Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks January Blog Tour -- the first tour of 2011! This month we are featuring cards and projects for Valentine and Love Themes!
There are only 12 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, Barb Mullikin's Blog. Didn't you just LOVE her fabulous projects!
I've got a fun and fabulous project for you today -- it's this darling box of Note Cards, complete with a Bird's Nest on the Top. I call it "Sending Love Your Way"!
Now, if you come back in a day or two, I promise I'll post some more photos and instructions for this adorable little Gift Set. We don't want to bog down the tour with putting too much in this post, so do come back and I'll have more complete instructions for you!
The little Bird's Nest is created by starting with a large circle of Chocolate Chip Cardstock. Spray it until it's completely saturated with water and then wad and roll it up into a tight ball. Carefully spread it out and then form it into a Cupcake tin or small bowl to make the nest shape. Once it's dry, you can add shredded cardstock to look like twigs and nesting stuff and you can give your little bird a permanent home!
The box is a simple construction, using two sheets of Real Red Cardstock. I embellished the top with the Scallop Trim Border and Corner Dies, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink Cardstocks and lots of embedded hearts using the Embedded Embossing Technique, the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Die. I just love the look that you get with these embedded punched out pieces. So much fun!
Okay, now for what's inside the box -- a set of 4 Cards with Decorated Envelopes! And, each card has a mini Card tucked inside the Scallop Envelope, which is created with Cardstock Vellum and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Die. I used the Red Polka Dot Designer Series Paper from the Valentine Bundle, the I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set, 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, the Two Step Bird Extra Large Punch, Basic Rhinestones, the Heart to Heart Punch and the Square Lattice Impressions Folder -- whew ... that's a lot of stuff!
The envelopes are embellished with some punched hearts on the front and more DSP inside the flap. Click on the photo to view it larger! Another great thing about this set ... although it would be perfect for Valentine's Day, there are no sentiments. So, it could be used for a variety of occasions!
I hope you enjoyed this stop on the tour and my little Sending Love Your Way Gift Set! I'm so glad that you stopped by and hope you found some inspiration waiting for you here. This is the last stop on the tour, but if you're just beginning, never fear ... you can click on the button below and go back to the beginning and the wonderful work of Wendy Weixler.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy the tour and Happy Stamping! And please, come back again soon!
These are beautiful projects. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: JoAnn Burnham | January 19, 2011 at 07:31 PM
I got hooked on the "tour" from Wendy W., and I always love your projects!! This time I especially love your card with the bird from the bird punch and the envelope (never thought of punching it with vellum...thanks for the inspiration!!
Posted by: Pam Roundy | January 19, 2011 at 08:02 PM
simply amazing!
Posted by: michelle james | January 19, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Awesome!
I could go on & on about everything.
I especially love the embedded embossing, the vellum envelopes & the pretty box with cards.
And your birds nest is perfect!
Posted by: LeeAnn Greff | January 19, 2011 at 09:42 PM
When I first saw your bird's nest I thought it was chocolate! That is such a cute and clever idea but then you always have lots of those. :) Great job with everything, Gretchen.
Posted by: Lisa Young, Add Ink and Stamp | January 19, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Clever idea for the bird's nest. Great projects Gretchen!
Posted by: Dawn Olchefske | January 19, 2011 at 11:50 PM
What an awesome group of goodies you made for us! I really like all of them everyone!
Posted by: Patrice H. | January 19, 2011 at 11:50 PM
As always Gretchen, every one of your ideas is just WONDERFUL! I love how you used the embedded imaging technique!
Posted by: Mary Brown | January 20, 2011 at 06:06 AM
These are great projects Gretchen. The birds nest looks like real chocolate!
Posted by: Vicky W | January 20, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Wonderful projects Gretchen, especially fond of the vellum envelope with the notecard. :-) Barb
Posted by: Barb | January 20, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Gretchen ,
I just love your little bird nest how cute! The vellium envelope on the card is such a sweet surprise -I will be coming back to browse your blog -you are very creative.
Thanks for sharing , -I saw your post on SUDSOL and am so glad I found your blog :-)
Posted by: Kathy | January 20, 2011 at 06:58 AM
These are beautiful projects!
Posted by: Jennifer S. | January 20, 2011 at 07:54 AM
You NEVER cease to amaze me with your creativity!! That bird's nest is DARLING!! LOVE how it all is color-coordinated, too! I should really try to to that some time ... everything just looks FAB together!! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | January 20, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Gretchen, this is fantabulous!! You are just amazing!!
Posted by: Barbara | January 20, 2011 at 07:58 AM
Love your Valentine projects
Posted by: Amy Locitzer | January 20, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Love your bird nest!
Posted by: lisa808 | January 20, 2011 at 08:21 AM
What a super cool idea.... how do you think of these? It's that great creative mind of yours!!!
Posted by: Chris in CO | January 20, 2011 at 09:54 AM
What wonderful ideas, Gretchen. Very creative with the nest and birds. Lovely cards with the vellum envelopes. A great job all in all!
Posted by: Wendy J. | January 20, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Love it! Do you have instructions on how to do the Embedded Embossing Technique?
Posted by: Jody | January 21, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Wonderful, Gretchen! Love that bird's nest! The set is very creative.
Posted by: Lisa Martz | January 21, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Love your gift set! I'll be back for more info on the projects. TFS
Posted by: Marsha E | January 22, 2011 at 06:40 AM
SIMPLY STUNNING!
Posted by: Marisol Gutierrez | January 22, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Love your projects:-)
Posted by: Maria | January 23, 2011 at 09:01 PM
Gretchen...these are gorgeous. Love the valentine in the vellum envelope. What a wealth of techniques and tools! Can't wait to see details.
Posted by: Barbara Vogt | January 25, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Wow! Each little part of your project is great! I never thought of thembedded embossing - will experiment with that- and you have such a knack of putting peices together to look so polished. A pleasure to see such artistry! Thanks!
Posted by: Sharon Steinwand | January 27, 2011 at 03:53 PM