Gretchen Barron

Using Up Some Scraps!

Hi everyone -- just a quick and easy card share today, using up some scraps that have been collecting on my desk. See this cool altered Top Note Die Shape? I have a ton of these left from cutting out Santa's Moustache for the Santa & His Sidekicks kits that I've been making. This is what's left after I get two of the moustache shapes cut. So, what's a girl to do? Use them, of course! I sponged color on some of them and them punched out shapes with the new Ornament Punch. I applied a little Versamarker on the top of each ornament and embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. The little string stamp is from the Tree Trimmings Stamp set and the sentiments are from Four the Holidays. Tie on a little of the scrumptious 5/8" Whisper White Satin ribbon and you've got some quick and easy (and fun) cards ready for Christmas Greetings. What do you think? Great way to use up those scraps, right!!!

By the way, I've got a stack of Santa & His Sidekicks kits ready to mail. Right now, I'm pretty much sending them out the day that the order is placed. So if you've been thinking about purchasing these darling kits, now is definitely the time!

 
 Thanks for stopping by today! I Hope you'll come back soon! Blessings, Gretchen

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge -- SSC124

WOW -- where did this past week go? Here it is, time for another Stamping 411Saturday Sketch Challenge! For my card this week, I used the fabulous Christmas Wishes stamp set (this has got to be my favorite Holiday set) and the gorgeous Bride Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's all done up in shades of Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White and Silver!

Here's the details:

1. Layer One -- Card Base -- Night of Navy cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded in half
2. Layer Two -- Bride Specialty Paper (stripe), cut at 5.25 x 4"
3. Layer Three -- Night of Navy cut at 1.75 x 4.5".
4. Layer Four -- Bride Specialty DSP (swirl) cut at 1.5 x 4.25" -- Using sponges or a brayer, apply Ballet Blue ink and wipe off excess ink with a tissue or paper towel.
5. Layer Five -- Night of Navy cut at 1.75 x 3.5"
6. Layer Six -- Bride Specialty DSP (swirl) cut at 1.5 x 3.25" -- Using sponges or a brayer, apply Night of Navy ink and wipe off excess ink with a tissue or paper towel. Tie 3/8" Taffeta Whisper White ribbon and two strands of Silver Metallic Cord around card and make a faux bow.
7. Layer Seven -- Brushed Silver -- 1.75 x 3.25"
8. Layer Eight -- Night of Navy -- 1.5 x 3". Stamp image with Versamark and emboss with Silver embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.
9. Layer Nine -- Stamp and emboss the Dove on Bride paper. Cut out and attach with Stampin' dimensionals.
10. Inside of Card -- stamp flower image with Versamark and emboss with Silver Embossing Powder.

 
So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge? We invite you to play along with the Stamping 411 Operators this week by linking your creation using the Mister Linky Widget on this week's Stamping 411 post! We can't wait to see what you create!

Great Friend Meets Pink Flamingo!

Hello everyone! I've got another card for you today using this weekend's Sketch Challenge, IA109. I used the Great Friend Stamp Set and Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper. What a great, bright and fun look! The colors are Real Red, Cameo Coral, Regal Rose and Whisper White. Other accessories and embellishments include 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder, the MatchBox Die (for the shaped label), Versamark Ink and Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, along with the Heat tool, and Stampin' Dimensionals. And, as you can see from the photo, there's a little stamping on the inside as well!

 
I do hope you'll consider playing along with this weekend Sketch Challenge. I would love to see your creations using this week's sketch. It's easy to link -- just go to YESTERDAY'S POST, scroll down to the Mister Linky Widget, leave your name and the URL address where I can find your card, and hit enter! That's all there is to it!

Happy stamping and have a great, crafting weekend, everyone!

By the way, there's plenty of time to order your Santa & Sidekicks Kits and tutorials! These adorable little character baskets are guaranteed to bring smiles and joy to your holiday entertaining and gift-giving. Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time -- IA109!

Hello everyone! Another Thursday means another Weekend Sketch Challenge at Inspiration in Action! This week's square sketch leaves lots of room for wonderful pattern, texture and embellishments (click on the image to view as larger). I hope you have fun with this one. Don't forget to come back and link your creation, using the Mister Linky Widget below, so we can all ohh and aah over your fabulous artwork!

I've created two samples for you today and I'll be doing another one tomorrow, so I've hopefully provided you with lots of inspiration as you sit down to work your own magic using this week's sketch! This stamp set, Music Expressions, is probably one of the most neglected stamps in the Stampin' Up! Collection. But I love it and as you can see here, it doesn't have to be watercolored to look beautiful on a card! I stamped the image on Whisper White Cardstock, using Black Craft Ink and embossed with Black Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool. I then took just a single Real Red Stampin' Write Marker to color in the little bird! I cut-down the Scallop Square Die (see that technique here) to just 7 scallops square (about 3.5") and used black and white cardstock and some Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's difficult to see, but I embossed the white cardstock with the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder on the front and again on the inside of the card. Other embellishments include 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, the Modern Label Punch and Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Die), the Paper Piercing tool, mat and template, Black Brads and Stampin' Dimensionals!

My second example uses the Level 3 Lovely Flowers Hostess Bundle. Don't you just love the vibrant colors in this Designer Series Paper -- so beautiful and bright! I used the rub-on stems on Whisper White cardstock but put the flowers on Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry, cutting them out and attaching them with Stampin' Dimensionals. The ribbon is 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain (with the Polka-dots turned so you don't see them) and I used the Curly Label Punch and Die. A little stamping inside finishes off the card!

So what about you? What will you create this weekend using this sketch? I can't wait to see! Please make sure and come back to leave your name and the URL where we can find your project on Mister Linky below!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you visit again soon!

By the way, there's plenty of time to order your Santa & Sidekicks Kits and tutorials! These adorable little character baskets are guaranteed to bring smiles and joy to your holiday entertaining and gift-giving. Click HERE for more information and to place your order today!

It's Tuesday and Time to Take it To the Top!

Hello everyone! After a couple of weeks off from Takin' It To the Top, I'm back today with three great new cards for you -- one beautiful, yet basic ... one stepped up a little ... and another that is very special! I've heard from so many of you that you really enjoy this weekly Tuesday feature and it's helping you step-up your cards a bit. Keep the comments coming -- I love to read them!

The set I'm using today is Serene Snowflakes, along with Four the Holidays. The color combination is the very gorgeous Soft Suede, Brocade Blue and Whisper White! For this first card, I stamped the snowflakes on the Soft Suede layer to make my own background. The snowflakes are stamped again in Soft Suede and Brocade Blue on the focal layer. This card is beautiful in it's simplicity and would be a great choice to make if you need to create LOTS of Christmas cards quickly!

Okay, read to step-it-up a bit? Here we go ...

For this second card, I've added some layers and embellishments to give it more interest. Instead of stamping my own background paper, I used some of the delicious Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper -- it has a lovely opalescent look to it that is just gorgeous. I made the card base of Soft Suede and added an extra layer of Brocade Blue, along with some 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon that is tied in a faux-bow. I cut out the large snowflake, turned it 90 degrees, and attached it with Stampin' Dimensionals! to give it more depth and interest. You can see how just adding a few embellishments and taking a bit more time can really add to the way your finished card looks!

And now, let's take it to the top! The layers are the same here, as is the cut-out snowflake. To add more texture and interest, I used the Paper Piercing Tool, template and mat and pierced all the way around the focal layer. I attached a large half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit, using Crystal Effects, to the middle of the snowflake. And I cut the ends of the bow with a beveled cut. Here's your Tip for the Day -- When cutting ribbon with a beveled cut, fold the ribbon in half and snip at a diagonal, from the fold to the outer edges. Unfold the ribbon, and voila, a perfect bevel cut every time. And of course, to make your card really special, you want to add  a little stamping on the inside as well. And that's it -- one basic, yet beautiful card, one stepped up just a little, and one taken to the top with a little extra time and attention.

Be sure and leave me a comment to let me know how you're taking your projects to the top lately! Thanks for stopping by today! I do hope you'll come back soon!

 

It's MoJo Monday (on Tuesday!)

Hello everyone! I know it's Tuesday, but I'm posting my MoJo Monday sketch challenge card today! This is another of those double-duty cards also (I love it when that happens) because it also qualifies for the In The Pink contest on Pals Paper Arts.

I used the Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set and Shimmery White Cardstock and used the floating re-inker technique. The rose uses Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose and the smaller flower is So Saffron and Old Olive. The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations. I used the Eyelet Border Punch, some Rich Regals pink brads, the Paper Piercing Tool, mat and template and some 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon. It doesn't show very well in the photo, but I also embossed the Regal Rose layer and the envelope flap with the Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder and the Big Shot. The tiny polka-dot print is from the Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper. And of course, a little stamping on the inside of the card is always a nice touch!

 
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I do hope you'll visit again soon. My regular feature, Taking it to the Top Tuesday, will be posted this evening so I hope you'll come back later! That's it for now! Thanks for looking and Happy Stamping!

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A New Saturday Sketch Challenge from Stamping 411!

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween! Welcome to the Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411Operators. Since it is Halloween, I couldn't resist the challenge to use the adorable Pumpkin Patch Stamp Set one more time -- I'm going to miss these charming little pumpkin heads! I used Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper with traditional Halloween colors -- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Whisper White. I also used 1/4" grosgrain ribbons and, oh yes, do you see that very stylish jumbo scallop border? I made that using the 1" Circle punch. I overlapped the circles just slightly and then trimmed the bottom of the Whisper White layer to make a nice, even straight edge. The pumpkins are stamped in Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango and Old Olive inks. Okay, now for the measurements:

1. Layer One -- Card Base -- Pumpkin Pie Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5" -- fold and score with a Bone Folder
2. Layer Two -- Night & Day Specialty DSP cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Pumpkin Pie Cardstock cut at 3 x 4.25"
4. Layer Four -- Old Olive Cardstock cut at 2.75 x 4"
5. Layer Five -- Whisper White Cardstock cut at 2.5 x 3.75". After adhering the overlapped circles, trim to the 2.5" height.
6. Layer Six -- don't forget the inside -- look at those adorable little guys peeking out at you!

There you go! Don't forget to stop by Stamping 411to see what the other Operators have created with this sketch. And don't forget to come back to Stamping 411 after you've had a chance to do some creating yourself and link your project using Mister Linky. We always look forward to YOUR creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll visit again soon!!!

 

Another Card for the Weekend Sketch Challenge!

 
Hello everyone! As promised, I've got another card using this week's Inspiration in Action Sketch for you! This was so much fun to do and I love the bright, vibrant colors from the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper. Cardstock colors are Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. I used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set and stamped the floral image on Whisper White Cardstock, using Versamark Ink (be sure and use your Embossing Buddy first). I poured on the Clear Embossing Powder, tapped it off, and set it with the Heat Tool. Next, I sponged on all that beautiful color -- Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry. I just love the look of this Emboss-Resist Technique and sponging on different colors. The ribbon is 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain and I used the Eyelet Border Punch, Modern Label Punch and Modern Label Die (with the Movers & Shapers Die). What do you think? I love to read your comments!

Do you know what I love even more? I love to see YOUR creations using my Weekend Sketch Challenges. So set aside some time this weekend, make a card using the above sketch, post it to your blog or other online service, and then come back and link it to the Mister Linky widget ON THIS POST, giving your name and the direct URL location of your creation. Your creation may end up being featured on my blog next week! But you can't win if you don't play!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll visit again soon!

Are You Ready for a New Weekend Sketch Challenge?

Good morning, everyone! Another week has flown by and it's time for a new Weekend Sketch Challenge on Inspiration in Action! I'm trying something new this week. I'm only going to  show you one of my sample cards today but will be posting more throughout the weekend! I do hope you'll play along this week -- I love seeing your projects and reading your comments!

And now, for my first sample of the weekend I turned the sketch on it's side and came up with this almost vintage Christmas card using the new Berry Christmas Stamp Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. The colors are Real Red, Soft Suede and Whisper White. I used 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Brads (Antique Brass) and the Ticket Corner Punch. The little bird is cut with the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Merry Details Sizzlet Die (don't you love how it coordinates with the Stamp set -- see the inside of the card for the stamped image). I also used the Scallop Border Punch and Stampin' Dimensionals. And yes, of course I stamped on the inside of the card.

Well, I think that will do it for today. Be sure and visit again throughout the weekend to see what other samples I've created using today's sketch!

And don't forget to stop back and  post your own creations using the Mister Linky Widget below. Just leave your name and the actual URL address where we can find your card. We're waiting to see what you create with this week's Inspiration in Action Sketch!