Gretchen Barron

Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper and an Amazing Medallion Card

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Weekend Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators! Oh my goodness, I have been anxious to share today's card with you. I created this a couple of weeks ago and had to sit on it until now when the new sketch is revealed!

 

 

As you may know by now, I am head-over-heels IN LOVE with this new Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper! It is so gorgeous, so easy to work with, so unique and beautiful, I just keep thinking of more projects to create with it.

 

 

Today's card features a large, bold accordian-fold medallion, so simple and easy to do with the new Stampin' Up! Simply Scored Tool (coming to you in the Holiday Mini Catalog on September 1st). I cut a strip of DSP 1.5 x 12" long and then accordian scored it every 1/4". The new Stampin' Up! Simply Scored tool has score lines and marking every 1/8" so it's extremely flexible and easy to do. I scored each 1/2" and then turned the paper over and scored again at each 1/2", offsetting the  score lines 1/4" so the final result is 1/4" scores that alternate between being a "mountain" or a "valley" (clear as mud, right! Believe me, it works). I attached the ends together with a bit of Sticky Strip Adhesive, flattened it out onto a 1 3/4" circle covered with Sticky Strip and then pressed another punched circle on top to hold it all together. Add a Scalloped Circle and then a 2" Shimmer Gold Circle with Dasher stamped Versamark with Gold Embossing Powder and ... viola! What a look!

 

I used some of the gorgeous black flocked paper from the DSP collection on top and then more of the Gold foiled paper on the bottom. The strip with the sentiment stamped on it is 1 1/4" wide and 4" long. The sentiment is from Contempo Christmas. An added Antique Brad finishes off the look. I did "chop off" the wide of the accordian fold medallion in my Stampin' Up! Tabletop Paper Cutter to make it flush with the edge of the card (you could let it hang off a bit but then you would need to use a larger envelope).

 

The Measurements are pretty straight-forward:

1. Layer One -- Black Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to form the Card Base
2. Layer Two -- Brushed Gold Cardstock cut at 4 1/8 x 5 3/8" (I actually cut out a large square in the middle (since it won't show) to use on another project)
3. Layer Three -- Flocked DSP cut at  4 x 4"
4. Layer Four -- Foiled DSP cut at 4 x 1.25"
5. Sentiment Strip and Medallion as instructed above

 

This card was really incredibly easy to create and what an impression it will make on whoever receives it. It's all done with the incredibly beautiful Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper -- it's truly Amazing!

And speaking of Amazing, you really need to hop on over to the Stamping 411 site and check out the inspiration cards created by the other 411 Designers this week! What a bunch of talented gals. I'm so lucky to call them my friends!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope that I was able to offer you a little inspiration as you move into the weekend to spend some time with your own stamping projects! Please come back soon!

It's Freaky Tour Time with the Freakin' Amazing Holiday Mini Catalog!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks Freaky August Blog Tour! What an honor it is for me to the the #1 Stop on this month's tour. Not that it really matter's however, since you can start at any of the stops and still take the entire tour! If you're already on the trip, then you must have arrived here from my friend, Wendy Weixler's amazing blog! She is such a sweetheart and ALWAYS has something surprising and wonderful to share!

 

Our theme this month is to preview items from the fabulous Holiday Mini Catalog, available for customer orders beginning September 1st. Now let me tell you, you've probably heard it before, but believe me, this time IT'S TRUE! This is the most amazing Holiday mini that Stampin' Up! has every developed. Page after page will hold surprises and wonders for you. If you don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like a copy of the catalog for yourself, please e-mail me and I'll pop one in the mail to you!

 

This month, rather than focusing on a particular stamp set or Designer Series Paper from the mini, I want to show you two fabulous projects using a new Big Shot Die -- the Holiday Stocking Die! There is so much you can do with this die and, as you will see, it's not just for Christmas! But this first project, is for Christmas. It's this just the most darling Stocking Card you have ever seen? Well, at least I think so - LOL!

 

I've used a bit of the new DSP called Holly Berry Bouquet, Real Red and Very Vanilla Cardstock, a new stamp set called Festive & Fun, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Wild Wasabi, and a new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder called Snow Burst.

 

I colored in the stamped image with Stampin' Write Markers and attached the ribbon with Sticky Strip Adhesive. Such fun and so cute for Christmas!

 

And now for my second project ... I'm turning up the cute factor! Remember, this project is made with the Holiday Stocking Die and the Big Shot, the same as the Christmas project, but look how different it is! What happens when you turn a stocking upside down? It becomes a stick horse, of course!

 

Wouldn't this be a darling little gift box for a new or expectant mother or a darling centerpiece at a Baby Shower? I'm just thrilled with this way this little guy turned out! I used So Saffron Cardstock to cut out the stocking and then ran it through the Big Shot using the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I added a Chocolate Chip button eye and some 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon in Chocolate chip for the bridle and reins. His scallop collar is cut with the Tasteful Trims Die in Certainly Celery.

 

The A-B-C blocks are created with the Petal Card Double Punch and the 1" Square Punch. I used Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. The letters are die cut in Chocolate Chip cardstock using the Naturally Serif Sizzlets Strip Die. They are stacked and held together with Stampin' Dimensionals, which also attach them to the base of the Stick Horse. All of this is assembled onto a Fancy Favor Die Cut in Old Olive.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this stop on the Control Freaks Tour! Thanks for stopping. And I hope you'll be back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

 

And speaking of inspiration, click on the button below to go to the next stop on our tour, the ever-amazing Patty Bennett! Just wait till you see what she has in store for you!

 

Thanks again for stopping and Happy Stamping!

 
 

A New Sketch Challenge with Spooky Bingo Bits!

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators! The moment I first saw this week's sketch, I knew the perfect stamp set to use ... Spooky Bingo Bits!

The little squares on the sketch are perfect for the Stampin' Up! square punches ( 1 1/4" and 1 3/8") and all the adorable little square motifs that are so popular right now. Several different stamp sets would lend themselves well to this sketch!

For this card, I've used Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper, Holiday Bingo Bits and Grateful Greetings stamp sets, the two square punches mentioned above and the Scallop Square Punch. It's a pretty straight-forward card. I did stamp the images with Black Craft Ink and emboss with Black Embossing Powder and the Heat tool. I don't think I will ever get tired of the heat embossed look!

A couple more of the cute images from the stamp set embellish the inside of the card (you can see them peeking out!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I do hope you'll come back soon! And don't forget to check out the projects that the other Stamping 411 Operators created this week! As always, they are amazing! Have a great weekend and Happy Stamping!

Elegant Gift Box and Tag Set with Mocha Morning Specialty DSP

Hello everyone! I am sooooooo excited to finally share with you the project that I created for the "You Stamp with Dawn & Friends I Heart the Holidays" online class. This Elegant Gift Box and Tag set is created with the absolutely AMAZING Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Papers. If you haven't tried this paper yet, run, don't walk, to your computer and place an order. It is THE MOST beautiful paper I think I have ever worked with. Some of the designs are flocked and some are metallic and all are BEAUTIFUL!

Sorry but I can't give you a lot of details for this project since it was created for Dawn's class. But you can have a complete tutorial for this and 39 other FABULOUS projects by joining Dawn & Friends! Thanks so much for stopping by today -- I do hope you'll be back soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Up, Up and Away with a New Color Challenge!

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday to you! Welcome to a New Utah Divas Color Challenge today! Our colors this week are inspired by this child's sundress -- Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Basic Black and Whisper White!

Well, that's a lot of colors and since there wasn't any green included in this week's challenge, I wasn't able to resort to a floral motif - LOL. So, if not the ground then the only way is UP, UP, UP and Away! And that's exactly the name of this new stamp set -- Up, Up and Away! Isn't it darling?

I decided to make a square card -- gotta love those! I stamped the balloons in various colors from the challenge and then added strings with Black Stazon Ink. The bow is created from the fabulous 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Marina Mist, topped with a big Pumpkin Pie Button (tied off with Baker's Twine.

I embossed the Baja Breeze background with the Big Shot and the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. To add even more texture and dimension, I cut out one of the balloons and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The inside of the card gets special treatment as well with the sentiment punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle punch, adhered to a 1 3/8" Circle of Marina Mist and a Scallop Circle of Pumpkin Pie -- again, popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. By alternating the direction of the string stamp, you can easily create a longer string.

The clouds were created with my trust homemade CLOUD TEMPLATE, using a sponge and Baja Breeze Ink.

That will do it for now! Be sure and check out the other Design Team projects at Utah Divas International! Those ladies are so creative!

And I invite you to check out my newest kit and tutorial, released last week -- Garden Giggles TOO! These cute little cousins of my original Garden Giggles are ready to wiggle, squirm and giggle their way into your heart!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you'll be back soon for more Ideas and Inspiration!

Join Us for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge -- It's Snow Much Fun!!!!

Happy Friday to you, everyone! Welcome to a new Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators! Just look at this sketch we have for you this week! What fun!!!!

 

And speaking of fun, I just love this new Snowman stamp set called Snow Much Fun. It's just .... well, fun!

 

This little guy looks like he's having fun, doesn't he?

 

I really wanted to use some of the new Polka Dot Ribbon for this card so I combined the traditional Red and Green color scheme with a little pop of something unexpected ... Tangerine Tango!

 

I stamped the snowman using Black Stazon Ink, colored him in with Watercolor Pencils (love those), popped him up with Stampin' Dimensionals and added some torn cardstock for a snow effect.

Here's the measurements in case you want them:

1. Layer One -- Tangerine Tango Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to make your Card Base
2. Layer Two -- DSP (from the Brights Pattern Stack) cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Old Olive DSP (from the pack above) cut at .5 x 4" and applied horizontally.
4. Layer Four -- Old Olive DSP cut at .5 x 4" and applied vertically. Add the ribbon directly beneath the horizontal strip of DSP and cut a "v" shaped notch in the end.
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White cardstock cut at 3.5" wide and torn to fit the space below the ribbon. I stamped the sentiment with Black Stazon Ink.
6. Layer Six-- the little cut-out snowman. I stamped him first with Black Stazon Ink and then applied him on top. That way his little stick arms still show. I punched a 3/8" Circle for the snowball.
7. Inside of Card -- Whisper White cut at 4 x 5.25" -- stamping is optional. I stamped the little snowball with a bird on top in the corner and again colored in with the Watercolor Pencils.

Well, that wraps it up for this evening! For even more inspiration and ideas, check out the cards that the Stamping 411 Operators created this week! AMAZING!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I do hope you'll be back soon!

They're Back ... Garden Giggles TOO!

 

Hello everyone! Let me introduce you to a brand-new collection of Garden Giggles Critters – GARDEN GIGGLES TOO! Are they just too, too fun! They come attached to their own Fancy Favor Treat Boxes which can hold an amazingly large amount of candy, trinkets, or just about anything your imagination can come up with! They would also look dashing adorning the front of a special card or scrapbook page! They could even make wall art or be used in home décor. Think how cute they would be brightening up a nursery or a child’s bedroom or bathroom. The possibilities are endless.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me introduce you!

Meet Rascal, a Roly-Poly Bug

 

Max, a Mosquito

 

Spunky, the Spider

 

Slither, the Snake

 

and last, but not least, Wally, the Worm!

Don't you just love them! I'm head-over-heels! Each one has such personality. From the tip of their tails to the top of their baseball-capped heads, they are ready to fly, slither and slink their way into your hearts and your homes!

The Tutorial is more than 15 pages long and filled with detailed photos and clear instructions for assembling these little critters. Tutorials are available for $5 each and will be e-mailed to you as a PDF file. Tutorials generally are sent out once each day. I try my best to get them to you within 24 hours of your order. Tutorials also include a detailed list of supplies needed for each critter, especially helpful if you are not purchasing the kit or want to create multiples.

The kits include everything you need to put together all 5 projects -- Die Cut Fancy Favor Treat Boxes (colors vary from the Brights Collection), a packet of Fantasy Flowers pieces and all the punched shapes, die cuts and embellishments to create everything you see above. The Kits are $25 which includes postage. Once you place an order, I will respond with an e-mail giving you an anticipated shipping date, generally within a week of your order being placed. The PDF Tutorial is included in the price of the kit and will be e-mailed to you when your kit is mailed.

Kits can be shipped internationally but require additional postage. E-mail me in advance if you need the kits shipped out of the US and I will send you a PayPal invoice for both the kit and international shipping charges combined.

Supplies needed to assemble the kit include: SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals!, Crystal Effects, Paper Snips and Bone Folder, Classic Ink Pads – Pacific Point, Basic Black, Real Red, Regal Rose and Old Olive (other colors could be substituted if you don’t have these) and Sponges for Each color, Sponge Dauber, Adhesive Remover Eraser (optional, but nice), Black Stampin’ Write Journaling Marker and a White Gel Pen, Hole Punch and Craft Hammer or Paper Piercer, and a Wide Oval Punch (for leaves).

 
I hope you fall in love with these little guys just as I have. By the way, they are not that little. They range in size from 4-7". The Fancy Favor Treat Boxes measure 3 x 2 x 3.5" high. There's room there for all kinds of goodies!

Place your order by choosing your option (kit or tutorial) and clicking on the PayPal Button below!

Choose Your Option:

PDF Tutorial Only $5.00 Kit and PDF Tutorial $25.00

 

Click HERE to view the entire line of available Inspiration in Action Kits and Tutorials!

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Stamping!

Two Sneaky Peeks to Tempt You!

Hello everyone! Excitement is building around here for two fabulous events that will begin later this week!

 

First of all, I will be releasing a new Kit and Tutorial on Friday. I've been working on this one for a loooooooooooong time and it's finally ready to share with you! I can't wait to reveal it so please stop back on Friday for all the fun details! The picture on the right is just a tiny little sneaky peek to wet your curiosity!

 

Second, also on Friday, U Stamp with Dawn and Friends - I Heart the Holidays class begins. When you join this group, you will receive 40 fabulous tutorials in 20 days. I've seen most of the projects and they are truly amazing. I'm not sure which day my project will be released, but when it is, you can only get the tutorial if you are a member of Dawn's class. Click HERE for more information. IN the meantime, the photo on the left is another little sneaky peek to make you want more -- he, he!

 

As you can see, Friday is going to be a BIG day! I hope you will join me!

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Utah Divas Color challenge this week!

The color combination is a little interesting this time around, only two colors and a neutral and both colors are shades of green! So, what does one do with Always Artichoke, Pear Pizzazz and Basic Black?

I don't know! LOL -- that was what I was thinking when I sat down to create an inspiration card for this week's challenge. But here is what I came up with!

I used the stamp set called Crosses of Hope. I stamped the Cross on a scrap of Pear Pizzazz cardstock with Black Craft Ink and then embossed with Black Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool. I cut it out, added a few leaves (from the Bird Punch) and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals. The sentiment is embossed as well. Multiple layers of all the challenge colors, a little bit of 5/8" Satin Ribbon and some texture added with the Big Shot and the Elegant Lines Embossing folder complete the card.

I really like how this card turned out -- I think it is simple yet elegant and will be great for a sympathy or thinking of you card. And to think, it's all done with just a couple of colors! I never would have done this if left to my own. That's the beauty of working from color challenges! I invite you to check out the other projects from the Utah Divas Color Challenge Design Team. And then, once we've filled you with inspiration, we hope you will play along with our challenge this week!

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

I've got a new kit coming out by the end of this week so I hope you'll stop back soon. I'm so excited about this kit -- it was a long time coming but it is so much fun! I think you will enjoy it! Here's just a little sneaky peek! See you soon ...

 

Hello, hello, hello ... three snails in a Row!

Hello everyone and Happy Friday evening to you! The Stamping 411 Operators have a new sketch challenge for your inspiration this weekend!

 

I decided to flip the sketch on its side and use the adorable stamp set, Button Buddies, for my inspiration card this week. Isn't this little Snail just too, too cute! The colors are Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Perfect Plumb and Elegant Eggplant. Other supplies and embellishments used include 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon, the Scallop Trim Border Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, The Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and what else ... DESIGNER BUTTONS! I attached the buttons with Crystal Effects.

 

To look at this sketch, you may be thinking it looks a little too difficult with too many layers. But, it's not really that difficult at all. I encourage you to give it a try! Here's some measurements to get you started ...

 

1. Layer One -- Certainly Celery cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.", scored and folded to form the Card Base
2. Layer Two -- Tempting Turquoise cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Perfect Plumb cut at 3 1/8" x 3.75"
4. Layer Four -- Certainly Celery cut at 1 x 3" -- punch one edge with the Border Punch and attach to the underside of Layer 5.
5. Layer Five -- Tempting Turquoise cut at 3.5 x 2 7/8" -- emboss with the Big Shot and the Impressions Folder
6. Layer Six -- 2.75 x 4.5"
7. Layer Seven -- Elegant Eggplant cut at 2 5/8" x 4 3/8"
8. Layer Eight -- Whisper White cut at 1.5 x 4 1/8" -- stamp and embellish. Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals and add ribbon and bow.
9. Inside of Card -- Whisper White cut at 4 x 5.25" -- stamping inside is optional.

See, I told you it wasn't that difficult!

 

For more wonderful inspiration for this week's sketch, be sure and check out what the other Operators have created this week at Stamping 411! And when you've completed your project, be sure and go back there and leave your link so we can all enjoy your artwork!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you've got some stamping time planned for this weekend. Please come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!