Gretchen Barron

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!

An Easter Cross

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday morning to you! It's time for a new Utah Divas International Color challenge and look what we have for you this week -- More Mustard, Rich Razzleberry, Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake and Blushing Bride.

Now, I don't know about you but when I'm faced with a challenge like this that has so many colors, ones that I normally would never use together, I tend to use them in very small amounts (after my initial panic attack, of course!).

This is exactly what I did with today's card. I began with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and just began sponging the color onto the cardstock, in small amounts -- More Mustard, Rich Razzleberry, Poppy Parade and then finally Blushing Bride to kind of fill in all the open spaces. I love this "watercolor" look that you get when you do this sponging technique.

Next, I decided to overly a cross that is cut from the Lattice Die. I originally saw this idea on my friend, Dawn Olchefske's blog. I loved the lacy, twisted cross that you can find in this die-cut. I glued the cross onto the stamped cardstock and then ran the entire piece through the Big Shot, using the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. This is called the Embedded Embossing Technique and it produces such a wonderful result. I added a bow with long, flowing tails, made with 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Rich Razzleberry (fasten the tails down with a little SNAIL adhesive).

I finished off the card with the Extra Large Decorative Label Punch, the Scallop Oval Punch, a sentiment from Easter Blossoms and some of those gorgeous Satin Rosettes (two of the Rosettes have been died with Blushing Bride Reinkers - don't know if you can see that in the photo). I used the final color of the challenge, Crumb Cake, as the Card Base.

So there you go ... all that color ... in a way that doesn't overpower. I'm really pleased with how this card turned out and I hope you are as well.

Be sure to check out the Utah Divas Blog to see the other great inspiration projects that our Design Team have created for you this week.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today and I hope you come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Easter Big Shot Projects -- Tutorial Sale on these Oldies But Goodies!

I had almost forgotten about this darling Easter Project Set that I created 2 years ago. Originally sold as two separate tutorials, for a limited time, I'm offering both Tutorials for one price of just $6.

 

 

 

 

You'll get one Tutorial with instructions for this darling little Easter Basket and Top Note Purse. Please note that the Designer Series Papers shown in the tutorial is discontinued, but the projects can easily be made with papers we currently have. Wouldn't this be darling using the Springtime Vintage or Sunny Garden DSP's!

 

 

 

 

The second Tutorial will include directions for both the Bunny And Chick Easter Cards, both created with the Top Note Die and various punches! All together, you'll get 12 pages of step-by-step directions and dozens of photographs to lead you through creating all 4 projects that you see pictured!

 

 

 

Please Note, this special sale is no longer available!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you come back soon!

Easter Blossoms with Embossed Envelope

  Hello everyone! Welcome to Inspiration in Action and a new Saturday Sketch Challenge for Stamping 411.

 

Do you want to know a quick and easy tip for making a WOW impression with your cards from the moment they are picked out of the mailbox? Emboss your envelopes with the Big Shot and the fabulous Stampin' Up! Impression Folders!

 

All someone has to do is see and feel this elegant touch to know there is something truly special inside the envelope waiting for them.

 

Now, here's the card that goes inside that gorgeous envelope! I used the Easter Blossoms Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. This card is a big 5.25 square inch card, using the colors of Old Olive, Regal Rose and Whisper White.

 

Extras include the Scalloped edge created with the Scallop Border Punch; self-adhesive Basic Pearls; 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder with the Big Shot. The focal image layer is popped-up with Stampin' Dimensionals!

 

I stamped the floral image with Black Stazon Ink on Whisper White cardstock and then stamped the little girl in Versamark Ink over the top of the flowers (be sure and use your Embossing Buddy to keep the image crisp and clear). Sprinkle with Black Embossing Powder and set with your Heat Tool. When cool, sponge Old Olive and Regal Rose inks in a random pattern. Wipe with a tissue to remove excess ink from the embossed figure. I used just a hint of Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper underneath the scalloped edge and a bit more to line the flap of the envelope, making it even more special.

Here are the measurements:

1. Layer One -- Card Base of Regal Rose Cardstock -- cut at 5.25 x 10.5", score and fold to form card.
2. Layer Two -- Old Olive cardstock cut at 5" square. Stamp Sentiment using Black Stazon Ink. Apply Basic pearls.
3. Layer Three -- DSP cut at 5 x 1". Apply to the bottom edge of Layer Two.
4. Layer Four -- Regal Rose cardstock cut at 5 x 3.25". Punch bottom edge with Border punch. Emboss with the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impression Folder. Attach Basic Pearls to center of embossed flowers. Apply ribbon and faux bow.
5. Layer Five -- Old Olive Cardstock cut at 2.75 x 3.25"
6. Layer Six -- Whisper White cut at 2.5 x 3". Stamp, emboss and sponge as described above. Attach to layer five and mount both to card using Stampin' Dimensionals!
7. Inside of Card -- Whisper White cut at 5" square. I opted to embellish the inside of this card as well to coordinate with the envelope. Such a simple but elegant touch! Click on the photo on the right to view it larger.

 

I do think that will just about do it for this post. I'm so glad that you stopped by and hope you'll be back soon. Please take some time to visit Stamping 411 and see the other great inspiration offered by all the Stamping 411 Operators. We invite you to play along with the challenge by linking your project photos at the bottom of the Stamping 411 post.

Thanks so much for stopping by today for ideas and inspiration. I hope I've provided you with both. And I hope you'll be back for another visit soon! Until then ...

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge

Hello everyone! It's Saturday (well, Friday night) and that can only mean one thing -- a new Saturday sketch challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators. Before I get to my card and the sketch, I want to welcome Kerin Sylvester as our newest Stamping 411 Operator. Kerin has wowed us for months with her consistent entries to our challenges and we put our heads together recently and invited her to join us. So as you check out the Stamping 411 blog in the future, be sure and look for Kerin's beautiful artwork.

As you can see, I turned the sketch this week on it's end and came up with this fun and very spring-like Easter card, complete with grass, eggs, flowers and birds!

I used Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Certainly Celery cardstocks (do you detect a pastel theme here). I embossed the Barely Banana layer with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. The stamp sets are Eggcoutrements and Well Scripted. Punches include Curly Label, Scallop Border, Extra Large two-step Bird, Small Oval and Trio Flower. Other accessories and tools include Versamark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, The Heat Tool, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, a White Signo Gel Pen, my trusty Sky and Cloud Template, sponges and Brocade Blue Ink.

Okay, are you ready to see how I put this all together? Here we go:

1. Layer One -- Card Base cut from Lavender Lace Cardstock at 8.5 x 5.5". Score and fold to form card.
2. Layer Two -- Barely Banana cut at 4 x 5.25 and embossed with the Impression Folder and Big Shot.
3. Layer Three -- Pretty in Pink cut at 4 x 3.5". Stamp the Scallop Border Stamp from Eggcoutrements with Versamark Ink, coat with clear Embossing Powder and Heat Set.  Then line it up with the Scallop Border Punch (hold it upside down so you can see what you're doing) and punch the border.
4. Layer Four -- Lavender Lace cardstock cut at 4 x 2.25"
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White cut at 4 x 2". Sponge the clouds with Brocade Blue ink and the template that you've made previously. See the link above to learn how to do this.
6. Layer Six -- Certainly Celery Cardstock cut at 1.25 x 4". Using Paper Snips, make narrow cuts for grass, leaving at least 1/4" uncut on the bottom edge. Curl using your fingers or a Bone Folder and attach to the previous layer.
7. Layer Seven -- here's the fun stuff. Build your "picture" using punched shapes and apply to Layer Five (clouds) as you desire. The eggs are created by punching the Small Oval punch out of scraps of cardstock (I used Tempting Turquoise, Orchid Opulence and So Saffron). Cut the tips off the ovals at various heights and when you cluster them and tuck them into the grass, no one would never know they are true egg shapes! I highlighted everything with the White Gel Pen and sponged the edges of the Bird, adding an orange beak and eye with Stampin' Write Markers.
8. Layer Eight -- and look at the fun surprise when you open the card! I created this sweet center with the punches and ribbon, as I did on the outside of the card. What fun to give and receive!

1.  Well, I think that will do it for this week! I do hope you'll play along this weekend with the Stamping 411 Operators. Just go to our blog, check out what the other Operators have created, and then come back with your finished creation and leave us the contact information and location. Then we'll all get to enjoy your creativity as well!

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you'll find some time to create!

Abundant Hope -- a New Set for Easter!

Good Monday morning, everyone! I've been doing so many Valentine things recently that I thought perhaps it was time for a break -- how about an Easter card! I created this beautiful card for a recent SWAP that I was in, using some of the items from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Colors used are Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Summer Sun and Whisper White. The stamp set is Abundant Hope. I stamped the floral image in Certainly Celery on Whisper White cardstock. I then stamped just the flowers on Summer Sun, cut them out and attached them with Stampin' Dimensionals. The butterfly was cut using the new Beautiful Wings Embosslet Die (a Stampin' Up! original) and the Big Shot. I inked the edges and the embossing with a little Elegant Eggplant ink to bring out the design a little more. I punched the lacy border with the Scallop Trim

Border and Corner Punches. See my previous TUTORIAL for how to make squares and rectangles using these new punches. The ribbon is some of the new 5/8" Satin ribbon and the polka dots were embossed with the new Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.

 

Speaking of the Occasions Mini Catalog, did you know that I am currently taking orders for Samplers of new Designer Series Papers, Ribbons and Embellishments from this great new catalog? Receive a 10% discount when you order all three samplers. You'll find all the information Here!

I hope your week is off to a great start! Find some time to stamp! Thanks for stopping by!

Wagon Full of Fun

Hello everyone! Don't you just love this little ducky from the new set, Wagon Full of Fun (available April 1st from the Occasions Mini Catalog)? This little guy just looks so proud of himself and the egg-ceptional egg that he's created for Easter! Let's only hope he can make it to his destination without hitting any bumps!

I used Wagon Full of Fun and the Scallop Oval Punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I stamped the wagon on Close to Cocoa CS and then cut off the handle and attached it to the other side so the duck could pull it in the right direction (LOL). The duck is colored in with Stampin' Write Markers and then cut out and applied to the card. His wing was stamped again on a scrap and attached with a dimensional so he could hold the wagon handle. The wheels are Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets. The egg is colored in with markers and DD glitter was applied with a 2-way glue pen. The Egg Hunt Wheel is rolled on the Almost Amethyst CS. The DSP is Tea Party and the Certainly Celery Ribbon is from the SAB bundle. The grass and Sky were sponged using Garden Green and Baja Breeze. I used my own homemade Cloud Template (made from Scallop Circle Punches) to give the puffy-cloud effect. See THIS post for more information on how to do make clouds!

 

I've been busy putting the Big Shot Bonanza kits together and you'll be pleased to know that all kits that have been ordered are ready to go and will be dropped in the mailbox this afternoon! I will continue to take orders for this popular kit. Those ordered this week will ship out on Friday, March 20th, still in plenty of time to complete before Easter. Each kit includes pre-cut cardstock, DSP and all the ribbon and embellishments to make all four projects -- The Chick and Bunny Cards, One Purse and One Basket. You will supply your own adhesives (SNAIL, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots), your own inks and stamps. The DSP is from the Tea Party Collection but actual designs and colors may vary with each kit. Detailed directions with ton's of pictures will be e-mailed to you (PDF file) with confirmation when your kit is shipped to you. As an extra bonus, I'm also including a 6x6 Sampler of all of the Tea Party Designer Series Papers (6 double-sided sheets in all)! Cost for the Kit is $25 and may be ordered by clicking on the PayPal Button Below!

Also available now are the Detailed Directions, with pictures, for just the Big Shot Buddy Chick and Bunny Cards. Directions will be e-mailed to you (PDF file) within 24 hours of receiving your payment. Cost for the directions only for the two cards is $8. You may order by clicking on the PayPal Button Below.

Don't forget as well that Sale-a-Bration is on! This is the Stampin' Up! BIG sale of the year. With every $50 purchase, you receive a FREE Sale-a-Bration product from the brochure (includes Stamp Sets, Ribbon and Papers). Click HERE to see the brochure online!

Have a great weekend, everyone! And remember to stop back soon!

Blessings, Gretchen

Big Shot Bonanza Class -- Part Two

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday! You may remember last week that I introduced you to my Big Shot Buddies for Easter and said they were just two of the four projects that customers would be creating in my Big Shot Bonanza Class for March. Well this morning, I have the other two projects ready to show you! The first one is this delightful little purse, made with the Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz Die, Box #2 Die and the Scallop Circle Die. Isn't this a darling little purse! Measuring 3 3/4 x 3 x 1 1/2", it's big enough to hold sweet treats, a lovely little gift or gift card. I've adapted an original idea that I saw on Becky Robert's blog. Using the Box #2 die for this project (and cutting off the top flaps) make this an amazingly quick and easy project! Becky has instructions on her blog so I won't repeat them here. When you purchase the Big Shot Bonanza Class-Kit-On-The-Go from me, you will receive everything you need (except adhesives) to make one of these delightful little purses (actual DSP pattern and ribbon color may vary). I've used Tea Party Designer Series Paper to make it especially suitable for Easter and Spring (wouldn't it make a great Mother's Day gift with a little something special tucked inside?).

And last but not least, here is the final project for this month's Big Shot Bonanza -- an adorable Easter basket, ready to be filled with your sweet treats! I've made these boxes several times before but when I saw the one that Christine Grygar created with a handle, I knew it was perfect for this month's projects!

The basket is made using 4 of the Scallop Envelope Dies and again, it goes together quickly and easily. It measures 3 1/4" square and it's 2 1/4" high! It's such a great look for Easter or think what a happy surprise this would be for someone on May Day (do we still do May Day? ... maybe we should!).

When you purchase this Class-On-The-Go kit from me, you will receive pre-cut cardstock, DSP and all the ribbon and embellishments to make all four projects -- The Chick and Bunny Cards, One Purse and One Basket. You will supply your own adhesives (SNAIL, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots), your own inks and stamps. The DSP will all be from the Tea Party Collection but actual designs and colors may vary with each kit. You will also receive detailed directions with ton's of pictures which will be e-mailed to you (PDF file) along with confirmation when your kit supplies are shipped to you. As an extra bonus, I'm also including a 6x6 Sampler of all of the Tea Party Designer Series Papers (6 double-sided sheets in all)! Those who order the Class-On-The-Go Kit by March 15th will have their kits ship by March 20th. Those who place orders after March 15th can expect their kits to ship within a week of placing the order. Cost for the Kit is $25 and may be ordered by clicking on the PayPal Button Below!

Also available now are the Detailed Directions, with pictures, for just the Big Shot Buddy Chick and Bunny Cards. Directions will be e-mailed to you (PDF file) within 24 hours of receiving your payment. Cost for the directions only for the two cards is $8. You may order by clicking on the PayPal Button Below.

Well, it's going to be another busy day so I need to go for now. I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll return soon for more ideas and inspiration!

Blessings, Gretchen

Big Shot Buddies for Easter!

Okay, I'll admit it! I'm having entirely too much fun trying to come up with cute little characters that I can create using my Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz Die. Last fall I introduced you to Frankie & Friends, at Christmastime Frosty was a big hit. And now, just in time for Easter, meet my Big Shot Bunny and her pal, Chic! Aren't they just delightful? This fun duo will be just two of the projects (4 projects total) that customers will be able to make at my Big Shot Bonanza Class on March 22nd and 23rd.

The class is FREE to anyone who has purchased a Big Shot Die Cut Machine and/or Starter Kit from me. For those that haven't committed to the Big Shot yet (you notice, I say "yet"), the class will be offered for a $20 registration fee. If you do not live in the Decatur area and would like to purchase a Class-On-The-Go kit, your fee will be $25, which includes S&H. The Class-On-The-Go option will include detailed instructions with photos for all 4 Big Shot Bonanza projects for March (you only see two of the projects here, but all 4 will be great!), pre-cut and scored cardstock and designer papers for all four projects and any needed embellishments. You will also receive a 6x6" sample of each of the Tea Party Designer Series Papers (perfect pastels for Easter). All you will need are your own adhesives, inks and stamps. Class-To-Go-Kits will be mailed beginning March 15th, in plenty of time for you to create wonderful Easter projects for family and friends. Order by clicking on the PayPal link below.

Also available now are the Detailed Directions, with pictures, for the Big Shot Buddy Chick and Bunny Cards. Directions will be e-mailed to you (PDF file) within 24 hours of receiving your payment. Cost for the directions only for the two cards is $8. You may order by clicking on the PayPal Button Below.

New Easter Sets Available Now - Order Them Quick As A Bunny!

The new Occassions Mini Catalog won't be available until April 1st but Stampin' Up! is making a few sets available now so that you can order sets in time to make Easter cards and projects! The following sets can be ordered anytime -- just call or e-mail me or place your order online HERE (click on "order now" at the top of the page). You can view each of the sets and some sample projects HERE. Don't let this opportunity for brand new, delightful, Easter sets pass you by! Hippity-Hop to the phone or keyboard and place your order today!

Item	Description	Retail Price
113196	An Egg-cellent Easter	$21.95
113262	Wagon Full of Fun	$34.95
113822	Eight Great Greetings	$27.95
115421	Ocho saludos geniales  (Spanish Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
114643	Huit souhaits sympas   (French Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
113833	Egg Hunt Stampin' Around wheel	$6.50