Control Freaks February Blog Tour -- get ready for a great ride!

Hello everyone -- it's that time of the month! No, not THAT time of the month! Tomorrow is the 20th and that can only mean one thing -- another fabulous Control Freaks Blog Tour! This month we are featuring products and projects from the Occasions Mini Catalog. If you're already taking the tour, it must mean that you arrived from Lisa Martz's Blog! I just took a peek at her projects and ... wowzers is all I can say! If all 16 stops on this month's blog tour are like that, then you are definitely in for a great ride!

Okay, ready to take off?

I've got some great projects for you this month!

For this first project you need to get out your 1/4" Grosgrain ribbons! I went a little ribbon-happy here! But I couldn't help it. Actually the inspiration for this card was the wonderful egg stands that come in the Eggcellent Eggs Kit on page 23 of the Mini catalog. Yep, all those pastel colored pieces are actually egg stands that weren't assembled. They are wonderfully die-cut and punched for you. I simply coordinated each one with 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon and mounted them on a layer of Orchid Opulence cardstock and a Pretty in Pink Cardbase. The ribbon colors are Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal, Elegant Eggplant and Bashful Blue. I tied on a faux-bow to each strip of ribbon so they are positioned diagonally down across the card. The tag from the Eggcoutrements Stamp Set (pg. 22) was stamped with Orchid Opulence Craft Ink on Whisper White Cardstock and embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, punched out with the Small Tag Punch and Mounted on a Large Tag Punchie of Pretty in Pink. Well, I was having so much fun with the beautiful colors of ribbon that I just couldn't stop. Look what I did on the inside of the card! You can click on the image to view it larger.

Okay, on to my next project. I've had this little project in mind since I first saw the Heart Treat Cups that were so popular for Valentine's Day.

isn't this fun? And look at all the M&M's that you can pack into these babies! The construction on this is a little complicated because of how you need to punch the Full Heart Punch, but if you stop back in a few days, I promise that I'll give you some directions and more photos for how to do this.

Just suffice it for now that I used Garden Green, Green Galore and Gable Green Cardstocks (wow, that's a lot of Green), the Full Heart Punch, Heart shaped Treat Cups, a Filigree Brad and some 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon. On the inside of the card, I stamped the sentiment using the Go Green Individual Stamp (pg. 43 in the Mini Catalog). May the luck of the Irish be with you!

One more project from me and then I'll let you take a ride to the next stop! I absolutely fell in love with this Gift Box! Imagine the things that you could fill it with? Cards, of course ... or candy (lots of candy because it's a big box). How about a lovely silk scarf or a candle or jewelry or make-up. This would be a wonderful box to use for Mother's Day or Easter or any spring occasion.

Don't worry -- yes, I'll post instructions in a few days. I knew you were going to ask! We don't want to hold up the tour by putting those online now but I will get them for you very soon! Remember to stop back!

To create this, I used the On Board Scallop Circle Book (pg. 34 in the Occasions Mini) and the Folk Flowers Decor Stencils (pg. 18). Cardstock colors are Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. I applied the ink with sponge Daubbers. Ink Colors are Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose. I attached a pretty bow created with the fabulous new 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon and a Rhinestone Brad finishes it off with just a bit of bling!

Well, that's it for this stop! There are 16 stops in all so there's lot of eye candy waiting to be seen!

Have fun everyone! And thanks so much for visiting Inspiration in Action and for taking the Control Freaks Blog Tour!

Toot-toot! All Aboard!!!!

Sit back and relax while you travel to the next stop at the blog of the fabulous Melanie Schulenberg! Just click on the button below and you'll be there before you can say "good-bye". (ooh, I just peeked -- you are going to LOVE what she has for you!

 

Comments

[Mary Brown]

Wonderful projects, AS ALWAYS, Gretchen. Hmmm...it's hard to say what is my favorite...the card, no, the shamrock, no, the box, no, the card...well...THEY ARE ALL!

[lisa808]

Can't wait for the instructions for that beautiful box.

[Robin Spinner]

Fabulous! Looking forward to the tutorials!

[Julie]

WOW - I am loving the pastel colors you used on your projects - like a burst of Spring!!

[Lisa M]

Gretchen,
Love everything, but the little box is so CUTE!! And there's that stencil again! Mary used it on a couple cards and made me want it...now YOU with this box! Beautiful!

[Dawn Olchefske]

Love, love, love the box!

[Cindy Major]

I am so in love with the clover idea! I have two boxes of those sweet treat cups, you are inspiring me to put them to good use! :D

Cindy

[Crystal L. (craftingandrambling)]

Oh wow, Gretchen. Great job -- I especially LOVE what you did with the heart treat cups! So clever! tfs

[Alexandra Hobson]

I just love stopping by your blog Gretchen, you always have something fabulous and fun to share!! LOVE that ribbon card, super cute and what you did with those treat cups ROCKS!!! Love them all! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

[Wendy W.]

Wowza, girl!!! What can I say?? You knocked all THREE of these out of the ballpark!! Bright fun colors on your card; and MANOHMAN, that shamrock is BRILLIANT!! Not to mention the beautiful little box ... you are AMAZING!! :)

[Bea Lincoln]

These are just gorgeous! Now I have to for sure order the Sweet Treat Cups.

[Wendie aka Tankergypsie]

Sweet holiday projects, I especially love the ribbons. Thanks for the Tour!

[carol marbach (udi)]

beautiful projects gretchen. the purple box is my favorite. :)

[tonilea]

Love the box and the card with the ribbons. How very clever. The ST. Pat's one is neat too, but I don't do much about ST. Pat's day. The EAster one though! LOVING it. Thanks for sharing. (Is it OK to case? Would be a good one for my local stamp club swap)
tonilea

[Rachel Verbrugge]

Love Love Love the shamrock!

[Barbara V]

I am lovin' these projects! Just got the scallop circle book thingies...now I have a great project for them. Thanks, Gretchen!

[Wendy J.]

Gretchen, these are so creative! I love how you used the ribbon on the card and the "shamrock" is adorable! The box is beautiful! Wonderful tour stop! Have a great weekend!

[Kim P]

Fabulous! I struggled with my St. Patty's project and those heart treat cups...wish I had seen this first! LOL!!

I LOVE that gift box...I will look for those instructions. WOWZA!

[Michelle Hamilton]

Great projects. What a clever way to use those heart sweet treat cups. I would be happy to get that card on St. Patty's Day! And I love the weaving of the ribbon on the easter card...it's details like that that really pop the project. Thanks for sharing with us! ~Michelle.

[Chantal B.]

I love the Tour de Freaks! Your projects are Wow! Just stunning! Thank you for the inspiration!

[Yapha]

That is a brilliant St. Patrick's Day card! Love it!

[Brandi]

Love the St. Pat's card, Gretchen! TFS!

Brandi

[Lisa Young]

Gretchen your creativity never fails to amaze me. I love all of your projects and I am really enjoying the blog hop!

[Kim Innis]

Love the box and the heart treat cups St. Patrick's day card!

[Stephanie Perry]

I'm in love with that little gift box!!! I spied those stencils on another blog a few days ago and you've used it brilliantly! And that box, what a fantastic use of the scallop circle book. I've been thinking about getting it, now I know I must!

[Pockets of Inspiration]

My FAVORITE is that purple gift box. I'll be awaiting those instructions. The stencil looks awesome on it.

[Connie Babbert]

Lovely projects, I especially love the box! I didn't think I needed those stencils...but now maybe I do! lol!

[Holly Pedersen]

WOW I just finished the tour and what amazing projects!! I will definately be looking for your tour each month now.

[Elsa L]

I just love all the colors. It really says "spring".

[Penny]

Oh I so love the little box- thanks so much for sharing!!

[Gretchen Barron -- Inspiration in Action]



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[Pixie]

loved the heart treat cup shamrock! so cute!!

[Holly/catrules]

Love your stuff! Love your first card! I made a box similar to that a long time ago only I used the Scallop Circle Die, never thought to use the on-board book great idea! It is very pretty! Love to visit your blog for inspiration!

[Colleen]

You Rock. Love that ribbon card as well as that cute little box. Just adorable

Colleen

[Jamie]

awesome, i love the card and the M&M clover is too cute!

[Carol Matthews]

Hi Gretchen. Love your creations! Just wondering when you'll have the time to post the directions for the Scallop Circle On Board box? Pretty please?