Saturday Sketch Challenge 184

Good Evening to you and a very Happy New Year!

It seems I just got used to writing 2010 and it's already 2011.. That sounds like a date so far in the future! :D

Thank you to all who played along with our blog candy requests.. I read EVERY SINGLE comment and want to thank you for sharing your holiday traditions with me.

Sometimes, this time of year can be difficult for many people and I can honestly tell you, just reading your stories of family, down to the simplest tradition, made my week extra special!

I could never choose based on the wonderful responses for you, so I went to random.org to choose my blog candy winner.


So Donna who wrote "Love this card - reminds me of my childhood and Christmas." has won the blog candy! If this was your comment, please just contact me to pick up your prize!

What a super cute sketch this week!
I used some of the designer paper out for valentines day, and decided to take this scrapbook worthy paper, and make a card!

Clean and simple, all we do need is love, wouldn't you say?

Happy New Year friends!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Merry Christmas ~ Saturday Sketch Challenge

Good Morning and a Very Merry Christmas from my family to yours...

I would just like to take a few moments and thank you for your encouragement and kind thoughts and comments that you leave for me, making me smile, all year long. It really does fuel the fire and keeps me motivated to create new projects for your inspiration.
Please read on to find out about the operator blog candy this week.

I decided to keep this week's card VERY simple. Sometimes, less is more and I'm really in love with the clean and simple style lately.

Here's a cool little tip for you... If you follow my posts over on stamping411, you already know that a 4 1/4" square card can be mailed in a medium envelope for no extra postage, and just the fact the the card is square would mean you would pay an extra .20 cents in postage at the post office...

Well here's another tip... When I mail a card with a brad, or a bow or some other object that is sticking up (like the card below). I flip the card inside out before I mail it. With an object sticking out, they get caught in the postal machines and make the letters non machinable. Just turning the card inside out, gives your card a little insulation, without adding weight. :D

So how about some measurements:

Base: 8 1/2" x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4" (I used a corner rounder on two sides)
Layer 2: 3 1/4" square
Layer 3: 3 1/8" Square

On top of layer 3, I added some tombo, multipurpose adhesive, (the one that comes in the green tube) to add the chunky glass glitter.

I tied some seam binding on around the card and tied a bow. (i used the bunny ears method)

Layer 4: Then I stamped "merry" on some scraps, and punched the heart shape below.. Less really is more!

I'm so very thankful for the abundance of friendships that I have made since becoming a demonstrator almost five years ago. When looking through my "stash" to find something to give as blog candy for this week, I saw this stamp set with the very appropriate quote

"Thank you for touching my life."

and I knew that this was the set I was going to give for blog candy.

The whole reason that I decided to start my own stamping business was to be there for my daughter when she gets out of school, or for her class party, or for ANYTHING that she needs. Many times my family has gone without to make that all happen, but when I look at my beautiful little girl, I know in my heart that it is what I was meant to do.

I am with the right company, at the right time, doing EXACTLY what I am supposed to be doing. I thank God for the blessings in my life, those wonderful friendships, and for the opportunity to do what I LOVE for my job, while being RIGHT HERE for my little one.

I have started a few traditions in my house that are different from the ones that I did as a child. Every year, my daughter and I create a gingerbread house together. This is time that I cherish and I KNOW that my daughter will always remember. If you have time, please leave me a comment and share your favorite Christmas/Holiday tradition to be entered into my drawing for this gorgeous stamp set next week.

Please check out the other operators posts and leave a comment for them.. You may win some candy! I can't wait to read about your family traditions.. Peace and joy to you all. Thank you again for everything...

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 182

Good Evening Friends!

I'm home alone tonight, but thinking of heading to the bowling ally to see my hubby and sweet daughter. This image so reminds me of Alexis, and no matter how "grown up" she gets, I think that this is how I will always see her.

I decided to keep it very simple today.

Here are my measurments

Base: 5 1/4 x 10 1/2" scored and folded in half at 5 1/4"
Layer 2: Cherry Cobbler 5 1/8"
Layer 3: Blushing bride 5" square
Layer 4: Cherry Cobbler 4 3/4" x 1 5/8"
Layer 5 Blushing Bride 4 5/8" x 1 1/2:
Layer 6: Cherry cobbler 4 3/8" square
Layer 7: Vanilla 4 1/4" square
Layer 8: 2 1/2" circle punch...

Wow.. there's a lot of layers here!

This is still really simple with a little embossing using my big shot and water coloring with markers.

When I watercolor. I use an aquapainter and pick up a little color from a plastic bag. I "wash" the color all over the image, then add accents with the straight marker! Easy as Pie!

I used sticky strip on the back of my big circle to attach the seam binding ribbon from Stampin' Up! Then I made a double loop bow with my handy bow maker (made by operator Lee Conrey) and that's all she wrote!

I hope you have time to play along this week! Make sure you check back next week... a little birdy told me that ALL the operators will be doing something special for Christmas.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene

The season of Giving ~ Shelli Gardner was on the today show!

Please click the link below to view the video. I'm so proud to work with a company that always gives back.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Getting Back in the Saddle

Although this card was very simple to make, I really LOVE the message. Simple and beautiful, it gets back to the true meaning of Christmas.

I snuck down into the studio this morning for a quick mojo Monday card. I've written out just about EVERY single Christmas card I've made, and I haven't even done the family cards. I'm a big fan of sketch challenges, and I just love Julee's awesome style.

I was on vacation for the past three weeks and this is the very first time I've stamped. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season. I hope to get to do some more projects today.

The sentiment and cross were embossed in gold.

Have a great day!

Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 181

Good Evening Friends!

I'm very excited to be back from vacation. I'm exhausted and need another vacation to recuperate! I was in bed at 8:30 last night!

We had QUITE the road trip and I still feel a little disconnected, but here goes! Around the holiday's especially, I love a clean and simple style card. It shouldn't take two hours to create a card at this time of year when the hustle and the bustle could pick you up and carry you away!

This is a card that I created before I left for vacation using my digital studio. I'm out of Christmas cards. Sure, I've written a bunch out, but I'm completely OUT! I was thinking it would be good to print some of these and make a hybrid card with them.

What do you think?

I just love the photo... Can you see she cut her own bangs?... She's still beautiful!

Anyway ~ I hope you have a few moments to play along this week. I love this time of year and can't wait to see what you come up with. Click here to play along with the operators!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 180

Greetings From Walt Disney World!

I am off enjoying camping in Disney with my family this week.

When I saw this week's sketch I felt challenged to say the least... However, I am IN LOVE with this card.

Base 11 x 4 1/4" scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 3: 4 7/8" x 3 5/8" (note, this is only 1/8 of an inch smaller on two sides than layer 2. I cut this from designer paper from the mini catalog.

the top two layers were cut from very vanilla card stock... I'll be back on the 8th of December, so I'll have lots to share about our big road trip..

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 179

Good Evening Stampers!

Tonight we have the most wonderful sketch from operator Gretchen. She challenged us with a 3-pane panel across the top this week. I made this card last week for Alexis' two teachers at school. We are really lucky to love her teachers this year! It's amazing to me how day in, and day out they manage to wrangle 23 five and six year olds and get them motivated for learning.

I'm sorry there are no measurements this week.. Truth is, I'm on vacation. Tomorrow morning, I'll be presenting at my girlfriend Lee's downline meeting in Jacksonville FL. I hope that I remembered everything I was supposed to bring! :D

In an effort to unplug from the computer (and actually "BE" on vacation) the next two weeks worth of posts are scheduled. I hope you'll check back to see what I've got to show you!

In closing, with the thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, I just want to take a moment and let you know how much I appreciate all of you... My stamping friends. Take a few moments to hug the ones you love this week.

Rubbah hugs to you,
Selene Kempton

Mojo Monday ~ Seasons Greetings

Last night before I went to bed, I had it in my mind that today I would make a mojo birthday card for my daughter.. Today is her real birthday... Well After seeing the sketch, it's going to need to wait till later... Instantly, when seeing the cool sketch, I flipped it in my mind and saw trees.

I used vanilla embossing powder, pear pizazz and vanilla paper. I'm really in love with the vintage ribbon!

I hope you're having a wonderful day.... I'm making paper cupcakes with the kindergarten class. Then tomorrow I leave for vacation.. I won't be playing with mojo for about 3 weeks..

On a personal note, it's really good to get unplugged from the computer once in a while.. My goal, to plug in with my family during the vacation and stay away from my phone and computer.. Think I'll be able??

I'll be doing a bunch of blog posts for while I'm gone, so check back if you like!
Have a wonderful day.. 1 more day till vacation!!!
Selene~

Saturday Sketch Challenge 178

Good Evening Friends!

I'm so happy that it's Friday! Tonight, I'm spending a little quiet time in the studio, catching up on some design work that I'm behind on.

It seems this time of year, everyone is behind on everything. Let the holiday season begin! :D

Tonight's sketch from your stampin 411 operators is a simple one! I hope you have time to make a quick card and play along with us!

I've been embossing with my club all week, and I thought that while I had my gold embossing powder out that I'd play with this vintage feeling stamp set!

Measurements
Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5.5
Layer 2: Shimmer white 5 1/4 x 4. The upper half was embossed with the vintage wallpaper embossing folder
Layer 3: 5 1/4" x 1/2" deck the halls designer paper.
Layer 4: 2 1/4" square
Layer 5: 2" square.

I took the focal point and turned it on the diamond to add interest to the focal point. I colored with straight cherry cobbler and artichoke markers right on the image.

The cherry cobbler ribbon was attached with sticky strip. A tutorial for that may be found here.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please check out the other operator's amazing creations over on Stamping 411.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene

Happy Holiday, Mojo Monday

Good Morning Friends!

The coolest thing about this card is the white, with off white.. Something I've never really thought about doing. Today, it seemed the perfect thing to do! It makes this happy little guy stay in his chilly habitat.. :D

The designer paper on the 3rd layer up, is vanilla printed DSP on Whisper White.. It's really pretty on this card.

I used the ronald mcdonald house set for the penguin, and can I just say, that I cut the penguin's "to, from" out of his belly, when I was assembling him. So he's no longer a tag! :D


This morning I'm volunteering at the school, then I have a doctors appt, and I'm running around crazy.. This week is club week, here at the studio, but...

Tonight ~ I'm having a meeting at my home for all the people who are interested in the amazing deal that Stampin' Up! is offering on the starter kit! Yes, there have been $99 kits in the past.. But NEVER has Stampin' Up! offered the FULL starter kit for such a low price! Just $87.50 for over $300 in stampin up product! I'll be sending more information today to all my customers via my newsletter. If you would like to get on the list, you can sign yourself up on the right, or email me direct at e.selene@verizon.net. If you'd like to check out the opportunity, click above on the right under "join my team". Before you can join you'll need to email me or call me for my password.

Have a great day!

Selene~

Saturday Sketch Challenge 177

Good Evening Friends!

I'd love to tell you that I am so excited about tonight's sketch that I made two cards on purpose, but the truth is that yesterday was my 10th Wedding Anniversary, and I blew it!

No card for the best hubby in the whole wide world...

Now, I'm usually the one that NEVER forgets, so he had this cute little "gotcha" smile when he realized he got me and pulled his (store bought) card out of the drawer when I was waking up yesterday morning..

Rightly so ~ he did get me this time.. Still ~ all day, I just didn't get a minute and didn't manage to do one yesterday at all!

Today~ I got a picture in my head and started playing... So the card at the bottom was my original card for this sketch, and I wanted to play again.. This time we're gettin down with tess! She's too adorable!

First, some measurements.. The tess layer measures 2 1/4" x 3 1/2", so the cherry cobbler layer right below her is 2 3/8" x 3 5/8". The blushing bride layer is 4 x 5 1/2" and the base layer is 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half in half at 5 1/2".

I used some GORGEOUS vintage ribbon to make a bow, and ran a piece across the whole front of the card.

Oh and CHECK OUT THE CARD in her hand!!! I made the tiny heart card so that it opens in her hand.. Here's a close up.
Notice also the cute pearls on the bag and her shirt (to coordinate of course). I've officially lost 22 1/2 lbs on weight watchers since July, and in my head, Tess is the girl who's still inside me waiting to show herself... Isn't she so cute with that figure? Here's a close up of the bow, I made the bow with a bowmaker from my friend Lee Conrey, then glue dotted it to the front of the card. I stamped the sentiment with markers, right on top of the designer series paper (that's a level 1 hostess gift).
So, I didn't stop there.. I decided to decorate the inside a bit too... He's worth it. :D I'll be writing him a heart felt message. He really is my soul mate and the Great love of my lifetime. I can't believe it's already been 10 years. He is my match in every way, and I feel blessed to have him in my life. God made him for me, and me for him.. (I know TMI). :D

Here's the original card I made for this week's sketch.. Same idea for the layout, I just moved the sentiment to layer over the tree.
So ~ I'm off to the bowling ally to deliver my LATE anniversary card, then to a friends house for her FIRST Stampin' Up open house! I'm so excited for you Chris! If you have time to play along with this super simple sketch this week, just make a card and pop on over to stamping 411 and share! We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Mojo Monday ~ My little girl is turning 6

My daughter Alexis and apple of my eye, will be turning 6 this month.

Her birthday is right around Thanksgiving, so I pushed her "kids" birthday party up to this coming Saturday. When I saw this morning's mojo sketch, I saw THIS CARD in my head.. Have you ever done that? I just KNEW that I wanted to make THIS CARD and get a jump on the thank you's for the children who attend her party. However, it's a lot prettier than I saw in my head.. I LOVE THIS CARD!

I don't think the picture does it justice. Alexis is a very girly girl and likes anything with glitter. This morning, I feel truly inspired by my daughter and created this card for her to be able to send after the party...

I started with the greeting card kids stamp set.. I added a little cupcake to her "heart card" and yes, I cut it by hand. I added tiny self adhesive pearls to her dress and some vintage ribbon to tie it all together. I embossed with the vintage embossing folder from Stampin' Up!

I colored the dress with a blushing bride marker color, and used an aqua painter to move the color around the dress. I added some smootch to the every top of the dress, her hair and the cupcake to add a bit of shimmer.
What a delightful sketch this week. Thanks for the inspiration.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 176

Good Evening Stampers!

I'm so very excited to share with you a card I made for the stamping 411 sketch challenge tonight. For the second week in a row Gretchen has taken a turn at the sketch board. I just LOVE this weeks sketch!

How about some measurements?

Base: Black 11 x 4 1/4" scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: Whisper white 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 3" x 4 1/4" black
Layer 4: 2 3/4" x 4" whisper white.
I used some punched layers from the decorative label punch to make the merry Christmas banner at the bottom (following this gorgeous sketch. I also added some black satin ribbon, and a self adhesive rhinestone for the north star. A clean and simple Christmas card!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day! TGIF!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

Good Afternoon Friends!

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him! Please join me this Friday for a wonderful class, which I feel captures the true meaning of Christmas. At this class you'll make a total of 9 cards (3 of each of 3 designs) to celebrate the birth of Christ. These classy cards are monochromatic and use the right balance of elements to really shine. Please join me for a wonderful night and we will make these clean and simple, but gorgeous religious themed cards. (click on the picture for a cleaner view of the cards).

Date: Friday November 5th 2010
Time: 10AM or 6:30 PM
Place: Selene's Stampin' Pad
Cost: $20 for the set of 9. Need more cards? Each additional set of 9 for $15.

Thanks so much and have a wonderful day!
Selene Kempton

Mojo Christmas Wonder

My little one is home from school today, so I'm going to keep this brief.

I most certainly love clean and simple, especially this time of year when the hustle and bustle of the season is just about to begin. Today's sketch from mojo Monday certainly fits the bill.

I had this set on the table already and plan to hold a religious Christmas card set of cards. I purchased so many of the new christian sets available ~ so I'll be excited to offer a class on it.

I pulled out my absolute favorite color, Cherry Cobbler, and made this monochromatic beauty.

I love the unexpected shape above the focal point and used it as a jumping off point to add a sentiment. I sponged some cherry cobbler on the focal point. very quick and simple. :D

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Happy Halloween! ~ Nothin' but Treats here!

I meant to get these project shares up sooner today ~ and it just didn't happen.. :D We were busy carving pumpkins, trick or treating and giving out candy.I hope you had a wonderful Halloween with your families. Here are some projects I made for my daughter's class (and her teachers). I volunteered on Friday at school and brought them in then.. It was so cool to see all the children dressed up. I punched a 2 1/2" circle from daffodil paper, and used the direct to paper technique to apply pumpkin pie ink to the outside. (so I put the inkpad directly on the paper). I made the below cards for the teachers and stuffed them with a grown up treat. :D

The eyes on the bats are just a dot using stampin' up's uniball gel pen.

Have a great night!

Rubbah hugs.

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Good Evening Friends!

Tonight ~ operator Gretchen Barron took a turn at the sketch board and oh what a beauty it is!

I was very inspired by Robin's post over on stamping 411 this week, and her most AWESOME rendition of one layer cards... So following her lead, I made a one layer card!

I know I'm usually doing measurements for you.. but tonight ~ there aren't any! :D

This looks like there is a little more going on than there is here, but Stampin' Up has made it easy for their customers to purchase pre-printed kits. The stamp set that goes with this is a happy birthday and thank you, and provides a low cost solution for the new stamper. (and for some of us who have been around a while too).

Anyway... I took out the ready made note card. Embossed the bell, (from the Bells and Boughs stamp set) colored it with crumbcake, artichoke, and cherry cobbler markers. I added some top coat shimmer a few self adhesive pearls and tied a cherry cobbler ribbon on... I think the whole thing took me 5 minutes!

I love simple, what can I say?

Have a great weekend!
Selene Kempton

Very Merry Mojo

Good Morning Friends!

I was up a little early because I fell asleep early last night after a turkey dinner I made yesterday. :D I was intrigued by the mojo monday sketch this morning and I'm in a minimalistic mood.. So instead of making a larger square card, I made a smaller one 4 1/4" square. Clean and simple, quick and cute.

My friend Patti sent me a 4 1/4" square card not too long ago and I really have to say, I love them! When you go to mail them, you need to use a standard medium envelope, if you put them in a square envelope, the post office will charge you extra postage. :D

So for my card today, I started with some retired polka dot ribbon that I scored for $1.99 on the stampin up clearance rack! What a steal/deal!

Next, I added a piece of very vanilla cut to 3 x 2" then I took an exacto blade and made a swirly edge. I embossed this piece with the petals a plenty die from stampin up.

Then I cut a piece of red to 1 3/4" x 3 3/4" and embossed again, this time I used the vintage embossing folder.

I have my stamp club this week, and know that the tag set is on sale, so I want to play with that and maybe design some cards around what's on sale. :D (love that!)

I used the tag punch as my focal point and used a few rhinestone brads for santa's shirt, and used a 1/16" hole punch to make sure they were straight. I used smootch paint in silver for santa's belt and popped that up with some dimensionals. Although the sketch suggested 3 brads in the corner, I used two self adhesive bling, because there were only spots for two on santa's coat, and I wanted to mimic what I had already done.

I hope you have a wonderful week! I certainly enjoyed my Monday morning mojo stretch.
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch challenge 174

What a wonderful sketch the operators have for you this week and you'll want to head over and check out their amazing samples!

I went very clean and simple with this week's sketch. First ~ some measurements.

Base: 11 x 4 1/4" scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 3 x 2 3/4"
Layer 4: 2 3/4" x 2 1/2"
Layer 5: 2 1/2" x 2 1/4"

I stamped the snowman from the jolliest time of year with stazon black ink and added some color to the ground with a bashful blue marker. I colored his scarf and hat with bashful blue and real red, adding black at the end.

The "bow tie" bow, was made with Lee Conrey's incredible bow maker (which I love). I embossed the white panel with the petals a plenty die and the big shot!

I hope you're having a great week and you have time to play along with our challenge this week!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

I stamped the snowman from

Busy Mojo Morning

It's going to be a crazy morning... I'm on the playground committee for the school across the street and we are meeting with the superintendent this morning. Before I run out the door, I got my mojo fix for today... I can't seem to put this jolly fella down.

The sentiment believe came from the just believe stamp set, and I omitted the "d" off the word believed. :D I embossed the top and bottom with the petals a plenty embossing folder and used satin and 1/8" taffeta ribbon to tie it all up. While I had the big shot out, I ran a few snowflakes through. The BRAND NEW die in the mini catalog features this ultra detailed snowflake that seems to add just the right detail to any project! I used a two way glue pen and dazzling diamonds to add all the glitter, and just used markers for the color.

Have a wonderful week!
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 173

Good Evening Friends!

I'm very excited about tonight's stamping 411 sketch challenge. I have to say, I {{{heart}}} this card! I really had fun making it, and isn't that what it's all about?

The gorgeous Autumn Spice DSP, is so heavy and wonderful, that you can easily use it as the base to your card. To save on paper, I made my card 1/4" smaller, but I got Three card bases from one piece of 12 x 12" DSP. That totally rocks!

Here are the measurements I wrote earlier over on the 411 blog:

Base: 4" x 11(scored and folded in half at 5.5" note** I cut 3 bases from one 12 x 12, cutting my designer paper at 11" then at 4 and 4" I was able to use this card for my stamp club, and all the members had slightly different patterns. I went through 3 packs of designer paper just for the base!
Layer 2: 5 x 3.5 and 3.75" So I cut the 1/4" off first, so I would have the extra strip to follow the sketch.
Layer 3 was all scraps. :D
Layer 4: I stamped some leftover scraps and made a paper banner. I attached it to my card using the tombo multipurpose adhesive (in the green tube).

I hope you have some time to play along with this very CAS sketch this week over on Stamping 411. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

TGIF!

Selene Kempton

Fangtastic Friday Stamp Camp & Technique Class

Hello Friends!

I certainly hope you'll be in the neighborhood this Friday! Several of you have been asking me for a Halloween class, and have I got the class for YOU!

We'll be watercoloring with markers, and I'll be showing you the "watercolor wash" technique. Learn about the AMAZING NEW Letterpress Plates from the big shot and create the trick or treat bag shown here. We will also cover masking, and make a few 3D's.

When you're done, you'll leave with two small treat containers (filled with chocolate of course), two greeting cards that you can send on to others, and the adorable tote to carry it all in!

Space is limited to 7 people so register today.

Date: THIS Friday, October 15th
Time: 10AM or 6:30 PM
Place: Selene's Stampin' Pad
Cost: $25 ~ please bring your own adhesive (and a refill to be safe)

These projects use the tombo multipurpose adhesive, and snail.
Please email me to sign up for this class at e.selene@verizon.net!

Here's a close up of the EVER so sparkly treat bag and the adorable candy holders! I hope you can make it!Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Hello Friends!

Boy am I ONE HAPPY STAMPER today! I'm headed to the mountains for our last camping trip of the season!

I actually CASED (copy and steal everything) tonight's sketch from a card I saw on operator, Robin Merriman's blog. She had the cutest Christmas tree card that I thought was oh so clean and simple.

The jolliest time of year is one of my all time favorite stamp sets. I'll be doing one of my annual 30 card Christmas card classes the week after next and this is one of the cards! Too fun!

How about some measurements?

Base 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
I used a ribbon in between ~ you could cut a piece 1 1/4" x 4 for this layer.
Layer 3: 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" (note, you cut this from an 8 1/2" x 11 and yeild 6 per sheet. cut down the center first at 4 1/4")
Layer 4: 3 x 4" (note: this one is smarter to cut from a 12 x 12... cut first at 4" then at 3", yields 12 pieces from ONE sheet of 12 x 12" card stock. ) Much more economical! Easy peasy!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

You've been waiting! Here are some of the photo's from Saturday's Huge Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event! I am missing LOTS of people here... and wish I had taken more photos... We had an amazing time and raised:
Over TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! For Breast Cancer through Making Strides. Please note: our online total has not been updated yet... But this is me, handing Jean from Making Strides $1000 in cash and checks! So Darn Cool!!!
So here are some random pictures from the event! Judy M won the big shot door prize! She didn't already have one and has been wanting one for AGES!!! I threw in an embossing folder so she could get moving right when she got home! So very fun!
This is a photo of a few of the participants, and Kerin Sylvester. Kerin was our artist. She designed the 5 projects that everyone made that day.. Boy they were easy for folks who had never stamped before, and they were great for folks that have been stamping forever! Absolutely perfect... Isn't she cute!!??

This is a photo of Jean from making strides drawing our other "grand prize." And that is Becky, who won a WHOLE BAG full of stamping goodies donated by Kerin (above). There were chalk pastels, and at least 5 packs of paper. Check out the display behind Becky.. There were all kinds of display boards for taking pictures and getting inspiration. Scrapbook samples and 3D's...
Here's another big WINNING face! Andrea, won a free night's stay to the Burlington, Hyatt Summerfield Suites. The Hyatt graciously donated that free night stay certificate... When we read the back, we realized it's good for a one, two or 3 BEDROOM suite! Now, when I toured this hotel for the event. I saw that every room in the hotel is a suite with a fully furnished kitchen for up to 4 people. The two bedroom suites, have two separate bedrooms with king sized beds, and two full bathrooms.. They are connected by a nice common area.

Andrea is planning a girls weekend away with her certificate! I hope I'm invited!
This is one of my good friends Joanne with my little one. Alexis took her turn going through and making all the cards.. I think her cards look really good, and she's starting her own collection of cards to have on hand with the cards she made at the event.
I figured out the day of the event that my friend Jeannie (Bean) and I have been friends for eighteen years! She was one of my BFF's when I was a DJ and she actually was the DJ for my wedding. I asked her if she could bring a microphone with amp for us to use, and she showed up with all her gear! We had a full DJ with wonderful mood music all day long! Jean also got in on the raffles and won this awesome candle from partylite!
Our front desk crew! I'm not sure how I missed getting a picture of Tami White and Linda, who donated all kinds of extra goodies to our raffle and was in charge of one of the 5 projects. If you have a picture of Tami at the event, can you email me! Tami must have been running in stealth mode on Saturday!.

This is a picture of her mom, and Stampin' Up! demonstrator Sharon and my mom Christine. We put them in charge of all the money. :D They took care of everyone who was preregistered and organized everyone, greeted them at the door and took care of all of us, all day!
Regina (left) and Christine (right) is one dynamic duo! In addition to being in charge of one of the projects, Christine was our guest speaker of the day. She told us her story and about her mom's fight with breast cancer, not once or twice, but three times. Chris lost her mom to breast cancer two years ago. Her family has been participating in the walk for breast cancer for years.
Here are some more of our lady hero's. Marilyn (top) Stacey (bottom left) and Michelle (bottom right) also had provided projects for the event! Marilyn came up with the idea for a prayer intentions board, which is now beautifully displayed in my craft room.
Here's a bird's eye view of the room during the first raffle (thanks for the picture Kim).
Finally, here's a shot of the prayer board..
Won't you participate next year? Mark your calendars for world card making day 2011 and join us in the fight against breast cancer... Also... I want to give a BIG shout out to Kimberly Van Diepen who put the idea in my head and ran her own breast cancer event on Saturday raising over $6000. She helped me organize the idea over the phone.

I also just want to say... I'm coming away from this experience inspired. The beautiful women that came and participated decorated the room with their beautiful attitude and I can see that energy staying with me for quite some time! It was nothing short of a beautiful experience!

Gracious Thanks To All,
Selene Kempton