Punch Up Your Holiday's with the Holiday Punch Pals Class!

Punch up your gift giving this holiday season with this adorable little house and six coordinating cards with envelopes created using the Frosty Day DP and Punch Pals stamp set! Include one of these 4” x 4” gift cards with each of the presents you give out this year and then package up some treats in a cello bag, put them in the box, and give the box itself as a gift! You could also gift that hard-to-shop for person with the whole set!

I will be bringing this class to you at two times. Our normal Friday night time slot, December 12th and Sunday night December 14th. The class fee is $20 (please bring your own adhesive).

Email me at e.selene@verizon.net to sign up for the class.

Are you a demonstrator and want to offer this class for your customers? Please email me for more details.

Lost my Mojo Bloggers Challenge

I'm feeling like I lost my mojo on this card. I love love LOVE the photo that Lisa chose for us this week, but I'm not sure about the card I designed..

Sometimes good design is knowing when to stop. :) I might try this again later in the weekend.

So ~ Talk to me... What would you change on this card?? :)

Happy Birthday Alexis! DCBD 103

My daughter Alexis had her 4th birthday last Saturday, and I made her this card.

This sketch is by the divas's design team member Julie Semones

I started with some glossy cardstock and some SHAVING CREAM. I added drops of reinker, swirled it around and smooshed the cardstock in the shaving cream. (Like making mud pies). The rest is simple layering. I used a whole bunch of dazzling diamonds but you can't really tell in the photo. This is a simple, yet adorable layout that would be easy to recreate. Want to play along? Create a card using this sketch and let me know about it! :)

Don't forget to check out my friend's blogs to see what they have done with this challenge.
Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel (Mrs Diva)
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

Have a great day!

Weekend Sketch Challenge #67

Nothing like waiting till the last minute to do this sketch challenge. I actually cased my own card a bit. I made this card (further down on my blog) and thought it needed a little something. I really think I like the new version better. I had a blast with this and used it for my marker class tonight. Another terrific sketch from Beate Johns.

Color Inspiration #32

Another Color Inspiration challenge from Kristina Werner.

I was on another website last night and was playing around with Kristina's colors already. I don't have any sahara sand, but she said we could substitute metallic. Hopefully Craft is okay too. Would you like to play along? Check out her website at http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/

This week's color scheme was more up my ally. I gravitate towards reds and white's this time of year. I really have a thing for red snowflakes! I was on Sudsol last night and they were using a sketch by Taylor Vabruggen and I decided to play with that.

My base layer is Riding Hood red, and I layered craft on top of that I punched 4 holes in my base layer, then used that as a guide to punch the holes in the rest of the layers. I love gold but have been using silver all season so far. This is the first time I pulled out the gold cord. I decided, based on the sketch to do a suspension card. I used the 1 1/4" circle punch from SU! I ran one piece of gold cord down the middle of the three windows. Then, I embossed 6 stars from Nursery Neccesities stamp set. I punched them out with the small star punch and used dimensionals to adhere them to my gold cord.

I had a really fun time with this one, so I decided to do a scrapbook page too! I'm not sure that I like the page as much, but it will be a cool addition to the other pages from my daughter's party.

My daughter's birthday was this weekend, and I've already started making pages from her party. I started with a 12 x 12 whisper white base and cut a layer of red riding hood to 11 x 11. I used some leftover chipboard stars to showcase a few of the guests and rubbed a rubon from chit chat rubons right onto the photo in the middle.

Thanks for some great inspiration Kristina and Taylor. Below is Taylor's sketch that I used for both the card and the page. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!

Another Featured Artist Diane Trainor

Here's another card made by one of the mom's at Alexis birthday party, Diane Trainor.

Isn't this the cutest card?? She actually took the time to cut each of those balloons, and tied them one at a time, I called her to ask how she got the silver cord to stay exactly in that configuration and she said, it just stayed!! She tied each balloon individually, then tied them together at the bottom... This one is most certainly going in the album! Wow!

If you feel compelled, please leave Diane a comment so she can see what you think!

Card for Alexis or Mommy?? Featured Artist Karen B.

Sorry that I have been MIA for a few days. I had a fabulous weekend. Alexis 4th birthday was Saturday. We had dinner at fudruckers (her favorite) with just the family. Sunday, we had her party!

Alexis wanted to invite ALL the kids from her preschool class, so we rented a bouncy house place called the back yard party place! It was a lot of fun. I have to admit, i'm a little "type A" germ phob, and this place is extremely clean and well maintained. Opened by two moms.. Just wonderful! We had two high school age girls helping, and let me just tell you, it was FABULOUS. There was not one disagreement among anyone, it was stress free and I think the parents had more fun than the kids. We were able to go in the giant bouncy houses with the kids and it really was a good time!

Two of the mom's actually made Alexis her birthday cards and I love them SO much that I think they were secretly for me! Maybe not, but I appreciate the thought and process that it takes to create just the right card.

Karen B. made this gorgeous card! I don't think the photo does it justice. It is so pretty in real life. There is dazzling diamonds all over it, but you cant tell. I believe she stamped it in chocolate chip and used blender pens with chaulk pastels to color it. She used pink pirouette, and tangerine tango. Great color, great presentation! Wow! Thanks! Was this card really for Alexis??

Bloggers Challenge ~ giving Thanks

Today, the bloggers challenge was to make a project about giving thanks. I've been wanting to take photos of Alexis and her little friends after preschool.

Every day after school, most of the parents stay, so the kids can run around for a little while. Alexis has formed so many friendships. When we leave, she pouts for a little bit. Until I remind her that all the other kids are leaving too!

Thanks for a terrific challenge! I needed a nudge to get this done and i'm so happy I did.

On the left hand side bar, there's a logo with the bloggers challenge members. Just click the logo to go and check out and see what they are giving thanks for!

A Big Award

My good friend Robin nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award! I'm so excited! If you haven't seen Robin's blog this week, you should go check it out for some REALLY adorable boxes made from the sizzix mini envelope die.

Sharing the love... I would like to pass this wonderful award on.

Check out websites of some of the stampers I admire the most (in no particular order):

Robin Merriman
Danny Graves
Gretchen Barron
Kurtis Amundson
Patty Bennett
Patty Chesky

DCBD102 ~ Diva's Coffee House Design Team Color Challenge ~ Just HAD to take a bite

Today I am compelled, when I see this color set, to make a card for a dear friend in need of a hug. Having a team of demonstrators is one of the most rewarding things about my life. I have friendships that will stand the test of time. I also end up giving out advice, that I don't always feel qualified to give. There is a certain psychology involved and when people are involved, I'm really not sure that there is a correct answer.

I made this card for a dear friend who is a demonstrator, who had a rough patch recently, relationship wise. Someone took a bite out of her heart, (I think it was completely unintentional)and it's wearing on her a bit. I don't want to see it drag her down. She's so smart. It's funny that the advice that I end up giving, is the same thing I tell anyone that makes a mistake on a project. Somehow, it seems appropriate when faced with a problem that even through soul searching you just can't seem to fix. Sometimes, it's important to know when just to add another layer of paper and keep going. Can I also say, that I just HATE my own handwriting, but I had NO CHOICE.. (smile)

Speaking of my dear friends. Please go and check out the other members of the Diva Coffee House Design team, (on my sidebar) to see what their awesome creations are with this really funky color combination! I can't wait to see what they have come up with this week! Prepare to be amazed! (smiles) Have a great Wednesday.

Color Challenge #31

I was bouncing around online today and I stumbled across a blog that I have not seen before http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/. The color challenge looks like a fun time and I want to try the shaving cream technique... so, I tried playing with this set.

The colors are Close to Coccoa, elegant eggplant, pumpkin pie, so saffron, and whisper white. Are these colors not YUMM--O together?? I was thinking this could be a good club card for thursday, but i'm really not sure yet. i'll probably decide on Thursday! Have a great rest of the day!

Selene~

Chat and Challenge

I belong to an online group for demonstrators, Sudsol. Yesterday, I signed in for a Chat and Challenge. It's the coolest thing. They have a chat going and give you a card example, sketch or color challenge and you design something. This is what I came up with.

I always have trouble showing how gilttery my projects are. I'm a glitter girl, I'll admit it! :)

If you're interested, the free two-week trial period is a great way to get a flavor of SUDSOL with no risk. Potential members can visit www.sudsol.org and click on the Free Trial link to get started right away. Let them know I sent you!

Selene~

Hokey Family Christmas ~ For Judy ~ Virtual Stamp Night

I made this little bugger on Friday night. Splitcoaststampers website was having a VSN, where they give you different challenges every hour. you have 45 minutes to create your card and get it uploaded. When I'm home, i like to take advantage. It's a great exercise to get the creative brain flowing...

So anyway, I have a really good customer Judy. She was over with her friend one night, and HAD to purchase this set because she said the elves look like her family! She booked a workshop in December and wants to make a card using that image. I think it's a hoot!

What do you think, should i stay with the current sentiment or should I go more traditional? Do you think Judy will like this? I used two punches to spotlight some of the image. I think coloring the whole thing would take too much time and this is a really fun image for spotlighting.. why not punch out the family member who most looks like it?? Ya know what I'm saying??

I think I'm going to run this project for her party but would love to hear what you have to say!

TIc Tac Toe ~ An Interactive Game In a card!

I had this card in my head for quite some time. My friend was hosting a CHRISTMAS swap, and I almost made this card for it, thinking it was a holiday mini catalog swap!

Oh well. I made one anyway. Ever since I spotted this set, I knew what I wanted to do. My daughter LOVES tic tac toe.

So, I started with velcro strips and dots. I took the build a brads and cut the brad part off. I made 12 game pieces to choose from even though you could only use 9 total. The extra pieces are off on the left hand strip of velcro. Each Brad can be removed and placed anywhere. Isn't this cool?

I used the velcro on the back of the brads to make my game pieces. The extra strip of velcro holds all the game pieces. Tic tac toe, three in a row.... Now we can play all the time! I might make a larger version of this game, but i think the card is pretty cool!

Playing around

I just love this set, Holiday Line Up! Plus, I feel complelled to color rudolph's nose with crystal effects! I'm just messing around trying to decide on workshop cards for this month.

What do you think?? Too plain?

When you spend $20 this month, you may purchase any of our rubons at 20% off. Please let me know if you need my help placing an order.

Weekend Sketch Challenge #66

Just playing along with Beate John's weekend sketch challenge. There is a BOAT LOAD going on with this card. What a terrific and simple sketch! My base layer is Old Olive.

Layered on that is real red Stamped with some whisper white craft snowflakes. This looks just like the DSP from the I wish simply scrappin kit, doesn't it?? I tied a red ribbon around another piece of old olive, then rubbed a snowflake right on the ribbon. I love this set with the "word images" I inked most of the stamp in real red marker, and although you cant see it that well, the ornament topper, is painted with dazzling diamonds and crystal effects and is super sparkly. I was thinking that I would like this to be a workshop card and I didn't have a whole lot of "bling bling" brads, so I tried making faux brads with reinker, crystal effects, and dazzling diamonds. That's the ONLY part that I'm not really crazy about. I'll have to find a different way

Awesome sketch Beate! Lovin it!

Bloggers Challenge #73 ~ Color Challenge Baja and chocolate

I had a lot of fun with today's bloggers challenge! The challenge was to use the colors Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip with White. I NEEDED to add a little silver to complete my design, because my ornaments needed some hardware.

For this week's scrapbooking club, I did some out of the box ornaments, using punches and stamps to make some cool ornaments that served as journaling blocks.. It made me think that I could use some Non-Christmas sets to make ornaments for Christmas cards.

So, let's start with the base. I used white craft ink, then poured heat and stick powder on top. Heat it once, pour some glitter on, then heat it again to set it. That made my base layer snowflakes sparkle.

Next, I cut a piece of card stock 5.5" by 2.75" and scalloped both sides, so that my two inch piece of dsp would layer perfectly on top. The scallop punch takes a quarter inch off each side. so instead of cutting the piece 2 1/4" I added a half inch to scallop it on both sides.

Pick a petal is a fun set. Next, I stamped my images in chocolate chip and punched them out with the oval punch for time's sake. I only had about an hour to spare this morning. I cut the ovals to a point, following the shape of the petals and stuck them to the white & dsp layers.


Oh, I skipped a step here.. Before sticking the ornaments down, I used my stampin up wheel guide, to draw the lines for my faux ribbon, with a white gel pen. I drew the lines a little longer than I needed, then covered up the white line with the petal/ornament.. Next, I took my 3 flower punch, and punched some silver flowers. Stick them on with snail, then punch a hole through and add a brad...

And Glitter EVERYWHERE... I added it to the petals, my ornament holders, the top of the brads.. and on top of the rubon. That sentiment is a chocolate rubon from the snow flurries rubon set. Thanks so much for a great challenge Lisa!

Check out my friends from the bloggers challenge group for their awesome creations with this color challenge.

Diva's Coffee House Design Team Challenge 101

I was recently asked if I would like to be on a design team for Heidi Michel's weekly challenges, and I humbly accepted. As you can imagine, I'm pretty excited that she would think of me! Here is a picture of our first challenge.

It just so happens that yesterday was my 8th wedding anniversary (10 years together) to my wonderful husband Brian, and I thought that I would like to make an anniversary card for him. Buzzing around online I saw some cards made with the sizzix top note die on Beate John's site, and I really couldnt get over how quick and pretty they are.

I started with some Bella rose DSP and cut a card base to 4 1/4" x 11" and scored it the long way at 5 1/2". I lined my paper edge up on the sizzix at the fold (so I wouldn't cut my card in two) and ran it through the sizzix machine. Next I used some red riding hood taffeta and tied it all up with a ribbon slide. I used crystal effects, mixed with reinker and dazzling diamonds on the ribbon slide to give it a little pizzaz.

I pulled out this adorable flower set, pretty peony, and stamped a two step image. For the first image (which has a larger ink coverage) I stamped off on a separate piece of card stock, then on my whisper white. I stamped the outline image full strength on top to create the outline. It's really wonderful how you can obtain different levels of the same color, by stamping off first. I didn't think I could fit one more thing on the front of this card, so I omitted the oval, rubbing a sentiment from chit chat, in it's place... Can you see the imaginary oval? I can, I guess that's all that matters.. LOL Right?

I always seem to have a difficult time photographing glitter. This is what my friend Robin has named "Selene's Glitter Edging Technique" Basically, I take a two way glue pen, get a little spot in the middle recessed, by pressing it on a piece of paper, then I "edge" the entire paper with the glue pen and stick it in the glitter. It really adds a TON of glitter, and I like that.

Finally, I added 3 brads following the sketch.

One thing I did notice, when using the top note die to make a card, I had a lot less workable space than a standard A2 card. I really felt that I had to cut too much off. It came out pretty and the DH was so excited I made him a card. Now, if i could just get him to make one for me! :) A girl can dream....

Check out the AMAZING creations of the other design team members by clicking on my sidebar links, normally. For today, since this is something totally new, here they are:

Chris Austin http://luv2cre8withu.blogspot.com/
Connie Babbert http://inkspiredtreasures.com/
Dannie Graves http://danniesdesigns.typepad.com/
Dee Tollaksen http://stampwithdee.blogspot.com/
Heidi Michel (Mrs Diva) http://heartfeltblessings.blogspot.com/

Lisa Freeman http://stampingwithlisa.com/
Julie Semones http://inkedujour.blogspot.com/
Kristen Moore http://sunshinesmilesstamps.blogspot.com/

More Ornaments!

I am having SO much fun with these ornaments! For both of these, I used two different types of paper that was included, made the ornaments individually, then layered them on top of one another. I saved some of the white embossing powder/dazzling diamonds mix to emboss an oval, then when I was finished, used a rubon on top!

I think I just enjoy the process, and how simple it is when everything is precut. yeeeaaa!!!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Holiday Collection Ornaments ~

I got my country living kit and started to make ornaments over the weekend. I like the idea of being able to personalize holiday decorations.

These are much more sparkly in real life. I've yet to get the sparkle thing down for my blog.

I took the chipboard ornaments and popped them out of the precut casing, and then did the same with the matching pre cut paper. I used the tombo multipurpose adhesive to stick them together. Sponged some ink.

Added a little sparkle with a two way glue pen and some dazzling diamonds glitter.

For the little white snowflake I useds something not in the kit. I mixed the dazzling diamonds that comes with the kit, with some white embossing powder. I used the white stampin spot to put the ink on the snowflake and poured the mixture on. Then i just heated it up. The dazzling diamonds stayed, when mixed with the white powder and it really sparkles!

My husband has already told me that I need to purchase another kit! (yea! i get to play some more!) He wants some ornaments for his office with photos of our daughter.

to get the "alexis" on the star on the right, i used a name stamp that i purchased to stamp her clothing. I used the same whisper white/dazzling diamonds mix to emboss her name on the ornament! Now I need a tree! I'm thinking that i need to run some ribbon along the wall and hang them up somehow, until we go get our yearly fresh tree!

Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit

Invite the warmth and coziness of the holidays into your home with Stampin’ Up!’s Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit. This kit has everything you need to create beautiful handcrafted ornaments. You can learn even more about the Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit by watching the video on my stampin up website, featuring Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin’ Up!, demonstrating how to make one of the many ornaments you can create with this wonderful kit.

Kit Contents
Holiday Collection stamp set
Die-cut chipboard and Designer Series paper that coordinate
Card stock
Ribbon and cord
Pretties Kit brads
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter
Adhesives
Classic Stampin’ Spots

Create dazzling ornaments and memories that will last a lifetime! Contact me for more information, or visit my Online Store and click "SHOP NOW" to place your order. But don’t wait—this offer is only good until December 31, or while supplies last!
If you’re interested in learning more about the Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit, contact me today!

Special Offer!
Subscribe to Country Living magazine at a 75% discount and get a bonus mini-stamp kit! Go to stamp.countryliving.com.

WSC #65 ~ Glittering Snowflakes

I've been home feeling under the weather all day. I really took my time and had some fun with Beate Johns weekly weekend sketch challenge.

Now, I have a ton to write about! I guess I'll start with the base layer and work my way up. I started with pink pirouette base layer and stamped the same color as a background with the stamp set from the country living promotion, Holiday Collection. to make the circle pattern in the top left hand corner, I added a rubon from Word Flurries rubons. I used a two way glue pen and added some dazzling diamonds.

For the main element of the card, I used the faux shaving cream technique. Perhaps that technique should be called reverse faux shaving cream because it looks very different to the actual technique. it's very simple. you ink up your stamp in a light colored ink, then run a wheel across to make a swirl like pattern. I did this for each snowflake, cleaning my stamps in between. Then, I used another image from word flurries for the main element and rubbed it on the shimmer white cardstock. This card is much more sparkly in real life. On top of all of that, I did more two way glue pen and glitter work.

Next, I used a chipboard circle from the country living ornament kit. I added white craft ink, and white embossing powder, multiple times. I got it super smooth. Then, I put a rubon right on top of the embossed circle, and yes, added more glitter! I didn't have a scalloped circle that fit the outside of my circle, so I got a little creative. I punched out a bunch of flowers from my trio flower punch and used glue dots to attach them to the back of the chipboard. You know what's coming next right?? I used a two way glue pen to add dots on the top of each flower top. I really like the pattern it made! I just wanted to add one more touch of bling.. SO, I took one of the crystal brads that came with the ornament kit and took the bling out of the brad. To do this, just flip your brad over, open the prongs. Then, grab your pliers from the crafters tool kit and open one of the little notches holding the brad together. Your stone will pop out and you can either attach it with a glue dot, or for the smaller stones I use crystal effects to attach it to my project!

Have a terrific rest of the weekend, and thanks for another AWESOME sketch Beate! I had fun with this one!

BC 72 Same but diffferent ~ Cute Set!

While playing with my new stamp set, deck the halls, yesterday ~ I was having a little trouble finding inspiration with this stamp set. I went over to splitcoast and there were only 22 examples of cards people have uploaded. This card ended up being of my 12 cards for $20 stamp a stack last night and out of all the cards we did, the class attendee's seemed to agree that they liked this one the best (probably because it goes together in about 2 minutes flat).

I inked the back of the stamps with a real red and Old Olive marker and stamped them. The ribbon was tied in a knot, then I used a little snail to fasten it to the red layer of cardstock. It doesn't get more simple than this, but how cute is the layout. Sometimes less, really is more. It took me a long time to come to this realization, but it doesnt have to take two hours to make a card. :)

There is a third image in the set, an ornament, that fits this size layering too. So with this particular stamp set, you can use MOST of the images, using the same layout and/or colors, and still have a different card! Totally cool!

Interested in seeing more on the "same but different" topic? Check out my stampin sistahs the bloggers challenge group's blogs for more AWESOME ideas you can be inspired by. They are really wonderful and your comments make them smile!

Happy Friday! Yea! The weekend is here! (well almost)

Triple Case! Getting Inspiration from many

You just never know when inspiration will strike. This morning, while prepping for a Christmas themed stamp a stack. I saw this gorgeous card on my tack board.

It was a RAK (random act of kindness) from my girlfriend Robin Merriman. I flipped her original card over and saw that it was inspired by her friend Julie Salva. (So there's case number two if you're keeping score).

I thought to myself ~ Self.... "Wouldn't that be pretty as a gift card holder, like the one you saw on your buddy Ann Clemmer's site."

She has a whole video tutorial on how to make these AWESOME gift card holders that my customers and friends are flipping for! (there's case number 3). So I took lots of cool ideas and put them all together.

I'm so happy to have so many stamping friends. You know ~ those who really get it. The idea of getting a handmade card from someone just makes my day and I cherish every single one. The friends that understand the satisfaction of making something when you get that picture in your head and can't sleep at night until you get it done. Well ~ maybe that part is just me....

Below is a quick photo also of the inside. I used a wendy's coupon because I had some left over, but your everyday standard giftcard, (credit card size) fits perfectly in this. And the best part is, you can put it in a regular medium envelope from Stampin up, and not pay extra postage. (unless you go crazy with embellishments and your card is over 1/4 inch thick.

For more fun ideas, check my blog tomorrow. Tomorrow is blogger challenge day, and I've already got an idea! Which is terrific, I'm usually late! :)

Have a great Thursday.. only one more day till the weekend! Woo Hoo!

Invites for my Cupcake

My daughters 4th birthday is the 22nd of this month. Of course, because she likes to party like mom, she opted to invite ALL the children from her preschool class to her birthday party.

Then she told me that I had to come up with brilliant personalized invitations for the kids.

Now, let me just say, I dont work well under pressure. I do much better when I'm out in my studio crafting away. this was a little stressful!

I am happy with the way they came out. I made a cupcake template and cut all the pieces individually. I used crystal effects and reinker to color the cherry, so it's really goopy looking like a real marachino. We rented a bouncy house place/indoor gym, so I hope all the kids from her class can make it. I'm off to go do the other 19, now that I have figured this one out.

I know the girls will like them. I'm going to have fun with all the things i need to make.. Treat bags, thank you cards.. I'm so excited. It's the little things that makes life sweet. :)