Gretchen Barron

I'm Back with a New UDI Color Challenge!

Hello everyone! Christmas is over and we're back home, finishing up the last of the Christmas goodies and enjoying all our beautiful gifts and cards. We had a wonderful holiday in Iowa, surrounded by those we love the most. I hope that you also had a wonderful holiday celebration!

 

The Utah Diva's International Color Challenge this week offers some yummy colors for our inspiration -- Real Red, Soft Suede, Regal Rose and Blushing Bride! Isn't this inspiration photo amazing -- it's a cake, you know!

 

As beautiful as that cake is, I offer you some no-calorie inspiration using this week's colors (we probably all need that after all the holiday goodies we've consumed)! This is actually a card that I created in multiples and sent them along with all my other Valentine Cards to Martie Shea for my From Our Hearts Valentine Challenge! We'll have an update soon about how many cards were donated and who won that fabulous Blog Candy Package!

 

For this card, I used the I {Heart} Hearts and Word Play Stamp sets,  Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, the Heart to Heart Extra Large Punch and Red Glimmer Paper (soon to be available in the Occasions Mini Catalog on January 4th). It's a simple card but one that is quickly and easily duplicated which was perfect for my needs ... and your's as well if you have a lot of Valentine cards to create!

 

Be sure and check out all the Design Team artwork for this week's challenge at Utah Diva's International!

And Happy Stamping!

Blessings to You all This Christmas!

Hi Everyone! I'm going to take a few days off of blogging to spend time with family and friends. I'll be back in full-force next week. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday filled with all the things that mean the most to you! I love this video and the message it portrays and want to share it with you as well!

Blessings to all and Happy Holidays! -- Gretchen

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Welcome to a New Saturday Sketch Challenge at Stamping 411 and a Christmas Surprise!

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas to you! The Stamping 411 Operators have a new Sketch Challenge for you to enjoy this week -- once the presents are opened, the feast is enjoyed, the dishes are done and the company is gone, we hope you'll find some creative time to stamp!

 

I just had to take this opportunity to create one more Christmas card and really loved how this one turned out. I used the Big Shot and the Snowflake #2 die. I cut the Snowflake from Crumb Cake Cardstock and then covered the entire thing with 2-Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. It really shines and shimmers in real life! I embellished the center with Punchies -- Scallop Circle in Real Red, 1 3/8" Circle in Chocolate Chip and 1 1/4" Circle in Crumb Cake -- and then added a delicious bow created with the 1 1/4" Grosgrain Striped Ribbon and a Big Chocolate Chip button, all tied up with a bit of Linen Thread.

 

The Glorious Green layer is embossed with the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and I stamped snowflakes on the background Crumb Cake layer with Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Real Red Inks.

 

 

 

Here's the Measurements:

1. Layer One -- Cardbase -- Real Red Cardstock cut at 5.25 x 10.5". Score and fold in the middle to make the card base.
2. Layer Two -- Crumb Cake cut at 5" Square. Stamp Snowflakes in two corners.
3. Layer three -- Chocolate chip cut at 3.75" square.
4. Layer Four -- Garden Green cut at 3.5" square. Emboss with Embossing Folder.
5. Layer Five -- Snowflake Assembly as described above.
6. Inside of Card -- Very Vanilla cut at 5" square and stamped in the corner.

 

 

Now for our Christmas surprise! The Stamping 411 Operators want to wish you all a wonderful and happy Holiday season and to make it even more special, we are each offering a Blog Candy prize on our blogs this week. You can check out all the Stamping 411 Operator blogs by clicking HERE. All you have to do is leave a comment on our blog posts for this week's 411 Challenge and you will be entered into the contest. To qualify for all 8 blog candy prizes, you need to leave a comment on each of the 8 Stamping 411 Operator blogs!

 

Here's the prize that I'll be sending out to one lucky winner -- a Punch Potpourri Wood Mount Stamp Set, a 6x6" pack of InColor Designer Series Papers and a Sampler of InColor Cardstock and Ribbons! It's a great prize to give you a jump-start on some wonderful spring cards!

 

So, enter the contest by leaving a comment on my blog and then be sure and visit all the other 411 Operator blogs and leave comments there as well. This is going to be fun!

 

Once again, Merry Christmas, everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you visit again soon!

Joy at Christmas!

Hello everyone and Happy Christmas Eve! My card today is the one that I created this week for the Utah Diva's Color Challenge.

 

Just look at these delicious colors -- Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla! What fun!

 

They make a great combination for a fun and whimsical bedroom ensemble but what about for a Christmas card?

 

well ... let's see!

 

Here's what I came up with! What do you think?  My bright and fun Christmas card uses the Perfect Punches and Snow Swirled Stamp sets, The Big Shot and the Large Scallop Square Die, 5/8" Satin Ribbon, the 1", 1 3/8" and Scallop Circle Punches and Stampin Dimensionals.

 

The card measures 5.25" square so that it fits in the Square Envelopes that Stampin' Up! has. And of course, I did a little stamping on the inside as well.

 

If you love this color combination as much as I do, you'll want to be sure and check out the UDI blog to see what the other Design Team members have created this week.

 

Whatever colors you're working with today, I hope that you have the merriest of Christmas.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

 

 

Deck the Halls and Ring the Bells!

Good Monday morning, everyone! I fell in love with this week's MoJo Monday sketch and knew just what I needed to do with it!

I love the pleated ribbon technique that I've been seeing on so many cards and this seemed the perfect opportunity to try it out. I cut the bell image out from the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper. It already has a ribbon on the graphic but I overlaid my Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Tape over it, tying it in a bow with flowing ends. The ends are secured by laying a line of Sticky Strip Adhesive and then just "pleating" the ribbon with your fingers as you move down the adhesive. It's a fun, easy and quick technique that packs a lot of "WOW"!

Of course, I had to move the sentiment down to the bottom of the card to accommodate the large bell image, but that's okay. Sketches are meant to be a place to begin, and it's perfectly alright to adapt them as you see fit!

I did some more ribbon pleating on the inside of the card as well, also adding a 1" strip of DSP. What a nice surprise to open up a card and find something unexpected inside!

I had so much fun putting together today's card and I hope you enjoyed seeing it! Please come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

 

Spring is in the Air (even though it's not even winter yet!)!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks December Blog Tour. This month we are featuring cards and projects using items from the upcoming Occasions Mini (begins January 4th) and Sale-a-Bration (begins January 25th) catalogs.  

There are only 11 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, Dawn Olchefske's. Didn't you just LOVE her sewing-themed projects -- sew sweet! (ok, couldn't resist).

Okay, without further delay, I've got two ... well really 3 great projects to share with you today.

Isn't this a darling little set? Perfect for any spring event -- wedding, shower, May Day, Easter, Mother's Day ...

For the card, I used the Build a Blossom Stamp set with the coordinating Blossom Petals Extra Large Punch. The colors are Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Whisper White and Certainly Celery cardstocks and inks. I also used the new embossing Folder, Framed Tulips, along with the Big Shot for that fabulous border that runs along the edges of the card. The Big button is from  the Sweet Stitches Designer Collection, tied on with a bit of 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon. The flower is attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals!

Now, I know you're probably wondering about this cool Cone Favor. It's the newest die for the Big Shot, called the Petal Cone Die. And it's super easy and fast to put together.

 

The scallop circle comes as part of the die, along with a banner for a sentiment. I used textured Melon Mambo cardstock and again, Peach Parfait for the scallop border on the flaps. The ribbon is 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon in Peach Parfait, fastened with the fabulous new Sweet Stitches Fabric Designer Brads.

 

The cone is about 4.5" tall so can really hold a lot of candy or other treats!

 

Okay, I've got one more project for you today -- a fun interactive spinner card using the Take a Spin Set. How fun is this and think of all the possibilities! The stamp set comes with 4 different "faces" for the spinner. I decided to go with the Birthday Theme and make it in bright "girly" colors -- Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.

 

Now, in addition to the spinner, do you see that fabulous and funky Popcorn Trim? Available in 3 colors, beginning January 4th, this promises to be a real winner. What fun to add such wonderful texture and interest to your projects.

 

The sentiment is from Curly Cute and I used the Big Shot along with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and the Scallop Squares Duo Die. The ribbon is 1/2" Stitched Poly in Pear Pizzazz.

 

Well, that will be it for now. I do hope you enjoy the tour. I know you will get TONS of fabulous ideas from my Control Freak Friends. Just click on the button below to go to the next stop, the website of the super-talented Wendy Weixler.

 
 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy the tour and Happy Stamping! And please, come back again soon!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks December Blog Tour. This month we are featuring cards and projects using items from the upcoming Occasions Mini (begins January 4th) and Sale-a-Bration (begins January 25th) catalogs.  

There are only 11 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, Dawn Olchefske's. Didn't you just LOVE her sewing-themed projects -- sew sweet! (ok, couldn't resist).

Okay, without further delay, I've got two ... well really 3 great projects to share with you today.

Isn't this a darling little set? Perfect for any spring event -- wedding, shower, May Day, Easter, Mother's Day ...

For the card, I used the Build a Blossom Stamp set with the coordinating Blossom Petals Extra Large Punch. The colors are Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Whisper White and Certainly Celery cardstocks and inks. I also used the new embossing Folder, Framed Tulips, along with the Big Shot for that fabulous border that runs along the edges of the card. The Big button is from  the Sweet Stitches Designer Collection, tied on with a bit of 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon. The flower is attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals!

Now, I know you're probably wondering about this cool Cone Favor. It's the newest die for the Big Shot, called the Petal Cone Die. And it's super easy and fast to put together.

 

The scallop circle comes as part of the die, along with a banner for a sentiment. I used textured Melon Mambo cardstock and again, Peach Parfait for the scallop border on the flaps. The ribbon is 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon in Peach Parfait, fastened with the fabulous new Sweet Stitches Fabric Designer Brads.

 

The cone is about 4.5" tall so can really hold a lot of candy or other treats!

 

Okay, I've got one more project for you today -- a fun interactive spinner card using the Take a Spin Set. How fun is this and think of all the possibilities! The stamp set comes with 4 different "faces" for the spinner. I decided to go with the Birthday Theme and make it in bright "girly" colors -- Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.

 

Now, in addition to the spinner, do you see that fabulous and funky Popcorn Trim? Available in 3 colors, beginning January 4th, this promises to be a real winner. What fun to add such wonderful texture and interest to your projects.

 

The sentiment is from Curly Cute and I used the Big Shot along with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and the Scallop Squares Duo Die. The ribbon is 1/2" Stitched Poly in Pear Pizzazz.

 

Well, that will be it for now. I do hope you enjoy the tour. I know you will get TONS of fabulous ideas from my Control Freak Friends. Just click on the button below to go to the next stop, the website of the super-talented Wendy Weixler.

 
 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy the tour and Happy Stamping! And please, come back again soon!

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #182

Hello everyone! I can't believe another week has flown by. I honestly don't know where the time goes and how it goes so quickly!

 

Oh well, at least we get to have fun with a new Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch challenge! And here's our sketch for this week!

 

I just love square cards. There's just enough extra room that you can really get creative. As you can see, the large circular focal image leaves lots of room for interpretation and creativity!

 

 

And here's my card for this week ...

I used Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper and Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla Cardstocks. The Stamp sets are Baroque Motifs and Word Play.

 

I decided to really call attention to the circular image with the addition of Victoria Crochet Trim Lace, applied all the way around the circle using Sticky Strip. You could even intentionally make this card so that the circular image could be easily removed and used for an ornament (I didn't think of that until after I created my card but it would be easy to do).

 

Other accessories and tools that I used include an Antique Brad, Self-Adhesive Basic Pearls, The Big Shot and the Finial Press Embossing Folder, the 2.5 and 1.75" Circle Punches and the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punches, sponges for adding some color to the edges of the cardstock and Stampin' Dimensionals!

 

Here's the measurements:

1. Layer One -- Cardbase -- Always Artichoke cut at 5.25 x 10.5", scored and folded in the middle.
2. Layer Two -- Cherry Cobbler Cardstock cut at 5" square
3. Layer Three -- Always Artichoke cut at 2.75 x 4.5"
4. Layer Four -- DSP cut at 2.5 x 4.25"
5. Layer Five -- Always Artichoke cut at 2.75 x 3.75"
6. Layer Six -- Cherry Cobbler cut at 2.5 x 3.5" -- emboss with the Big Shot
7. Center Medallion -- 2.5" Circle Punch in Always Artichoke, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch in Cherry Cobbler (ink the edges), 1.75" Circle PUnch in Very Vanilla (ink the edges and stamp image). Apply Antique Brad and lace around the circle. Add a bow tied with the same lace. Attach to card with Stampin' Dimensionals!
8. Inside of Card -- Very Vanilla cut at 5" square. Stamp with Baroque Motifs flourish.

So, that's it for now! I hope you'll find some time to stamp this weekend and use our sketch. Don't forget to check out the other Design Team projects at Stamping 411 and once you've completed your projects, come back to the site to leave your linking information so we can all enjoy your creativity!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you'll come back soon!

 

Welcome to a New UDI Color Challenge!

Good morning, everyone! I'm so excited about today's UDI Color Challenge. Just look at our inspiration this week. The colors are Old Olive, So Saffron, Basic Black and Very Vanilla!

 

Now, what in the world can you do with those colors, you might ask?

 

Well, lookie ...

 

Here is the card I created and I just love it. A bit non-traditional for a Christmas card but I think it's beautiful!

 

I used the beautiful, big swirl from Baroque Motifs to create the illusion of a tree branch, stamping with Old Olive Ink. Next I hung a beautiful, sparkling Black ornament, tied with some Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta ribbon. I created the ornament by coating a scrap of Basic Black Cardstock with Versamark and then embossing with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool. I punched it out with the ornament punch and attached it to the card using Stamping Dimensionals, adding a little bling with some Basic Rhinestone's. The sentiment is from Seasonal Sentiments.

 

The So Saffron layer is embossed using the Diamonds Patterns from the Backgrounds I Texture Plates and the Big Shot. I sprayed it first with a little Shimmer Mist (2 oz. rubbing alcohol and a few drops of Champaign Mist Glimmer Paint in a small spray bottle). It doesn't show up in the photo but in real life has just a hint of shimmer and shine! The inside of the card has another flourish stamped in the corner.

 

I don't know what it is about this card, but I just love these colors together! I hope you'll love them enough to check out the Challenge and the creations that the rest of the Design Team have posted at Utah Diva's International. We invite you to play along with us this week for Color Challenge #14!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I've inspired you and I hope you come back soon!

 

Who Says That Love Doesn't Grow on Trees?

Or is that Money Doesn't Grow on Trees? Well, anyway ... today it's Love! I've made another valentine Card today for my From Our Hearts Valentine Challenge. Read the details of this challenge by clicking on the link above. And it's not too late to get in the game -- you just need to send at least 5 Cards to Marti at From Our Hearts by December 20th!

I've brought back an old, favorite set -- Season of Friendship -- and put a new twist on it as a tree of hearts!

I stamped the trunk in Crumb Cake and then added leaves of Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose. I punched the glittery hearts out of the new Glimmer Paper (available in the Occasions Mini Catalog beginning January 4th), using the Small Heart Punch. I applied a Big Shot Multi Purpose Adhesive Sheet to the back of the 12x12 sheet of Glimmer Paper first, so that each tiny heart that is punched out is also self-adhesive -- Love it! Don't know if you can see the glimmer in the photo or not, but this paper really Shines! Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of Dorothy's Glass Slippers in the Wizard of Oz!

The sentiment is from the Stamp Set Valentine Defined (also in the Occasions Mini) and I punched it out with a Small Oval Punch, layering it on a Large Oval Punchie of Pretty in Pink and a Scallop Oval Punchie of Real Red.

I used the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder to create texture and interest with the polka dots and mounted everything with Stampin' Dimensionals.

On the inside you'll find a few more scattered leaves and one more glimmery heart, just for a little surprise and color when someone opens up the card.

I think that will do it for today. I do hope you'll help us out and send some cards to From Our Hearts for the Valentine Challenge! Our military personnel and their families are so appreciative of the beautiful hand-made cards they are able to enjoy because of your generosity and compassion!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Victoria Crochet Trim Lace and Deck The Halls are Made for Each Other!

Hello every one and welcome to a new Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators!

 

This week's sketch seemed like a natural to use some of the gorgeous Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper with. I love that you can get such a beautiful and quick result from this DSP with no Stamping -- the paper becomes your focal image! I paired it today with the vintage-looking Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim Lace -- don't they make a wonderful pair? It's like they're made for each other!

 

I also used an Antique Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, the Decorative Label Extra Large Punch, The Big Shot and the Petal's-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder and some Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink. The stamp sets are Tags Till Christmas and Snow Swirled (for the Sentiment) and I used an Always Artichoke and Soft Suede Marker. Cardstock colors are Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.

 

The measurements this week are pretty straight forward and minimal:

1. Layer One -- Always Artichoke Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to for the Card Base.
2. Layer Two -- Crumb Cake cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Cherry Cobbler cut at 3.75" x 5"
4. Layer Four -- DSP cut at 3.75 x 2.5"
5. Inside of Card -- Very Vanilla cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25" -- I stamped another pine bough in the corner.

 

We'll, that's about it for now. I told you this was a simple and straight-forward card! I hope that I've inspired you to give this week's sketch a try. And if you need even more encouragement, check out what the rest of the Operators have created this week at Stamping 411! We hope you'll play along and look forward to seeing the links to your creations on our website!

 

Come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!