Hello everyone and welcome to the Christmas in July Control Freaks Blog Tour! If you're already taking the tour, you must have arrived here from my good friend, Patty Bennett's blog! WOW! She always has some fabulous projects and she didn't let us down this time! Thanks, Patty!
This month's Control Freaks Blog Tour theme is Christmas in July - or - fabulous Convention SWAPS. I'm going with the Christmas in July theme! Now you have to understand, it's a little difficult to get in the Christmas spirit today since the temperature was a searing 99 degrees with a Heat Index of 115 today -- WOW -- talk about a sizzlin' Christmas!
Today's projects use the new stamp set, Snow Much Fun and the non-Christmas Designer Series Paper called Big Top Birthday -- how's that for thinking outside the box!
I've got two projects for you! The first is this fabulous folded Origami Star. Click HERE to download and print a Free PDF tutorial on how to create this star.
The star looks really intricate but it's fairly quick and easy to make. You begin with 5 pieces of DSP cut at 5" square and you go from there. A little folding ... a little Sticky Strip ... a little patience and viola -- a fabulous star ornament perfect for your tree or a package topper or decoration!
Next I have this fun and festive, modified Gate-fold card! How fun this new stamp set is! I used Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen to add a little color to the line art images.
Two different DSP patterns and a little paper tearing (for the snow bank) finish off this cute card! And of course, a little stamping inside is always in order!
Well, that's going to do it for now! I hope you enjoy the rest of the tour! The next stop is the blog of the super-stupendous Debbie Currier ... just wait until you see what is waiting for you there! Wowza! Just click below to go to Debbie's post!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the tour today! I do hope you'll be back soon! And don't forget to stop back later this week for the Origami Star Tutorial! Until then ...
I love both of your projects, Gretchen! I really wished you could have come to convention, but maybe next year?
Posted by: Jan | July 19, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Love the origami ornament! And your snowman gatefold card is super cute!
Posted by: Deb | July 19, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Oooo!! LOVE your color/paper combo!! That gatefold card is adorable!! And that STAR is AWESOME!! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | July 20, 2011 at 05:09 AM
Very cute snowman card, Gretchen.
Posted by: Mitzi Luttrull | July 20, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Your work is always great! Thanks for the inspiration. I just love these projects.
Posted by: Frances Hicks | July 20, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Gretchen, love your projects today! We saw lots of these stars in the displays this year at Convention; someone had even stacked them to make a cute Christmas tree. Can't wait for the directions from you. Tried googling them but always the wrong "star". Thanks for your inspiring and idea filled blog.
Posted by: Shannon from AZ | July 20, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Gretchen,
Your two projects are so cute...love your colors on the card and the layout...I have never tried one of those stars...I'll wait for your tutorial...
great job..
Posted by: Pat Limberg | July 20, 2011 at 02:54 PM
WOW...that flower ornament is just INCREDIBLE!!!
Posted by: Mary Brown | July 20, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Wow! Your projects are fantastic, Gretchen! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Mary Davidson | July 20, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Very Cute!!!! I may have to add the paper and stamp set to my wish list!!!! Thanks for making the two look so fun together!!!
Posted by: Christy | July 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Love these stars...I tried to make flowers and was overwhelmed...love the single one as an ornament! Your use of bd paper is genius!!! Thanks again for the inspiration. Esther
Posted by: Esther S | July 22, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Love the flowers as an ornament! Beautiful! You also used my favorite set from the new catalog...love it paired with Big Top!
Posted by: Connie Babbert | July 24, 2011 at 08:08 AM
I love the Origami flower, Are you going to post the tutorial soon? I have seen a wreath donw with and have been seraching for instructions and unable to find the right one. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Pam Everts | July 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Great projects Gretchen. I love the Snow Much Fun set and I can see you probably had fun making this card too! Awesome.
Posted by: Penny Hanuszak | July 27, 2011 at 06:01 PM
I was wondering if the instructions for the folded Origami Star had been posted yet and I overlooked it. I am anxious to make one of the origami stars. I love all the beautiful cards you make and enjoy looking at your blog daily.
Posted by: Judy Hoffpauir | July 29, 2011 at 06:38 PM