September Control Freaks Blog Tour -- A Day of Gratitude

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks September 2010 Blog Tour. This month we are focusing on Cards and projects for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving! If you want to see some great artwork and be inspired by fabulous project ideas, hop on the bus, put up your feet and enjoy the ride. It promises to be a great tour!

If you're already taking the tour, you must have arrived here from Lee Ann Greff's amazing blog.  She just returned from Founder's Circle and is full of inspiration. Didn't you just love her projects? 

When I saw the Day of Gratitude Stamp Set and the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog, I knew I had to have them. I love the fall -- fall colors, fall leaves, fall weather and fall traditions -- and this dynamic duo has all that and more!

My first project today is a delightful set of Home Decorating blocks which you can find in the Big Idea Book & Catalog. The four blocks which come in the set seemed a perfect match for this duo ... spelling out the word "FALL". I know these colorful and festive blocks will enhance my fall and Thanksgiving decorating for years. And they are so easy to make!

I cut 24 3" squares of the DSP, 4 from each pattern. I glued them on the blocks using Tombo Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Alright, I'll admit this did take a little time and it was pretty sticky and messy, but the result is worth it! After the glue dried, I sanded each of the edges lightly and sponged on some Chocolate Chip ink to add just a bit of distressing. The letters were cut with the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies. I adhered the DSP onto heavy chipboard (again with the Tombo Multi Glue) and then easily cut them out with the Big Shot. I inked the edges just a bit for more depth and contrast before attaching them to the blocks using Stampin' Dimensionals! I then embellished with ribbon, Natural Hemp Twine, Buttons, Antique Brads and cut-out leaves from the Stamp Set. A couple of BIG bows tied with 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon provided the perfect finishing touch. I'm really pleased with the way these turned out and now can't wait to get out the rest of my fall decorations. I know they will fit right in with the pumpkins and scarecrows and leaves that adorn our home each year!

Now to go with my gorgeous set of blocks, I also made a card using the same Stamp Set and DSP. I began with a cardbase of Cajun Craze cardstock and added a layer of More Mustard which has inked edges and is embossed with the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. A narrow piece of DSP provides even more contrast on the bottom of the card. I used 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon, buttons, Natural Hemp Twine and Stampin' Dimensionals! for embellishments.

And the tag was stamped on Naturals Ivory Cardstock and punched out with the Extra Large Decorative Label Punch. The frame around the punched piece is created by punching just a narrow strip of all sides of the punch and adhering to the back of the label with SNAIL adhesive. The tag is applied to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals!

 

 

Now, you know me by now! I just can't stop with the front of the card. I have to add a little embellishment to the inside as well! It was easy in this case ... a couple of stamped leafs and then two more cut-outs on top with a little sponging around the edge. The perfect finishing touch!!! (click on the image to view it larger)

Well, that's it for this stop on the tour. I hope you enjoyed your stay and were inspired by my fall projects. It's time to move on to the next tour stop and the blog of Jen Smith. She has some adorable Halloween project ideas to share with you! Have fun and enjoy the ride!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by on the tour today! I hope you'll come back soon!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks September 2010 Blog Tour. This month we are focusing on Cards and projects for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving! If you want to see some great artwork and be inspired by fabulous project ideas, hop on the bus, put up your feet and enjoy the ride. It promises to be a great tour!

If you're already taking the tour, you must have arrived here from Lee Ann Greff's amazing blog.  She just returned from Founder's Circle and is full of inspiration. Didn't you just love her projects? 

When I saw the Day of Gratitude Stamp Set and the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog, I knew I had to have them. I love the fall -- fall colors, fall leaves, fall weather and fall traditions -- and this dynamic duo has all that and more!

My first project today is a delightful set of Home Decorating blocks which you can find in the Big Idea Book & Catalog. The four blocks which come in the set seemed a perfect match for this duo ... spelling out the word "FALL". I know these colorful and festive blocks will enhance my fall and Thanksgiving decorating for years. And they are so easy to make!

I cut 24 3" squares of the DSP, 4 from each pattern. I glued them on the blocks using Tombo Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Alright, I'll admit this did take a little time and it was pretty sticky and messy, but the result is worth it! After the glue dried, I sanded each of the edges lightly and sponged on some Chocolate Chip ink to add just a bit of distressing. The letters were cut with the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies. I adhered the DSP onto heavy chipboard (again with the Tombo Multi Glue) and then easily cut them out with the Big Shot. I inked the edges just a bit for more depth and contrast before attaching them to the blocks using Stampin' Dimensionals! I then embellished with ribbon, Natural Hemp Twine, Buttons, Antique Brads and cut-out leaves from the Stamp Set. A couple of BIG bows tied with 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon provided the perfect finishing touch. I'm really pleased with the way these turned out and now can't wait to get out the rest of my fall decorations. I know they will fit right in with the pumpkins and scarecrows and leaves that adorn our home each year!

Now to go with my gorgeous set of blocks, I also made a card using the same Stamp Set and DSP. I began with a cardbase of Cajun Craze cardstock and added a layer of More Mustard which has inked edges and is embossed with the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. A narrow piece of DSP provides even more contrast on the bottom of the card. I used 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon, buttons, Natural Hemp Twine and Stampin' Dimensionals! for embellishments.

And the tag was stamped on Naturals Ivory Cardstock and punched out with the Extra Large Decorative Label Punch. The frame around the punched piece is created by punching just a narrow strip of all sides of the punch and adhering to the back of the label with SNAIL adhesive. The tag is applied to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals!

 

Now, you know me by now! I just can't stop with the front of the card. I have to add a little embellishment to the inside as well! It was easy in this case ... a couple of stamped leafs and then two more cut-outs on top with a little sponging around the edge. The perfect finishing touch!!! (click on the image to view it larger)

Well, that's it for this stop on the tour. I hope you enjoyed your stay and were inspired by my fall projects. It's time to move on to the next tour stop and the blog of Jen Smith. She has some adorable Halloween project ideas to share with you! Have fun and enjoy the ride!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by on the tour today! I hope you'll come back soon!

Comments

[Lisa Martz]

LOVE the fall blocks AND the card! Beautiful!

[Debbie Currier]

Great projects! Love the blocks!!

[Cindy Major]

Very nice project, Gretchen - as always!! :D

Cindy

[Connie Babbert]

Wonderful FALL blocks! Love how you decorated them...and the matching card! Great job.

[Sherylee Tutt]

These *are* just gorgeous. Great inspiration.

[Lisa Young, Add Ink and Stamp]

I agree - the Autumn Spice specialty paper and Day of Gratitude stamps are terrific! And I love the blocks and card that you made with them. I've noticed how you always stamp on the inside of your cards - super nice touch!

[Mary Brown]

I just love this set and paper. You blocks are just delightful!

[Annette]

Gretchen
Your projects are just beautiful. I love the colors in the DSP.

[diane oliver]

Both the blocks and card are fabulous. It's nice to see the blocks the actual size. Looks great and love your colors. TFS

[Nikki]

These are fantastic Gretchen! Love the card layout...cute way to use the stamp set. {SMILES}

[Wendy W.]

Wowza, Gretchen!! Your blocks AND your card are just GORgeous!! Love the layout on that card ... think I feel some inspiration comin' on!! Very nicely done, my friend! :)

[Jennifer S.]

Gorgeous! I love the blocks you did! I definitely want to try this.

[Chris in CO]

Fabulous Fall blocks! And card. Thank you!!

[mary marsh]

this is such a prett ycard-I really like this new stamp set

[Carey Rogers]

You are just absolutely brilliant with what you can do. I love everything I see. I am a frequent visitor but a very infrequent commenter (bad me). Thanks for everything you do.

Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy

[Karen Bown]

Very nicely done with the blocks!

[Barb]

So beautiful! Love your blocks and the card is really over the top. Thanks for sharing!!! :)

[Raissa]

I love the colors and the textures. Very nicely done! TFS!

[Tatalo]

Beautifull, Colors and textures are marvellous ... you see ! i try in english !!!!

[Nola]

Gretchen--these are fantastic. This is one of the best sets in the mini--glad I have it as I will def. case your card--it's lovely. Might mix it up a bit if I do-will give you credit and send you a photo.
You are one of my favorite stampers--such great inspiration here.
TSF, Nola

[Debbie Swanson]

I love the projects and you make everything look so elegant and easy. You rock!

[Bea]

Your passion for Fall really shows. Great job! TFS