Best Year Yet

Remember that cupcake set that I resisted for a really, really long time?  Well, I am LOVING it now!! I know, crazy after not even liking it for forever!

Well, today's post is all about a sweet little aqua colored cupcake...(making you hungry yet?)

This is such a fun color combo to work with. 

I added dimension to this card by popping the icing up on the cupcake and also popping up the frame as well and then of course, by adding the pretty little paper rose.  I used the linen impression plate on the frame to give it some texture.

I really like how this card turned out, so I couldn't just stop there.  So I made...

...another notebook.  This one is from a notepad pack from Alco.  You get 5 pads of paper in one package for $1!!  What a deal!  They had Hawaiian Shores, pink, yellow, orange & purple packs to choose from!  Score!!  They measure 3 1/2" x 5" but are just as cute as the longer, skinner ones from my post yesterday.

Here the notebook cover is opened slightly so that you can see the notepad peaking out.

And I couldn't stop there either.  So I also made...

...another custom-sized bag to hold the notebook! 

I made this the same way as I made the ladybug notebook bags here.  Cut my white lunch bag down to size, sewed the sides (and bottom this time) with a straight stitch (also different since I used a zig zig stitch before), cut off the excess and then punched a half circle at the top to be able to easily get the notebook in and out.

On each of the cupcakes I used my spica clear glitter pen to add glitter around parts of the frosting.  What a difference a little glitter makes!!  I also used my embossing folder to emboss the entire band that I wrapped around the bag.  And, yes those Lacey Circle Nesties again for the cupcake to sit on!  (Yes, Amy, you NEED these, lol!!)

Here's the trio together.

What a fun (and colorful!) gift that was super fun to make!

Have a great day everyone!! Thanks for stopping by! 

Edited to add:  Cathy emailed and couldn't find Alco online to buy the notepads.  Alco is an old, old store and it seems like they might just be in smaller rural areas.  I looked online and found this source for the notepads (perfect match!).  The only catch is that you have to buy a case of 48 (which means you get 240 notepads, LOL!)! But they are still just $1 for 5, so if you wanted to split them with a friend you could!  I also found them here but they are more expensive if you go that route.  You can try googling "Mini Writing Tablets" too to see what other options might be out there!

Supplies (all PTI unless noted)
Stamps:  Cupcake Collection, Signature Greetings, Mat Stack 3, Big Birthday Wishes
Paper: Kraft, Rustic White, Hawaiian Shores, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics
Ink: Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Palette Landscape
Other: Cupcake Collection Dies, Linen Impression Plate, Mat Stack Die, Aqua Mist Button, Twinery Twine, Quickutz Embossing Folder, Pearl, Lacey Circle Nestie, White Lunch Bag