Gretchen Barron

Just a Note!

Hello everyone! My goodness, it's been a busy week! I've been working on some special things for the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour this weekend! You'll want to stop back on Saturday and save some time to visit all the fabulous blogs on the tour, featuring soon-to-be-retired sets and supplies!

Okay, now for today's project! This card also features some retiring things -- the Elegant Cheer Stamp set, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper and the Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon! Sniff, sniff -- soon these wonderful friends will be gone forever! Oh well, trust me -- there are some great replacements waiting to take their place on July 1st when the new catalog comes out!

Anyway, back to today's card. The colors are Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive. I used the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Little Leaves Sizzlet for the leaves and the Simple Flower Embosslet for the flower. I inked the edges and center before inserting a Rhinestone Brad. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch at the bottom of the DSP. It's a simple card and quick to make but guarantees a smile for whoever opens the envelope!

Brighten someone's day today! Send them a note. You won't be sorry you did!

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.

Stamping 411 -- Saturday Sketch Challenge!

Hello everyone! It's Saturday and you know what that means! Another Sketch Challenge from Stamping 411. For those of you who aren't yet familiar with Stamping 411, this is a fabulous new website (in my humble and non-objective opinion) and idea that is shared with me and some of my favorite stamping friends -- Selene Kempton, Robin Merriman, Connie Babbert, Patti Chesky and Lee Conrey. This site focuses on stamping basics for new and occasional stampers, but also features tutorials, videos and weekly sketch challenges for everyone! I hope you'll hop on over there to check out the cards that my partners have created this week, to check out the growing list of resources and tutorials and to play along with this week's Sketch Challenge.

Here's what I created for this week's challenge -- inspired (I think) by the new Disney movie, Up! If you haven't seen it yet, you really need to. It's great for kids and adults! I used the Crazy For Cupcakes Stamp set; Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper; Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White cardstocks; 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon;a Jumbo Grommet; Black Stazon and Versamark Inks; Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.

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. This week's 7-page Tutorial includes tips on Paper Piecing, Inserting Grommets, Tying a Bow and Embossing. You may download and print this week's Sketch Tutorial HERE. (it may take a minute to download).

One nice surprise about this card is that it can be just a regular card or you can convert the inside of the card to a Gift Card Holder. This fun and easy technique can be used to convert any card to one that will hold a Gift Card. I explain it all in the tutorial above.

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.

Happy Stamping everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Thoughts & Prayers in Parisian Breeze DSP

Good morning and Happy Tuesday, everyone! I have another Stamping 411 Sketch card for you today, this one using the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set and the soon-to-be-gone (sniff, sniff) Parisian Breeze Textured Specialty Designer Series Paper and 1" Double-Stitched Baja Breeze Grosgrain Ribbon! The Card Base is Chocolate Chip and I used two different patterns from the DSP for the 2nd Layer. I inked the tree image in Baja Breeze ink and then colored the trunk and limbs with a Chocolate Chip marker (as long as you're applying a dark color over a light color, you can go ahead and color directly over the images with the Chocolate Chip marker). The Jumbo Grommet is from the Occasions Mini Catalog and was applied using a Piercing Mat (from the Crafter's Tool Kit) and a Bone Folder. An additional sentiment is stamped on the inside of the card.

 I do hope you'll visit  Stamping 411. You find more cards using today's sketch, created for you by the Operators. There's also a growing list of Techniques, Tutorials and Videos and articles designed to help the beginning and occasional stamper. And you'll find Mr. Linky where you can post a link to your creation using this week's sketch and enter our weekly contest. Visit Stamping 411 soon -- we look forward to seeing you there.

That will do it for today! I do hope you'll stop back soon for more ideas and inspiration. There are some good things coming in the near future that you won't want to miss!

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.

Heartfelt Thanks Gets a 1-2-3 Punch!

Happy Monday morning, everyone! Our challenge at Late Night Stampers this week is to select one retiring stamp set and create 3 different cards for 3 different occasions -- kind of a 1-2-3 punch! I choose Heartfelt Thanks for my creations today -- a beautiful set that will definitely be missed! Heartfelt Thanks is a 2-step stamp, meaning there are 2 different layers that can be used alone or together, to create a wide variety of looks and styles.

My first card is a simple, yet elegant, Anniversary card, using Shimmery Gold and Whisper White Cardstock. I stamped the floral outline and the sentiment (from Hugs & Wishes, also a retiring set) with Versamark Ink (be sure and use your Embossing Buddy to cut the static - especially important with metallic embossing powders) and then sprinkled on Gold Embossing Powder and set it with the Heat Tool. I used lots of layers for dramatic effect and tied some of the scrumptious White Satin Ribbon across with a bow. Simple, yet elegant!

My next card is much brighter but still a very simple design. I used two different patterns from the Raspberry Tart DSP (yes, it's retiring). The cardbase is Rose Red and I punched the bottom border of the small layer with the Eyelet Border Punch. The sentiment is from Elegant Cheer (retiring) and the ribbon is 3/8" Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin (sadly, yes it's retiring as well). For the floral image, I inked the stamp in Kiwi Kiss ink, rubbed the ink off the flower with a Baby wipe and applied Rose Red ink to the flower with a Stampin' Write Marker. For an added touch, I stamped off the image on the inside Whisper White layer!

One more for this morning -- this one a Thank You card using only the stamps from the set. I used the retiring Parisian Breeze Textured Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Valet Ribbon Originals (retiring). I stamped the first layer stamp with Baja Breeze Ink and the outline with Chocolate Chip. The sentiment is stamped with Chocolate Chip. For a little added interest and texture, I tore the bottom edges of the top two layers (whisper white and Baja Breeze). Again, I stamped just the outline image again on the inside of the card.

Well, there's my 1-2-3 punch for today! If I've convinced you that you need the Heartfelt Thanks stamp set or any of the other retiring stamp sets, papers or ribbons that I've used today, I would be glad to assist you with an order! Just go to my Stampin' Up Website and click "shop now" at the top of the page or call or e-mail me. I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll 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.

A New Saturday Sketch Challenge on Stamping 411!

Happy Saturday, everyone! It's week #2 for our new Stamping 411 teaching site and our weekly Saturday Sketch Challenge! So far, Selene has done all our card sketches and isn't she doing a great job? You won't believe what her inspiration for this sketch was (you'll find the answer hidden somewhere in this post -- read on to find out)

I absolutely love working from sketches and often use this as the launching point for my cards and scrapbook pages. But you don't have to copy the sketch 100% -- it's fun to alter it a bit, add an element that wasn't in the sketch or perhaps, as I did today, turn the sketch to get an entirely different look. You could take one sketch and turn in all 4 directions for four entirely different looks. That would be a fun exercise to do sometime to help get your creative juices flowing!

Anyway, my card today uses a fun technique call Emboss-Resist. It combines heat embossing with some cool sponging-on of color for this vibrant and beautiful look. I used Old Olive, More Mustard and Whisper White cardstock and some of the fabulous Juntos Designer Series Paper (from the Spanish Supplement Catalog). Other supplies used include a Clear Square Button, some 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Craft Ink, clear Embossing Powder, the Heat Tool and sponges. Ink colors are Old Olive, Really Rust and More Mustard.

As promised last week, I will provide a detailed step-by-step tutorial each week for my Sketch 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. (Selene's inspiration for today's sketch, by the way, was a Cheerios Box!). Sometimes it's nice to just look 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 may download and print this week's Sketch Tutorial HERE. (it may take a minute to download).

Please Visit Stamping 411. You find more cards using today's sketch, created for you by the Operators. You find a growing list of Techniques, Tutorials and Videos and articles designed to help the beginning and occasional stamper. And you'll find Mr. Linky where you can post a link to your creation using this week's sketch and enter our weekly contest. And yes, there will be blog candy again this week. Visit Stamping 411 soon -- we look forward to seeing you there.

Thank for stopping by today. Happy stamping, everyone!

Blessings, Gretchen

Floating Re-Inker Technique Meets Upsy Daisy!

Good day, everyone! I was puttering around in my stamping room earlier this week and my eyes fell on the Upsy Daisy set and all of a sudden I thought, "why not"? Why not try the Floating Re-Inker Technique (the one that everyone has been doing with the Roses) on a different kind of stamp. So I did and I like the way it turned out -- it's sort of "Monet-ish", don't you think? I used the Upsy Daisy Stamp set and embossed the floral image on Shimmery White Cardstock using Versamark Ink and Clear Embossing Powder. I then spritzed the entire piece (saturated it, really) with water and then using an Aqua Pen and Regal Rose and So Saffron Re-inkers, dropped the color in various places around the stamped image. The re-inker floats on the water and spreads and blends around the embossed image (which resists the ink and stays white). Cool, huh?

I used Regal Rose, So Saffron and Shimmery White Cardstock, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper, 1" Double-Stitched Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals! and the Diamond pattern plate from the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plate Kit.

 Have you checked out all the Retiring products yet? We'll soon be saying "good-bye" to so many wonderful Stamp Sets, Papers, Ribbons, In-Colors and more! If there are things on the list that you just can't live without, you'll want to get your order placed soon. Contact me by phone or e-mail or place your order online by Clicking Here (then click on "shop now" at the top of the page) Once they're gone, they are gone forever!

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by and please come back soon for more inspiration and ideas.

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 (all with Soon-to-be Retired Product)

Hello everyone and Happy Wednesday! I'm just now getting to this week's MoJo Monday Sketch and I decided to do my three-card feature today. I'm also trying to get in last-minute projects with some of the Stamp Sets and DSP that will be retiring by the end of the month! All the cards measure 5 1/4" square and fit perfectly into the Stampin' Up! Square Envelopes!

This first one uses the Level 2 Hostess Set, Echoes of Kindness and the Level 1 set, God's Beauty. Both really are gorgeous sets. The Designer Series Paper is Urban Garden (so beautiful). Colors are Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White. The ribbon is the luxurious 3/8" Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon (also retiring this month). The Scallop Circle was cut with the Big Shot and the Pennant Die and the smaller Kiwi circle is punched with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch. I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the bottom edge. I'm going to miss this paper and the beautiful butterfly from God's Beauty!

Card #2 on this morning's buffet is this little beauty using Bella Birds DSP and the Level 3 Hostess Set, Dream a Little, another beautiful set! Cardstock Colors are Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. I stamped the images in Chocolate Chip and used Markers and Blender Pens to color them in. The Hummingbird is stamped in Bordering Blue and then cut-out and attached with Stampin' Dimensionals! I again used the Pennant Die to cut the scallop circle. The ribbon is 3/8" Chocolate Chip Taffeta.

One more this morning for you -- this one uses Raspberry Tart DSP and the Stitched Exotics and Elegant Cheer Stamp sets. You guessed it! All retiring! I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the edge and the Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon. The flowers are from the Flower Fusion Felt Flowers and I added a Circle Rhinestone Brad. Colors are Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red and Whisper White.

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

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.

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.

Last Chance Sale on Accessories!

 

It's a sale -- and who doesn't love a sale! Stampin' Up! has put some of their most popular accessories from the Last Chance List on sale -- some for 25% off and some for 50% off! What's on sale at these prices? Well, the list is too long to list everything but at 50% off there are Ribbons, Rub-ons, Designer Hardware, Corduroy Buttons and more and at 25% off you will find Decor Elements, More Ribbons, some Designer Series Papers, Punches and lots of Embellishments. And Don't forget all those beautiful In Colors that will be leaving us -- Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette and Tangerine Tango! This is your LAST CHANCE to stock up on Re-inkers, Cardstock, DSP and Ribbons.

Click here for Retiring Stamps list as a .pdf
Click here for Retiring Decor Elements as a .pdf

Retiring Stamp Sets are only available until June 30th and Retiring Accessories are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (and you can bet that won't be long). Go shopping today and pick up some GREAT deals. To find out exactly what's on sale and to shop online, go to My Website (just click on "shop now" at the beginning of the page to get started). Or, if you would rather, you can call or e-mail and I'll place your order for you. Either way, don't miss the chance to get those favorite Stamp Sets and accessories before they're gone forever!

Blessings, Gretchen

How Would You Like To Earn $85 in Hostess Dollars?

Yes, you heard me right -- $85!!! During the month of June, at Stampin' Up!, it PAYS to have fun! Get extra hostess awards during June when you book a workshop with me. This is, of course, in addition to the already fantastic hostess benefits you would normally get!

• Hold a $250-$399.99 workshop and receive an additional $20 in hostess free dollars!
• Hold a $400 or more workshop and receive an additional $40 in hostess free dollars!*

Earn more rewards while having fun with friends and family this summer! Book a workshop with me and you'll receive even more -- sampler packs of Cardstock, Designer Series Papers and Ribbon along with some fabulous hand-made hostess gifts just for you! If you're not located in the Central Illinois area, no problem -- you can host a catalog workshop. I'll set you up with catalogs and everything else you need to be successful! Call or E-mail me today and let me know when you would like to get the party started!

I'm so excited to be on the invitation list!

Blessings, Gretchen