Saturday Sketch Challenge 153

Happy Memorial Day. Thank you to all those who put themselves in harms way to protect our way of life, our selves and our children.

It just occurred to me that it's probably not such a great idea to create my stamping 411 card SO early that I post my card after the holiday that it was intended. :)

Not that it matters too much, this card could be really used for any occasion and is sporting my signature brad bow. So ~ I guess it's not so bad that it says happy Mothers Day. :)

In fact, you could probably choose almost any sentiment from the teeny tiny wishes, less fathers day, and you'd be pretty close!

This card uses my retiring BFF, bordering blue and the greenhouse garden stamp set, stamped with bordering blue and rich razzleberry. I know if you read my blog often, YOU know how much I'm going to miss this color combo.

I used the polka dot embossing folder for the 3rd layer.

Stamp Sets: 113824 Greenhouse Garden, 115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp set
Ink: 102265 Bordering Blue and 115658 Rich Razzleberry inkpads
Cardstock and measurements:
Base: Rich Razzleberry cardstock 11 x 4 ¼”, scored and folded in half at 5.5”
Layer 2: Bordering Blue 3 7/8” x 5 1/8”
Layer 3: Whisper white 3 ¾” x 5 (note**layer 2 is 1/8” larger than layer 2… just count two linesover on your 16 line papercutter. ~ I also pre ran this through the bigshot (for time reasons)
and used the polka dot embossing folder from the mini catalog.
Layer 4: 3 1/8” x 4 1/8” (cut from an 8 ½ x 11 piece, you net 6 for one piece)
Layer 5: 3x4” whisper white
Layer 6: Rich Razzleberry Scraps used for Modern Label Punch (116630)
Layer 7: Sentiment of your choice, stamped in rich razzeberry and punched with the word
window punch 105090.
Extras: Snail adhesive (for the ribbon), paper snips, word window punch, Modern Label Punch,
110755 tombo multipurpose adhesive, Mat Pack, Clear Rhinestone Brads 113114

I'll be leaving for a mini vacation Friday morning. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and time to maybe play along with one of the challenges we have going on over on the 411 site. Patti's color challenge and the weekly simple Saturday Sketch challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene

Stamping 411 Reveal... Name that card. :)

Here we go! First, I posted Connie Babbert's card this week and Patti was right, she posted my card! Here is my creation for stamping 411 this past week.
Did you guess this was my work? :) I created a similar card for my masculine class last week, and converted the supplies that were already cut to make this fun and masculine birthday card.

Good Luck on winning some of the stamping 411 loot! :)

Stamps: 118084 Birthday BlockInk: 101406 Black Stazon Ink Pad, markers, 100052 real red and 100077 summer sun
Paper: 100730 Whisper white, 102851 basic black, 102482 real red
Accessories: 114348 Basic jumbo grommets, 110755 tombo multipurpose adhesive (to attach the grommet and everything but the ribbon), 104332 snail adhesive (for the ribbon), 117285 black satin ribbon.

For a little more fun, I'll let you in, that the operators had no idea who's card was who's.. Here are their guesses and the actual answers. :) too Funny!

So the names across the top is who was guessing, and the actual is on the end! :)
Hopefully on your screen you're seeing this is one chart. Blogger is being funny about this today.

Here are the guesses from the operators and the actual answers on who made what card. :)

Connie's	Lee's	Kerin	Patti	Tiffany	Robin	Gretchen	Actual
1. Patti	1 Selene	1. Patty	1.Patti	1-Patti	1 - Patti	1. Selene	Patti
2. Gretchen	2 Gretchen	2. Robin	2. Robin	2-Connie	2 - Selene	2. Gretchen	Gretchen
3. Selene	3 Kerin	3. Selene	3. Connie	3-Robin	3 - Me	3. Robin	Robin
4. Robin	4 Robin	4. Kerin	4. Kerin	4-Kerin	4 - Lee	4. Kerin	Kerin
5. Lee	5 Lee	5. Lee	5. Lee	5-Lee	5 - Kerin	5. Lee	Lee
6. Tiffany	6 Tiffany	6. Tiffany	6. Tiffany	6-me	6 - Tiffany	6. Tiffany	Tiffany
7. Kerin	7 Connie	7. Gretchen	7. Selene	7-Selene	7 - Connie	7. Connie	Selene
8. Connie	8 Patti	8. Connie	8. Gretchen	8-Gretchen	8 - Gretchen	8. Patti	Connie

Featured Artist Regina M

Good Afternoon Friends!

Today I'd like to share this gorgeous card with you made by my good friend Regina.

(re)Gina is so darn talented. Here she used very vanilla, cameo coral and ruby red. Some of these colors are going out at the end of the month. To read more about that, you can check out this post.

The Cameo Coral base measures 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" and is scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: Very Vanilla 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: Cameo coral 4 1/4" x 3 1/4"
Layer 4: very Vanilla 3 x 4
She cut out several of the flowers from the Vintage Vogue Stamp set (one of my favorites) and stuck them together. I don't think the picture does it justice.

She used the distressing tool from the cutter kit to rough up all the edges and added lots of glitter and a few brads for effect. What could be better!

Gina is one of the most talented ladies I know (and yippee, she's a part of my team). :)

Happy Tuesday!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

There's a few days left to get your copy of two technique video's for FREE when you join the stampin up family! (a $42 value) If you join my team, you'll get the opportunity to do card swaps monthly and get personal training. There are actually a few specials ending at the end of the week. For more information you can go to my web address here, or email me at e.selene@verizon.net

Supplies Used
Stamps: 118598 Vintage Vogue Stamp set (clear mount)
Ink: 102259 Ruby Red Ink Pad, 103035 Cameo Coral Ink Pad
Paper: 100475 Cameo Coral Paper, 101650 Very Vanilla Paper
Accessories: 106958 Cutter Kit, 110755 Tombo Multipurpose Adhesive, 100425 Two way glue pen (to apply the glitter), 102023Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 109026 Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon

Click here to shop 24/7 (then click shop now in the upper right hand corner).

Monday Morning Mojo

Good Morning Friends!

I'm still thinking about what to do for club this week. I don't like coming so close to the wire. I need to remember to keep it simple. My gals like the simple ones better. :) While this one would take too long for my one hour club meetings, I'm really in love with this card.

This one was a little difficult to photograph this morning. I have great lights for crafting in the studio, but I kept catching a glare on the glossy paper. So I took this one out on the front steps to photograph it. I'm thinking the black little clip on the left might be lost in this photo... It's ever so cute and the card needed something there (just like the sketch) but I didn't want to put some huge embellishment either. The hubby is home this morning, and he likes it. :) that's always cool.

I started by using some Bordering Blue and Rich Razzleberry reinkers on a baby wipe. I drew a line with them, and I left a big white gap between my colors. Maybe 2"? Then I inked up a brayer and rolled the color on my glossy card stock. I picked up my brayer in between, and just kept going over it in between. I've seen some folks in class go back and forth like a rolling pin, but I push across my cardstock, pick up the brayer, and then push again from the starting point. That way, if there is any imperfections, they'll get taken care of on one of my pushing swipes. :) Next I added the tree line from the Nature Silhouettes stamp set. I stamped that and the mighty Elk in Black Stazon Ink. For the background I found some older DSP hanging out and just waiting for this card.

I love plain black and white dsp, because it matches everything.. Well, almost everything.. I love this color combination, and have already ordered multiple packs of bordering blue for when it retires. It's the ONE color I'm going to really miss. Maybe baja will work in it's place?

I'm planning on doing a tutorial at some point for my friend Lee Conrey's bowtie style bow. I really love it on anything masculine and I'm thinking I may have to make a few for build a bear cutouts with my daughter later this week. It's the last week of school, so I'll be back on full time mommy duty next week.

I'm really chatty this morning ey? I need to get back in the studio and stamp something simple. What a wonderful way to start the week. Thank you to the crew at mojo Monday.. Fantastic Sketch!

Supplies Used
Stamps: 111542 Nature Silhouettes, 115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: 101406 Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad, 100940 Bordering Blue Reinker, 115664 Razzleberry Reinker
Paper: 102851 Basic Black, 102630 Bordering Blue, 115316 Rich Razzleberry, 100730 Whisper white, 102599 glossy white paper
Accessories: 117285 Black Satin Ribbon, 109857 Mini Library Clips, Embossing Folder, 112208 Curly Label Punch, 110755 tombo multipurpose adhesive, 104332 Snail Adhesive, 102395 Brayer

Also, please note that Only Orange and Sage Shadow 8 1/2 x 11" and sage shadow 12 x 12 are completely gone and will not be available any longer. Due to higher than anticipated demand, I expect that this list is going to grow very quickly.

To check out what's coming and what will be no longer available very soon, you can click here.

The clearance rack items also come and go on a daily basis, and some items are up to 60% off the original price.

If you need to place an order, click here, then "shop now" in the upper right hand corner.

Have a great week!
Selene Kempton

The Sweetest Thing Sketch ~ Bow Study

Hello Everybody!

I have stamp club here this week, and I'm just playing. I recently found a sketch challenge blog called Sweet Sunday. I thought this sketch was kind of neat with the background and the three elements on the left hand side.

I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with my friend Lee Conrey yesterday. She has the cutest little bows, that she taught me how to tie, with no visual, over the phone. God bless her. :)

Although I felt like a slow student, she was patient and walked me through the process. I'm going to need to do a tutorial at some point, but for now, I just want to play with them... And play I have! I've made about 100 of these cute bows since.. I just cant stop myself. LOL

I most certainly want to come up with a card for club that will incorporate this bow. I will say, this is all tied on the one piece of ribbon, and it doesn't use much ribbon at all in fact. I thought it might be kind of fun to try and do three in a row. I really had a blast. I just love the sketch. This card is much more sparkly in real life, I hope the photo does it justice. It's really adorable in real life.

We're gonna need a tutorial for this one.. it's so simple and pretty.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 152 ~ Happy Anniversary and BIG LOOT BLOG CANDY

I've got card number 8, submitted by another stamping 411 operator... Can you guess which one of my girlfriends made this sweet creation?

There is HUGE Blog candy over at the 411 site that you can win, by playing along, playing the guessing game with us!

I dont want to say too much and give it away, and since I'm the only one who knows who's card is who's this week... I feel a responsibility... but I so hate to keep secrets.. ;)

I'm going to try some measurements here.

This talented girlfriend started with a bashful blue base.

Base: bashful blue 8 1/2" x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4"
layer 2: Kraft 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: DSP 4 x 2"
Night of navy ribbon, and then night of navy card stock used in the big shot first to cut the cute envelope, then to emboss it!

It's so fitting that I ended up posting this person's card... I've been playing with masculine cards all week, and this one really looks masculine to me! Wonderful card girlfriend!

You should go check it out! It's going to be a fun week!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Sketch challenge

I {heart} sketch challenges, and this one by our list mom Lisa Somerville is a beauty!

I used this sketch for a card that I used last night as part of my masculine card class. We all determined, that glitter was perfectly okay on a man card, when it was to show paint on a car or motorcycle! :)

To make the mix, I start with a big glob of crystal effects, and add one drop of reinker, then I added dazzling diamonds glitter to the mix and just use the mixture to paint it on.

I used an aqua painter to pull some of the night of navy ink across the page, and painted my paint with the crystal effects ~ and that's all folks!

Those big honkin brads are fantastic on a guy card.. they look like hubcaps to me! :) I really loved this sketch and can't wait to see what the other bloggers challenge girls are up to this week!

(((rubbah hugs)))
Selene Kempton

My Dream Trip ~ A Heartfelt Request

Good Morning Friends,

This is a card that I cased, and changed up a bit. The original was created by my good friend Suzie Wood. She's such a talented artist. I changed her colors a bit and used this one for my stamp club last month. It was one of their favorites!

I've never really considered myself a sales person. For those of you who know me well.. you know only too well, that I will stop you from buying something you don't actually need. :) It's just who I am.

Over the next month, I'm going to be asking for help from everyone who knows me and who likes to do paper crafts.

For those of you that read my blog, and share with me in my artwork... I thank you..
I really do put my heart and soul into my work as a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I share all that I do, with anyone that asks freely...

For as long as I can remember, my husband and I have dreamed about going to Alaska... and this year, we've had some financial challenges but I've managed to keep my stamping business (and myself) afloat, and I managed to turn a VERY modest profit this year.

Part of what has kept me afloat was my friends... Thank GOD for all my stamping friends... Demonstrators, customers and just friends, please know that I love you all very much.

This morning, Stampin' Up announced double points for the incentive trip to Alaska. What that means for me, is that I would have to sell half as much between now and the end of June to earn the trip which **to me** seems like an astronomical amount all together, but broken down, it almost seems doable.

This morning I was on the phone with my friend Robin, and WE collectively decided to try. She actually told me that I was going to do it... Still unsure how to complete such a task, I guess I just am going to ask.

Would you help me attain my dream?

So ~ here's what I need... I need to close Fifty ~ $150 parties, between now and the end of June (that means if you collect $150 in orders for me, you get the hostess benefits) Or I need to collect 160 $50 orders or any combination thereof. However it works out, if there are hostess benefits attached, I will give them back to you (of course).

There is no possible way, in the position that I am in, that I could do this alone. I will be calling everyone I know and asking for help. If you feel supported by me creatively and would like to place an order, or do a party in the next 30-40 days, please contact me. You can shop online 24 hours a day 7 days a week at my website.

Although I rarely post links to my online store, I'm going to try it! And I'm going to try and earn Alaska.

Click here, then click "shop now" in the upper right hand corner to see if there's anything that you might want or need, and help me at the same time. If you've been waiting to buy your big shot, now would be an awesome time!

Thank you in advance for your support. If I can do this, it would surprise me. Either way, I thank you for being a part of my life. ((((hugs))))

Selene Kempton

Manly Cards

I saw an adorable card, over on Mary Fish's blog that showed a black satin ribbon tied in a tie like today's card. I have a masculine card class at my home tomorrow night, and I was inspired by Mary's cute card here.

I quickly realized that I do not know how to tie a man's tie.. So I googled it and found this awesome site. http://www.tie-a-tie.net.

Then, I was off and running. I think the number one rule for "guy" cards is to keep the embellishments to a minimum. My husband always says... what did you use that for??? it's too much!!! So ~ I take his advice when creating manly inspired cards..

So ~ What do you think about this? Do you think my class will like this one tomorrow night? If you would like to join us just pop me an email at e.selene@verizon.net.

Rubbah hugs and have a great Wednesday
Selene Kempton

It was 1980 something.....

When I imagined my vibrant colored card against black ~ I flashed back this morning... It was 1980 something and we all wanted to stand out under the black light. We were headed to the dance and I found one "only orange colored" shirt and had to buy it in all the hot colors like "Green Galore" and "Pixie Pink". Yep, back then, the brighter the better! Back in the days of "Wham and Boy George" and then this card ~ just sort of happened!

I was playing with the sweet Sunday sketch challenge that I ran across a few of my friends playing on and it just sort of happened. My goodness... my card is hysterical! I made an 80's card! I'm smiling from ear to ear, and thinking of high school... Can you believe they are playing all those songs in with the oldies now? Gheesh..... Funny how life is so different now.

Awesome sketch, and I certainly had fun with it. I had a blast with this one and I hope my card makes you smile.

Patriotic Mojo

There's a GREAT SKETCH from the artists over on mojo Monday this morning. I'm feeling patriotic this morning. I'm getting ready to send a box of cards to a family member overseas in Iraq.

I've always been a big supporter of the troops with regards to sending cards through a local organization. Now, it's coming a little closer to home. I'm working on a box that's going directly to a family member over there. He's a doctor in a hospital, so I'm sure he'll come across people who would like to write a personal note home to a loved one.

I'm thinking I might put a thank you note to him in this card (for protecting our freedom) and send well wishes for his journey over there. He just started is tour of duty there, so he's going to be there for a bit.

This one is for him, and his wonderful wife and children... who go without him every day and night.

Have a great week!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Summer Mini Sudsol Blog Tour ~ Stop 16

Good Morning and welcome to the first ever SUDSOL Blog Tour!

My name is Selene Kempton, I have been a demonstrator for four wonderful years and a SUDSOL member for about two years.


I have six beautiful, but simple and reproducible samples for you share with you today. They all use the Island Oasis Designer Series Paper from the summer mini catalog.
And a BONUS!!!, I've got measurements for you.

I used markers to stamp and color ALL the images and used an aqua painter to blend the colors.

Project 1: It's Saturday, and I could use a coconut drink (lol) ~ shown above
This first project use the Tropical Party Stamp set and the happy birthday stamp is from king of the grill, both in the summer mini.

Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"Layer 2: 3 1/4" x 4 1/4, tempting turquoise
Layer 3: two pieces of DSP 2 x 4 (green pattern) 1 x 4 (tropical pattern)
I used a 1 3/4" white circle for layer 4, and cut my drink out. The button is threaded with 8" of linen thread which I tied in a bow. Then I used a glue dot to attach the button and dimensionals to attach the drink.


Project 2: Watercolor Bouquet
Uses the Bouquet Bunch stamp set (page 21 of the summer mini). I used markers and an aqua painter to watercolor the vase image, and a chocolate chip marker to stamp the happy birthday. Clean simple and adorable!

Base: Kraft color 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 2 x 5 1/2" striped DSPLayer 3: 4 1/4" x 1 1/4" old olive
Layer 4: 4 x 1 striped DSP (lined up to match like spotlighting)
10" strip of whisper white taffeta ribbon, tied in a bow
Layer 5: 2 1/4" square, tempting turquoise
Layer 6: 2 1/8" square watercolor paper



Project 3: Blissful Bride Card
This one uses the blissful bride stamp set, water colored with turquoise marker and an aqua painter. Your measurements are below.
Base: Kraft color 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" tempting turquoiseLayer 3: 5" x 3 3/4", whisper white
Layer 4: 4 1/4" x 1 1/4" polka dot Designer paper
10" strip of whisper white taffeta ribbon, tied in a bow, and a filigree brad
Layer 5: craft paper stamped with the word bliss



Project 4: Fathers Day Card
This one is my FAVORITE card of the set that I made. It uses the Tropical Party Stamp set. I stamped the image, by inking my chocolate and olive markers, and stamping that directly on watercolor paper. The background was hand painted in using markers and an aqua painter.. Notice a pattern on all my cards?
Base: Kraft color 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 1/4" x 2 1/2: DSP, rounded corners
8" piece of chocolate chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (snailed on either end and hidden underneath the layer 3 panel
Layer 3: 2 5/8" x 1 3/4" Chocolate chip
Layer 4: 2 1/2" x 1 5/8" Watercolor paper (you can get 4 from one sheet).



Project 5: Congratulations, Graduate
Base: Kraft color 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 1 1/4" x 3 7/8", old olive
Layer 3: 1 1/4" x 3 3/4" whisper white
Layer 4: 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" old olive
Layer 5: 1" x 4 1/4" designer series paper.
I used whisper white grosgrain 12" around layers 4 and 5, then tied a bow.
I used the tag punch, and punched out the "go you" sentiment on a tiny tag (punch that's still available although it didn't make the catalog).



Project 6: Sweet Celebration Card
This one is the favorite of my daughter (she's 5 years old and sat with me while I was making these).
Base: Kraft color 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 2 1/8" x 4 1/4" Tempting Turquoise
Layer 3: 2" x 4 1/4" Designer Series Paper, Polka Dot Pattern.
Layer 4: 1 3/4" x 2 1/2", chocolate chip layer (with dimensionals to attach this layer)
Layer 5: 1 3/8" x 2 1/8", tempting turquoise
Layer 6: 1 1/4" x 2" Whisper white.For some reason, the photo doesn't do this one justice. The colors in real life are much more vibrant.

Whew! It took more to write this post than it did to stamp the cards! I hope you had fun while I shared some clean and simple projects with you, that you might be able to use again!

So next ~ I'd like to share a little bit about what SUDSOL is...

SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line) is a online community of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators dedicated to providing creative and professional information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All demonstrators regardless of location, regardless of the support you are getting elsewhere, we are here to support you 24/7.

The link to my online gallery with more samples is here, but you must be a SUDSOL member in order to access it. For a FREE trial membership, click the below membership and try it out!

Finally, are you one of my local customers who would like to make one or more of these cards? Give me a call to schedule a date and we'll make plans to entertain your girlfriends for a night! Thanks so much for visiting! Have a great weekend!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 151 (SSC151)

Good Evening To All!

I created the card for tonight's post a few weeks ago at my team meeting. It uses the Watercolor Trio stamp set from Stampin Up! So first, how about we do the measurements.

Base: Very Vanilla 11 x 4 1/4" folded and scored in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: Crushed Curry 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Layer 3: Old Olive 4 x 5 1/4", ran through the big shot with the square lattice embossing folder.
Layer 4: Very vanilla 3 1/2" x 5 (cut with paper snips so that the rectangle edges wont show behind the frame).
Layer 5: Scallop Oval frame, cut from crushed curry card stock.

The ribbon is striped old olive and curry, simply draped over itself. I tied it together with a button, but never actually tied a bow, (well except on the linen thread). I love this way of making bows. I recently went to a double baby shower (two moms to be, three babies) and made these exact bows for the top of the baskets and they were just beautiful!

I just love this stamp set. I used markers to ink the image, then stamped off for the lighter image. This gives the "true watercolor" impression.

I hope you're inspired to play along with our sketch challenge this week over on Stamping 411. I can't believe we've been doing this for a year! We will have some special things happening next week, so make sure you visit and play along!

Thankful for Bloggers Challenge ~Color Challenge Red/Teal/Curry

I'm so thankful for my friends at bloggers challenge group. I'm thankful because it gives me a confined set of parameters to be creative, and gets me going. I would have never put these colors together, but it is a really fun combo! I took a half hour and made this card this morning, although I've been a bad blogger this week.

On a personal note: I've been preoccupied with another group called SUDDEN_Response. Sudden Response is a group of Stampin' Up demonstrators, who help out demonstrators in case of a disaster. So Demo's helping Demo's. We send stamping gifts, for example... a pack of cardstock or some samples, to show solidarity and help someone rebuild after a disaster. This week, a demonstrator from Houston, MO Patty lost everything to a house fire, and the members of sudden response have helped her get back on her feet with her stamping business. It's a beautiful thing. It's more than beautiful... It has completely shifted the way that Patty has been thinking, and just knowing that other people care about her, has helped her to move forward with such strength and with a positive attitude. If you'd like to be on the list, just go to this address to apply for membership. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SUDDEN_Response

If you are not a demonstrator, just ask your Stampin' Up demonstrator (yea if that's me) how you can help!

Lately, I've been stamping with lots of embellishments, lots of layers... and so on... I think I need to take a break from all that and get back to the basics a little more. It should not take an hour to make one card... (although it seems most of mine do). So I'm going to resolve to get back to my favorite way to make cards, clean and simple. :) Today's blogger's challenge is just that. Basically, a one layer card, I cut three 1/2" strips in the color challenge colors, then watercolored the image. I cut out the numbers and popped them up with dimensionals. Pretty simple, but very cool. This one will go to my niece Bella. :)

You would easily be able to recreate this card, using any school colors... I think that's pretty cool!

So I haven't had much time for stamping with all that's been going on this week... Although I did create a card for the sketch challenge for stamping 411 tonight, and 6 more for a blog tour that will be HERE on Saturday! So I guess I'm a pretty busy gal after all.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Also, to check out what the other bloggers challenge members are up to, just click the bluish-green banner on my side bar to get to the list of members! TGIF!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene~

Wicked Fun Mojo!!!

Happy Monday Morning to you all.. It's a beautiful looking day outside. The sun came in and woke me up a little early this morning, which is strange.... I'm certainly a night owl.

Anyway, feeling full of energy, I had a BLAST with today's mojo Monday sketch challenge!

I've been on a water coloring kick lately. I just love drastic contrasting colors, in front of the water color washed look.... For me, it's ooh la la beautiful.

I am however, running out of watercolor paper. So this morning, I decided to play with the write stuff designer specialty paper from Stampin' Up! This paper has the watercolor feel, and is already pre printed with and DIE CUT with some really fun designs. I made the most awesome discovery.... you don't even need to use it as is.... if you flip it over, you can use the cut shapes in WHITE and just use the back! So, if you're not crazy about the sheets that already have lines for you to write (like I am because I'm a scrapbooker), you can flip it over and use the cut shapes, then watercolor on them for super uber vibrant colors! Way cool!

So for this card I used, crushed curry, soft suede, ruby red, old olive, and for the sky coloring I used brocade blue. I used chocolate satin ribbon, whisper white taffeta, and crushed curry polka dot ribbon. for this design, I chose not to use the polka dots, because this is already pretty busy. Then I stamped my sentiment on the BACK side of some of the scratch paper that's left over after you punch out your shapes.. And I found a cute design, that I wouldn't use, but it looked great in back of my sentiment using the Modern Label Punch!

Nothing like the mojo Monday stretch to start my week!
Have a great day and week!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 150 (SSC150) ~ A card for my brother

Good Evening Friends!

It's Friday night and that means, another fun sketch from the stamping 411 team!

One of the biggest issues I hear from customers and friends is that they have trouble making cards for guys.. Sometimes ~ I struggle with this too. I decided to make a card for my brother tonight. Some of my girlfriends met him in person at leadership two years ago. He's down just about 100 lbs, and is looking pretty spiffy, but in the heart dept, he's been hurting a bit.

He's also naturally a comedian, so I wanted this card to contain 10% joke, 90% serious. I want him to know that I really am here for him, and worry about him... Anyway I used some of the NEW and FABULOUS Travel Journal Paper from Stampin Up! I also used two kinds of "manly" ribbon and a button..

Base layer is: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded in half a 4 1/4"
layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
layer 3: 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
layer 4: 3 3/4" x 5"
Layer 5:4 1/4" x 3 3/4"
Layer 6: 4 1/8" x 3 5/8"
layer 7: Dsp 4 x 1 and 4 x 1 1/2"

Whew!!!
Okay.. so I used a lot of layers. I kept the embellishments to a minimum because guys (okay ~ my guy) says he doesn't "get" (understand) why we need them... :) A good lesson for me, because we all know the answer is accessories!!! That's a clear button that the bow is tied on, and I just used a glue dot to attach it..

So ~ the 10 percent joke is the I'm (here with the arrow) for you... He finds the humor in everything and I think it's cute that there's a map.. (you can call me a DORK! cause it's true).. The inside is stamped with the other half of the phrase "please know that I care". So this one is going in the mail to my big brother. Do you think it's masculine enough?

Blogger's Challenge ~ Mother's Day

Been a little busy this week, and today, I can relax and catch my breath. I had two 8 page scrapbook classes this week and I'm a little tired today.

Plus, I took my mom into Boston yesterday, and her pneumonia has improved, but she can't hear a darn thing! The doctors said their is so much water behind her ears, that it's like she's trying to hear from under water.

I'm just asking for a few prayers for my mom that she'll be doing better soon.. :( This morning's watercolored card is for her. The inside is stamped with the sentiment "wonderful mother" I spent some time on this water colored image. I used water color paper in my scrap booking class. I really love how the colors are so vibrant on this paper. I used markers, an aqua painter and just had fun with it. I used the enfrancis background and the medallion background, and used pastels to add subtle color. I finished it off with the vanilla satin ribbon. I hope you all have a wonderful mother's day.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Sharing Cards for the Troops Night

This is truly what it's all about... Sunday night my team and I got together to make cards for the troops. We created a little over 150 cards (but not from scratch). We used leftover swaps and remade them into full size cards... Now what a great way to use up older samples! They are still quite beautiful, they are just older.

Helpers of all ages

A little dinner at Moe's!

Gina's awesome family (and hubby who likes to joke around) keepin it fun!


My hubby Brian and Gina hanging out!

Now doesn't it look like the flower on her shirt is a butterfly on that card?
Karen didn't know she was adopting my little one for a night! :)

At the end of the night, here's all the bags that are ready to go!

We're planning another cards for the troops night soon. Would you like to join us? We are always looking for old samples that we can "save" and envelopes. If you'd like to help out, just send me an email at e.selene@verizon.net!

Rubbah hugs, that's all for today!
Selene Kempton

Mojo Monday ~ Birthday

Good Morning Friends!

This weekend, I have two birthday's to attend, both for 1 year old children. I decided to take a look through some retired paper and use it. I don't have a huge amount of stamps for children, but I had fun in the process of making these projects.

My sister in law Amy invited me to my first Stampin' Up! workshop. I didn't sign up right away, in fact... I don't think I took anything out of the bag for about a year. It was my love of techniques and classes that lead me to sign up. I was an art major in college and because I can draw, my first inclination was to turn my nose up at stamps.. Boy, was I missing out!!!

First of all ~ stamps are already drawn... so you can spend time doing the fun stuff, embellishing! I did a card for my nephew for mojo monday, then ripped the card off the base and made a scrapbook page instead. My sister in law, with a one year old, doesn't have time to scrapbook very often, so if I make her some pages, I'm sure it will help her out when she sits down to do a quick page during nap time.
I used beads on my cupcake and crystal effects to attach them. I used blender pens and water color wonder crayons.. I don't use my crayons nearly enough. A water based crayon that moves with a blender pen... I wish I had those in art school! They feel very much like an oil based medium when you're working with them, but the fact that they are water based makes them ever so creamy dreamy to work with.
What a wonderful sketch... I really love sketch challenges, it's a great way to start the day! Have a wonderful week! I hope you make some time to stamp something fun!

Selene Kempton