Icing on the Cake

Have you tried Stampin' Up!'s Bead Duos?  They are such an unexpected touch, whether they are layered over glue or sticky strip to create some sparkle or individual "spot treatments" of the larger beads.  For today's card, they get to become the "icing on the cake."  Delicious.

I inked the Polka Dot Background stamp in black and stamped it on Purely Pomegranate.  This is one of my favorite backgrounds.  As a polka dot fan, I can make my own designer polka dot paper in any colors of ink or card stock.  I clipped the corners with a Key Tag Punch.  It was then matted it on Basic Black, some silver brads added in the corners and adhered to a card base of Basic Gray.

The banner is Basic Gray after a quick run through the Cuttlebug with the Spots and Dots Embossing Folder.  I then attached it to some Basic Black card stock with a scalloped border created with my Corner Rounder Punch (tutorial here).

The cake is Purely Pomegranate on Whisper White and the edges sponged in Purely Pomegranate.  I then punched it out with a Marvy Mega Circle Punch.  TIP:  I used some Sticky Strip (2-sided tape) across the top of the cake and layered the clear micro beads on it for my textured "icing."  This process is accomplised in my small Powder Pal tray to contain the tiny beads.  I had a previous "accident" with the tiny beads and have learned it's best to use the trays and then funnel the leftovers back into the bead container.  I attached the image to Basic Black card stock snapped out with a Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle Punch.  TIP:  To keep the polka dot theme going, I dotted each scallop in white with a Signo Gel Pen.

The last detail implements the stunning new Styled Silver HodgePodge Hardware Label Holder (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini).  It works beautifully with the small oval punch (whisper white card stock and Basic Gray sentiment).  I added some Stampin' Dimensionals below the sentiment and threaded some black polka dot ribbon through the holder.  Dazzle, dazzle.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Birthday Whimsy (Sale-A-Bration, 111401), Warm Words (107123), Polka Dot Background (109276)
Paper:  Basic Gray (108692), Basic Black (102851), Purely Pomegranate (108644), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Purely Pomegranate (109011), Basic Gray (109120)
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Sponges (101610), Powder Pals (102197), Cuttlebug, Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle Punch and Mega Circle Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Bead Duos (Pink/Clear Microbeads, 110752), HodgePodge Hardware (Styled Silver Label Holder and Brads, Occasions Mini 111325), Signo White Gel Pen (105021), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sticky Strip (104294), Non SU Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots Embossing Folder

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge CC157, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Purely Pomegranate