Gretchen Barron

Praying for you ...

 

Hello everyone! I'm back!!! I'm so sorry that I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks. For those of you that have missed me and e-mailed to see if everything is OK, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't tell you how honored I am that you've been concerned about me. Life has taken over every waking moment in the past couple of weeks (I think most of you will understand). As a result, there hasn't been time for stamping or posting, and for that I do apologize. As with many of you, stamping is a form of therapy for me, an activity and creative outlet that I need to keep me going. When life gets so crazy that I can't stamp, I really miss it. So, all that said, I'm back and will hopefully be back from now on!

Unfortunately, one of the things I've been dealing with in the past couple of weeks are the deaths of some good friends. And so it is only appropriate that my card for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge this week be a Sympathy card that I will be sending on to let some folks know I care. I've used the soothing colors of Marina Mist and Whisper White, with just a touch of Old Olive in the stamped image. The stamp set is "Thoughts and Prayers" and the Designer Series Paper is Beau Chateau. Sadly, this paper is retiring soon and I've just now developed an appreciate for the beautiful prints in this collection. Additional supplies and materials include: The Big Shot, The Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Folder, the Beautiful Wings Embosslet, Labels Framelets Dies, Stampin' Write Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals and Basic Pearls.

Here's some Measurements to follow if you want to recreate this card for yourself:

1. Layer One -- Card Base -- Marina Mist Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded
2. Layer Two -- Whisper White cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25", embossed on the Big Shot
3. Layer Three -- DSP cut at 3.25 x 4.25
4. Layer Four -- DSP cut at 1.75 x 4"
5. Layer Five -- Framelet Die Cut, approximately 2.75 x 3.25" -- stamp and embellish as shown
6. Layer Six -- Inside of Card -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25", embellished with a 1 x 5.25" strip of DSP and some Marina Mist 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I do hope to be posting on a much more regular and frequent basis in the future so I hope you'll stop by soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Until then, Happy Stamping!

Some Great Fall Colors and a Little CASE Card!

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Utah Divas International Color Challenge! Our challenge colors this week are inspired by this adorable little boy's outfit -- gorgeous fall colors of Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla!

 

 

I have a confession to make!!! My card this week is pretty much a CASE from THIS one on page 201 in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. I changed a few things out but it's defnitely a CASE! It's fun, once in a while, to use someone else's ideas for inspiration! It takes all the pressure off!!! LOL!

 

 

For my card, I used the Hello Doily and Petite Pairs Stamp sets, a large Beveled Windowpane, the Decorative Label and Scallop Trim Border Punches, the Big Shot and the Tasteful Trims Die, Chocolate Chip Quilted Satin Ribbon, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Crumb Cake and Brads.  I've always been a little intimidated and not quite sure how to use the Beveled Windowpanes so this little project was a good one to help me break out of my box and experiment. And do you know what? I think I'll be using more of these cute little embellishments! It's a great way to transform a card from good to great!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I've inspired you with my CASE card this week. I invite you to visit the UDI blog for more Design Team inspiration!

Have a great day and Happy Stamping!

 

 

Morning Soft Sympathy Card

I just love this morning glory image from the set, Morning Soft, so today I used it to make a sympathy card. This card is another in my new line of Inspiration in Action cards that will soon be available to purchase here on my blog and at various local locations. I stamped the large floral image on Whisper White cardstock, using Black Stazon ink. I colored it in using Bashful Blue, Pale Plumb, Certainly Celery and Old Olive inks and Blender pens. This is mounted on a layer of Chocolate Chip cardstock and two short lengths of ribbon (5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain and 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain) are folded and attached to the back of the mat. The card base is Chocolate Chip with a second layer of Bashful Blue. The sentiment from Close As A Memory, is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink.

Back by request, I am once again offering the Designer Series Paper and Ribbon  Sampler Kits. This is a great way to get a little bit of everything without having to buy complete packages of paper or spools of ribbon. Deadline for ordering the Sampler Kits is Sunday, September 21st at 11:59 p.m. (central time). I will place the order with Stampin' Up! on 9-22 and you will receive your kits in the mail about 10 days after that. Click on the links above for more information.

Well, that will do it for now. Do check back again soon, however, because there is SO much in the works! I hope to see you back soon. Blessings, Gretchen