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!
Beautiful, Gretchen! You don't know how close I came to making a red/white Christmas tree! Yours is wonderful...love the tree in a box idea!
Posted by: Connie | October 19, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Lovely, Gretchen!!
Posted by: Robin Spinner | October 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Ooooooo! This is so pretty! A Christmas-Tree-In-A-Box!! Love the stunning red/white combo, too! Another brilliant project, as usual my friend! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | October 19, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Very cleaver idea for the Tree. The DSP is gorgeous for it.
Posted by: Marge Waskiewicz | October 19, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Your project is absolutely beautiful! I'm so in awe I can't stop staring at it, GREAT JOB! Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Amy Helt | October 19, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Oh my Goodness... Your tree is Beautiful...
Faith
Posted by: Faith | October 19, 2009 at 11:46 PM
This is great! How did you make the box?
Posted by: Kelly Perpich | October 20, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Wow your box is just stunning! That red and brown mixture sure is pretty together. Also love the blocks.
Angel hugs
Debby
Posted by: Debby | October 20, 2009 at 07:09 AM
LOVE the way you put the tree in the box! FABULOUS idea! Everything in your post is so pretty!
Posted by: Lisa Martz | October 20, 2009 at 07:27 AM
Oh my goodness what a great idea for the tree!
Posted by: Virginia Killmore | October 20, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Did you even SLEEP last night??? Your cards is STUNNING and those blocks are wonderfully fun!! Looks like you are ready for Christmas already! Sheesh!!
Posted by: Wendy W. | October 20, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Wow, Gretchen, your projects are fabulous! Love the 3D tree cut out of the flocked paper - it looks awesome! Love the blocks, too! :D
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Major | October 20, 2009 at 07:53 AM
My jaw has dropped to the floor in the awesomeness of your projects!! Way to go! Erin Blair
Posted by: Erin Blair | October 20, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Kudos to your Christmas Tree in a box! I love the idea and look forward to your tutorial to make it for the grandmothers in my family.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1415295035 | October 20, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Wow, I love that flocked paper on the tree. It makes it seem snowy!
Posted by: Kimberley Morris | October 20, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Absolutely gorgeous flower card!! I haven't gotten the blocks yet, so great to see those!
Posted by: Dawn Olchefske | October 20, 2009 at 09:23 AM
That tree is just absolutely stunning! I can't wait to see the more detailed instructions!
Posted by: Amanda | October 20, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Just Gorgeous! The gold reindeer is so elegant! And that pop up Christmas tree box is beautiful!
Posted by: Shona Watson | October 20, 2009 at 10:28 AM
stunning gretchen!!!!!
Posted by: carol marbach (udi) | October 20, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Your projects are wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
Joy Hannabass
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1369586568 | October 20, 2009 at 12:21 PM
BEAUTIFUL projects Gretchen!
Posted by: Christyne | October 20, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Wonderful projects but love the card
Posted by: Elaine | October 20, 2009 at 07:46 PM
FANTASTIC projects! I love your red and white tree but I love how gorgeous your Gifts of Christmas card is. That is just such an excellent set for classy cards!
Posted by: Mary Brown | October 20, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Love the projects.
Posted by: Amy | October 20, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Aw Gretchen, you never dissapoint! I love the tree in the box, I now I have to get that too!!
Posted by: Teresa Hafso | October 20, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Super cute projects...I especially like the blocks!
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=521285069 | October 20, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Seriously, Gretchen? Your projects RAWK!!! TFS!
Posted by: Brandi Wiggins | October 20, 2009 at 11:20 PM
YOU GET A STANDING OVATION!!!! GREAT TREE IN A BOX! LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: gayle | October 21, 2009 at 01:42 AM
Beautiful projects! I love the gold embossing of the dove image and the colors you used for that card!
Posted by: Shari Nelson | October 21, 2009 at 11:21 PM
This is a BEAUTIFUL card. I LOVE IT.
Posted by: Kierra | January 05, 2010 at 07:19 PM