Gretchen Barron

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

Good morning, everyone! Our challenge on Late Night Stampers this week is to create projects using the colors Red, White and Blue! I've got a couple to share with you this morning! Do you recognize these "fireworks"? These are actually flowers on one of the new printed Window Sheets that Stampin' Up! sells (they have been in the Occasions Mini Catalog but also will be in the new Fall and Winter Idea Book and Catalog). The first time I saw these, I immediately thought "fireworks" or "sparklers" and so I've used them to create this Red, White and Blue card today. Using Real Red Craft Ink, I stamped and heat embossed directly on the acetate sheet, using the Celebrate stamp from Celebrate Everything. I didn't know if I could do this or not and half-way expected to have a melted, smushy ball of hot acetate on my desk, but it worked! I wouldn't over-heat though! Underneath the acetate sheet, on a layer of Brilliant Blue, I stamped the little speckles using Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I used White Craft Ink and then pounced on Real Red Stampin' Pastels with a Sponge Daubber. Blow and brush off the excess chalk. I attached the window sheet with SNAIL adhesive across the top and then "hid" the SNAIL with the tied ribbon. I'm pleased with how my fireworks card turned out! How about you?

This next card was actually a project that I had some new stamping friends make in a workshop earlier this week. Again, using Real Red, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White cardstock, we created this card with the small and large Star Punches. Such fun! Stamp Sets are Celebrate Everything and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I added some additional stars and speckles on the inside of the card (no surprise there, right!).

Well, I hope my projects today will give you some inspiration to create your own Red, White and Blue Cards! If you would like to join Late Night Stampers and play along with our weekly challenges, just click on the Owl and Branch logo in the left side-bar of this blog! We would love to welcome you to LNS!

Tomorrow is the BIG day -- the reveal of the new Fall and Winter Idea Book and Catalog! Stop back for some exciting news and fabulous project ideas using new Stamp Sets and Accessories from the newest catalog and Idea Book!

 If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a new Class-on-the-Go Kit -- this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

Check out other $5 project tutorials HERE.

Click HERE to see all the Class-on-the-Go Kits and Cards that I currently am selling.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be back soon!

Blessings, Gretchen

Razzleberry Lemonade meets the Look Here Die!

I must admit ... when I first saw this Big Shot die, I was not impressed! It looked a little weird to me with all those arrows going every-which-way and I couldn't imagine myself using it much. NOT! I am in love with the new Stampin' Up! Pop Up Look Here Bigz XL Die! I've already used it for giving 3 gift cards just this week! It is AMAZING and it goes together so quickly (once you do it a couple of times - LOL). With this die, you can turn ANY card into a unique Gift Card Holder that will make people ... well ... Look Here!

I used the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (the DSP, Ribbon and Die will all be available beginning this Wednesday, July 1st, when the new Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog are released). The cardstock is Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. The ribbon is Crushed Curry 5/8" Dotted Grosgrain. The Stamp set is On Your Birthday. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch and a Flower Brad (to cover-up a smudge from my inky fingers -- did you know there are no mistakes in stamping ... only opportunities for creative embellishment!). The Melon Mambo (pink) layer is embossed with the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates. What fun ... and a great way to surprise someone you care about!

 If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a new Class-on-the-Go Kit -- this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

Check out other $5 project tutorials HERE.

Click HERE to see all the Class-on-the-Go Kits and Cards that I currently am selling.

 

Have you checked out our new Stamping 411 website yet? This is our new teaching site to get back to the basics for new Stampers or experienced pros that want to play along as well. I'm one of the "operators" along with five other talented ladies. I hope you'll check the site regularly for updates and new postings as well as our Saturday sketch contest. Check it out today!

Happy Stamping, everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Stamping 411 -- Saturday Sketch Challenge!

Hello everyone! Another Saturday means another Sketch Challenge from the Operators at Stamping 411! This is the Teaching Site that I share with five other talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. Each week, we try to bring ideas, inspiration, tips and techniques to help the beginning and new stamper (of course, everyone is welcome to visit). Check out our blog and the growing list of resources by clicking on the link above.

My card this week uses Rose Red, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Cardstocks, Tall Tales Designer Series Paper (from the new Fall and Winter Idea Book and Catalog which goes LIVE on July 1st), Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. Also used are the 1 3/4" Circle Punch, the Scallop Edge Punch and the Big Shot and Cherry Blossom Embosslet.

As always, I have provided a detailed step-by-step tutorial for this card. The tutorial has a list of all supplies used, measurements for each layer and photos and instructions for each step in the process. The tutorial may not be for everyone -- it's very detailed and for those that can simply look at a picture and copy it, you may not want it. But for others who can't do that and for beginning stampers who are just starting out, I hope you find these tutorials helpful. Sometimes it's nice to just peek over someone's shoulder and see how they do things and that's the way I've tried to write these tutorials -- as If I were sitting across the table with you in my studio, teaching you the basics of cardmaking in a class. You can download and print this week's Tutorial HERE.

I do hope you'll check out the Stamping 411 site and play along with our challenge this week. You can link your creations back to our site by using Mr. Linky (see the information at the bottom of the Stamping 411 SSC105 post). Don't forget to check out the artwork from the other designers as well. There's lots of inspiration waiting for you!

Happy weekend and happy stamping, everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Japanese Doll Gift Set

Hello there everyone! I saw these adorable little Japanese Doll cards several weeks ago and they've been on the back burner until I had a chance to play with them! Today was the day! I created this darling little gift set for a friend's birthday! Four cards and stamped envelopes fit perfectly inside the little gift box!

I used Flock Together Designer Series Papers; Embrace You and Oval All Stamp Sets;Basic Black, Garden Green and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Garden Green Ink; the Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches; Black Brads; the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates; a Black Jumbo Grommet and a Corduroy Button (I used the Summer Sun and died it with Black Stazon Reinker). Punches used to make the Japanese Doll were the Wide Oval, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches. I used a Tutorial from Kirsteen Gill for my inspiration for this project.

Now before you even ask, I created the box by cutting Basic Black cardstock at 7.5 x 8.75" and scored at 1.5" on all sides. Make two of these -- one for the bottom and one for the top. Cut on each side to the score lines and put the box together using Sticky Strip Adhesive. Cut panels of the Garden Green cardstock to fit each side and top and run them through the Big Shot using the Texturz plate before decorating.  I stamped the inside of each card and the envelope with more of the branch image, using Garden Green Ink. I added just a little pink to the cheeks using Stampin' Pastels!

This is a different look for me but I love how this little gift set turned out. Have fun making these little Japanese Dolls!

 If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a new Class-on-the-Go Kit -- this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

An Unhurried Sense of Time

Good morning, everyone! For this week's MoJo Monday sketch challenge, I created this card with the stamp set, Sense of Time. This is one of the beautiful sets from the Occasions Mini catalog that made it into the new Fall/Winter Catalog that will be released next week on July 1st! I lovedthis set when I first saw it and the more I see it used, I love it even more. I used Baja Breeze as the cardbase, with layers of Chocolate Chip and two different prints from the Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Papers (do we really have to say good-bye to this paper next week?). Instead of punching the edges with a border punch, I decided to tear them, to create a more vintage look. I stamped the images in Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip ink and then sponged on Baja Breeze and Creamy Caramel, again to add a vintage look. The ribbon is from the Valet Ribbon Originals set. On the inside of the card, I did the same sponging and stamping technique, this time making it look like Faux Torn Vellum by adding a post-it-note with a torn edge, and stamping just to the left of that torn edge. When you pull off the post-it-note, you have this wonderful torn vellum look. I just love that technique!

Well, that's it for today!

 If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a new Class-on-the-Go Kit -- this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

Happy Stamping, everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Different Shapes from the Top Note Die!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! My goodness, I had a lot of response to THIS CARD that appeared yesterday on Stamper's Showcase on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website. After numerous e-mails asking how I got this shape from the Top Note die, I thought I would post this little trick on my blog today. It's very simple, really. You just run your cardstock through the Top Note Bigz Die more than once, each time turning it on a different angle. First, you simply cut out a Top Note Die-cut as you normally would. Then, you place that die-cut back onto the Top Note Die, this time turning it 90 degrees (be careful to get it centered and straight) and then run it back through the Big Shot Machine. As you can see from the photo, you will get two little "bracket" pieces (that can be used on another project) and then you will get this really cool, stylized square shape, which is what I used in my card on Stamper's Showcase and the one that I've created for you today. Now, I need to tell you that this is not my original idea. Mary Jo Price-Williams first came up with this cool little trick in January and if you click on her name, you'll see her original post which will show what you can do with the Top Note Die when you pass it through the Big Shot even more times, each time changing the angle a bit! HERE'S another example of what I did, using the Just Buzzin' By stamp set and this technique.

Okay, now to today's project. I wanted to give you another peek into some of the great things to come next week when YOU can order from the new catalog! Here you can see that I cut the Top Note using the new Melon Mambo In Color, and passed it through the Big Shot twice for this frame. I used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, and colored directly on the rubber stamp with the new In Color markers. Yes, you heard me right. Starting next week, you will be able to purchase a set of In Color Markers! How cool is that! I also used Melon Mambo as the cardbase, a layer of Dusty Durango and another layer of Rassleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and some of the fabulous new Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon. Here's a peek at the inside of the card, using another image from the stamp set.

 

Here's a closer look at the new markers, ribbon and stamp set used on this card! Remember, you can begin ordering from the new Idea Book and Catalog beginning July 1st -- that's just a week away! Click to view a larger image!

Have you seen my latest Class-on-the-Go Kit? It's this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

I hope I've inspired you today! And I hope you come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Until then, blessings, Gretchen

A Sneak Peek at Some Good Things To Come (soon)!

Good morning, everyone! I've been holding off showing you some of the wonderful new in-colors, papers and stamp sets from the new Catalog (to be released on July 1st) because there are so many wonderful, retiring things that I wanted to focus on. But I can't wait any longer! The time has come! This morning's card, created for the Late Night Stampers Sketch Challenge this week, uses some of the fabulous new Razzleberry Lemonaide Designer Series Papers and the cutest-ever polka-dot Grosgrain Ribbon that matches all of this year's new In Colors! These would normally not be my first color choices but I love the Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango together. Look how well the Flower Assortment Brads match the new colors? The stamp set is Great Friend, you've seen it in the Occasions Mini Catalog but guess what, it made it into the new catalog as well! I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the bottom of the floral DSP layer and stamped the butterfly with Versamark Ink, then heat embossing with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. An added butterfly and sentiment on the inside complete this fun, summer card!

Okay now, here's a look at all the new In Colors and new Ribbons! What do you think? Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede! I'm making plans now to again offer Samplers for the new Designer Series Papers and the new In Color Ribbons so you'll want to check back next week for more details!

Have you seen my latest Class-on-the-Go Kit? It's this darling three-piece Camping Gift Set using the Under the Stars Stamp Set. You can purchase the class Kit or simply order the tutorial! Either way, it's a darling project for summer fun! Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope I gave you some inspiration and ideas! Please come back soon!

Thanks for looking! Blessings, Gretchen

It's the Tour de Freaks!

Oh My Goodness, are you in for a treat today! Twelve, talented members of the Control Freak Stampers have some very special projects for you to enjoy today -- each of them focusing on retiring Stamp Sets, Designer Series Papers and Embellishments! There are ten days left to order retiring Stamp Sets so this is a great opportunity to decide which one's you can't live without and place your order before they're gone forever! The Control Freaks are going to try to convince you that you need them all! Be prepared for a wild ride as you visit these twelve blogs today!

Okay! Are you ready? I've got three projects for you today. This first one pairs two of my very favorite Stamp Sets, Bella Blossoms and Absolutely Fabulous. I seriously don't know how I can let go of either one of them! Bella Blossoms is a Big, Bold, Dramatic flower and I decided to honor it today with a Big, Bold, Dramatic send-off. You can't get much more dramatic than Black, Red and White. I'm using some pretty dramatic DSP as well -- Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper (retiring but still available as of this morning when I checked the list). My goodness, I had fun making this card. I stamped the flower twice on Whisper White cardstock, using Real Red ink. With the first stamped imaged, I cut out the entire flower and then just the inner portion of the second image, inked all the edges with Real Red, applied some Black Fine Galaxy Glitter to the center (how's that for drama!) and then attached the layers with Stampin' Dimensionals. Note the Paper Piercing around the focal image layers! The sentiment and flower are carried to the inside for a little extra adornment. Bella Blossoms, you're absolutely fabulous ... no seriously, you are!

From dramatic to delightful! This next card is just for the kids (or kids at heart). It is also a money-holder (a perennial favorite among kids of all ages!). I used this week's MoJo Monday Sketch for the layout. Using the darling set, Wild About You, and the fun, colorful prints from the Washington Apple Designer Series Papers, I came up with a card that I think anyone will enjoy! I started with an 8.5 x 10" piece of Riding Hood Red Cardstock and scored at 2" and 6". The 2" flap is folded to the inside of the card and the edges fastened with Sticky Strip adhesive. I put DSP on the flap and punched out the center with the Wide Oval Punch (you've got to make sure the money is easily removable - LOL). I rounded all the corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. Ink colors are So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red and Basic Black. Cardstock used is Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White. I used three different patterns from the DSP pack. The grass is sponged on with Glorious Green and the sky and clouds with Bashful Blue. Additional accessories include the Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, 5/8" Double-Striped Riding Hood Red Grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, and the Wide Oval Punch (for the inside money flap). This card was as much fun to make as it would be to receive!

OK, two more favorite retiring stamp sets to highlight for you today -- this project using God's Beauty (a Level 1 Hostess Set) and Lovely Labels. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this butterfly from God's Beauty. A quick trip back through my blog posts will show you that I've used it dozens of times. It is so pretty and striking. My favorite way to use it is the way I did for this project. Simply stamp the butterfly using Black Stazon Ink (so it won't smear or bleed) and then sponge the color onto the wings. Cut it out, attach it with Stampin' Dimensionals and you have a realistic-looking and beautiful butterfly to adorn most any project. I used the delicious Urban Garden Designer Series Paper and one of my newest favorite color themes -- Not Quite Navy and Kiwi Kiss (I only wish I had discovered this earlier in the season). I created a simple Tote Bag for this set of Thank-You notes (8.5 x 11" piece of cardstock, score at 4.5" from each short side of the cardstock and 1.25" from each long side. Clip to the score lines, fold and fasten together with Sticky Strip). The Handle is 3/8" Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, attached on each side through Jumbo Eyelets. I stamped the leaves in Kiwi Kiss on the inside corner of each card and again on the envelopes. The cards and envelopes all fit easily into the roomy tote and make a beautiful gift to give to someone special!

Well -- that's it for me! But you've got 11 more stops on this tour and can't even image the beautiful surprises that await! Grab a snack and a cool drink, sit back and relax and enjoy the ride! The next stop will allow you to hop off for awhile and visit the amazing Cindy Majors! And come back as often as you'd like to get another look -- we've all decided to keep the links on our blogs so that you can re-visit the tour at any time, or refer friends to take the trip with you!

I hope you enjoy the tour, everyone!

Thanks for looking! Blessings, Gretchen

Stamping 411 -- Saturday Sketch Challenge

WHEW -- can you believe an entire week has passed already? A day, maybe ... but a week! Unbelievable! But true! And that means another great Sketch and Challenge from Stamping 411, the teaching site that I share with 5 other designers ... I mean, operators! This week's sketch gives you lots of room to stamp images and play around with color and design!

And here's what I created with the sketch! Fun, eh? The Stamp Set is Simply Said. Cardstock used are Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White. I used both 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and 1/4" Black Gingham Ribbon and one of those adorable flower buttons from the Button latte set. And then there is this adorable ladybug that just flew into the picture! She's created all from 1 3/8" and 1" Circle Punches!

As I will each week for the Saturday Sketch Challenge, I have provided a detailed step-by-step tutorial for this card. The tutorial has a list of all supplies used, measurements for each layer and photos and instructions for each step in the process. The tutorial may not be for everyone -- it's very detailed and for those that can simply look at a picture and copy it, you may not want it. But for others who can't do that and for beginning stampers who are just starting out, I hope you find these tutorials helpful. Sometimes it's nice to just peek over someone's shoulder and see how they do things and that's the way I've tried to write these tutorials -- as If I were sitting across the table with you in my studio, teaching you the basics of cardmaking in a class. You can download and print this week's Tutorial HERE.

Well, that's going to be it for today! I'm so glad that you stopped by and hope you'll come back soon. Don't forget to check out Stamping 411 and if you decide to play along with this week's challenge, I'll look forward to seeing the projects that you create throughout the week.

Stop back tomorrow to hop on the bus for the Big Tour De Freaks! Tomorrow's tour will feature some incredibly talented ladies who will be showcasing some of their favorite Stampin' Up! products that are on the Last Chance List. You won't want to miss it -- we guarantee a wild ride!

Happy Stamping everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Under the Stars Camping Gift Set -- a New Class-on-the-Go!

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to offer a brand-new Class-on-the-go Kit for you today! This Under the Stars Camping Gift set has been sitting on my desk in partially-completed stages for more than three weeks and finally, it's ready to show! This kit would be perfect for a child going to camp, a family vacation, a significant-other who loves the outdoors or just about any other event that involves nature and summer! The three-piece set includes an adorable "tent" card, literally (really a modified tunnel card) with a surprise critter inside; a treasure chest with real twig handles, perfect for hiding little trinkets found in nature -- rocks, twigs, leafs, bugs and treasures of all kinds; and a gift bag ready to hold a camp survival kit or other gift.

The kit includes Detailed Step-by-step directions and photographs (e-mailed to you as a PDF file) to construct all three pieces in the set, Cardstock to complete all three projects (with extras left-over); 3 Matchbox Die-Cuts, already scored and ready to quickly fold and assemble; Jumbo Eyelets. Buttons and twigs (for the Treasure Chest Pulls); 2 yards of Natural Hemp Twine and even a sack to make the Gift Bag (a Genie Bag). Stamp Sets used include Under the Stars, Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Lovely as a Tree. A list of additional supplies and tools needed to complete the project is included with  the instructions.

Cost for the Kit is just $16 which includes S&H (within the United States only please).  Kits ordered by midnight on Sunday will be shipped the following Friday, this week and each week thereafter. 

You may also purchase just the Tutorial for $5 (please note, the Tutorial is written to be used with the Matchbox Bigz XL Die and Big Shot).If ordering the Tutorial only, you will receive an e-mail with the PDF link within 24 hours of payment received. E-mail me with questions prior to ordering.

Under the Stars Camping Gift Set

Class-on-the-Go Kit (includes S&H) $16.00Tutorial Only $5.00

Click HERE to see other Class-on-the-Go Kits and Cards that I currently am selling.

Click HERE to see other Tutorials available for $5 each.

Click HERE to read what others have said about Inspiration in Action Kits, Cards and Samplers.