Step it Up! Saturday

I've decided to do some themed posts here on my blog, and Step it Up! Saturday is the first theme. Each Saturday, I'm hoping to post a clean & simple card, and then a stepped up version using the same supplies as the first, but just adding a couple extra touches. For my first Step it Up! Saturday, I CASE'd a card right out of the Idea Book & Catalogue (page 40).

Here's the first card:

This card uses two ink pads (VersaMark and Early Expresso), three cardstocks (Crumb Cake, Naturals White & Chocolate Chip), one stamp set (Snow Swirled) and Silver Stampin' Emboss powder. I also used Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (sneak peek from the upcoming Holiday Mini) and Rhinestones. I tore both of the cardstocks layered on the card, and all the layers are glued to the card base. You could simplify this card even more by just stamping the tree in a green ink instead of embossing it.

Here is the stepped up card:

I used the same supplies that I used for the first card and added a Silver Mini Brad, Daffodil Delight ink to add the star to the top of the tree and the Scallop Border punch for the Chocolate Chip layer. I also used Sticky Strip to attach the ribbon to the bottom of the focal panel. I folded the ribbon onto itself as I stuck it to the Sticky Strip to create the ruffles, and added the silver brad as an accent. The whole focal panel is up on Stampin' Dimensionals as well. I also created a two-toned sentiment with Crumb Cake and Early Expresso markers.

Which version do you prefer?