Gretchen Barron

Darling Dresses!

Hello everyone! Our challenge on Late Night Stampers this week is to pick a card from Sherrill Graff's Blog (our group mother) and CASE it. Not an easy task since Sherrill loads cards from dozens of stampers on her blog to showcase. Well, I've been wanting to do some of Patty Bennett's fabulous Scallop Circle Dress cards since I first saw them, so I thought this might be a great opportunity to try them out. OMG -- it is so much fun! I felt like I was a child again, cutting out paper dolls and dressing them or designing clothes for my Barbies! I couldn't stop! When I finally pulled myself away from the desk, I had created four of these fabulous little dress cards. I can't wait to send them to some special people! On each of the cards I used the stamp set Absolutely Fabulous and the Big Shot and Scallop Circle Die. Patty has the details spelled out on her bog post referenced above.

This first one uses Good Morning Sunshine DSP, and Chocolate Chip and So Saffron Cardstock. I also used 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, a Square Rhinestone Brad and the stamp set, Good Friend. I've included small photos of each card inside as well as the ribbon detail. Click on the photos to view as larger images.

Next, I did this elegant little number using Baroque Motifs stamp set, Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White! The ribbon is 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain, cinched up with a button from Button Latte and some Linen Thread. I told you, I was just having too much fun!

This stunning little number was created with the Not Quite Navy Polka Dot Vellum from Taste of Textiles. I thought the addition of a Kiwi Kiss cardbase and Satin Ribbon added just enough something to make it pop a little more. The ribbon around the waist is 1/4" Navy Grosgrain.

Okay, I told you I couldn't stop! Here is the last one (at least for today). This one uses Urban Oasis DSP, the beautiful velvet ribbed ribbon from Valet Ribbon Originals, a ribbon pull from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware and a circle background cut with the Circle Scissor Plus. Oh yes, I also stamped the background with the matching image Flowers in Silhouette (one of the FREE stamps you can get until April 30th when you place a $40 order from the Occasions Mini Catalog -- just go HERE and click on "shop now").

 

Well, that's all the projects for today. I do want you to know that for a limited time only, you can purchase my most popular Tutorials -- Humor in High Heels Purse and Cards, the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlets and the So Tweet Birdhouse and Cards -- for a reduced rate of just $5 each. Tutorials will be e-mailed to you as a PDF link within 24 hours of placing an order. Click HERE to see details and place your order through PayPal.

Have a great day everyone! Blessings, Gretchen

WOW -- what a Success!!!

WOW -- what a success yesterday's Blog Tour was! It was so fun to see all the wonderful projects and be in on the excitement. I think we all decided to keep the links live so if you didn't get a chance to do the Hop yesterday, you can probably still get in on the action!

For those of you who wanted the Tutorial for my little basket that I posted yesterday, you can find the link HERE!

Now, it's time to give away some Blog Candy! I had more than 40 people report back to me that they had visited all 19 blogs on our tour and recorded the names of the DSP used at each. The winner of the Great Friend stamp set is Carolyn Sharkas. Congratulations, Carolyn.

I had 87 people leave comments on yesterday's post and the winner, randomly drawn, of the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlet kit is Angie Page. Congratulations, Angie!

Thanks everyone for making yesterday such fun!

Blessings, Gretchen

It's Here! The Long-Awaited Blog Tour!!!

That's right -- it's time to hop on the bus, Gus! This is Tour #2 and Stop #4, if you're keeping track! On this stop you will view some fabulous projects that I've created for you using the  Great Friend Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

First, some ground-rules and then we'll get to the fun stuff -- projects, promotions and prizes!

Here's how this all works:

• There are 19 Stops on this tour
• Each Blog Stop will feature a different Stamp Set or Product from the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Your goal is to visit all 19 stops -- now don't freak out! You don't have to do them all at once. You can visit some now and some later. Just try to get to all 19 stops before the tour ends at midnight Monday, April 27th. At that time, all the links will vanish and you won't be able to finish the tour.
• At the end of each stop, or blog post, you will find the link which will take you to the next stop!

Now Here's one fun part -- Special Promotions and Prizes!

• Visit all 19 stops on the tour and then e-mail me at gbarron56@comcast.net. In your e-mail, number each stop, give the blog name and then tell me at least one Designer Series Paper that was used on that stop (you know how I LOVE DSP!). If they didn't use any DSP (is that even possible?) then tell me that. My daughter will randomly select a winner from all the correct answers and that lucky person will receive (drum roll, please - rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr) -- A Brand New Great Friend Stamp Set as a prize from me, just for playing along!
• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime before the midnight deadline and let me know what you love most about the Occasions Mini Catalog. Again, my daughter will randomly choose one winner to receive one of my Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlet Kits!
• Place an order of at least $40 from the Occasions Mini Catalog from my Stampin' Up! website (click on "shop now" at the top of the page) and choose any one item from the "Under $10" on page 208 in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for Free. In addition, I will e-mail you a FREE Tutorial of your choice -- Humor in High Heels Purse and Cards, So Tweet Birdhouse and Cards or Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlet -- your choice!

• For a limited time only, you can purchase any of my popular Tutorials for a reduced rate of just $5 each. Tutorials will be e-mailed to you as a PDF link within 24 hours of placing an order. Click HERE to see details and place your order through PayPal.

Okay, now the projects that I've created for YOU! This first card is actually this last week's MoJo Monday sketch -- I LOVE this sketch! I used the Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper (from the Occasions Mini catalog), along with Perfect Plumb, Pale Plumb, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White Cardstock. I embossed the butterfly on Perfect Plumb with Versamark Ink and Iridescent Ice EP. I used the Eyelet Border Punch and some of the delicious 5/8" White Satin Ribbon (another Mini item). On the inside, I stamped butterflies and vines using all three colors of ink! I LOVE this color combination (purple, purple and purple -- what's not to like?)

 

Ok, on to project #2 -- this hanging flower cone! Don't you just love it? Now, please, don't ask me for details how I made this -- LOL -- it just kind of "evolved". I started with Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP and the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Pennant Bigz XL Die. It's a little over-the-top, I know, but something I worked on in small bits over several days! I used the Pretties Kit for the Silk flowers and beads (the beads are strung together using clear monofiliment thread). The flowers are also created with the Dasies #2 Die and the Baja Breeze (a Mini item) and Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons. The butterflies are stamped with Versamark and embossed with Iridescent Ice EP and the Heat Tool. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch and the Valet Ribbon Originals Satin Ribbon. The tassel is made by fraying the 1" Baja Breeze Grosgrain ribbon and then tying with Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon. It's all put together (very carefully) with SNAIL, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects, Pop Up Glue Dots and Stampin' Dimensionals. I'm glad I created this but it was definitely a lesson in PATIENCE!

Okay, now from a very complicated and detailed project to something that is quick, easy and oh-so-fun! These little baskets go together so quickly, it's truly amazing! (click on the photo to view it larger). I used the  Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP and So Saffron Cardstock, the Eyelet Border Punch, Large Oval Punch and Scallop Oval Punch (another mini item), 7/8" So Saffron Poly-Twill Ribbon and a Flower Brad. The basket is cut with the Basket & Blooms Die and the Big Shot. Check back on Tuesday and I'll put a link on here for the tutorial for this little gem!

Okay -- that's it for Stop #4! If you're ready to move on, you can find Stop #5 on Kathy Thisteds blog! I know she's got some great things planned for you using the Summer Love Rub-ons from the Occasions Mini! Before you go, don't forget to leave a comment on this post to be eligible for the FREE Wristlet Kit AND make sure and e-mail me after you've visited all 19 stops on the tour to be eligible to win a FREE Great Friend Stamp Set!

If you want to do a little more shopping before you leave, check out my most current kit -- this adorable Birdhouse and cards made with the So Tweet Chipboard and Good Morning Sunshine DSP! Other Kits and Cards can be seen HERE!

Have fun on the tour! I hope to see you back soon on Inspiration in Action!

Blessings, Gretchen

It's Almost time to Hop on the Bus -- the Blog Tour Begins Tomorrow!

Tour 2 -- Stop 4 -- Great Friends Stamp Set

Its the first ever in the history of Stampin' Up! (well, at least that I know of), and you have a free ticket.

The Blog tour begins tomorrow! Early Monday morning, you'll be able to hop onto my blog to see examples of projects made with the Occasions Mini Catalog stamp "Great Friends." There will be prizes too. But you have to stop by and enter to win!

But wait, there's more.

After you browse my projects, you'll find a link to my friend Kathy Thisteds blog. She'll be showing you how to use the beautiful Summer Love Rub-ons from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

But wait, there's even more.

On Kathy's blog, you'll find a link to yet another blog and examples from a different stamp set in the mini! There will be a banquet of ideas and beautiful projects. There are 20 stops on this tour, and you won't want to miss a single one. The links will be available only on April 27th, so please don't miss the bus.

But wait, yes, you guessed it, there's more.

Because Stampin' Up!'s "Getting Connected" promotion will still be running, spend $40 on Occasions Mini Catalog products and choose any one item from the "Under $10" on page 208 in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for Free.

It's an event not to be missed! This tour will take you all over the place! Be sure to hop on at my stop and then travel the road laid out for you! More surprises to come, so keep checking back!

Are your bags packed and are you ready to hop on the bus tomorrow? You're going to love the trip, and you won't even have to leave your home.

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 HEREfor more information. To see all the Kits, cards and Tutorials that I'm currently offering, go to my online Store Window HERE.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

I'll see you bright and early on the bus!

Blessings, Gretchen

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

So Tweet Birdhouse Boxed Set of Cards!

Good morning, everyone! As I sit and type, It's so wonderful to hear the song of birds outside my window. I so love spring with the beauty of blooming flowers and crystal blue skies and the smell of fresh cut grass and yes, the cheerful song of birds! The project that I've created today just shouts "spring" to me -- this adorable little Birdhouse and set of cards! Using the So Tweet Chipboard set, Cheep Talk Stamp Set and Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper, I've put together this great new Kit that is fun to create, fun to keep and even more fun to give as a gift!

Tucked into the little Bird House are four (4) darling Greeting cards (measuring 6 x 3") and Open End Envelopes. You can even see the little bird on one card peeking through from the inside of the Bird House! There's even some grass that looks like it could use some mowing! Embellishments include the fabulous new Corduroy Buttons, Rhinestone Brads, and 5/8" Pacific Point Grosgrain Ribbon.

I am currently offering this darling set as a Class-to-Go Kit which will be shipped directly to you. The kit includes Detailed Step-by-step directions and photographs (e-mailed to you as a PDF file) to construct the box and cards, Die-cuts and Chipboard pieces, one 6 x 12" sheet of each of the Good Morning Sunshine Double-Sided Designers Series Papers (6 sheets total), 6 Corduroy Buttons (3 each in Kiwi Kiss and Summer Sun), 3 Rhinestone Brads, 30" of Pacific Point Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, 4 Open-End Envelopes, 8 Sheets of Cardstock and a Velcro Closure. Once you get done with this set, you will have tons of DSP left to use for other projects. A list of additional supplies and tools needed to complete the project is included with the instructions.

Cost for the Kit is $25 plus $3.95 S&H. You may also purchase just the instruction sheet for $10. The kit can only be shipped within the United States. Kits ordered by midnight on Sunday, April 26th will be shipped on Friday, May 1st. Subsequent orders will be shipped each Friday. If ordering instruction only, you will receive an e-mail with the PDF link within 24-48 hours. E-mail me with questions prior to ordering.

See my other Class On-The-Go kits available HERE. Read what others are saying about their Inspiration in Action Kits!

Order the Detailed Ste-by-step instructions only for $10.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!!!

Blessings, Gretchen

Fabulous Watercolor Flowers!

Look at this color! I've been seeing Flower Pot Cards all over the place so I decided to try my hand at a couple this week. The Watercolor flowers were inspired by Sandi MacIver. This is a bit of a twist on a new variation of watercoloring that was shown recently at the Seattle Regionals by Connie Ingram. I, of course, had to try it my own way so here's what I did!

I stamped the flower images from Fifth Avenue Floral onto Whisper White Cardstock using Versamark Ink (be sure and use your Embossing Buddy first to avoid static cling). I sprinkled on Black Embossing Powder and heat set with the heat tool. Working on just one image at a time and working fairly quickly so it doesn't dry out, spritz one image with water to moisten the paper. On the roses, I used two colors and you want to begin with your lightest color first. I used Pink Pirouette and Regal Rose on the pink flower and Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac on the purple rose. Squeeze a couple of drops of re-inker onto the lid of your corresponding stamp pad. Then, using my Aqua Painter filled with water, I squeezed a drop or two of water into the lightest color ink to dilute it just a bit and then saturated the stamped image with the lighter color. The trick is to make sure the paper stays very moist. Moving quickly to the darker color ink (again putting a couple of drops of re-inker into the lid) I picked up the color with the Aqua Painter and applied it on the ends of flower petals. Squeeze more water from your Aqua Painter when you need to in order to keep everything very moist. Set the stamped image aside to dry (it takes quite a while to dry, you can lightly hit it with the heat tool but you don't want to over-cook the embossing powder). As it drys, it will continue to blend a bit and the color will lighten slightly. So, when you come back to look at your dried image, it will be slightly different from when you left it. I colored the smaller flowers in a similar fashion using just one color, Taken with Teal.

I just made up my own pattern for the flower pot. I knew that I needed the entire card to fit in an Extra Large Envelope (8 3/4 x 5 3/4"). So I began there. The top of the pot measures about 5 1/4" and the bottom is about 3 1/2". The Pot is made with Taken with Teal and Baja Breeze cardstock. The Baja Breeze was embossed using the Big Shot and the Manhattan Floral Embossing Folder. I lightly sponged Taken with Teal ink over the embossed image and sponged the edges of the Baja Breeze layer. I added a "lip" for the pot which was cut at 5 1/2 x 1", rounded the corners and sponged the edges. Then I added a narrow strip of Whisper White that had been punched with the Eyelet Border Punch and some of the delicious 5/8" White Satin Ribbon. I attached the front of the Pot to an identical back using Sticky Strip and added a couple of eyelets at the top (non SU, sorry) just to make sure it wouldn't pull apart when taking the insert in and out of the pot. All the flowers are cut closely to the embossing and mounted to the card insert with SNAIL and Stampin' Dimensionals. The leaves were cut with the Big Shot and the Flower Layers Die. The sentiment is from Oval All and punched out with the Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches. Then I thought the card needed just one last touch -- a beautiful Monarch Butterfly from God's Beauty. The butterfly is stamped with Black Stazon Ink on Whisper White and then sponged with Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie Inks and attached using Stampin' Dimensionals. So there you go, a fun and beautiful new way to use your Aqua Painters and Re-inkers! I hope you enjoy making this as much as I did creating it!

Check out my newest Kit On-the-Go, this darling Purse and Set of Cards using the Humor in High Heels set and the fabulous Faux Alligator-Skin Technique. You can purchase instructions only; instructions and Kit; or Instructions, Kit and Stamp Set! Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to visit out my updated Online Store Window with all my current Kit and Tutorial Offers! Kits are available for the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlets and the Top Note Tea Party Purses along with much more!

Here's a Sneak Peek at an all-new Class Kit On-the-Go and Tutorial that I will be posting on this blog by the end of the week! Make sure and stop back to find out more!

Don't forget the Blog Tour coming up next Monday, April 27th! You won't want to miss it! Hop on the bus for a creative tour through the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Thanks for stopping by! Please come back soon for more ideas and inspiration.

Until then, Blessings -- Gretchen

More Dimensional Flowers!

Hello everyone! I've been playing around some more with the Dimensional Flower technique that I showed you earlier this week! You've really got to try this -- it is such fun!

This first card uses the Soft Summer Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog; Candy Lane Designer Series Paper; Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and Regal Rose Cardstock; 3/8" Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon; the Eyelet Border Punch; Rhinestone Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals and Reinkers and Blender Pens. The flowers were cut with the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Birds and Blooms Sizzlet Die. Use the technique for adding dimension and texture to the flowers (click on the link above) and when dry, sponge with edges using a Sponge Dauber and Regal Rose Ink. You can see the dimension on this side shot!

As I so often do, I also stamped on the inside of the card! This adds such a pretty and unexpected touch to your cards. Just finishes them off so nicely! I used Blender Pens and reinkers to watercolor the images!

Here's another card using the Daffodils (again, click on the link above for more information). The set is Echoes of Kindness (a Level 2 Hostess Set). The DSP is Rockabilly Specialty DSP. I used YoYo Yellow and So Saffron for the flowers -- they are punched out with the 5-Petal Punch. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch and some 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon.

Check out my newest Kit On-the-Go, this darling Purse and Set of Cards using the Humor in High Heels set and the fabulous Faux Alligator-Skin Technique. You can purchase instructions only; instructions and Kit; or Instructions, Kit and Stamp Set! Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to visit out my updated Online Store Window with all my current Kit and Tutorial Offers! Kits are available for the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlets and the Top Note Tea Party Purses along with much more!

Don't forget the Blog Tour coming up in just one week -- on April 27th! You won't want to miss it!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you back soon!

Blessings, Gretchen

Nine Days to Tour Time!

Its the first ever in the history of Stampin' Up! (well, at least that I know of), and you have a free ticket.

Mark April 27th on your calendars! That's the date when you can hop onto my blog to see examples of projects made with the Occasions Mini Catalog stamp "Great Friends." I'll also be premiering a great new Class-Kit-On-The-Go that day and some other specials. There will be prizes too. But you have to stop by and enter to win!

But wait, there's more.

After you browse my examples, you'll find a link to my friend Kathy Thisteds blog. She'll be showing you how to use the beautiful Summer Love Rub-ons from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

But wait, there's even more.

On Kathy's blog, you'll find a link to yet another blog and examples from a different stamp set in the mini! There will be a banquet of ideas and beautiful projects. There are 20 stops on this tour, and you won't want to miss a single one. The links will be available only on April 27th, so please don't miss the bus.

But wait, yes, you guessed it, there's more.

Because Stampin' Up!'s "Getting Connected" promotion will still be running, spend $40 on Occasions Mini Catalog products and choose any one item from the "Under $10" on page 208 in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for Free.

Stay tuned, because there is more to come! Check back every day!

It's an event not to be missed! This tour will take you all over the place! Be sure to hop on at my stop and then travel the road laid out for you! More surprises to come, so keep checking back!

Pack your bags on April 27th! You're going to love the trip, and you won't even have to leave your home.

 

Check out my newest Kit On-the-Go, this darling Purse and Set of Cards using the Humor in High Heels set and the fabulous Faux Alligator-Skin Technique. You can purchase instructions only; instructions and Kit; or Instructions, Kit and Stamp Set! Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to visit out my updated Online Store Window with all my current Kit and Tutorial Offers! Kits are available for the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlets and the Top Note Tea Party Purses along with much more!

Thanks for stopping by today. Check back often for inspiration and ideas!

Blessings, Gretchen

A Tisket, A Tasket ... A Cute Little May Basket!

Good morning! I've seen some of these little baskets around and I don't know how other people have put them together but I discovered an easy, quick way to make these that doesn't require figuring out complex angles and fancy cutting! You begin with the Big Shot and the Baskets & Blooms Die and cut just the two Basket images. I used the fabulous Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper for this project. It's textured, cover-weight cardstock that has a different design printed on each side. It's perfect for this type of project and makes it an even easier and faster project to put together!

Cut the little perforated tab off the side of the basket Die-cuts, you won't need it for this project. Cut your cardstock (I used Baja Breeze) at 6 x7" and score 2" from each edge. Trim along the score lines from the edge to the crossing score line on two parallel sides and use your Bone Folder to crease along all score lines. Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Next, apply sticky strip along all four edges on the back side of your basket (what would we do without Sticky Strip?). Fold all the flaps up on your box so that just the middle flap (the one that will attach to the inside of the Basket), is out (this will keep the flaps from sticking where you don't want them to stick - trust me, I speak from experience). Remove the red backing tape from the Sticky Strip, stand the Box Die-cut up and, making sure everything is level and centered, attach the first flap of the box to the back of the Die-cut.

Now, and this is the fun and easy part, simply match the angles of the two side flaps on the box to the angles on the Die-cut and stick them down to the Sticky Strip. How cool is that! Instant angles without having to do the math! If the corners of the box show through the handle of the Die-cut, simply clip them off just a bit. Apply another short piece of Sticky Strip to the edge of the flap that is on the top and stick it all down. Now, you do the very same thing for the other side of the Basket!

How fun is this!!! I told you it was quick and easy! Now, you just decorate however you desire. I used another pattern from the DSP pack to make the Flower Daisies #2 and layered all three of them, topping them off with a fabulous Corduroy Jumbo Brad in Baja Breeze (from the Occasions Mini Catalog). Also from the mini, I stamped the sentiment using the Oval All Stamp Set and punched it out with the Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches. I tied on a bit of Riding Hood Red 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon and ... viola! Finished basket, perfect for gift giving of all kinds I definitely will be making more of these little gems!

Don't forget the Get Connected promotion on now through the end of the month. Purchase $40 from the Occasions Mini catalog and get your choice of any of the "Under $10" items on page 208 of the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog. Click HERE for more details or contact me today to place your order!

Check out my newest Kit On-the-Go, this darling Purse and Set of Cards using the Humor in High Heels set and the fabulous Faux Alligator-Skin Technique. You can purchase instructions only; instructions and Kit; or Instructions, Kit and Stamp Set! Click HERE for more details.

Be sure to visit out my updated Online Store Window with all my current Kit and Tutorial Offers! Kits are available for the Faux Alligator-Skin Wristlets and the Top Note Tea Party Purses along with much more!

I've got to go! Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you treat yourself to some stamping and creative time today!

Until next time -- Blessings, Gretchen