Gretchen Barron

Another Sketch Card from Stamping 411!

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday. I decided to use this week's sketch from Stamping 411 for another card this week. It always amazes me to see how different the same layout can look with different stamps, papers, colors and embellishments. All I did to alter the layout on this card was to change the position of the stamped image and bow -- all the measurements are exactly the same as the previous TUTORIAL that I made for you on Saturday. I used Bella Birds Designer Series Papers, Heartfelt Thanks and the 7/8" So Saffron PolyTwill Ribbon -- all products that will be retired at the end of June. It will be sad to see them go. Heartfelt Thanks was the set that convinced me to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

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 Selene Kempton, Robin Merriman, Connie Babbert, Patti Chesky and Lee Conrey. I hope you'll check the site regularly for updates (Connie posted a very informative piece just this morning on Crystal Effects -- check it out!) and new postings as well as our Saturday sketch contest. There's some great BLOG candy being offered there right now but only for those who play along and create a card using this week's Sketch. You must create your card and then go to the Stamping 411 site and post your link on Mr. Linky by tomorrow (Wednesday). We can't wait to see your creations!

Speaking of Retiring products, check out all the things that we'll be saying Good-Bye to by the end of the month. If there are things on the list that you just can't live without, you'll want to get your order placed soon. Once they're gone, they are gone forever!

That's it for today! Have a great week, everyone! Thanks for stopping and please come back soon.

Blessings, Gretchen

Check out my $5 project tutorials HERE.

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

One Sketch -- Three Cards!

My goodness, I haven't done One Sketch -- Three Cards! for awhile and I thought this week's Late Night Stampers Challenge Sketch would be the perfect opportunity! For all three of my cards today using this sketch, I turned it 90 degrees and changed the orientation of the sketch!

Here's my first card using the fabulous Bella Blossoms Stamp Set (it's still available on the Dormant List and I sure hope it doesn't retire -- I think there's so much more that can be done with this set than I've seen!). I began with a Rose Red Card Base and a 2nd layer of Cameo Coral. The Designer Series Paper is Raspberry Tart and I used two different patterns from the DSP. The Kiwi Kiss print was punched with the Eyelet Border Punch. The ribbon is 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain in Rose Red. I stamped the flower image three times -- once (just the leaves) on the Whisper White layer. Once (on a scrap of Whisper White) in Rose Red and another time in Cameo Coral. I carefully cut out the Rose Red flower, applied Crystal Effects to the inside white part and dipped it in Clear Micro Beads (see the close up for detail - click to enlarge) and then adhered it to the stem using SNAIL adhesive. Next, I cut out just the inside of the the Cameo Coral flower, sponged the edges with Rose Red ink and mounted it on the other layers with Stampin' Dimensionals. Not to feel left-out, the inside of the card is stamped as well for a nice little surprise when you open the card! I really love the way this card turned out!

For my next example, I decided to go baby girl! Using Sweet Always DSP (again 2 different patterns), I layered the DSP on Chocolate Chip and then the Pretty in Pink Card Base. I added some 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon across the middle (to hide the seam). I created the eyelet ribbon border on the left by taking a 1 1/2" strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock and punching both long edges with the Eyelet Border Punch. I drew a pencil line down the middle of the punched cardstock (on the back) and then used the Double Rectangle punch to punch the slots for the 1/4" Pretty in Pink Grosgrain ribbon. The Zebra (colored with markers) is from the Zoofari Stamp Set and the sentiment is the Beautiful Baby Individual Stamp (FREE this month with a $40 purchase from the Occasions Mini Catalog -- ask me how!). The little daisy is from the Dasies #2 Die and the Chocolate Chip Flower button is from Button Latte. So fun and what a great way to greet a new little one!

One more for today! I've been to two funerals this week (unfortunately) so really needed some new sympathy cards. This uses the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp set and Bella Birds Designer Series Paper (once again, two different patterns). I stamped the images in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White and sponged around the edges. The ribbon is the delicious chocolate Chip Dotted Satin from the Valet Ribbon Originals collection! I wouldn't normally think of crossing the ribbon in this way, but this sketch invited it and I think I like the way it looks!

Well, that's going to be it for today. I've got a list as long of my arm of things that still need to be done before I go to bed. Yikes!!! I better get busy!!!

Just a reminder that my newest Kit-on-the-Go is this darling little Birdhouse box and set of 4 cards. You can purchase the kit or just the Tutorial. Click HERE for more information. To see all the Kits, cards and Tutorials that I'm currently offering, go to my online Store Window HERE.

I hope the rest of your weekend is great! Please stop by again soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Blessings, Gretchen

Today's Fatured Designer Series Paper -- Bella Birds!

I was amazed when I opened up this new package of Designer Series Paper. It is so beautiful and delicate, almost lacy in appearance. Bella Birds DSP coordinates beautifully with Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue and So Saffron cardstocks, inks, ribbons and other embellishments.

You can click on the images to see larger pictures. As always, Bella Birds has 12 different patterns on Double-sided paper.

So, are you ready for the cards I've created using this beautiful new DSP? This first card uses the beautiful new Level 1 Hostess Set, God's Beauty. Isn't this butterfly just gorgeous? I began with a card base of Bordering Blue and a 2nd layer of So Saffron. I added a 2 1/2" piece of DSP on the bottom and finished it off with 3/8" White Taffeta Ribbon. The leaf image was stamped with Mellow Moss ink on Whisper White cardstock and the sentiment was added, stamped in Black Stazon. I tore the edge and mounted this on another layer of Bordering Blue, again with the bottom edge torn. The butterfly was stamped with Black Stazon Ink on Whisper White cardstock and then trimmed carefully around the edges. I colored in with So Saffron and Bordering Blue markers and then sponged more Bordering Blue on the wing tips. I gently curled the wings up (using the Bone Folder) to give it some dimension and then attached the butterfly to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals (click on the photo to see it larger). I think this turned out just lovely!

This next card is pure luxury!  Again using a new Hostess set, Echoes of Kindness (Level 2), I stamped using Black Stazon ink on a Whisper White Oval (cut out with the new Big Shot Oval Die). I lightly colored in the flower with Bordering Blue and Mellow Moss inks and Blender pens and sponged Bordering Blue around the edges. The card base is Pink Pirouette, with layers of bordering Blue and DSP and all corners were rounded with the Corner Rounder Punch and the DSP edges were sponged with Bordering Blue ink. I added the fabulous wide (1 1/4") Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon and tied a bow and then secured it with a Hat Pin and Pearls from the Pretties Kit! How Beautiful!

Ok, have I convinced you yet how beautiful this DSP is? If not, I have one more project for you today, this one with a little bit of whimsy, using the sets Doodle This and Elegant Cheer. The card base is Chocolate Chip with a layer of DSP on top. The Top Note Bigz Die and Big Shot were used to cut the Top Note in both Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. The Whisper white layer was trimmed inside the stitch marks and the edges sponged with Chocolate Chip Ink. I stamped the corner flourish and sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink. The flower was created by stamping the image twice, once on Chocolate Chip cardstock and again on one of the DSP patterns. I applied Clear Micro Beads to the top flower, using Tombo Adhesive. I placed a Build A Brad in the center. Again, curl the flower petals just a bit, using your Bone Folder, to give them a little dimension. The inside of the card was again stamped and sponged. I don't know about you, but I would LOVE to receive this card for my birthday!

If you're in love with the new Designer Series Papers, you may want to check out my samplers. I'm currently taking orders for these until February 1st. You get a BIG 6x12" sheet of each of the DSP papers in each sampler, enough to make dozens of cards and scrapbook pages, without the expense of purchasing entire packs of each collection. You can check out all my DSP samplers here or by clicking on my Online Store Window in the left side-bar.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping. I hope you enjoyed your visit and that you'll stop back soon!

Until then, Blessings -- Gretchen