Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks May Blog Tour where we are focusing on Stamp Sets and products from the fabulous Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog!
If you're already taking the tour, you must have arrived here from Wendy Weixler's fabulous blog. Wendy always has something wonderfully (and wickedly) creative to share and today is no exception!
I've got a variety of things for your inspiration today! My first items are created with the new Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Papers, the new Smooch Spritz Sprays and the Elements of Style Stamp Set.
The Presto Patterns papers have designs that are already embossed on them so you can easily do 
resist techniques, adding your own colors and textures. The Log Cabin Smooch Spritz Spray adds a wonderful brassy, golden, and brown spritz to your papers which makes antiquing and distressing oh, so easy!
I've fallen in love with these new products. For my Fancy Favor Box and card, I first sponged Rose Red, More Mustard and Chocolate Chip ink over the DSP in a circular motion and then sprayed 
on the Smooch Spritz. Distressing was done with the Distressing Tool in the Cutter Kit. I love this vintage look! Click on the smaller images on the left to view them as larger.
The color, shimmer and glow on these projects are amazing when you see them in real life. They almost look metallic! So cool!
Okay, now for an about-face with my next project. Moving from elegant, vintage classic to fun and whimsy!
Banana Split, anyone? It's fun and easy (and calorie-free) with the new Sweet Scoops Stamp set! I used the Big Shot and the Perfect Details Texturz Plate (I've always thought it looked like the texture from a waffle ice cream cone) to put the texture on the Creamy Caramel Layer. I sponged lightly on the edges and over the top with Close to Cocoa ink. The card base is Real Red (cut at 
6x6" and folded for a 3 x 6" card), as is the 3/4" Polka Dot Ribbon. I cut the banana free-form from (what else) Barely Banana Cardstock and inked the edges lightly with Close To Cocoa ink. My banana-split has luscious scoops of chocolate, strawberry, raspberry and orange ice cream with Chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on top! And Dazzling Diamonds Glitter makes it look frosty cold -- great for a hot summer day! Such fun! There's even an extra ice-cream cone on the inside for a friend!
Well, that's all for my stop on the tour. But don't stop here! Ilina Crouse has some great inspiration for you, as do the rest of the Control Freaks on down the line. Just click on the logo below to move on in the tour!
Thanks so much for stopping by on the tour today! I hope I've inspired you!
Love your use of the Presto paper! This is such great paper and the look you got is soooo elegant and classy.
Posted by: Mary Brown | May 19, 2010 at 08:21 PM
That sweet scoops banana split is the BOMB, Gretchen!!! I absolutely love it. Now I'm grumbling your name because I now i want to buy the set....grrrr. LOL!
Hugs,
Brandi
Posted by: Brandi Wiggins | May 19, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Look at that banana split!! It looks yummy enough to eat!!
Posted by: DOstamping | May 19, 2010 at 10:11 PM
OMG! Your projects are fabulous!
Posted by: Cindee Wilkinson | May 20, 2010 at 02:05 AM
Oh my, your projects are stunning.
Posted by: Shannon Willis | May 20, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Sooo yummy!Love them all! Thank you.
Posted by: karen jutila | May 20, 2010 at 07:14 AM
Wonderful Banana Split. Too funny, I thought the Square Lattice Impressions folder reminded me of a sugar cone. We had a similar idea this month!
Posted by: Connie Babbert | May 20, 2010 at 07:16 AM
I really need to play with those pre-embossed papers. The resist on your projects is beautiful.
Posted by: Pockets of Inspiration | May 20, 2010 at 07:17 AM
Great job on both of these!!
Posted by: Teri | May 20, 2010 at 07:18 AM
I have been trying to convince myself that I don't NEED the Smooch Spray ... you are NOT helping me with your MUI-beautiful card/box combo!! YEE-IKES!! And you could make some serious $$ selling the pattern/template for the bowl and banana to go with your ice cream scoops!! A-DOR-A-BLE!! Great stuff, my friend! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | May 20, 2010 at 07:31 AM
the banana split looks so yummy!
Posted by: Melinda | May 20, 2010 at 07:50 AM
Awesome! Thank you a million times for sharing your talent with all of us!!!
Posted by: Pam Browne | May 20, 2010 at 08:06 AM
The banana split card looks good enough to eat!! Love it!!!
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 20, 2010 at 09:03 AM
Cute projects!
Posted by: Anita | May 20, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Wow, Gretchen... you are such an inspiration! I just LOVE that banana split card. As someone else commented... now I want to buy that set, too! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Denise Kasanda | May 20, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Wow, you've outdone yourself this month! The card and box made with the Presto papers are gorgeous!! I don't think anyone can look at those projects and not want to buy a pack of those papers afterwards! :D
The banana split was a genius idea as well!! So adorable! :D
Posted by: Cindy Major | May 20, 2010 at 09:52 AM
Wow!!! I always love your projects, but that 1st project is to DIE for!!! LOVE the vintage, distressed look and feel!!!
Posted by: Kimberly S. | May 20, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Love, love, love that banana split. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Brenda Hugar | May 20, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Gretchen, your creations are totally beutiful. All the projects are for die. Thank you for sharing with us.
Martha Lucia Gomez - http://stampartpapel.blogspot.com
Posted by: Martha Lucia Gomez | May 20, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Everything is wonderful! Your first set are fabulous and the banana split is mouth-watering.... I agree that these would be great kits to buy.... Thank you, Gretchen...your talents are so amazing and we love that you share so much!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | May 20, 2010 at 01:02 PM
The banana split card makes me want one! The Elements of Style card and bag are GORGEOUS! Just got the Smooch sprays out and can't wait to play! Thanks for your inspiration!
Posted by: Lisa Martz | May 20, 2010 at 01:33 PM
Love the new ideas ...and...the new look on your blog...very summery and fresh. : )
Posted by: Claudette Filiputti | May 20, 2010 at 03:31 PM
Oh, the banana split is making me hungry. Awesome!!
Posted by: Jenn Seaver | May 20, 2010 at 03:50 PM
Your projects are always so pretty. Really like the vintage look projects, but the icecream sundae is over the top. It looks good enough to eat. Keep summer projects coming.
Posted by: Carla Alford | May 20, 2010 at 04:45 PM
I love your Presto Patterns box - beautiful colors and a great way to showcase that particular pattern.
Posted by: LeeAnn Greff | May 20, 2010 at 08:50 PM
Lovely as usual! Thanks so much for haring and inspiring!
Posted by: Raven | May 21, 2010 at 01:25 PM
gorgeous, beautiful what can I say. Thanks for sharing your lovely projects.
Posted by: jackie watson | May 21, 2010 at 05:04 PM
Yum! Love all of your projects especially the banana split!!
Posted by: Lisa Young | May 22, 2010 at 01:53 PM
Wonderful projects, Gretchen! You are really tempting me to order the Sweet Scoops stamp set with your Banana Split card! It is so yummy!
Blessings,
Sue Erickson aka The Soggy Stamper
Posted by: Susan Erickson | May 23, 2010 at 04:20 PM
Love the vintage pieces. Can't get enough of the Presto paper.
Posted by: Sage Kimble | May 24, 2010 at 08:29 PM
I sent a couple of cards for your birthday! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Lisa | May 29, 2010 at 10:49 AM