from 2011 and share it. To take it a step further, you are also challenged to create a second card that is inspired by the favorite project you select.

Pretty fun, huh?! I had a tough time choosing just ONE project...there are several that I really love, but decided on this (See original blog post with additional photos)

For my new card, I used the same concept of the square card with a die cut from the center, and another die-cut used as a frame. This time the card is larger, measuring 5.5" x 5.5". I used the Delightful Doilies set, which is one I should really use more often because I just love it! Also used the coordinating doilies dies.

The main doily was stamped with VersaMark ink on PTI white cardstock, then embossed with white ep. I used two Tim Holtz Distress Inks to apply color with the ink blending tool, alternating between pink and red. The doily is popped up with some dimensionals.

The small center element is from the DD set as well. It's die-cut, and then stamped using the "Love" sentiment from Gracious Vases, and popped up with dimensionals. To make it complete, I scored about 1/4" along each edge of the card front!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my project today...thanks for stoppin' by!!

Stamps: PTI - Delightful Doilies, Gracious Vases
Cardstock: PTI - White
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress - Fired Brick, Victorian Velvet
Dies: PTI - Delightful Doilies
Embossing Powder: Sweet Stamps (white)

PTI Make it Monday #49: Ghost Masking

Hey blog friends! I've got a new card to share with you today. It's time for PTI Make it Monday #49: Ghost Masking. I've never heard of this technique before, so I was very curious as I watched Betsy Veldman demonstrate how to do this technique (and her card is just beautiful)! It's actually very simple. If you haven't already, you can check it out here.

I used two stamp sets: Mat Stack 2 Collection (all the black areas on the top panel), and Giga Guide Lines (tealish color images). Hopefully you can see in the pic that the teal stamps inside the circle are lighter, or "ghosted", compared to the area outside the circle. This way, the sentiment is not overpowered by the pattern behind it! I absolutely LOVE how this card turned out! What about you? What do you think?! I would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!!

Stamps: PTI - Mat Stack 2 Collection, Giga Guide Lines
Cardstock: PTI - White
Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas, DCWV
Ink: SU - Baja Breeze; Tsukineko - Jet Black
Die: PTI - Mat Stack 2 Collection
Other: PTI-Hawaiian Shores Satin Ribbon, True Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Maya Road - Trinket Pin; Recollections: Black rhinestones