Gretchen Barron

Make Way for Summer Smooches!

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators! We've got another fun sketch for you this week!

 

This sketch is easy to do using a variety of punch shapes -- you pick what you want to work with. I decided to stay with squares but I double layered them (1" and 1.25") and founded two opposite corners to give it a little twist! The fun colors really pop on the Whisper White Background. Added to each tiny square is a tiny tulip from the Summer Smooches Stamp Set and a Self-adhesive Basic Rhinestone. The Summer Smooches covered button is the perfect finishing touch in the center! The sentiment is from the Heard from the Heart Stamp Set. I picked my colors to coordinate with the button -- Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeaide, Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point.

 

And that's it! What a simple card to inspire you for the weekend! I hope you have fun with this week's sketch and I invite you to play along with us at Stamping 411!

 

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

 

Awash with Spring!

Hello everyone to the first official Friday and Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge of SPRING!!! Oh my goodness, every tree and bud and growing thing has just come to life this past week in Central Illinois, including the weeds! Yikes! It's time to get out and do some yardwork - ASAP!!!! But first things first -- STAMPING!

Of course, in honor of the spring equinox, I just had to do a spring card for this week! I used the Awash with Flowers and Thank You Kindly stamp sets. The colors are Elegant Eggplant, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White (with lots of Brights Ink colors in the stamping). I used the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and the Labels Framelets Dies. The ribbon is the fabulous new Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon (available April 1st as a preview of good things to come!).

The layout is pretty straight forward, but just in case, here are some measurements:

1. Layer One -- Elegant Eggplant Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to make the Card Base.
2. Layer Two -- Daffodil Delight cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25" and embossed.
3. Layer Three -- Elegant Eggplant Cardstock cut at 3 x 3.25"
4. Layer Four -- Whisper White cardstock cut at 2 7/8 x 3 1/8" -- stamp and embellish as desired.

 

Be sure and check out the other projects made by the Stamping 411 Operators! You'll be glad you did. Thanks so much for stopping by today and I do hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Spring into Spring with the Control Freak Blog Tour!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks March Blog Tour! Our theme this month is "Spring into Spring". What a fabulous way to celebrate the arrival of the most beautiful season of the year!

If you've already begun the tour, then you must be arriving from Jason Caspar's blog! I was blown away by his projects this month!

 

My projects this month focus on Easter. My daughter is getting baptized this year and I've made her a very special Easter card and an Easter memory box for this very special occasion in her life. With the soft tones of Pink Pirouette and Crumb Cake, these projects could also be easily adapted for Mother's Day, a graduation or wedding or any springtime event!

 

For the card, I used a Card Base of Pink Pirouette with layers of Crumb Cake, Whisper White and the Polka Dot Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Paper Pack. I used the Big Shot, of course (what project wouldn't be complete without the Big Shot) and the Framelets Labels Collection, the Butterfly Die and the Beautiful Wings Embosslet. Other supplies used include Antique Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Pearls and the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set as well as the new He Is Risen Individual Stamp.

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Treasure Box could easily be constructed with Chipboard, I recycled a little gift box, covering it with Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink Polka Dot Designer Series Paper. I used the same butterfly medallion as on the card and added the fabulous Pink Pirouette Pleated Satin Ribbon around the edges (this also helps to hide the unsightly seams where the paper edges meet)

 

 

Well, I think that about does it for this stop! I hope that I've helped Spring into Spring with my Easter Card and Treasure Box. Just wait until you see what's waiting for you on the rest of the tour! Talk about inspiration!

It's easy enough to move on through the tour. Just click on the button below to go to the blog of Sandy Mathis!  I know she's got some great surprises for you!Thanks for joining us on the tour today! Happy traveling, Happy Stamping and Happy Spring!

Hello everyone and welcome to the Control Freaks March Blog Tour! Our theme this month is "Spring into Spring". What a fabulous way to celebrate the arrival of the most beautiful season of the year!

If you've already begun the tour, then you must be arriving from Jason Caspar's blog! I was blown away by his projects this month!

 

My projects this month focus on Easter. My daughter is getting baptized this year and I've made her a very special Easter card and an Easter memory box for this very special occasion in her life. With the soft tones of Pink Pirouette and Crumb Cake, these projects could also be easily adapted for Mother's Day, a graduation or wedding or any springtime event!

 

For the card, I used a Card Base of Pink Pirouette with layers of Crumb Cake, Whisper White and the Polka Dot Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Paper Pack. I used the Big Shot, of course (what project wouldn't be complete without the Big Shot) and the Framelets Labels Collection, the Butterfly Die and the Beautiful Wings Embosslet. Other supplies used include Antique Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Pearls and the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set as well as the new He Is Risen Individual Stamp.

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Treasure Box could easily be constructed with Chipboard, I recycled a little gift box, covering it with Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink Polka Dot Designer Series Paper. I used the same butterfly medallion as on the card and added the fabulous Pink Pirouette Pleated Satin Ribbon around the edges (this also helps to hide the unsightly seams where the paper edges meet)

 

 

Well, I think that about does it for this stop! I hope that I've helped Spring into Spring with my Easter Card and Treasure Box. Just wait until you see what's waiting for you on the rest of the tour! Talk about inspiration!

It's easy enough to move on through the tour. Just click on the button below to go to the blog of Sandy Mathis!  I know she's got some great surprises for you!Thanks for joining us on the tour today! Happy traveling, Happy Stamping and Happy Spring!

It's easy enough to move on through the tour. Just click on the button below to go to the blog of Sandy Mathis!  I know she's got some great surprises for you!Thanks for joining us on the tour today! Happy traveling, Happy Stamping and Happy Spring!

It's easy enough to move on through the tour. Just click on the button below to go to the blog of Sandy Mathis!  I know she's got some great surprises for you!Thanks for joining us on the tour today! Happy traveling, Happy Stamping and Happy Spring!

Birthday Smooches

Hello everyone and welcome to Friday! I hope that wherever you are, you are having the same incredibly beautiful weather that we've been having this week in Central Illinois. It has truly been amazing and makes me want to turn my attention to all things outside! Before I do that, however, it's time for another Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators!

 

For this week's card, I'm using a preview of some new goodies to come -- Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper. This is a new item that will be in the new catalog (released in June) but will be available for customers to purchase beginning in April! Check with your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for more information. I've also used Happiest Birthday Wishes (a hostess stamp set), Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals, Adhesive Basic Rhinestones, the 1" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Write Markers and the Lace Ribbon Border Punch.

 

I punched 1" Circles from three different colors of cardstock and laid them behind the circle medallions punched with the Lack Ribbon Border Punch. What a fun and fast idea to add festive color to your projects!

 

Here's some measurements to help you get started with this week's sketch:

 

1. Layer One -- Daffodil Delight Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to make your Card Base
2. Layer Two -- DSP cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Pacific Point Cardstock cut at 3.75" square
4. Layer Four -- Whisper White cardstock cut at 3.5" square -- add stamping, ribbon and embellishments!

That's it for now. I'm going to try to post another project this weekend so check back! Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you'll check out the other Stamping 411 Operator projects for even more inspiration using this week's sketch. Enjoy your weather this weekend and I hope you find time for some stamping therapy!

 

 

Field Flowers Enchantment

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Hi everyone! Another week has flown by and here with are with another Saturday Sketch Challenge for you from the Stamping 411 Operators!

 

I'll admit that I had to think a little about this sketch. I didn't quite know where to go with it until I thought about using the new Adorning Accents Edgelet Die (see my post HERE for a great way to store and use these dies). It gave me just the whimsical and unique edge that I wanted to make this sketch my own!

 

 

I've used the colors of Poppy Parade and Very Vannilla. The stamp set is Field Flowers. The Designer Series Paper is Everyday Enchantment (a Sale-a-Bration freebie). I've also used the coordinating Everyday Enchantment 1/8" Organdy Ribbon. Additional Supplies include the Big Shot, the Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals and Crystal Effects (to glue on the bow).

 

 

 

Here's the measurements for my card:

1. Layer One -- Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded to make the Card Base
2. Layer Two -- DSP cut at  4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Poppy Parade Cardstock cut at 4 x 5", trimmed and embossed with the Big Shot
4. Layer Four -- Very Vanilla Cardstock cut at 4 x 4.75", trimmed and embossed with the Big Shot -- stamp on this layer and attach cut-out flower, letting it flow off the edge of the card.

 

See, it wasn't so difficult after all! Actually this was a fairly quick and easy card. And who wouldn't love to receive it? It's gorgous!

 

Please, if you have't already done so, take the time to check out the Stamping 411 blog to see all the Operator projets this week. I know they will be as excited about your visit as I am! Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you'll vist again soon for more Ideas and Inspiration!

Summer Smooches and It's Not Even Spring!

Hello everyone! I've got a Sneaky Peek for you today -- a look at a brand new Stamp Set and Designer Series Paper that will be available to customers beginning April 1st! The Bright Blossoms Stamp Set and Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper will be available in the new catalog (released June 1st) but Stampin' Up! is making them available to customers beginning April 1st. How cool is that!

 

The bright, cheery paper is perfect for spring and summertime projects and cards! Another Sneak Peek on this card is the absolutely beautiful Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon! It is GORGEOUS!

 

I used the colors of Lucky Limeaide, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Whisper White for my card. The sentiment is from the Pursuit of Happiness Stamp Set. Additional embellishments and tools used include the Scallop Border Punch, Butterfly Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin' Write Markers (I colored directly on the rubber to stamp the whimsical flower images).

 

I used the Stamping 411 Sketch for this week as my inspiration and went from there!

In case you're interested, here are my measurements:

1. Layer One -- Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded to make the Card Base.
2. Layer Two -- DSP cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- DSP cut at 1.5 x 2" (add a narrow strip to the bottom that has been finished with a Border Punch). Add ribbon.
4. Layer Four -- Lucky Limeaide Cardstock cut at 1.5 x 3.25"
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White cut at 1.25 x 3"
6. Layer Six -- Pacific Point Cardstock cut at 2.5" square.
7. Layer Seven -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 2.25" square. Embellish with a bow, punched butterflies and Rhinestone Brads.

 

That will about do it for this post. I have you have a wonderful weekend and find some creative time for yourself! For more inspiration, Check out the other Operator projects on Stamping 411!

Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!