Gretchen Barron: An Updated Favorite with the Eastern Palace Suite ... and a great Give-away contest!

Hello everyone! Finally!!!! Some time to stamp and be creative! My Demonstrator Starter Kit arrived with a bunch of new supplies and goodies (and more are on their way ... yeah!). And I had time to sit down and do some stamping. So you know what that means? A new project to share with you today!

Enchanting Pinwheel Card and Tutorial from February 2012

I decided to begin this momentous occasion with an update of one of my most popular posts EVER ... this Enchanting Pinwheel card and Tutorial from 2012. You can check out the link to learn how to create this "enchanting" pinwheel. It's not nearly as difficult as it looks and it does make a striking card, don't you think?

Well, if you think that was enchanting, just wait until you see today's update using the unimaginably beautiful Eastern Palace Suite of products! When I saw these in the Annual Catalog, it immediately went on my "A" list. My eye is instantly drawn to the rich, jewel tone and peacock-inspired colors of the Eastern Palace Designer Series Paper ... Dapper Denim, Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide ... YUM! Then you add in the fabulous Eastern Beauty Stamp Set with its frames and shapes and wonderful sentiments with the absolute perfect font! Then, on top of that, there are the Eastern Medallions Thinlit Dies ... 14 detailed die shapes which work together to make literally hundreds of unique combinations which will thrill the eye. I mean, seriously, this die set is AMAZING! It not only cuts but embosses as well. And when you cut the shapes from Foil Cardstock or Glitter Paper .... be still my heart! And then, as if that weren't enough, top it off with unbelievable embellishments .. Mini Tassels and Gold Vinyl Stickers ... Oh my, Stampin' Up!, what are you doing to me?

Okay, okay, enough said ... are you ready for the big reveal? Drum roll please ....

Click HERE for all the details and a mini-tutorial on how to create this card!

Have fun creating this Eastern Palace Pinwheel Card -- a modern twist on a classic favorite!

Notice how the Gold Vinyl Sticker border on the inside of the card peeks through to the front!

Gently fold up the scored points of the medallion to create this awesome 3-D effect!

You can download and print a copy of the supply list for this project HERE.

Download and print a PDF of Basic Stampin' Supplies that every crafter should have on hand HERE

~~ INSPIRATION IN ACTION CONTEST ALERT!!!! ~~

Now, I promised you that from time to time I would also show you some of the amazing quilted and sewn items that I've been creating and selling at my ETSY store! I just LOVE it when things come together, ideas collide and projects coordinate! One of my favorite color combinations of all time are these beautiful, peacock-inspired, rich jewel tone colors! Well, just look at this Hanging Peacock Towel that I've created. Don't you just love that embroidered watercolor Peacock feather? And the rich, gold accented peacock fabric used in the topper? And just what if ... what if you were to purchase this towel from my Etsy store to give as a gift (or keep for yourself) and team it up with this Eastern Elegance Pinwheel Card. Don't you think that would be an impressive gift? I mean, how can the two be any more perfectly coordinated, right? And the fact is, I made the first one of these towels almost two years ago. I had no idea that Stampin' Up! would create the Eastern Palace Suite with its beautiful colors and gold embellishments. Who knows ... maybe they saw my Etsy store and got the idea from me (yeah, right!). If you're interested in purchasing this towel or shopping among the hundreds of other unique, hand-made items items for sale there, click HERE

I promised you contests and prizes and that is exactly what I'm going to offer you today!!!

One very LUCKY winner will receive both of these items ... the Hanging Peacock Towel and the Eastern Palace Pinwheel Card from ME! But you need to follow the following directions carefully and do everything I ask (it's really not hard). Once you complete the following (don't skip anything), you will be registered for the prize drawing. One lucky winner will be randomly selected from those that do the following:

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I moderate my comments (too much junk out there otherwise), so your comment won't appear immediately but once I approve it, you'll be able to see it.
Pin this Blog post to one of your Pinterest Boards.
Go to my Facebook page and click "like" on the post that highlights this contest (and while you're there, if you want to be my FB friend, send me off a request!)
Share my Facebook post to your own Facebook page.

That's it -- comment, pin, like and share! It shouldn't take more than a minute or two to do all four tasks and then you'll be entered in this fabulous giveaway! I'll give you a full week to enter the contest. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive both the Hanging Peacock Towel and the Eastern Elegance Pinwheel Card next Sunday, August 20th at 10 PM (Central Daylight Time).

Ready to Shop? Below are listed all the Stampin' Up! products used to make this project. Simply scroll through the images and click on any that you would like to purchase. You will automatically be transported to my Online Store where you can shop to your hearts content, 24-7!

Don't forget to use this month's HOSTESS CODE to place an order between $75-$149 and to receive this months appreciation gift (sent to you separately from your order).
Do not use the hostess code if your order is $150 or more ... you will automatically receive hostess credits and free products (of your choosing) from Stampin' Up! And you'll still receive the extra appreciation gift (sent to you separately) from me!
And, as always ... keep track of all your purchases that you make from me on this handi-dandy TRACKING FORM. When you accumulate 10 Inspiration Hearts, you'll receive a FREE $25 shopping spree from my online store -- a gift from me to let you know how much I value and appreciate you as a loyal customer!
Does something catch your eye but you're not ready to purchase it yet? No problem, add it to your WISH LIST!