Gretchen Barron

A New Saturday Sketch Challenge from Stamping 411!

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween! Welcome to the Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411Operators. Since it is Halloween, I couldn't resist the challenge to use the adorable Pumpkin Patch Stamp Set one more time -- I'm going to miss these charming little pumpkin heads! I used Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper with traditional Halloween colors -- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Whisper White. I also used 1/4" grosgrain ribbons and, oh yes, do you see that very stylish jumbo scallop border? I made that using the 1" Circle punch. I overlapped the circles just slightly and then trimmed the bottom of the Whisper White layer to make a nice, even straight edge. The pumpkins are stamped in Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango and Old Olive inks. Okay, now for the measurements:

1. Layer One -- Card Base -- Pumpkin Pie Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5" -- fold and score with a Bone Folder
2. Layer Two -- Night & Day Specialty DSP cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Pumpkin Pie Cardstock cut at 3 x 4.25"
4. Layer Four -- Old Olive Cardstock cut at 2.75 x 4"
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 2.5 x 3.75". After adhering the overlapped circles, trim to the 2.5" height.
6. Layer Six -- don't forget the inside -- look at those adorable little guys peeking out at you!

There you go! Don't forget to stop by Stamping 411to see what the other Operators have created with this sketch. And don't forget to come back to Stamping 411 after you've had a chance to do some creating yourself and link your project using Mister Linky. We always look forward to YOUR creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll visit again soon!!!

 

Another Card for the Weekend Sketch Challenge!

 
Hello everyone! As promised, I've got another card using this week's Inspiration in Action Sketch for you! This was so much fun to do and I love the bright, vibrant colors from the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper. Cardstock colors are Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. I used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set and stamped the floral image on Whisper White Cardstock, using Versamark Ink (be sure and use your Embossing Buddy first). I poured on the Clear Embossing Powder, tapped it off, and set it with the Heat Tool. Next, I sponged on all that beautiful color -- Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry. I just love the look of this Emboss-Resist Technique and sponging on different colors. The ribbon is 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain and I used the Eyelet Border Punch, Modern Label Punch and Modern Label Die (with the Movers & Shapers Die). What do you think? I love to read your comments!

Do you know what I love even more? I love to see YOUR creations using my Weekend Sketch Challenges. So set aside some time this weekend, make a card using the above sketch, post it to your blog or other online service, and then come back and link it to the Mister Linky widget ON THIS POST, giving your name and the direct URL location of your creation. Your creation may end up being featured on my blog next week! But you can't win if you don't play!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll visit again soon!

Are You Ready for a New Weekend Sketch Challenge?

Good morning, everyone! Another week has flown by and it's time for a new Weekend Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action! I'm trying something new this week. I'm only going to  show you one of my sample cards today but will be posting more throughout the weekend! I do hope you'll play along this week -- I love seeing your projects and reading your comments!

And now, for my first sample of the weekend I turned the sketch on it's side and came up with this almost vintage Christmas card using the new Berry Christmas Stamp Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. The colors are Real Red, Soft Suede and Whisper White. I used 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Brads (Antique Brass) and the Ticket Corner Punch. The little bird is cut with the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Merry Details Sizzlet Die (don't you love how it coordinates with the Stamp set -- see the inside of the card for the stamped image). I also used the Scallop Border Punch and Stampin' Dimensionals. And yes, of course I stamped on the inside of the card.

Well, I think that will do it for today. Be sure and visit again throughout the weekend to see what other samples I've created using today's sketch!

And don't forget to stop back and  post your own creations using the Mister Linky Widget below. Just leave your name and the actual URL address where we can find your card. We're waiting to see what you create with this week's Inspiration in Action Sketch!

 

How Did I Get That Tree in a Box?

How did I get that tree in a box? Or maybe the better question is, "How did I get that Box around that tree"? This is a project I first showed you last week during the Control Freaks October Blog Tour -- a 3-D tree in a box. I promised that I would eventually get some instructions posted for how to make this (and I've had a lot of reminders from my faithful blog readers), so this seems like a great time to show you how to make this project for yourself!

Are you ready to make a tree in a box? Let's go ... (click any photo for a larger image)

1. Cut four pieces of Whisper White (or another color) cardstock and four piece of DSP at 4x6". Adhere the DSP to the cardstock. Score at .5" on one end only.
2. Cut four pieces of contrasting cardstock at 4 x 5.5" and adhere to the opposite side of the flaps.
3. On a 4x4" piece of cardstock (I used Soft Suede), stamp your image (I used the Medallion stamp and Frost White Shimmer paint) to represent a tree skirt
4. Using Sticky Strip, adhere the four panels to the cardstock square, attaching the 1/2" tab on the end of each flap.
5. On the outside, the striped DSP in my sample, attach ribbon in the center of all four sides, running it from the bottom, up to the top. Cut another 4x4" piece of cardstock and attach to the bottom of the box to hide the unsightly ribbon ends and give it a little more weight and stability.
6. Cut and assemble your 3-D pop-up tree according to the directions that come with the die. I added an extra "triangle" of cardstock on the bottom to cover the entire bottom of the tree (you can do this since you don't need this tree to pop-up from a card.
7. Attach it to the center of your stamped image, using Crystal Effects. Use a Bone Folder to help press down the bottom of the tree into the Crystal Effects. Let dry thoroughly before completing the project.
8. Your box is complete. Now it's time to make the lid. Choose another DSP pattern (I used the snowflakes and Soft Suede pattern for the lid). Cut a 10 1/8" square of the DSP. Score at 1.5" and 3" on all four sides. Cut out the three corner squares on each corner (see the photo) and then with the remaining square on each corner, score diagonally. Fold the box flaps up at the 3" score line, fold in the scored diagonal and fold the final 1.5" flap to the inside of the box. Adhere with Sticky Strip and burnish to get a good, strong hold. Decorate the box lid as you desire. I used the same ribbon and ran it up on all four sides, so when the box is together, it looks like one continual line of ribbon. I tied a box on the top and hung some glittered snoflakes with silver metallic cord for a little extra interest.
9. Fold up the flaps on all four sides of the box and gently put the lid on the top. Use a bone Folder to gently push the sides out so the box looks straight and square. when you take off the lid, the four flaps of the box fall down, revealing your georgeous Christmas tree.

 
And that's how I got that tree in a box!

Happy stamping and crafting, everyone!

Introducing Santa and his Sidekicks -- a Brand New Class Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial!

 
Let me introduce you to the newest branch of my Top Note Characters Family -- Santa and his Sidekicks! There's Santa and Mrs. Santa, of course ... and Jingle, the elf, Rudolph and Frosty! Aren't they just adorable? I can't tell you how much fun I've had creating these newest characters for you! (click on any image to view it larger).

Each kit includes a coordinating Fancy Favor Box Die Cut, Top Note Die Cuts, all the punchies, ribbons, embellishments and step-by-step instructions with tons of photos to make assembly a breeze (additional supply list is provided below). Time needed to assemble all 5 projects is approximately 2 hours. I'm also offering the option to purchase just the Tutorial, which will be e-mailed to you as a PDF file. Although the kits will come with the Fancy Favor Box Die-cuts, the tutorial includes instructions for an alternate box for those who might not have the Die or have it available to you.

Additional Supplies you will need to assemble the kits include:

Sticky Strip; Stampin' Dimensionals; SNAIL adhesive; Paper Snips; Bone Folder; Crop-a-Dile; sponges; Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker; White Signo Gel Pen; Classic Stampin Pads in the following colors -- Going Gray, Chocolate chip, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, and Bravo Burgundy; Whisper White Craft Stamp Pad; Cyrstal Effects or Pop-up Glue Dots and Mini Glue Dots. No stamping is required although you will do a lot of sponging.

Although I'm showing these attached to Fancy Favor Boxes, you could also put these on cards, use on scrapbook pages or use in other ways. They promise to bring joy, spirit, personality and a whole lot of cuteness to all your Holiday projects, decorating and gift-giving!

Each Class-on-the-Go Kit sells for $19.95 which includes S&H and Tax, payable by clicking on the PayPal link below. Shipping of kits within the United States Only. Sorry, no international orders. Kits will ship to you within 1 week, usually within 72 hours. Once your kits ships to you, you will receive an e-mail confirmation from me which will include your PDF tutorial which you may download or print. If you would like to purchase only the Tutorial for $5, it will be e-mailed to you within 48 hours of receipt of payment, usually within a few hours. If you have questions, please e-mail me BEFORE you order.

I hope you have fun with Santa and all his friends! They can't wait to come to your craft room!!!

Choose:

Santa and His Sidekicks -- Class Kit-on-the-Go $19.95Santa and His Sidekicks -- tutorial Only (e-mail as PDF) $5.00

Read what others have said about Inspiration in Action Class Kits-on-the-Go and Tutorials HERE!

Harvest Home and Two New Challenges!

Hello everyone! I've got a great card for your inspiration today and I'm excited because it's a two-fer -- I'm meeting two challenges with one card! I love it when that happens. First, this is my Stamping 411 Weekend Sketch card for this week, based on Selene's great sketch. Secondly, I used the Late Night Stampers Challenge colors for this week -- Really Rust, Ruby Red and Old Olive. What great colors for fall ... which is why I decided to use one of my favorite fall sets -- Harvest Home. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and accessories include 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, The Eyelet Border Punch, Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Stampin' Dimensionals and Blender Pens. I used the Blender Pens and reinkers to do the watercoloring on the stamped image. Ink colors include Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Really Rust, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Not Quite Navy.

Ready for the details ...

1. Layer One -- Really Rust cut at 5.25 x 10.5". Score and fold in the middle, making a cardbase that measures 5.25" square.
2. Layer Two -- Old Olive Polka-Dot pattern from the Right Stuff Designer Series Paper, cut at 5" square
3. Layer Three -- Ruby Red cut at 5 x 1" and punched with the Eyelet Border Punch. Attach to card and wrap the ribbon around it, fastening on the back of the DSP layer.
4. Layer Four -- Ruby Red cut at 5 x 2" and attached about 1/3 of the way from the top of the card. I placed it so the focal stamped image could be centered.
5. Layer Five -- Really Rust cut at 3.25" square
6. Layer Six -- Very Vanilla cut at 3" square. Stamp the image with Black Stazon Ink (a MUST when you are watercoloring) and color in using Blender Pens and Reinkers.
7. Layer Seven -- Old Olive punched with the Scallop Oval Punch
8. Layer Eight -- Very Vanilla, stamped with the sentiment and punched with the Large Oval Punch. Attach to the Scallop Oval with SNAIL adhesive and adhere to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.
9. Inside of Card -- Very Vanilla cut at 5" and stamped twice with the leaf image and colored in with Blender Pens and Reinkers.

Make sure and check out the Stamping 411 Site to see the other fabulous projects that our Operators have created for your inspiration this week. And then, once you have a chance to create your own masterpiece using this sketch, be sure to go back to Stamping 411 and leave your name and link with Mister Linky.

We all want to see what  you come up with this week!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time!

Happy Thursday morning to you and welcome to another great Weekend Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action! I hope you'll be inspired and challenged to play along this week. Once you've created your card and posted it to your blog or other online service, come back and give us your name and link so we can all see your beautiful work!

I've got three cards to inspire you this morning!

This first card uses the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper. The Stamp sets are Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings and Harvest Home. The colors are Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Very Vanilla. I used several Earth Elements inks and a Blender Pen to do the watercoloring on the focal image. The leaves are stamped on various colors of cardstock, cut out, sponged with Chocolate Chip Ink and attached with Stampin' Dimensionals. The sentiment is punched with the Large Oval Punch and mounted on a Scallop Oval Punchie. I did some more watercoloring on the leaves inside the card. This is pretty much what the scenery looks like in Central Illinois right now. The colors are beautiful this year. Happy Fall, everyone!

Next, I thought I would have a little fun with the delightful little pumpkins from Pumpkin Patch. I used Cast-a-Spell Designer Series Paper and Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Pumpkin and Whisper White Cardstocks. The pumpkins that are cut or punched out are attached using Stampin' Dimensionals. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and the ribbon is 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain. I just love these little guys -- they look so mischievous!

And finally, this beautiful snowflake card using Serene Snowflakes and the Bride Specialty Designer Series Paper. I sponged Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy Ink onto the Bride paper. The swirly, iridescent design resists the ink and leaves such a lovely, shimmery look. I just love it! the tiny snowflakes are stamped in Bashful Blue and Night of Navy. The large snowflakes are punched using the Jumbo Snowflake punch and Whisper White and Night of Navy cardstocks. The sentiment is from All Holidays! So peaceful!

Okay -- now it's your turn. Let me see what you create this weekend using this sketch. I will post some of my favorites next week on my blog so watch out! You might see yourself here!

Use Mister Linky below to leave your name and the URL where we can find your card!

 

It's the Control Freak Tour and Christmas Showcase!

Hello everyone! Can you believe that another month has flown by and it's the twentieth already -- time for another Freaky tour! The Control Freaks are at it again, bringing you some terrific projects showcasing all the best of Christmas. If you're already in the midst of the tour, that means you arrived here from the wonderful Lisa Martz's blog. But however you got here, pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and enjoy this next stop! I've got some great projects for you today!

Here's my first project! Is it a card? Is it a gift? No ... it's a tree in a box! Using the Big Shot and the amazing Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Die, I created this lovely box. When you lift up the lid, the four sides fall down to reveal this georgeous flocked tree, made with Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. Pretty cool, eh? I glued the flocked paper on either side of a piece of Whisper White 12x12 cardstock and then ran it through the Big Shot to cut the various pieces. These little trees really go together so quickly once you do the first one or two (yes, there is a learning curve, but once you learn how to do it, they zip right together in a few minutes). I used 1" Double Stitched Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, the Jumbo Snowflake and Snow Blossom Punches (they are covered with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter -- so sparkly in real life), and four different patterns of the DSP. The "tree skirt" is the Medallion Background Stamp, stamped with Frost White Shimmer Paint. This little project took a while to do, but what  a special gift and surprise it would be for someone you love! Want more detailed instructions for this project, please stop back in a few days and I will post more detail and photos for making the tree in a box!

Look at this beautiful card! You know how much I LOVE purple and this card fits the bill with Elegant Eggplant, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White and Brushed Gold. You may not be able to see it too well in the photograph, but I sprayed the background with Shimmer Spray (6 drops of Champaign Shimmer Paint to 2 oz. rubbing alcohol. Shake well and spray). Once it was sprayed, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Swirls Texturz Plate. The stamp set is Gifts of Christmas (one of my favorites). I also used the Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2" Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Versamark Ink and Gold Embossing Powder. The card base is 5 1/4", just perfect for Stampin' Up's! Square Envelopes.

And now for one, final project for this month's Blog Tour -- Holiday Blocks! Did you know Stampin' Up! sells these adorable decorative blocks now? There are ultra smooth and so easy to apply Designer Series papers or Cardstock, just using a two-way glue pen. I used both Christmas Cocoa Specialty and Merry Moments Designer Series Papers for these projects. The great thing is that you can make more than one word by placing letters on more than one side. In addition to "snow", I also made "noel" and "joy"! So much fun and super easy to do!

Well, that's pretty much it for today. Don't forget to take the tour -- there are some absolutely fabulous projects waiting for you out there on ControlFreak blogs!

Since the blog tour falls on Tuesday this time, there will be no Takin' It To the Top feature this Tuesday. Please check back next week for Takin' It To the Top! 

Click on the button below to move on down the road to Julie Dinn's blog. I took a little sneaky-peeky so I know you won't be disappointed! Have fun on the rest of the tour. Happy travels and Happy Stamping!

 

Hello everyone! Can you believe that another month has flown by and it's the twentieth already -- time for another Freaky tour! The Control Freaks are at it again, bringing you some terrific projects showcasing all the best of Christmas. If you're already in the midst of the tour, that means you arrived here from the wonderful Lisa Martz's blog. But however you got here, pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and enjoy this next stop! I've got some great projects for you today!

Here's my first project! Is it a card? Is it a gift? No ... it's a tree in a box! Using the Big Shot and the amazing Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Die, I created this lovely box. When you lift up the lid, the four sides fall down to reveal this georgeous flocked tree, made with Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. Pretty cool, eh? I glued the flocked paper on either side of a piece of Whisper White 12x12 cardstock and then ran it through the Big Shot to cut the various pieces. These little trees really go together so quickly once you do the first one or two (yes, there is a learning curve, but once you learn how to do it, they zip right together in a few minutes). I used 1" Double Stitched Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, the Jumbo Snowflake and Snow Blossom Punches (they are covered with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter -- so sparkly in real life), and four different patterns of the DSP. The "tree skirt" is the Medallion Background Stamp, stamped with Frost White Shimmer Paint. This little project took a while to do, but what  a special gift and surprise it would be for someone you love! Want more detailed instructions for this project, please stop back in a few days and I will post more detail and photos for making the tree in a box!

Look at this beautiful card! You know how much I LOVE purple and this card fits the bill with Elegant Eggplant, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White and Brushed Gold. You may not be able to see it too well in the photograph, but I sprayed the background with Shimmer Spray (6 drops of Champaign Shimmer Paint to 2 oz. rubbing alcohol. Shake well and spray). Once it was sprayed, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Swirls Texturz Plate. The stamp set is Gifts of Christmas (one of my favorites). I also used the Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2" Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Versamark Ink and Gold Embossing Powder. The card base is 5 1/4", just perfect for Stampin' Up's! Square Envelopes.

And now for one, final project for this month's Blog Tour -- Holiday Blocks! Did you know Stampin' Up! sells these adorable decorative blocks now? There are ultra smooth and so easy to apply Designer Series papers or Cardstock, just using a two-way glue pen. I used both Christmas Cocoa Specialty and Merry Moments Designer Series Papers for these projects. The great thing is that you can make more than one word by placing letters on more than one side. In addition to "snow", I also made "noel" and "joy"! So much fun and super easy to do!

Well, that's pretty much it for today. Don't forget to take the tour -- there are some absolutely fabulous projects waiting for you out there on ControlFreak blogs!

Since the blog tour falls on Tuesday this time, there will be no Takin' It To the Top feature this Tuesday. Please check back next week for Takin' It To the Top! 

Click on the button below to move on down the road to Julie Dinn's blog. I took a little sneaky-peeky so I know you won't be disappointed! Have fun on the rest of the tour. Happy travels and Happy Stamping!

 

A New Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators!

Hello everyone! Friday evening can only mean one thing at Stamping 411 -- The Operators have a new sketch challenge for you! We invite you to stop by between now and Wednesday and see what the other Operators have been up to! There's always something to learn at Stamping 411!

 

 Here's the card I created for you today. I used the Level 2 Hostess Set, Wings of Friendship, along with Ballet Blue, Orchid Opulence, Basic Black and Whisper White. I just love the way the bright colors pop off the Basic Black! The focal image is stamped with Black Craft Ink and Heat Embossed with Black Embossing powder. I then sponged the color on in little circular motions. Keep applying color until you have the shade you want. This is called Emboss Resist Technique and it's one of my favorite things to do. There's also some embossing here with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder and the Big Shot and some 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon. I stamped the sentiment on Orchid Opulence and mounted it on a Basic Black Scallop Oval Punchie, attaching it to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals! And don't forget the inside of the card! This set has a lovely flourish that seems made for this purpose!

Here's all the Measurements:

1. Layer one -- Card Base -- Basic Black cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded in the middle
2. Layer Two -- Orchid Opulence cut at 4 x 5.25 and embossed with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder.
3. Layer Three -- Ballet Blue cut at 3.25 x 4.25"
4. Layer Four -- Basic Black cut at 3" square
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White cut at 2.75" square

That's it for today. Don't forget to see what the other operators have created at Stamping 411. And once you've completed your project, come back and leave us your name and link so we can all see what you've been up to! Thanks for looking and stop back again soon!   
   

Last Week's Sketch Challenge Picks!

Hello everyone! Finally, a chance to post last week's favorite picks from the Weekend Sketch Challenge (IA105). Congratuations to Carole Anne Sluchinski,  Erin Morley and Tammy Fite who were chosen as this week's favorites! And a special thanks to everyone who participated in the sketch challenge! All the cards were fabulous! There's another great sketch ready for you this weekend so I hope you'll play along and invite your friends to come and play as well. There a fabulous bit of Blog Candy to be awarded for next weeks' Top Pick!