Saturday Sketch Challenge ~ 106

Happy Independence Day!

Today’s card is for a sketch challenge over on the stamping 411 blog. One of my bff’s birthday is today. She shared with me that she hated red white and blue as a kid. Where her birthday was on the 4^th of july, her parents dressed her in red white and blue all year long! So ~ for Gina’s birthday card, I chose another summer tradition… Strawberries! I ran my second layer through the big shot and sanded the dsp so you can see the dots. I used chalk pastels to color the shimmer white panel and the dots picked up the extra ink nicely. Then I got it messy… Like a juicy strawberry, I used real red ink and applied the ink direct to paper (and ribbon). I got it all over my hands (like making mud pies and had so much fun.

Happy Birthday Gina! Wanna play along with this fun sketch? Check out what the operators are up to over at stamping411. You could end up having YOUR card showcased!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Red White and Blue Color challenge

I am officially on vacation! I did set up my blog for posts all week, so be sure to check back to see some new samples.

Today’s challenge is to use red white and blue… With the 4th coming I thought about making an independence day card, but I didn’t really have anyone to give it to. I saw something on my friend Gretchen’s blog where she made fireworks with these printed clear sheets, so I pulled mine out and shamelessly cased her! I did change it up a bit. She had red behind the sheet, and I kept mine blue and white.

I stamped right on the window sheet with white stazon ink which is listed as opaque. When you stamp on cardstock, it doesn’t seem to show up, but when you stamp on plastic or other materials it’s wonderful. It dries fast and is easy to use!

Happy Independence Day! See you tomorrow AM for the Stamping411 challenge. I made a really cool, distressed, inky card for my girlfriend’s birthday.

Have a great day!
Selene

Club Card!

I'll be on vacation starting today, but I have posts for every day!

I did this card with my club last night.. Simple and cute it matches my new blog colors.. What do you think?

The colors are Soft Suede and Ruby Red.

Diva's Coffee Break Designs ~ Two Cool Projects!

Good Morning!!!

I'm so excited, today I'll be able to order some products from the new SU catalog. I'll be figuring out what to get today.

I have two wonderful things to share with you today. Wednesday is Diva day, and today's assignment is to make a project using the big shot. I focused specifically on the big Z butterfly die.

First, I want to talk about WHY I have paper butterflies on my wall! Well ~ my daughter and I were making butterfly cards to use up some older products. This year i have just about used all my leftover paper, and I'm making cards up and using up my products. I'll have nothing left over and I feel really good about not wasting my products. Anyway, when we were done, i had a few extra butterflies. So, my daughter and I stuck them together for fun, and we were flying around my living room. When I "flew" by my tree... there it was. Why hadn't I thought of that before! I stuck one butterfly to the branch of my tree in the living room. I settled on three total. Isn't that fun? Something quick and simple you can do with your big shot. Last night i had a bunch of folks here for club, and they were all making comments on how cool it looked. All I can think is that I've graduated.. I'm turning the walls in my house into a scrapbook page!















This next project is paper butterfly pins. I'm making 20 of them for a dear demonstrator friend, Sherrill Graff. She's going to use them as swaps at convention. I know i've shown these before, but they are really cool so I thought I'd share some directions on how to make them. I like to start with a 12 x 12. For designer series paper, you can use a whole sheet. I stick 5 sheets of DSP together using mod podge. You really need to use a heavy layer of mod podge. I put my brush in some water and let those layers dry over night.

Step two: I cut my 12 x 12 down to 3x6" so I get 8 butterflies from the 5 sheets.

Step 3: I lay my heavy cardstock on top of the butterfly die and cut them out using my big shot.

Step 4: Now you can sponge them color them, stamp on them.
Step 5: Add a thin layer of crystal effects to one side and let it dry, then flip it over and do the same with the other side, let them sit overnight and dry.
Step 6: Add a heavy coat of crystal effects to the side that's going to face up and let them dry for a few days. (in the example above, I sprinkled dazzling diamonds on top at this step.
Step 7: Pull the crystal effects back out and use them to glue the butterflies together. You can add extra CE anywhere you missed at this point.
Step 8: after a few days, you can add the butterfly body. I cut pieces of dsp very thin, then put beads on it and crystal effects them to the front of the pin.
Step 9: Flip the pin over, add crystal effects and put your pin back on.
Step 10: After all that work, wear proudly! You deserve it!

So, let me also tell you about why I'm making 2o of these at one time! My friend and colleague Sherrill Graff, wants me to make her 20 swaps for convention AND is willing to pay me with product from the new book! isn't that cool? I'm not the only one! She's hired many of my friends and colleagues as well. She took applications, and studied everyone's blogs who applied and I was one of the chosen bunch!
Here are the others that were chosen.. If I were you, I would bookmark all their sites because they do some amazing work.

1.Gretchen Barron http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/
2. Barbara Dondero http://BarbsStampingSpot.blogspot.com
3.Tammy Fite www.stampwithtammy.com
4. Judy Jackson
5. Mary Brown http://stampercamper.com/
6.Sarah Wills http://sarahsinkspot.blogspot.com/
7.Selene Kempton http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot.com/
8.Virginia Killmore http://virginias-website.blogspot.com/
9. Elizabeth Sloman www.mamastamper.com
10.Marisol Gutierrez http://atouchofsol.blogspot.com/
11. Dawn Bullock www.stampincreations.blogspot.com
12.Sandi MacIver http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/
13.Stephanie Sullins http://owlwhimsy.blogspot.com
14.Susan Shields http://createdwithlovebysusan.blogspot.com/
15. Rebekah "Becky" Jensen www.stampthat.com
16. Heidi Michel www.heartfeltblessings.blogspot.com
17. Barb Slaughter stamper0910@yahoo.com blog in progress
18. Lisa Milliron http://www.uniquedesignsbylisa.typepad.com/
19 Connie Babbert http://inkspiredtreasures.com/
20 Nancy Dawson http://creativewishes.blogspot.com
21 Bethany Keeney http://keeneyfarm.blogspot.com/
22 Kirsten Brown http://imstampinsilly.blogspot.com/
23. Mary Jo Price-Williams http://technostamper.blogspot.com/
24. Elizabeth Hurst www.animalscraps.blogspot.com

Happy NEW CATALOG DAY!!!

Mojo Monday ~ Experimenting with Crystal effects

I'm not sure how I feel about this card.. It's such a cute sketch from mojo monday, I may have to go back to the drawing board and try again.

I was experimenting a bit when i saw some of the shapes on the panel.

I started with the only scallop frame I have by sizzix, it's called "jelly". I didn't have a square, so i cut it down and overlaped in the middle to make my square shape. I cut my focal point with the sizzix too and it was missing something. I painted it with crystal effects, dazzling diamonds and rose red reinker (mixed together).

Not sure if i like what i did here, but that's how it goes sometimes... :) Maybe it's missing something?

Saturday Sketch Challenge ~ 105

It's time for another sketch from the operators. This week is a special challenge with an awesome prize! Head on over to the 411 blog, for more details on that.

In the mean time.. because this card is going to be given to one lucky reader of that blog, I really wanted to take my time and make it nice.

I cut my base to regular card size 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". The second layer (black) is cut to 4 1/8 x 5 3/8" to leave a 1/16th of an inch border all the way around
The third layer (kiwi) is cut to 5 x 3 3/4". For this layer, I sponged kiwi ink all the way around, pierced holes, then I ran this piece through my big shot with the rose dry embossing die. I also sponged ink over the top of this to get the layers of the flowers to pop out more.

I stamped my flower on whisper white cardstock and masked the flower, then I stamped the script background on top and sponged all the way around my cardstock. I pierced some holes on two corners. I colored the rose and stamped the I love you image in dusty durango. I added crystal effects to the top of the flower to make it shiny.

I hope whoever wins this card really enjoys it. I had so much fun making it. I took my time, relaxed and really thought about what I wanted. With a quick and easy sketch, I hope you all have time to play along!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Alter It

Today's Blogger's challenge is to alter an item. I got some of my sneak peek paper and I just couldnt resist using it to alter this cute round box.

I had a yard sale about two weeks ago and found all sorts of treasures that I set aside with the intention of altering and I hadn't. So, this was the perfect opportunity to do so.

This is new Designer Series Paper called Tall Tails. When I opened the package, another demonstrator friend was here, and we agreed that cutting the front of this cardstock would be tough to do. The whole scene is already part of the paper. So I added some tombo multipurpose adhesive and stuck the whole thing to the front of my box.

Then I flipped the box over and trimmed it on the circle. Next, I sponged some ink around the sides. Covering the sides of a round box is kind of fun You just measure to the exact measurement of height, then you can just lay it on. This particular container took two strips of DSP that were 12" x 3" and two more that were an inch high for the side of the cover. I needed another small piece for the cover because it was bigger, but the bottom one fit perfectly.

I cut some letters from my sizzix and glued those on and covered my "chick" in the DSP from the opposite side of the paper (the part I cut off the round top of the box, to use up my scraps. This was so fun!

I hope my stampin sistah Janice, enjoy's getting this one in the mail! I mailed it out to her on Wednesday, so she should have it today.

Technostamper Challenge

I was in need of coming up with cards for a stamp a stack. When I saw Mary Jo's sketch. I love simple sketches that help me to create a card in a short amount of time and this card is no exception.

PLUS SHE'S GIVING AWAY BLOG CANDY AND WHO DOESNT LOVE THAT??

I cut my dsp to 3x4" (getting 12 pieces from one sheet)
Then i cut a base for that to 4 1/4x 3 1/4" getting 6 from a computer sized piece of cardstock. Ran some ribbon, cut my base. Stamped the cute image from the Wild about you stamp set (using markers) and I was done!

Quick and simple and it was a favorite at the stamp a stack! Great sketch Mary Jo!

DCBD 133 ~ Friend-ship

Happy Wednesday! Another cool sketch to work with from the coffee break divas! I really love this boatloads of fun stamp set. It's great to have the smoke stacks coming off the frame. Instead of the bow, I added a tugboat, and I did take the liberty of adding an element for my sentiment.

Last Day of 3 year old preschool

My little Alexis had a rough day yesterday. She realized she wont see her friends every other day during the summer.

I whipped three of these up before school yesterday. They didn't take a minute with the right tools!

I used the heavyweight textured cardstock for my base, and again on the inside to make my giftcard holder sturdy. I like playing with the different sized layers. First a half inch on two sides, (making a quarter inch border), then 1/8" inch on two sides, making a 1 1/6" border. I think multiple sizes of frames adds interest to your card.

Now you may be asking yourself when you look at the second photo, how I made the insde of this card!! Well it's a sneak peek of what will be available in just a week! This is a new stampin up die to go with the big shot, and I know that i'll be using it alot. I buy giftcards so much, because I want to make sure that when I give a gift, it will be used. This is a great way to spruce up a gift and make it look like you took hours on a card that took minutes! I used tombo multipurpose adhesive to stick it all together (stampin up, green tube).

School's out for summer! Now if the rain would only stop! It's been raining here for about 10 days..

Mojo Monday

Another fun sketch from the mojo makers.

Today is the last day of school for Alexis, so I was excited that I had a few minutes to sneak off and make a card for this cute sketch! I didnt have enough time to wait for the crystal effects to dry.

So here's my card! Too fun! Off to a morning ice cream party...

Saturday Sketch Challenge!

Another fun and fabulous sketch from the stamping411 operators.

This set is so gorgeous! I took quite a few liberties here. First I flipped the sketch.

Measurements: My base is 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and then scored at 4 1/4"

Second layer: 5 x 3 3/4"
Third layer: 4 7/8" x 3 5/8"

I had a blast with this sketch and took some liberties to add my sentiment.

I invite you over to the 411 blog, to play along with this sketch and design your own masterpiece!

Have a great weekend!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Determination!

My daughter helped a little making this beauty and this SO looks like her... This week's challenge is manly cards. In my opinion, there is nothing manly~er ( <--- New Word? ) than my darling hubby, when he has is daddy hat on. It takes a real man to play dress up, or do girlie things with our daughter (who has him wrapped around her little pinky). More than that, he takes her to swimming every week and when he's home, he makes the most of every day. That's a big deal to me! This card is perfect for the upcoming holiday. Happy Father's Day to you and your family.

DCBD 132 ~ A color challenge

It's time for another diva coffee break design challenge! Well, I feel like a slacker today! I really don't like being late, but sometimes life gets in the way! I picked Alexis up from preschool and grampy decided to watch her for a half hour in the back yard with the swing set.

I thought "how wonderful it must be to be retired, and be able to swoop in and rescue your grandchild for a half hour" and more importantly.. "woo hoo ~ a half hour of concentration so I could do my challenge card! Thank You Grampy!!!

I went back to my new favorite technique, the reinker float. I embossed on shimmer white and this time used 3 colors, bashful blue, night of navy and artichoke to create the focal point for this fun card. I love that I was late, and I'm making a card with a clock, talking about being unhurried.. Ironic. :)

I wish i had craft reinker. I think that would have added to the look and gotten it closer to the inspiration piece.

I changed my mind midway through making this and decided to go landscape instead of portrait , which means my (embossed) background is the wrong way.... but I decided to let it go (those who know me well would be proud).

Then ~ out of nowhere ~ (don't you just love it when stuff works out) I realized that one of my scallop circle dies from sizzix fit's the clock perfectly! I used direct to paper to smooth ink all over this card in select places, and on the scallops to make the cardstock not so plain. I used my slot punch, to punch a hole at the top of the card, at the fold, and ran my ribbon through the hole. Then i just layered everything together.

This might make a nice fathers day card for Grampy from Alexis.. I don't know.. maybe it's too grown up. Either way, I like it!

Great colors and I cant wait to see what the other diva's have come up with!

Is it Friday yet?
Selene~