Gretchen Barron

Sing, Choirs of Angels!

 
Hello everyone! Some of you know that I've been working on one more Class-kit--on-the-Go for Christmas and I am pleased to say that they are ready to meet you! Introducing "Sing, Choirs of Angels"! These little cherubs are ready to sing their way into your heart this Christmas. Each one is actually a darling little basket that can be filled with small gifts, goodies, or just set out as part of the decorations! Aren't they adorable? With golden halos just slightly askew, they promise to bring just the right mix of light-hearted joy and reverence to everyone who makes, and receives, them.

Included in each kit will be materials to make 3 girls and 2 boys, 3 Caucasian and 2 African-American. In addition, each kit includes all the die-cuts, punchies and cardstock to make five of these little cuties (clothing colors and Designer Paper Patterns will vary from what is shown), along with a step-by-step Tutorial full of pictures to guide you through the process (additional supplies and tools needed to complete this project are listed below). Time needed to assemble all 5 angels is approximately 1.5 hours. I'm also offering the option to purchase just the Tutorial, which will be e-mailed to you as a PDF file.

Additional Supplies you will need to assemble the kits include: Sticky Strip; Stampin' Dimensionals; SNAIL adhesive; Paper Snips; Bone Folder; sponges; Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker; Classic Stampin Pads to coordinate with the colors in the kit; adhesive remover. No stamping is required.

Although I'm showing these made into baskets, you could also put these on cards, use on scrapbook pages, or use in other ways. Image how cute they would be fastened to a Christmas wreath. 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 only 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.

Coose:

Kit On-the-Go $19.95 Tutorial Only $5.00

I hope you have fun with this delightful angel choir! They promise to make your holidays heavenly!

Another Sketch Challenge Card!

Hello everyone! As promised, I've got another card for you today using this week's sketch challenge -- IA110. With this card comes an invitation for you to play along with this week's challenge -- it's not too late. You can enter your submission by noon (central time) on Wednesday each week. Simply go HERE, scroll down to the Mister Linky widget, and leave your name and the specific URL address of your post. I can't wait to see what you create!

I had fun with this one. The bright diagonally striped paper from the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper collection reminds me of candy canes and seemed the perfect choice for this delightful sentiment from the Sweet Season Stamp Set!

Other accessories include Bold Bright Brads, 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, the Eyelet Border Punch and the Circle Scissor Plus. Such fun!

Okay -- it's your turn now! Let me see what you can do with this sketch!

Have fun and Happy Stamping!

A New Control Freaks Blog Tour Coming Soon!

A new Control Freaks Blog Tour is coming this week! Join us Friday, November 20th, for an all new Freaky Blog Tour featuring the fabulous artwork from several talented ladies! You won't want to miss this latest tour, highlighting Christmas Gift and Decorating ideas! Make sure and come back on Friday to hop on the bus!

Dont' want to wait until Friday? You know you can re-visit any of the previous Control Freaks blog tours by clicking HERE. The ideas are timeless and the creativity is amazing!

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge -- SSC125!

WOW! The Stamping 411 Operators have been operating now for 25 weeks! Amazing! As always, we have another great sketch for you this weekend, designed by Selene Kempton! Don't you just love this week's sketch? It's so much fun! Just click on the image to view it larger! And here's what I did with this week's sketch! Isn't it amazing how the double-layered diamonds give everything such a different look?

I used the Christmas Classics Stamp Set, The Big Shot, the Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder and the Scallop Square Die, Real Red, Glorious Green and Whisper White Cardstocks, the Modern Label Punch and Die, Stampin' Dimensionals and some Red Craft Ink and Clear Embossing powder.

Okay, ready for the details!

1. Layer One -- Real Red cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to form your card base.
2. Layer Two -- Glorious Green cut at 4 x 5.25" and embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty Impressions Folder
3. Layer Three -- Real Red Cardstock cut with the Scallop Square Die and the Big Shot. I cut this so it would be 6 scallops square, or approximately 3" square. Click HERE to view the tutorial on how to cut smaller Scallop Squares using the Die.
4. Layer Four -- Glorious Green cut at 2.5" Square.
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White cut at 2" square. Run your Embossing Buddy over the entire surface and then stamp with Real Red Craft Ink, emboss with the Heat Tool and Clear Embossing Powder.
6. Layer Six and Seven -- Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White Cardstock and punch out with the Modern Label Punch. Mount on the Modern Label Die piece cut in Real Red (using the Movers & Shapers Die). Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals!
7. Inside -- don't forget to stamp a little something on the inside. I colored this image in using Stampin' Write Markers and then just stamped a little holly in the corner. It's such a nice extra touch!

Don't forget to visit the Stamping 411 Site to see what the other Operators have been up to this week. And once you've had a chance to create your own project using this week's sketch, make sure and return to leave your name and the URL address of your project with Mister Linky. I hear there might be a prize in store for some lucky participants this week!

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

 

It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time!

Hello everyone! It's time for another Weekend Sketch Challenge at Inspiration in Action! I hope you have fun with today's sketch -- I can see lots of possibilities for this one! This sketch can literally be turned in any direction and still come out looking great!

As you can see from my example, I flipped it 90 degrees to the left Instead of using the large square in the center, I opted for a scallop circle. My colors are Not Quite Navy, Kraft, and Very Vanilla. Stamp sets are Herb Expressions (I just love the sentiments in this set) and Baroque Motifs. I used the Scallop Circles #2 Die and the Big Shot, along with the Circle Scissor Plus to cut the circles. I also used the Scallop Border Punch, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Kraft and tiny buttons from the Button Latte set. The Designer Series Paper is Bella Bleu (so elegant). And of course, a little flourish stamped on the inside of the card provides the perfect finishing touch!

I'll be posting some more examples for you throughout the weekend but I'm anxious to see what you can create with this sketch! Once you've created your project, please come back and leave your name and the URL address for your posted project with the Mister Linky widget below. That will allow everyone to enjoy your inspiration! Please leave a comment as well, to let me know you're playing along with this week's sketch challenge!

Stop back soon for more ideas and inspiration! Until then,

 

Using Up Some Scraps!

Hi everyone -- just a quick and easy card share today, using up some scraps that have been collecting on my desk. See this cool altered Top Note Die Shape? I have a ton of these left from cutting out Santa's Moustache for the Santa & His Sidekicks kits that I've been making. This is what's left after I get two of the moustache shapes cut. So, what's a girl to do? Use them, of course! I sponged color on some of them and them punched out shapes with the new Ornament Punch. I applied a little Versamarker on the top of each ornament and embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. The little string stamp is from the Tree Trimmings Stamp set and the sentiments are from Four the Holidays. Tie on a little of the scrumptious 5/8" Whisper White Satin ribbon and you've got some quick and easy (and fun) cards ready for Christmas Greetings. What do you think? Great way to use up those scraps, right!!!

By the way, I've got a stack of Santa & His Sidekicks kits ready to mail. Right now, I'm pretty much sending them out the day that the order is placed. So if you've been thinking about purchasing these darling kits, now is definitely the time!

 
 Thanks for stopping by today! I Hope you'll come back soon! Blessings, Gretchen

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge -- SSC124

WOW -- where did this past week go? Here it is, time for another Stamping 411Saturday Sketch Challenge! For my card this week, I used the fabulous Christmas Wishes stamp set (this has got to be my favorite Holiday set) and the gorgeous Bride Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's all done up in shades of Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White and Silver!

Here's the details:

1. Layer One -- Card Base -- Night of Navy cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded in half
2. Layer Two -- Bride Specialty Paper (stripe), cut at 5.25 x 4"
3. Layer Three -- Night of Navy cut at 1.75 x 4.5".
4. Layer Four -- Bride Specialty DSP (swirl) cut at 1.5 x 4.25" -- Using sponges or a brayer, apply Ballet Blue ink and wipe off excess ink with a tissue or paper towel.
5. Layer Five -- Night of Navy cut at 1.75 x 3.5"
6. Layer Six -- Bride Specialty DSP (swirl) cut at 1.5 x 3.25" -- Using sponges or a brayer, apply Night of Navy ink and wipe off excess ink with a tissue or paper towel. Tie 3/8" Taffeta Whisper White ribbon and two strands of Silver Metallic Cord around card and make a faux bow.
7. Layer Seven -- Brushed Silver -- 1.75 x 3.25"
8. Layer Eight -- Night of Navy -- 1.5 x 3". Stamp image with Versamark and emboss with Silver embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.
9. Layer Nine -- Stamp and emboss the Dove on Bride paper. Cut out and attach with Stampin' dimensionals.
10. Inside of Card -- stamp flower image with Versamark and emboss with Silver Embossing Powder.

 
So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge? We invite you to play along with the Stamping 411 Operators this week by linking your creation using the Mister Linky Widget on this week's Stamping 411 post! We can't wait to see what you create!

Great Friend Meets Pink Flamingo!

Hello everyone! I've got another card for you today using this weekend's Sketch Challenge, IA109. I used the Great Friend Stamp Set and Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper. What a great, bright and fun look! The colors are Real Red, Cameo Coral, Regal Rose and Whisper White. Other accessories and embellishments include 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder, the MatchBox Die (for the shaped label), Versamark Ink and Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, along with the Heat tool, and Stampin' Dimensionals. And, as you can see from the photo, there's a little stamping on the inside as well!

 
I do hope you'll consider playing along with this weekend Sketch Challenge. I would love to see your creations using this week's sketch. It's easy to link -- just go to YESTERDAY'S POST, scroll down to the Mister Linky Widget, leave your name and the URL address where I can find your card, and hit enter! That's all there is to it!

Happy stamping and have a great, crafting weekend, everyone!

By the way, there's plenty of time to order your Santa & Sidekicks Kits and tutorials! These adorable little character baskets are guaranteed to bring smiles and joy to your holiday entertaining and gift-giving. Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time -- IA109!

Hello everyone! Another Thursday means another Weekend Sketch Challenge at Inspiration in Action! This week's square sketch leaves lots of room for wonderful pattern, texture and embellishments (click on the image to view as larger). I hope you have fun with this one. Don't forget to come back and link your creation, using the Mister Linky Widget below, so we can all ohh and aah over your fabulous artwork!

I've created two samples for you today and I'll be doing another one tomorrow, so I've hopefully provided you with lots of inspiration as you sit down to work your own magic using this week's sketch! This stamp set, Music Expressions, is probably one of the most neglected stamps in the Stampin' Up! Collection. But I love it and as you can see here, it doesn't have to be watercolored to look beautiful on a card! I stamped the image on Whisper White Cardstock, using Black Craft Ink and embossed with Black Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool. I then took just a single Real Red Stampin' Write Marker to color in the little bird! I cut-down the Scallop Square Die (see that technique here) to just 7 scallops square (about 3.5") and used black and white cardstock and some Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's difficult to see, but I embossed the white cardstock with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder on the front and again on the inside of the card. Other embellishments include 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, the Modern Label Punch and Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Die), the Paper Piercing tool, mat and template, Black Brads and Stampin' Dimensionals!

My second example uses the Level 3 Lovely Flowers Hostess Bundle. Don't you just love the vibrant colors in this Designer Series Paper -- so beautiful and bright! I used the rub-on stems on Whisper White cardstock but put the flowers on Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry, cutting them out and attaching them with Stampin' Dimensionals. The ribbon is 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain (with the Polka-dots turned so you don't see them) and I used the Curly Label Punch and Die. A little stamping inside finishes off the card!

So what about you? What will you create this weekend using this sketch? I can't wait to see! Please make sure and come back to leave your name and the URL where we can find your project on Mister Linky below!

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

By the way, there's plenty of time to order your Santa & Sidekicks Kits and tutorials! These adorable little character baskets are guaranteed to bring smiles and joy to your holiday entertaining and gift-giving. Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

It's Tuesday and Time to Take it To the Top!

Hello everyone! After a couple of weeks off from Takin' It To the Top, I'm back today with three great new cards for you -- one beautiful, yet basic ... one stepped up a little ... and another that is very special! I've heard from so many of you that you really enjoy this weekly Tuesday feature and it's helping you step-up your cards a bit. Keep the comments coming -- I love to read them!

The set I'm using today is Serene Snowflakes, along with Four the Holidays. The color combination is the very gorgeous Soft Suede, Brocade Blue and Whisper White! For this first card, I stamped the snowflakes on the Soft Suede layer to make my own background. The snowflakes are stamped again in Soft Suede and Brocade Blue on the focal layer. This card is beautiful in it's simplicity and would be a great choice to make if you need to create LOTS of Christmas cards quickly!

Okay, read to step-it-up a bit? Here we go ...

For this second card, I've added some layers and embellishments to give it more interest. Instead of stamping my own background paper, I used some of the delicious Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper -- it has a lovely opalescent look to it that is just gorgeous. I made the card base of Soft Suede and added an extra layer of Brocade Blue, along with some 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon that is tied in a faux-bow. I cut out the large snowflake, turned it 90 degrees, and attached it with Stampin' Dimensionals! to give it more depth and interest. You can see how just adding a few embellishments and taking a bit more time can really add to the way your finished card looks!

And now, let's take it to the top! The layers are the same here, as is the cut-out snowflake. To add more texture and interest, I used the Paper Piercing Tool, template and mat and pierced all the way around the focal layer. I attached a large half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit, using Crystal Effects, to the middle of the snowflake. And I cut the ends of the bow with a beveled cut. Here's your Tip for the Day -- When cutting ribbon with a beveled cut, fold the ribbon in half and snip at a diagonal, from the fold to the outer edges. Unfold the ribbon, and voila, a perfect bevel cut every time. And of course, to make your card really special, you want to add  a little stamping on the inside as well. And that's it -- one basic, yet beautiful card, one stepped up just a little, and one taken to the top with a little extra time and attention.

Be sure and leave me a comment to let me know how you're taking your projects to the top lately! Thanks for stopping by today! I do hope you'll come back soon!