Gretchen Barron

On The Sixth Day of Christmas ...

On the Sixth Day of Christmas (in July), I'm bringing you this final project in this series (after all, it is the lastday of July). This is also my creation for tomorrow's Stampin 411 Sketch Challenge. I used Real Red and Whisper White Cardstocks, along with Merry Moments Designer Series Paper. The Snowflake #2 Die was cut using the Big Shot. Attach it to the DSP with 2-way Glue and trim off any "branches" that hang off the edge of the paper. Then, using the 2-way Glue pen again, cover it completely and coat it in Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. This sparkly snowflake is guaranteed to get everyone's attention. It is just gorgeous in person! (Click on the photo to enlarge it).

Not to be outdone, Frosty get a little bling as well with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. I stamped this image on Whisper White Cardstock (measuring 3.5 x 2") with Black Stazon Ink and then colored in the open areas with Stampin' Write Markers. The glitter is again applied with 2-way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds (gotta love that stuff).

The 5/8" Polka Dot Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon is simply laid across the card, attached with SNAIL adhesive, and then cut in a "V" shape on the left edge. I attached the little Red Button (Playground Designer Buttons), and tied with a bit of Embroidery Floss. The stamped image is attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Here's the great Stamping 411 Sketch that Selene created this week. It's our 10th week for Stamping 411 and our 10th Saturday challenge! If you haven't checked out our site yet, please do so. It's filled with all kinds of resources for beginning and beginner stampers, as well as those with more experience! And we would love for you to play along with this week's challenge and post your link to Mr. Linky on our site. I'm offering a great Prize package for this week's winner! Check it out at Stamping 411!

That's the end of my Christmas in July series (well, it is the 31st of the month!). There is lots more inspiration awaiting you however, each time you come back to visit at Inspiration in Action. I can't wait until your next visit!

Blessings, Gretchen

On the Fifth Day of Christmas ...

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my Postal Carrier brought to me ... a package of Go-Divas SWAP cards in the mail! Included in the mailer were these two wonderful Christmas cards from Yvette Sanchez and Jennifer Turoff. This was a New Catalog SWAP, not a Christmas SWAP, so there weren't a lot of Christmas cards, but these two ladies both created beautiful cards using the new Dasher individual stamp (one of my favorites and at only $8.95, such an affordable gift or stocking-stuffer for a stamper you love!

In addition to Dasher, Jennifer's card uses the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Real Red cardstock; Soft Suede Ink; The Circle Scissors Plus (the circle measures 2 3/4"), the Big Shot & Scallop #2 die; the Perfect Details Texturze Plate, 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon, Word Window and Modern Label Punches, Bold Bright Brads, 2-way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and Stampin' Dimensionals! I love the little red Brad nose on the reindeer! Nice job, Jennifer!

Yvette's card embosses Dasher with Gold Embossing Powder and uses Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red and Very Vanilla cardstocks, along with some Merry Moments Designer Series Papers. She also uses the Christmas Punch Stamp Set (a Level Two Hostess Set), the Wide Oval Punch, 5/8" Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, and the Big Shot & Perfect Details Texturz Plate. Fabulous, Yvette!

Thanks to these two ladies and all the others who participated in this SWAP. You'll be seeing more of their creations soon!

I have one more very special Christmas in July project that I'll be sharing with you this evening, so you'll want to stop by later! I hope you've enjoyed this series and that you've gathered some ideas and inspiration from all that I've shown you! I look forward to seeing you again later!

Blessings, Gretchen

On the Fourth Day of Christmas ...

Good morning, everyone! Thanks so much for coming back for Day Number 4 in my Christmas in July series. For today's card I'm using the new Designer Series Papers called Holiday Lounge and the beautiful new Gifts of Christmas Stamp Set. I've also used this week's MoJo Monday Sketch (with a few adaptations)! These are certainly non-traditional colors for Christmas -- Taken with Teal and Sahara Sand but I must say I love how this card turned out. As you can see, I gave the Dove more than a little bling with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (applied with a 2-way glue pen) and added some of the luxurious 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon. The three Square Rhinestone Brads on the Photo Corner add a bit more bling and I thought a nice touch. The circles were cut out with the Circle Scissor Plus. And, of course, I added a little something to the inside of the card as well (click on any photo to view a larger image)!

Well, I think that will do it for today! I'm so glad that you stopped by today for a bit of Christmas in July. I hope I'm giving you some ideas and inspiration as you begin to think about your special cards and projects for Christmas -- it's only 147 days and counting!

More surprises await you tomorrow when you visit Inspiration in Action! I look forward to having you back soon!

Blessings, Gretchen

On The Third Day of Christmas (in July) ...

Humm ... how does the song go? On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... three French Hens? I wonder if those hens would fit in this darling Frosty Gift Bag! Frosty was such a favorite of mine last season that I just had to bring him back for another year. Isn't he just too adorable?

These little Genie bags are so quick and easy to make. If you haven't tried them you really need to. You will be amazed. The base of the bag is a lunch sack. Yep, a simple lunch sack. I used a white one but you can just as easily use the plain ole' brown one -- you know the ones that come in a pack of 100 for your kids lunches!

I cut the Real Red front and back just a bit wider than the sack I was using. I cut the sack down to 5" tall and cut my two cardstock pieces at 7" and used the Wide Oval Punch to make the handle openings. Attach the front and back to the lunch sack using Sticky Strip. Then it's time to decorate!

For this Frosty, I turned the Top Note Die on it's side so his face is wider and not so tall, although I did set the hat a little higher on his head to give room for his face to shine through. I just think he is so darned cute. I used Elizabeth Terrell's wonderful idea of giving Frosty a little friend, the little bird from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlet's Die set (a Stampin' Up! Exclusive Die). I glittered up a Jumbo Snowflake punchie (using a 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter), added a couple of Stampin' Up! Little Leaves die-cuts and then attached the little bird using a small silver brad to connect everything to his hat. His little front wing covers up the brad quite nicely! You can see the detail of the bird and snowflake embellishment better on this close-up. You can also see here how I did his eyes -- I put SNAIL adhesive on the top and dimensionals on the bottom to give them a bit of depth as they stand away from his face just a bit on the bottom edge. Anyway, I am in love with Frosty and I hope you have enjoyed seeing him as well. Give him a try!

Hope you'll stop by tomorrow for the 4th Day of Christmas (in July)!

See you then! Blessings, Gretchen

On the Second Day Of Christmas ...

On the second day of Christmas (in July), my true love gave to me ... well gee, what could you give to someone in this darling little basket, so easy and quick to make with the Baskets & Blooms Die and the Big Shot! This is a Christmas version of one of my favorite little treat boxes/baskets to make! I created it using Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, Old Olive Cardstock (and just a bit of Real Red for the Tag and Snowflake), and Very Vanilla Cardstock. The Snowflakes were punched with the new Jumbo Snowflake Punch and then coated with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (using a 2-way glue pen). Look at that sparkle? (click on the thumbnail for a larger image). A little more holiday bling is applied with a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the middle of each snowflake. The tag is stamped with the Christmas Punch Stamp Set and punched out with the Scallop Oval Punch (sorry, the Old Olive layer will need to be cut by hand). A little of the new Real Red 5/8" Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon finishes off this darling little box. You could put Santa's Elfs to shame and crank out several of these in less than an hour! See the TUTORIAL on my previous Blog post!

I hope you'll come back tomorrow, on the 3rd Day of Christmas (in July). Great surprises await you!

Blessings, Gretchen

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Christmas in July, that is!)

Hello everyone and welcome to Christmas in July on Inspiration in Action. All week long, I'll be bringing you ideas for Christmas cards and projects using Stampin' Up! Christmas stamp sets, Designer Papers, Embellishments and more! I invite you to stop back each day for ideas as you begin to plan ahead for Christmas -- it's only 150 days away! Today's card features the new Stampin' Up! Scallop Square Die and the Big Shot! These little scallop cards are so cute and very quick and easy to make with the Big Shot. See my previous post HERE for details on how to do this. This cardbase is Real Red with a layer of Garden Green. The stripe pattern from Merry Moments Designer Series Paper is mounted on Chocolate Chip Cardstock (with only 1/8" border showing). The ribbon is 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain. After assembling the entire card, I punched out the opening using the Scallop Oval Punch (yes, it punched easily through both layers of Cardstock). Using the stamp-a-ma-jig to position the inside stamp, I stamped the image from Christmas Punch (a new Level 2 Hostess Set) with Chocolate Chip Ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock. Isn't this a darling little card that would be perfect to insert inside any Christmas gift?

I hope you'll stop back each day this week as I unveil new Christmas in July projects! I can't wait to welcome you back! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... at least at Inspiration in Action!

Blessings, Gretchen

A Pink and Black Challenge

Hello, everyone! This week's challenge on Late Night Stampers is anything Pink and Black, one of the hottest color combinations around!  I began with a Cardbase of Basic Black and added a layer of Pixie Pink with some of the Great Polka Dot DSP from the Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit. I also embossed the Pixie Pink layer using the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plate. I added some 3/8" Black and White Gingham Ribbon and tied a Faux Bow on the side. The stamp set is Flight of the Butterfly. Look how wonderfully the new Butterfly Punch works with this set? The butterflies are attached using Stampin' Dimensionals! An extra butterfly embellishes the inside of the card! How cute!

I invite you to check out my new Simply Scrappin' Samplers! There are three different samplers offered and you will get 1/2 of three different kits in each sampler. It's a great way to be able to purchase lots of the beautiful Simply Scrappin' Kits without investing hundreds of dollars in purchasing them all. And do you know how much you can create out of just 1/2 of a Simply Scrappin' Kit? Literally dozens of cards and several 12x12 Scrapbook pages! As an added bonus, I'm offering add-on packs of coordinating ribbon for each sampler!

Hope you have a great weekend, everyone! I'll be back on Monday with an entire week of Christmas in July (this little bow gives you a sneak peek)! You won't want to miss some of the great projects I've prepared for you, using new Christmas Stamp Sets (and maybe some old favorites), along with great new papers, Big Shot Dies and Embellishments!

See you then! Blessings, Gretchen

Saturday Sketch Challenge -- SSC109!

Hello everyone! Another week ... another great Sketch Challenge from Stamping 411! Doesn't Selene Kempton do a great job on our Sketch's each week? She is amazing and I know she would be thrilled if you let her know how much you appreciate and enjoy all her hard work.

Since we began Stamping 411 nine weeks ago, it's has grown by leaps and bounds! We are so pleased that people are responding and using this site that is taylored specifically for the beginning and inexperienced stamper! You must check it out, if you haven't already -- it's filled with tips, tricks and all kinds of useful information!

My card today is a study in greens -- rather unusual for me but I'm finding that I like greens more and more the older (uh-um, the more mature) I get!

I'm putting my Tutorial right into my post today, so read on if you want all the details! Click on any photo to view a larger image.

1. Layer One -- Old Olive Cardstock measuring 5.5 x 8.5, folded in half to form a card.
2. Layer Two -- Certainly Celery Cardstock cut to 4 x 5.25. I used the Stamp Set "Paradise" and stamped the different leaves in various shades of Green -- Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, and Handsome Hunter. Add to this a length of the new 1 1/4" Striped Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon but leave the left-side hanging loose. We'll finish that off in a bit. Attach layer Two to the Cardbase.
3. Layer Three -- Old Olive cut at 2.5 x 3.5"
4. Layer Four -- Whisper White cut at 2.25 x 3.25". Stamp the sentiment from "Hope Happens" with Old Olive Ink.
5. Using the Photo Corner Punch, punch in both Old Olive and Always Artichoke. Assemble together with SNAIL adhesive. Using the Mat Pack Paper Piercing Template and the Piercing Tool, pierce three holes, evenly on the Photo Corner. Insert Always Artichoke Brads (Rich Regals Collection). Adhere to Layer Four with SNAIL adhesive.
6. Adhere assembled Layers Three and Four to the Card, using Stampin' Dimensionals.
7. Using a bit of Linen Thread, tie it around the loose Grosgrain Ribbon that you adhered before. Tie slowly and shape the ribbon with your fingers as you cinch it up. It will form beautiful gathers. Trim the thread and end of ribbon as desired.
8. Stamp another leaf on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock and cut it out and adhere it with Stampin' Dimensionals.
9. Don't forget to embellish the inside of the card with some additional stamping on a 4 x 5.25" piece of Whisper White Cardstock. Adhere with SNAIL adhesive.
10. Voila! Your Card is complete!

Now, I would really LOVE to see what you create with this week's Sketch. Play along with us, won't you! Once you've taken pictures of your completed project, post it to your blog or to a public site like Split Coast Stampers. Go to the Stampin' 411 Website  and link us to your project picture using Mr. Linky! We're waiting to see what you do this week!

Thanks for stopping! Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Blessings, Gretchen

 

Simply Scrappin! Samplers Are Here!

Have you fallen in love with the Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kits yet? These kits are a wonderful way to put together fast, impressive and coordinated scrapbook pages and even entire albumns and mini albumns. But they can also be used for cards, home decorating projects and paper crafting of all kinds! Each sampler contains half of everything that is in the Simply Scrappin' Kits (pgs. 164-167 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog). In each Sampler, you will receive half of 3 different Simply Scrappin' Kits (see descriptions below). You will get the following (times 3 different kits):

• 1 sheet of each of 3 different Self-Adhesive Die Cuts, ( Three 12x6" sheets in all)
• 1.5 sheets of each of two different 12x12" Double-Sided Designer Papers (a total of 2 12x12" sheets and 2 12x6" sheets)
• 1 sheet each of each of four different 12x12" Textured Coordinating Cardstock (a total of 4 12x12" sheets).

Each Simply Scrappin' Sampler costs $39.95, which includes Priority S&H. You would pay more than $70 to order the full kits and have them shipped to you from Stampin' Up! I place my orders from Stampin' Up! on Monday's and do my best to ship to you within 8-10 business days of my order date. If you need your samplers by a certain date, check with me by e-mail for an estimated date of delivery.

In addition to the Simply Scrappin' Samplers, you may order a coordinating Ribbon Add-On Pack. Each Ribbon Add-On Pack will include 12 yards of coordinating ribbons (2 yards each of 6 different ribbons) for an additional $10.00 (S&H for the add-on packs is FREE if ordered with the Simply Scrappin' Kits. See details on each add-on pack below.

Simply Scrappin' Samplers and Ribbon Add-On Packs

Sampler #1 -- Love is In the Air Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#1 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00#2 -- Sun & Fun Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#2 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00#3 -- Celebrations Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#3 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00

 

Sampler #1 -- Love Is In the Air -- includes 1/2 of Love Sparkles, Guest Book and Taylor Made. $39.95 (includes S&H and tax)

 

 

 

Sampler #1 Ribbon Add-On Pack (can be ordered only with Simply Scrappin' Samplers). You will get 12 yards of quality Stampin' Up! Ribbons -- 2 yards each of Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain, 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain, 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain, 5/8" Whisper White Satin, 1/4" Always Artichoke Grosgrain and 3/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta. ($10.00)

 

Sampler #2 -- Sun & Fun-- includes 1/2 of Sunny Day, Cool Kids and Petal Party. $39.95 (includes S&H and tax)

 

Sampler #2 Ribbon Add-On Pack (can be ordered only with Simply Scrappin' Samplers). You will get 12 yards of quality Stampin' Up! Ribbons -- 2 yards each of Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain, Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain, Pretty in Pink 1/2" Striped Grosgrain, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain. ($10.00)

Sampler #3 -- Celebrations -- includes 1/2 of Christmas Jingle, Moments & Milestones and Happy B-Day. $38.95 (includes S&H and tax)

 

Sampler #3 Ribbon Add-On Pack (can be ordered only with Simply Scrappin' Samplers). You will get 12 yards of quality Stampin' Up! Ribbons -- 2 yards each of Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain, Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain, Crushed Curry 5/8" Polka Dot Grosgrain, Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain. ($10.00)

 

Simply Scrappin' Samplers and Ribbon Add-On Packs

Sampler #1 -- Love is In the Air Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#1 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00#2 -- Sun & Fun Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#2 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00#3 -- Celebrations Simply Scrappin' Sampler $39.95#3 -- Ribbon Add-On Pack $10.00

A Pazzle of Razzle Dazzle!

Okay -- I admit it ... I just made up that word "pazzle". For my purposes, pazzle means a "whole bunch". I picked it because it rhymes with Razzle, as in Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series papers! As you can see from the mess on my desk (geeze, I'm beginning to sound like Dr. Suess!), I've been working on a whole pazzle of Razzle Dazzle Pocket Cards for a Convention SWAP. These little babies are fun and easy to make and I went just a little crazy with them!

Here's the scoop ... You begin with a cardstock base cut at 4.25 x 5.5" (1/4 of a sheet of cardstock). Next, you cut your DSP at 4 x 5.25" (just like you would for the first layer on any card). Next, you fold down the top right-hand corner of the DSP to make a flap. I folded mine leaving 3/4" along the left side. This measurement is perfect for being able to reach in with your Crop-a-dile and punch two holes for your ribbon. Did you know you can punch a pazzle of cards at once with your Crop-a-Dile? Well, you can! Anyway, our Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers work so beautifully for this type of project because they are double-sided -- so when you fold down your flap, you get a peek at the beautiful designs on the other side of the paper! Next, you reach in with your Crop-a-Dile and punch two holes about 3/8" apart along the left edge of the flap. Insert a 9" piece of Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon through the holes. If you want the Polka Dots to show on your tied bow, make sure they don't show on the back of the DSP layer (click on the photo for a larger image). Turn it all over and with it upside down in front of you (the top flap closest to you as you work), make a "bunny ear" bow (that's my own terminology as well). Basically, you make two "bunny ear" loops and then tie them together to form your bow. Pass one loop over the other and then bring it under and up to form a bow. As you do, the ends will automatically flip down (which is why you want to hold it upside down otherwise your ends will fiip up on your finished bow, a definite faux-paux in the bow-tieing world). Fiddle with the bow until you have it the way you want it and then pull it tight and trim the ends on a diagonal. Perfect bow everytime! Clear as mud, right? Well, I recommend you practice once or twice and you will have it down in no time. Use some old scraps of ribbon if you're afraid you're going to ruin your new stuff.

When you get all done, run SNAIL adhesive along three sides of the DSP layer (you don't want adhesive on the folded flap), and then adhere it to your cardbase. Burnish, or rub firmly, along all the edges to seal down the SNAIL and make sure it will hold your pocket together. That's all there is to it except for making a quick tag to tuck into the pocket. I cut mine at 2.5 x 4.5" and used the Ticket Corner Punch on the top edge. I inserted a Jumbo Eyelet and tied another length of ribbon through it, cinching it up with a bit of Linen Thread. The sentiments are all from the Teeny Tiny Messages Stamp Set. There you go! Get busy and you too will have a Pazzle of Razzle Dazzle in no time at all!

Thanks for stoping by. I hope you visit again soon! Blessings, Gretchen