Gretchen Barron

Blog Candy Winnder for IA112!

Congratulations to Heather Wachtmanfor this beautiful submission for last week's Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch Challenge, IA112!  You did a lovely job with this card and with interpreting the sketch, Heather! Please send me your address and that beautiful packet of blog candy will be in the mail to you!

I want to thank everyone who played along with last week's sketch challenge. Just by submitting your challenge card, you are all winners in my mind! I had such a great time looking at them all! Thanks for inspiring me!

Click HERE to see this week's sketch challenge. All participants will again be eligible to receive another sample packet of great materials from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog! I can't wait to see what you create this week!

Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch Challenge - IA113 -- Play along ... it's fun ... and you might win some Blog Candy!

Good morning, everyone! I hope all is going well for you and you are ready to play along with another Weekend Sketch Challenge at Inspiration in Action! I can't tell you how much fun it is for me to see the creative things that you do with the sketches I design! As a reward and incentive, I am again this week offering another fabulous bit of Blog Candy to one lucky participant! I've put together another packet of great preview items from the Occasions Mini Catalog (Available January 5th). You can be among the first to "oh and ah" and create with these fabulous new papers, ribbons and embellishment. The lucky winner will receive everything in this photo, complete with a hand-made card of congratulations from me! How great is that? But you can't win if you don't play! You have until noon on Wednesday, December 16th to create your project and link it with the Mister Linky Widget below. Next week's winner will be announced on Thursday!

Okay, are you ready to see what I've done for you this week? Look at this fabulous sketch? It gives you lots of options for using some great Designer Series Papers or texturizing with Impression Folders or Embossing Plates. There's a fun little "partial" strip with a border punch, which is something a little different. And of course, you will want to add some ribbon and perhaps brads or buttons or some other embellishment. I really can't wait to see what you create this week!

Here's my first project. I've used some of the wonderful new preview products from the Occasions Mini Catalog - Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, The Pinking Hearts Border Punch, the luscious new satin ribbon and the I {Heart} Hearts and Well Scripted Stamp Sets. I colored in the little triple heart stamp with Stampin' Write Markers and then punched them out with my Heart To Heart Punch. Yes, they are made for each other! And I love the beautiful flowing script lettering in the new Well Scripted Stamp Set -- so lovely! Do you know that the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers are glittered? It probably won't show up in this photo, they they are simply beautiful to look at and touch! Three little brads finished off this card, along with stamping some more of those little trio hearts on the inside of the card!

Okay, on to example number two! This card uses the beautiful Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper from the Holiday Mini Catalog. The colors are Soft Suede, Real Red and Whisper White. I used the Scallop Border Punch on both Soft Suede and Real Red and layered them for this lovely little effect. The ribbon is 5/8" Real Red Polka Dot (love this ribbon). The sentiment is from All Holidays and the little bird and branches are cut from another Occasions Mini preview item -- the new Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch. Yes, this is done with a punch! Aren't you excited about all the great new products that Stampin' Up! is designing for us!!! Some real red brads finish off the card on the left side. As you can see, I flipped the sketch horizontally for this card!

And talk about flipping, for this final example card I've flipped the sketch on it's side. And some little girl will surely flip for this cute, soft little Build A Bear Card. Isn't she darling? The stamp set is Beary Best Friends and the colors are Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Orchid Opulence. The paper is another preview -- Shades of Spring Designer Series Papers. The ribbon is from the Elementary Ribbon Originals pack. I stamped the bear on Whisper White, colored her in with Close to Cocoa Ink and a Blender Pen, and then paper pieced the dress and shoes by stamping the image again on the DSP and then cutting out just the images that you want, in this case dress and shoes. She is popped-up a bit with some dimensionals and her flowers were created with the Trio Flower Punch and some brads. The buttons on the bottom of the card are from the Sherbet Designer Buttons pack and are attached with tiny dots of Cyrstal Effects. And the inside of the card is almost as special as the outside with another Eyelet Border Punch strip and some more flowers and a sentiment from Beary Nice Wishes. Did you know that all the Build-a-Bear products will still be available after the first of the year. There's even some great new stamp sets and dies to coordinate with the original products that came out this fall!

Well, I think it's time for me to stop talking and for you to start stamping! Remember, there's some great Blog Candy on the line for one person who submits a card for this week's challenge! Just come back and leave your name and the URL of your project with Mister Linky below! I'll be watching!

Remember, as well, that both the Angel Basket Kits and the Santa & His Sidekicks kits are in stock and waiting to come to your house! Orders placed this week will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 11th and additional orders will ship out next week. Tutorials will be sent out within 24 hours, usually much sooner! You've still got plenty of time to bring these delightful little characters into your home for the holidays!

Order Angel Kits and Tutorials HERE.

Order Santa & His Sidekicks Kits and Tutorials HERE.

That will be it for today! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again soon!

Takin' It To the Top Tuesday and another Crazy Christmas Color Combo

Good morning, everyone! It's Tuesday and that means it's time to "Take it to the Top"! Color inspiration today came from this cool pair of slipper socks that I received recently -- aren't they something! They are unbelievably soft and warm, which is great, but these colors are ... WOW! that's a lot of bright colors -- Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Green Galore, Whisper White, Pink Passion and Real Red! Humm...can I possibly combine all those colors into one project ... and a Christmas card at that? Well, I decided to try and you will have to tell me if I was successful! I welcome your comments and know you will give it to me straight!!!

I decided to use the Berry Christmas Set from the Holiday Mini catalog and I went to work to create three cards using these crazy colors for Takin' It To the Top today! Here's the first card -- basic, but quite festive, don't you think? All three cards stand up and open at the bottom which is a nice change from the norm. As you can see, I stamped the snowflake image in Bashful Blue and just stamped the wreath, bird and bow over that for a quick and easy card. The ribbon is 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain and I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the Gable Green for the lacy edge. I stamped the sentiment in Black Stazon Ink. And that's it -- quick and easy! How am I doing so far?

For this second card, we're stepping it up a little with an extra layer (see the turquoise frame around the card), some 5/8" Polka Dot Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and the sentiment stamped and then punched and mounted with the Modern Label Punch and Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Die and the Big Shot). The tag is attached with two Real Red Brads. The wreath is stamped on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock and I punched out the center with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch (that was easy) and then cut randomly along the outside edge. It is attached with Stampin' Dimensionals, as is the Bird that is cut out using the Big Shot and the Merry Details Sizzlet Die (don't you just love how it coordinates with the Stamp Set?).  I added a real bow, tied with 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain and attached with a dot of Crystal Effects. And that's the extent of the changes to the second card. Just those few changes made quite a difference, don't' you think?

Are you ready to "Take it to the Top"? Well, I've said it before and I'm going to say it again today -- when you want to make a dramatic difference in the way your finished projects look, there is no simpler, quicker and more effective way than adding some sponging to give depth and contrast to your artwork. This third card has only two changes made from the second -- I embossed it with the Big Shot and the Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder - and - I added some sponging around the edges and lightly over the embossed images to help them pop off the page!  I sponged Passion pink Ink over the pink cardstock and Gable Green Ink over the green. That's it ... and look at the difference it makes! I'm always amazed that such a quick technique can make such a difference (and it's cheep too -- how much does a little ink cost?). Of course, a little stamping on the inside of the card always helps to dress it up as well!

 
So, what do you think? Did I manage to use all those crazy colors in a Christmas Card that you would want to send or receive? I can't wait to read your comments!

Remember, both the Angel Basket Kits and the Santa & His Sidekicks kits are in stock and waiting to come to your house! Orders placed this week will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 11th and tutorials will be sent out within 12 hours! You've still got plenty of time to bring these delightful little characters into your home for the holidays!

Order Angel Kits and Tutorials HERE.

Order Santa & His Sidekicks Kits and Tutorials HERE.

That will be it for today! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again soon!

A Sweet Pea Sneak Peek!

Hello everyone! I've got another Sneak Peek at some new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog for you today -- this time using the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (yes, you heard me right -- a STACK) and the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. The STACK is amazing -- 48 sheets total with 2 each of 24 double-sided, high quality Stampin' Up! Designer Series papers. There are soft, romantic designs and bold, graphic prints and everything in-between! You are going to love it!!! Coordinating with this are the new Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers -- so much fun! So what else is new on this card? The ribbon is Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon (so luxurious and beautiful), the button is one of the new Cordurory Buttons in Pretty in Pink (will also be available in Real Red -- perfect for Valentine's Day), and the stamp set is a new one called Messages for Mom. Isn't this little flower spray just beautiful? You can see the detail of it that I stamped on the inside of the card. The sentiment is from another new set, Well Scripted. Love those scrolled letters!And last, but not least, do you see the cool, lacy border? It not in the Mini Catalog -- it's actually in the Sale-a-Bration catalog! Can you believe it? One of your Sale-a-Bration choices this year will be this fabulous Border Punch. And you can earn it **FREE** with every $50 order!

I followed this week's Inspiration in Action Weekend Sketch to make this card! Just a reminder that you have until noon on Wednesday, December 9th, to enter your card in this week's challenge. See the  orginal post and leave a link to your creation HERE. And when you enter a card this week, you will be put in a drawing where one lucky winner will receive a great Blog Candy prize -- some DSP, ribbon and button samples from the new Occasions Mini catalog! That's right, you will receive everything pictured on the right, plus a hand-made mini-congratulations card from me -- a samping of 6x6 Designer Series Papers and some of the new coordinating ribbons and buttons from the Mini -- these are products which are not available for sale until January 5th, and you could be the first to play with them. But you can't win if you don't enter! I can't wait to see what you create this week!

Blessings, everyone! Have a great day!

A New Saturday Sketch Challenge From Stamping 411!

Hello everyone! Guess what? My pre-order from the Occasions Mini Catalog came so you know what I've been doing! Oh my gosh, I can't begin to describe all the wonderful new products that are waiting for you on January 5th! Beginning with this new catalog, Stampin' Up! will be offering the option for you to purchase Clear Mount Stamps. These are the quality, rubber stamps that you've come to expect from Stampin' Up! but with the option of using them with Clear Acrylic blocks. The stamps have a label that you apply to the back which not only shows the stamp image through the block (so great for positioning) but also clings to the clear acrylic. Way cool!!! And the new designs of the stamp sets are marvelous as well. I can't show you any images from the catalog, all I can say is, you won't be disappointed. There are new punches as well, with a new, easy-to-use design; new satin ribbons in a rainbow of colors; new Designer Series Papers, new Epoxy Brads and felt flowers and other embellishments! Goodness! It's all fabulous!!! You'll be seeing more preview samples from me in the days and weeks to come and my card for Stamping 411 this weekend uses the new stuff as well (goodness, it took me a long time to get back to Stamping 411, didn't it?). Enough said ... now you get to see!

My Sketch card today uses the new set, Vintage Vogue -- isn't it gorgeous? The colors are Real Red, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom, along with just a little Old Olive. The Designer Series Paper is the new Sending Love Specialty paper and guess what? One side of each sheet has the glitter already applied to it -- it is simply gorgeous (have I already used that word in this post?). The ribbon is one of the new 5/8" Satin ribbons in Pretty in Pink.

Down to the nitty-gritty!

1. Layer One -- Real Red cut at 5.5 x 8.5" and scored and folded in half to make your Card Base
2. Layer Two -- Blush Blossom cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- DSP cut at 4 x 3.5" and applied on top of Layer 2. Attach the ribbon across the junction where the two papers meet.
4. Layer Four -- Regal Rose cut at 2.75 x 3.5"
5. Layer Five -- Very Vanilla cut at 2.5 x 3.25". I stamped the images on this layer and sponged around the edges with Regal Rose Ink. I stamped the friends image once on the layer and then stamped it again on a scrap, cutting out the "F" and attaching it with Stampin' Dimensionals.
6. Layer Six -- inside the card is Very Vanilla cut at 4 x 5.25" and of course, some extra little stamping on the inside as well.

So there you go, a little sneak peek at some very wonderful things to come! We do hope that you'll play along with the Stamping 411 Operators this week. Just return to the group site once you've completed your card and leave us your name and link on the Mister Linky Widget. And don't forget to check out what the other Operators have been up to. You just might see some more sneak peeks!

Have a great weekend, everyone! Be sure and make some time for stamping!

It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time -- IA112! And some extra-special Blog Candy is Waiting for One Lucky Participant!

Good morning, everyone! After taking a break from the Weekend Sketch Challenge last week for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we're back in full-force today with a great new sketch for your weekend inspiration! Isn't this fun! The large open mat in the middle leaves lot of room for stamping fun and the corner bow and embellishments add a bit of whimsy to what is really a very simple sketch! I can't wait to see what you create this weekend with this sketch. Make sure and come back to leave your name and the URL of your creation's post with Mister Linky sometime before noon next Wednesday! Feel free to send this sketch to your friends and ask them to participate -- the more, the merrier! And ... there will be a great Blog Candy prize offered next week for one lucky participant! See details below!

Enough said ... down to business! Here's my first example this morning -- a bright and cheery Christmas card using Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and colors of Real Red, Glorious Green and Very Vanilla. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and the snowflakes, punched with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch, are covered with bright, sparkling Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Each snowflake is adorned with a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the center. The ribbon and bow are 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain. So much fun and what a perfect way to send Holiday greetings to someone important to you. I stamped a few snowflakes on the inside of the card as well!

On to my second example -- you know I just love these two Stamp sets -- For All You Do and Great Friend, and I think they work so perfectly together. And combined with the fabulous Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper ... well, what's not to like, right? The colors are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence and Whisper White. The cut-out flowers are embellished with buttons from Button Latte and Playground Designer Buttons and a Rhinestone Brad and attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I stamped flowers and stems in both corners and the sentiment toward the upper right. The delicious ribbon and bow is 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon (here's a little surprise for you -- there are several new colors of this delicious Satin ribbon coming out in January when you see the Occasions Mini Catalog -- can't wait!). You can see a little stamping on the inside -- more flowers and stems. Now ... humm ... who should I send this card to?

Okay -- one last example card for you today and then it's time for you to get busy with this weekend's sketch! Remember, there's BLOG Candy waiting! For this one, I flipped the sketch on it's side and used the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Pad to do some embossing. Can you see the shimmer on the Real Red Cardstock? It's that beautiful shimmer mist that you make with Rubbing Alcohol and Shimmer Paint (2 oz. rubbing alcohol and several drops of shimmer paint in a little mister bottle that you purchase at any discount or drug store). The sentiment is from the Level One Hostess Set, Holiday Best. I used the Big Shot as well as the Movers & Shapers Die (with the Scallop Oval Insert) to cut out the opening. And the Big Shot was also used for the lovely little flowers, cut with the Stampin' Up! Blossom Party Original Die. Each flower is sponged with a bit of Real Red Ink and adorned with a button or Rhinestone Brad, and then mounted with Dimensionals! The ribbon is 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain ribbon, tied all the way around the card. Such a pretty card for Valentine's day, don't you think?

Okay, tag ... you're it! It's your turn now! use the sketch for your creation and come back and leave your link information with the Mister Linky Widget below! I can't wait to see what you create. And did I mention ... there's BLOG CANDY WAITING FOR SOMEONE THIS WEEK!!!!! OK -- here's the details! When you enter a card this week, you will be put in a drawing where one lucky winner will receive a great Blog Candy prize -- some DSP, ribbon and button samples from the new Occasions Mini catalog! That's right, you will receive everything pictured above, plus a hand-made mini-congratulations card from me -- a samping of 6x6 Designer Series Papers and some of the new coordinating ribbons and buttons from the Mini -- these are products which are not available for sale until January 5th, and you could be the first to play with them. But you can't win if you don't enter! I can't wait to see what you create this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you come back again soon!

Dormant Stamp Sets Will Be Retired Soon -- order them NOW at a Discount!

Hello everyone! Stampin' Up! released a list this morning of stamp sets, currently on the Dormant List, which will officially retire on January 4, 2010. Most of the sets were originally shown in the 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog. If any of these sets are on your wish list, contact me soon or place your order online to receive these sets before they are gone forever! I've linked photos and additional information to most of the sets. To view each set, click on the name of the Stamp Set! If you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to contact me!

***For a Limited Time Only -- Order these stamp sets directly from me (not at my Online Store) and you will receive a 10% discount on each soon-to-be-retired set (discount does not apply to additional items on your order). S&H is 10% of your order or a minimum of $6.95. E-mail me at gbarron56@comcast.net or call me to place your order!***

 

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

Takin' It To the Top Tuesday and Another Crazy Christmas Color Combo

Hello everyone! It's Tuesday and that can only mean one thing at Inspiration in Action -- it's time to Take it to the Top! This week's TTT cards also use another Crazy Christmas Color Combo -- Taken With Teal, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White! Are you ready?

Here you go! This first card is nice but very basic! For all three cards I used two current Level Two Hostess Sets -- Snow Buddies and Christmas Punch. One Layer Two (Taken with Teal), I stamped snowflakes with Taken with Teal ink (it's difficult to see in the photo, I know). The snowmen are stamped with Black Stazon Ink (best to use whenever you're coloring in an image) and I colored in hats, scarves and noses with Stampin' Write Markers. The sentiment is stamped with Taken With Teal Ink and then punched out with the Curly Label Punch and mounted on a slightly larger Chocolate Chip Die Cut made with the Curly Label Die (you use it with the Movers & Shapers Die) and attached using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Okay, moving on to the Intermediate Card! For this card, I added an extra layer with the Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper and embossed the Taken With Teal layer with the Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder. I also sprayed both of these layers with Shimmer Mist (2 oz. rubbing alcohol in a small mister bottle and then add several drops of Champaign Mist Shimmer Paint -- shake well before and during use). I added some delicious 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon across the middle of the card and tied on a faux bow. The only other change I made in this card is to sponge on a few clouds with Bashful Blue Ink. See THIS POST for a tutorial on making your own cloud template. You can see how making just a few simple changes can really dress up this second card!

Are you ready to take it to the top? Actually, this third card isn't a whole lot different from the second except for the addition of some BLING! If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can hopefully see the shimmer & shine from the Dazzling Diamonds glitter (attached with a 2-way Glue pen). I also tore some Whisper White cardstock to make some snowbanks (and of course, added glitter to them as well). Again, the clouds are sponged on and this time, I cut out the two snowmen and attached them with Stampin' Dimensionals to make them literally stand out! Finally, I changed the position of the sentiment to make it a little more whimsical! And of course, there's some stamping on the inside as well!

When you look at all three cards side-by-side, you really can see what a difference tiny little changes make when you're creating your cards! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think and how you plan to add those little extra touches to your cards and projects which will take them to the top!

 

Remember, both the Angel Basket Kits and the Santa & His Sidekicks kits are in stock and waiting to come to your house! Orders placed this week will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 4th and tutorials will be sent out within 12 hours! You've still got plenty of time to bring these delightful little characters into your home for the holidays!

Order Angel Kits and Tutorials HERE.

Order Santa & His Sidekicks Kits and Tutorials HERE.

That will be it for today! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again soon!