Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks October Blog Tour. This month we are focusing on Cards and projects for December Holidays -- Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa!
There are only 13 stops so it won't take you long and I guarantee, it will be well worth your ride. 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 on the tour, you probably arrived here from my friend, Patty Bennett's blog. I just loved her double high Fancy Favor Box!
Okay, without further delay, I've got two ... well really 3 great projects to share with you today.
See my adorable little basket created with the Scallop Envelope Die? It's really two projects in one. The fabric flower detaches from the handle (it has an alligator clip glued to the back of it) and can be used as a pen, brooch, headband embellishment, back pack charm or used for just about anything else that you can clip it on.
To make the basket more sturdy, I used a 12x12 multi-purpose Adhesive Sheet to bond the Candy Cane Specialty Designer Series Paper and Real Red Cardstock. Let me tell you, that is one sturdy box! Both the card and the basket were created with just one sheet of DSP (with even a little left over). I cut 4 Scallop Envelopes using the Big Shot and fastened them together with Sticky Strip Adhesive to make the basket. The handle is created with another strip of the reinforced DSP and is attached in opposite corners using Glimmer Brads. This DSP is so beautiful in real life -- the red stripe is glittered -- so very cool and festive!
I created the fabric flower using the two smallest flower shapes from the Flower Folds Die and our own Stampin' Up! Designer Fabric. Have I told you how fabulous these fabrics are? Well, I have now! I used 3 layers of the larger flower on the bottom and 2 layers of the smallest one, hot-gluing each layer together. I tied some 1/8" Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon through one of the new Big Designer Buttons and glued that on as well. The final step was to hot-glue on the alligator clip on the back of the flower. Now tell me ... how simple is THAT? Amazingly simple and quick! The pictures below show both the front and back of the flower. The great thing is that whoever might receive this little basket as a gift, can use the flower in so many ways. It could even be clipped on the Christmas tree as an ornament. And it all coordinates so wonderfully!
Well, what's a gift basket without a great card to go along with it? I am so in love with the cute little kids in the Greeting Card Kids Stamp set. They are so much fun to watercolor. I added the color to this one with Reinkers and a Blender Pen, adding some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and a Basic Rhinestone to the top of the little Christmas Tree. The DSP was left over from the basket project. The scallop Frame is the larger one from the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die. It's popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. Finishing touches include some 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon and some more Glimmer Brads! The sentiment is from the Cute & Curly Stamp Set.
Well, that's all I have for this stop! You'll want to check out all the other projects along the way. Just click on the Tour button below to go straight away to Jan Tinklingberg and the next stop. You know Jan will have something wonderful to share with you!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy the tour and Happy Stamping!
I love how you paired up the Candy Cane paper with this set...makes the little girl so fun! LOVELY projects!
Posted by: Mary Brown | October 19, 2010 at 08:24 PM
It's so cute! I love it!
Posted by: Beatrice from France | October 20, 2010 at 01:32 AM
Once again you have blown me AWAY with your creativity, my friend!! That little gift basket is aDORable!! (with a stinkin' DARLING card to match, too!)! Great job, as always, Gretchen!! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | October 20, 2010 at 05:26 AM
Wow! Everything is just so creative, Gretchen! And I love the idea of using an alligator clip on the flower. Gives it alot of versatility!
Posted by: Lisa Young, Add Ink and Stamp | October 20, 2010 at 05:59 AM
Gretchen this is an adorable set. I love that little basket! I have the envelope die and was disappointed when I got it, as I couldn't figure out how to use very much. But I've been seeing lots of the baskets, boxes, etc. and so now I'm happy to put it to use. Just LOVE the size too.
Posted by: diane oliver | October 20, 2010 at 06:35 AM
Great projects! Thanks for the tips on making the basket! And the fabric flower is such a great idea! So versatile!
Posted by: Debbie Currier | October 20, 2010 at 09:37 AM
Adorable gift set Gretchen. I can't resist that little Winter Girl...she's so cute!!
Posted by: Dawn Olchefske | October 20, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Gretchen what beautiful projects you always turn out. The little winter girl is so adorable and I just love the basket and flower.......you rock girl!
Posted by: Penny Hanuszak | October 20, 2010 at 10:58 AM
These are such cute projects, Gretchen! I just love how you've used the new DSP. I NEED some of that! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Wendy J. | October 20, 2010 at 02:16 PM
Lovely projects Gretchen, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Created By You | October 20, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Where do you get alligator clips? After seeing your wonderful post, I just need some too!!!
Posted by: Laura | October 20, 2010 at 05:59 PM
You have the greatest projects and love the total coordination!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | October 20, 2010 at 07:22 PM
Very cute projects Gretchen! Now I need that stamp set...hmmm
Posted by: Liz Shultz | October 20, 2010 at 11:50 PM
WOW! Great idea to use the alligator clip on the fabric flower! Love that, thanks so much for sharing. All of your projects are fabulous!
Posted by: Laurie Zoellmer | October 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM
I luv it,
Maggie
http://maggielamarre.com
Posted by: maggie | October 22, 2010 at 06:49 PM