Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks Freaky September Blog Tour! Boy oh boy, do we have some fantabulous projects ready for you this month! If you're already on the trip, then you must have arrived here from my friend, Jan Tinklinberg's amazing blog! Jan always has something amazing to drool over and she's darn funny as well!
Our theme this month is "Fall Into Step -- Autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving Ideas". I just love fall! I love the weather. I love the colors. I love the smells. I love snuggling under a throw and sleeping with the windows opened. And I love the fall holidays with their emphasis on family and gratitude. It's a great time of year. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw the new fall leaf stamp set that Stampin' Up! offered this year! It's a two-step stamp set (one of my favorite techniques) called Gently Falling. I just had to use it for my projects tonight!
I decided to make this darling gift bag and matching card! What a great duo for a special gift for your best friend, sister or mother! I know I would be thrilled to receive this see!
Both projects use the following colors -- Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, and Very Vanilla. Sentiments are from two different sets -- Pursuit of Happiness and Grateful Greetings. Additional supplies include the Big Shot, The Ovals Die, the Square Lattice Impressions Folder, a Brayer, the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Wide Oval Punch, Quilted Satin Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler and the new Simply Scored Tool. Check back tomorrow and I'll post a free tutorial for making the Gift Bag and using the New (simply fabulous) Simply Scored Tool.
The Gift Box is a BIG 3.5 x 2.25 x 5.5". You can pack a lot of goodies into this puppy! The front panel includes a piece of More Mustard Cardstock that is embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder after it has been inked with Chocolate Chip ink. That's what makes this incredible texture and contrast -- such a great look for fall and a fairly easy (but messy) technique to do.
I'll include more instructions on the tutorial tomorrow!. I stamped the leaves using darker ink on each of the cardstock colors, cut them out and attached them with Stampin' Dimensionals. The crinkled paper is created by cutting narrow strips and running them through a Paper Crimper.
Now, on to the card. This is actually this week's MoJo Monday Sketch -- such a great jump-start when you need a little inspiration! I love the blocks of additional color behind the focal image -- it really brings it to life!
The colors and techniques are the same for the card as the box. Plus, I added a little extra stamping on the inside to give it even more interest! Did I mention how much I love this stamp set? It really is fabulous!
Well, that will do it for this stop on the tour! But do continue on -- there's some fabulous scenery and inspiration waiting for you at each and every stop! I hope you've enjoyed your stay here and I hope you'll come 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 Wendy Weixler! I just peeked at her projects and you are going to be blown away by what you see! Thanks again for stopping and Happy Stamping!
Such lovely detail, Gretchen! I love the colors
Posted by: Robin Spinner | September 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Your project is absolutely wonderful! I love how vibrant and alive you made the leaves. WOW!
Posted by: Judy DiScipio | September 19, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Wow, once again. God has really given you so much talent and thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
www.cleverandcute.blogspot.com
Posted by: Debbie Martin | September 20, 2011 at 07:05 AM
I love the colors you used for your projects and how you laid everything out - beautiful!!
Posted by: Eileen LeFevre | September 20, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Beautiful projects! The colors and textures are so wonderful!
Posted by: Deb | September 20, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Very Beautiful and those Colors! I sooo LOVE Fall! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cheryl McAskill | September 21, 2011 at 06:23 AM
Wow! Beautiful projects, Gretchen. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: Cathy Warhank | September 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Beautiful projects. Love the colors. TFS
Posted by: JoAnn Burnham | September 21, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Gretchen, I follow your blog closely and always love your work. It seems we have similar tastes. Great fall projects. I am not much one for Halloween, so I appreciate your creations.
Posted by: Judi Szyndrowski | September 22, 2011 at 01:44 AM
You're amazing Gretchen. I absolutely love these autumn cards. They are warm and rich looking and the layout is perfect. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful creations.
Posted by: Penny Hanuszak | September 22, 2011 at 11:43 PM
INCREDIBLE!!!! I do so love your work Gretchen - you are such an inspiration to me!
Blessings - nmh
Posted by: Nancy Horn | September 23, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Gretchen these are both GORGEOUS! Love love love the colors and the little box is adorable. Looking forward to the tut! Hugs
Posted by: diane oliver | September 23, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Gretchen, Gretchen, Gretchen!! Your fall "ensemble" is beYOOTiful!! I was soooo NOT gonna get this Gently Falling set (I have lots of leaf stamps that I have a hard time parting with). I'm pretty sure these are gonna be mine VERY soon!! Lovely! :)
Posted by: Wendy W. | September 23, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Very, very beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely inspiration pieces!
Posted by: Stef Perry | September 23, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Hi Gretchen,
I love the box you made here. Are you planning on posting a tutorial, or did I miss it?
Posted by: Paula | October 11, 2011 at 03:34 PM
Absolutely beautiful. I am so glad I have this stamp set. Such talent. Thank you so much for sharing. Cathleen
Posted by: Cathleen McSorley | October 16, 2011 at 06:56 PM