Gretchen Barron

Weekend Sketch Challenge IA126

Hello everyone! Thursday means it's time for another Weekend Sketch Challenge at Inspiration in Action. Sketches are a great way to stir creativity when you don't know where to start. So I invite you to play along this weekend! Once you're created your project, make sure and come back to this post and leave your name and the location of your artwork with the Mister Linky Widget below so that we can all enjoy your creativity!

Clean and simple are the words I would use to characterize this week's sketch and cards. There's a large area for your focal image with room for multiple texture, pattern and color in the background and the sentiment is stamped (or attached) off the main image.

So, have fun with this week's sketch and I can't wait to see what you create this week!

I've got two examples for you today. This first one uses the new Watercolor Trio Stamp set that will be available beginning May 1st from the Summer Mini Catalog. The colors are Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose and Whisper White.

I colored directly on the stamps with Markers to get the multi-colored effect. Markers used were Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive. As you can see, I stamped the image off 3 times, which gives you variance in the color and makes the final image look more dimensional (and it's fun to do).

The sentiment was stamped in Black Stazon Ink. I used a bit of the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper along with the Scallop Border Punch and 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon.

And of course, a little stamping on the inside always helps to step up your cards. I stamped a duplicate scene from the front on the inside Whisper White layer.

Here's the second card that I created for you today, using some favorites from the Occasions Mini Catalog (only 2 more days to order these gems), Shades of spring Designer Series Paper and the With All My Heart Stamp Set.

The colors are Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.

I used the Scallop Trim Border Punch and some 5/8" Satin Ribbon. I also used the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder to give some texture underneath the focal image. And that Big Flower is punched out with the Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch.

So there you go! You've seen the sketch and some examples! Have I given you enough to inspire your next creation? I hope so, and I hope you'll play along by leaving your information below!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

A New Inspiration in Action Sketch Challenge!

Hello everyone and welcome! Happy Friday!!! I  hope your weekend plans include some time for stamping because I've got a fabulous sketch challenge for you today!

Don't' let the multiple layers scare you away! They give you lots of room for interpretation, texture, color and pattern! This should be a fun challenge!

So, pick out your stamp set, colors, and embellishments. Crank up the music. Grab a cup of coffee or soda and ... GET STAMPING!

Remember to come back to this post once your project is complete and link with the Mister Linky Widget below!

Now, are you ready to see what I created with this beautiful sketch?

Here's my first card. I used two of my favorite colors that will be retiring -- Barely Banana and Lovely Lilac. The Stamp Set is Watercolor Trio, a brand new (and very lovely) set that will be available on May 1st when the Summer Mini Catalog goes live! It comes with three beautiful floral stamps and three absolutely gorgeous sentiments, along with a tiny little butterfly for accents. You will love it!

 

I added in touches of Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay, along with Glorious Green for the flowers. I used Stampin' Write Markers to color directly on the rubber for this quick and colorful look. I used the Eyelet Border Punch and the Large Oval and Scallop Oval PUnches.

Of course, I used my Big Shot along with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder and the Beautiful Wings Embosslet.

A little sponging on the embossed images and some 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon finish off the card, along with some stamping on the inside (gotta remember that!).

 

 

I've got a second example for you today as well!

 

For this one I used a color theme of Bermuda Bay (I'm really going to miss this color as well) and Soft Suede, along with Very Vanilla. I used some Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper and some 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon.

 

The stamp set is Friends 24-7.

I did some embossing in the background with the Finial Press Impressions Folder and the Big Shot, and then added some light sponging over the top to bring out the pattern.

 

Okay -- now show me YOUR stuff! I can't wait to see!

 

 

Leave your information with the Mister Linky Widget below!

Another Weekend Sketch Challenge Card with Garden from the Heart

Hello everyone! I've got another card for you for this week's Sketch Challenge -- IA124.

This one uses the beautiful Garden From the Heart Stamp Set as well as the sentiment from Kind & Caring Thoughts, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom Cardstocks, some 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon and the Diamond Texturz Plate and Big Shot.

I so love this little garden hat image. By stamping it on Whisper White and then cutting it out, you can "shade" the edges using a sponge and some ink and I think it makes the hat so realistic looking! Using a White Signo Gel Pen, I added the little polka dots to coordinate with the Soft Suede Grosgrain ribbon.

I cut out the flower bundles as well and tied them together with a big of Natural Hemp Twine for a fun and whimsical look.

And never one to neglet the inside of the card, I added two more images from the stamp set, both cut-out and mounted on Stampin' Dimensionals! Such fun and what a lovely card to send to one of my special gardener friends this Spring!

It's not too late for you to play along with this week's Challenge. Entries are accepted on THIS ORIGINAL POST until noon on Wednesday, April 14th. Go ahead, show me what YOU can do with this week's sketch! I'm waiting and watching!

Blog Candy Winner!

Congratulations to Jenny Lynne whose number was chosen by Random.org as winner for my recent Blog Candy Offer! Once I get Jenny's mailing address, a fun Tart & Tangy Card Kit will be in the mail.

Thanks so much to everyone who plays along with the Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch Challenges. Keep playing and maybe YOU will be the next Blog Candy Winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

9

Timestamp: 2010-04-11 18:15:38 UTC

Awash with Color and a New Weekend Sketch Challenge

Hello everyone! Time for a new Weekend Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action. Look at this card! He, he ... no one can say that I'm afraid of color, right! Carrie Gaskin so inspired me with her recent Vellum Projects on Stamping 411 that I just had to try my hand. This technique, call Faux Stained Glass, is not new to me but I haven't done it for a long time and I must say it was so much fun!

Using Stampin' Up!'s great cardstock Vellum, emboss your image. I used Basic Black Craft Ink and Black Embossing Powder. Be sure and use the Embossing Buddy to cut down on the speckled look!

Then, turn the vellum over and apply the color on the back side of the Vellum (embossing on one side, color on the other side). The vellum will not allow the color to dry and absorb so quickly so you've got time to work with the color. I applied color with Stampin' Write Markers and then blended the colors with a Blender Pen to achieve a wonderful gradiated look. Ink colors were Melon Mambo, Real Red, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun and Garden Green. Just play around with the color, moving it around, blending it and spreading it on the vellum with the Blender Pen, until you've got it the way you want it. It's so much fun! And the result is definitely a "WOW" -- such vibrant color and it looks almost translucent! It's so beautiful in real life that it almost takes your breath away!

I decided to off-set the beautiful, vibrant color in the stamped image with Black to make it pop even more. Cardstock colors are Melon Mambo, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Whisper White. I attached the Vellum to Whisper White cardstock with Black brads in each corner. I used the Photo Corner Punch for the ... well, photo corners. The ribbon is 5/8" Black Satin (so beautiful). And I embossed the Summer Sun layer with the Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. I stamped some of the flowers on the inside Whiper White layer as well and colored them in with reinkers and a Blender Pen for a little pop of color when you open the card as well.

So now, it's your turn. Whether you use this technique or any technique, I invite you to take the Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch Challenge this week. You have until noon on Wednesday, April 14th, to come back here and leave your name and the location of your project with the Mister Linky Widget below. I can't wait to see what you do with this week's sketch!

 

Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Sending Love -- It's Not Just for Valentines!

Hello everyone! I was looking at the beautiful, glittery Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper the other day and realized we only have a few more weeks to enjoy this beautiful paper! Once the Occasions Mini Catalog retires on April 30th, it won't be available any more. Oh how I wish Stampin' Up! would carry it over into the new catalog, but I know they won't. All the more reason to enjoy it now -- it's  not just for Valentine's Day, you know!

Look at this beautiful card that I made with it and the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set (another winner from the Occasions Mini Catalog). I used this week's Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch for this very feminine, soft card. The beautiful embossed and glittered brocade print on the paper works beautifully with this classic stamp set.

The colors for this card are Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa and just a hint of Regal Rose. Accessories include the Eyelet Border Punch, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Brads and the Finial Press Impression Folder and Big Shot. After stamping the flowers (using the Rock & Roll technique with Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose) and cutting them out, I ran them through the Big Shot to emboss them and look how wonderful that little bit of extra texture looks! The flowers are attached using Stampin' Dimensionals!

So what do you think? Sending Love specialty Designer Series Paper -- it's not just for Valentines, is it?

I would love to see what you create this week using the Inspiration in Action Sketch. You've got until noon on Wednesday to go to THIS original post and leave your name and the location of your project!

And while you're at it, why don't you leave me a comment and let me know which of the products in the Occasions Mini Catalog are your favorites! Maybe I'll dream up some special projects this month highlighting your favorites from this great supplement.

You never know!

I would love to hear from you and love to see your IA123 creations!

Awash with Flowers and a New Weekend Sketch Challenge -- No Foolin'!

Happy Thursday and Happy April's Fools! it's a brand new month at Stampin' Up! and some special deals are ripe for the pickin' -- No Foolin'! It's called "Two-Step Into Spring". Have you used Stampin' Up's! Two-step stamps before? They are so much fun and give such wonderful results -- you will love them! During the month of April, you have an opportunity to purchase a brand-new Stamp Set called Awash with Flowers or earn it for FREE with a qualifying $350 workshop (ask me how). In addition, you can purchase some of our most popular two-step stamp sets at a 20% discount! WOW! How great is this! Click on the flyer on the left to view it larger and read all the details. Please contact me if you have questions or are interested in placing an order or scheduling a workshop (catalog parties count as workshops also so even if you don't live in my area, I can set you up with all you need to host a catalog party with your family, friends or co-workers).

In honor of this new Stampin' Up! promotion, both of my sample cards today for the Weekend Sketch Challenge use this great new set with two different and fun techniques.

I've designed a square sketch for you today which makes it really easy to use for a card or scrapbook layout. So great creative with this one, friends, and play along by leaving your name and the location of your project on the Mister Linky widget below. I can't wait to see what you create this week! Remember, you have until noon next Wednesday to submit your challenge projects. If you post them in a public online forum, please tag them with "IA123" so they can be identified in a search!

Look at this sketch -- isn't it fun! The possibilities are endless for this one and I hope you enjoy it as much as I am!

OKay, on to my projects. I've got two for you today ...

Here's my first card, using the Spreading Reinker Technique that has been so popular for the past several months. Since Awash with Flowers is a two-step set, if you use the outline images only, it works great for this technique that needs to flow through the open areas of a stamp. I stamped on Glossy White Cardstock using Versamark Ink and embossing with Clear Embossing Powder. Then I went wild with fun, bright, spring colors and my aqua painters and reinkers. Once the images were dry (overnight), I cut them out and applied them to this card with Stampin' Dimensionals!

Colors are Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Only Orange, Apricot Appeal. I used the Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Oval Punch and Large Oval Punch. The Lilac layer is embossed with an Texturz Plate and the big Shot. And I used some of the fabulous 5/8" Organza Whisper White ribbon.

Okay, here's card Number 2 -- this time using the Black Magic Technique. Isn't this fun and dramatic.

For this technique, you need a solid image stamp so the two-step stamps are again perfect! I stamped the floral images on Basic Black Cardstock using White Craft Ink. I used my Heat Tool to set it just a bit and then colored over the images using Watercolor Wonder Crayons. If you enlarge the detail photo on the right, you can see that I used a lighter and darker shade for each flower. Then I blended them with a blender pen and burnished them lightly with a tissue just to make sure the color wouldn't come off. Such fun!

The colors are Basic Black, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, Only Orange, Green Galore and Whisper White. I used the Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch and the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches as well as a bit of 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon and a Rhinestone Brad. I also embossed the orange layer with the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder. The sentiment is from Wow Flowers. And these are WOW flowers, aren't they?

 
Okay, now it's your turn! Remember, I'm waiting to see what you create with this sketch! I'll be watching!

Just a reminder that the Garden Giggles kits are available and ready to ship off to you! What a great way to usher in Spring! More information can be found HERE.

 

Another Weekend Sketch Card -- IA122

Happy Friday morning to you! Here in Central Illinois this morning, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the temperatures are on the rise! Spring is definitely here! And speaking of spring, I have a spring-ish card for you this morning, another using this week's Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch. You can see the original post HERE.

For today's card, I used the fabulous Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper along with Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White Cardstock. The stamp set is For All You Do. I added Orchid Opulence Ink for the smaller flowers. I used the Small and Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches along with the Beautiful Wings Embosslet and the Big Shot, 5/8" Satin ribbon, Old Olive Brads and Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I would love to have you play along with the Sketch Challenge this week! Just create your card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above (click to view as larger) and then go to the Original Post and leave your information with the Mister Linky Widget so we can all see your beautiful work! And don't forget, I'm offering some great Blog Candy this week for one lucky entry!

I can't wait to see your creations!

Thanks for stopping by and please visit again soon!

Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch Challenge -- IA122

Hello everyone! I'm Back with a brand new Weekend Sketch Challenge for you today. The rules are easy -- use this sketch as inspiration for your project and then come back to this post and link your photo with the Mister Linky Widget below! You have until noon next Wednesday, March 31st, to submit your project. This week, in celebration of being back and posting once again, I'm offering some very special Blog Candy!!!! One lucky participant will receive a Tart & Tangy card kit which includes everything you need to make 8 fun summer cards -- even the stamp set! So, be sure and play along and invite your friends as well -- the more, the merrier!

Here's my example for today (I'll have more for you throughout the weekend).  I used the new Awash with Flowers stamp set (available as a special preview item beginning April 1st -- click HERE for details). I used Versamark Ink and Clear Embossing powder to stamp the solid images, heat set them, and then sponged on the Bold Bright Inks -- Pink Passion, Green Galore and Lovely Lilac -- for a fun and summery look! A bit of Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain ribbon and some texture added with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder finish off the card. The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration stamp set, Whimsical Words (just one week left to receive this stamp set for FREE).

Okay, now it's your turn! Let me see your stuff this week and you may win that great prize package! Just leave your name and picture location with Mister Linky Below!

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

Weekend Sketch Challenge 121

Hello and good morning! The weekend is almost here and that means a new Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action!

Please note that the torn edge, shown on the sketch, can be replaced by any border punch or treatment, as you will see in my examples below.

I invite you to try your hand at this week's sketch. It's a great way to jump-start your MoJo and get you started when you don't know where to start.

Once you've had a chance to make your creation, just come back to this blog post and leave your name and the location information on the Mister Linky Widget below and we'll all be able to enjoy your creativity!

Okay ... ready for some examples to get you going?

Here's my first card using today's sketch.

Colors: Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White.

Stamp Set: A Rose is a Rose

Accessories: Brads (Earth Elements), 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots.

Tip for the Day: When tearing cardstock, you always want to tear toward yourself to get the softly feathered edge that you see in this picture!

 

I've got one more card for you today and then it's time for you to get busy with this week's sketch. This  one is all about bright, spring colors and light-hearted fun!

Colors: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Whisper White.

Marker Colors: Only Orange, Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise.

Stamp Set: Happy Moments (FREE Sale-A-Bration Set with any $50 purchase)

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder, 3/8" Gingham Ribbon.

Okay, my friends! Now it's time to see what you can do! Remember to come back and leave your information on the Mister Linky Widget below! I can't wait to see what you do!!!

  

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you'll be back soon!

Have you had a chance to check out my latest Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial for this darling Whimsical Wings Gift Box and set of Mini Cards! It's perfect for spring and for those special occasions that's we'll all soon be celebrating -- Mother's Day, Easter, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday's and just-because days!

Do you want to see what else is available to purchase on Inspiration in Action? Check out all the Tutorials and Kits that are currently available HERE!