Mojo Monday ~ Experimenting with Crystal effects

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

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

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

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

Saturday Sketch Challenge ~ 105

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

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

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

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

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

Bloggers Challenge ~ Alter It

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

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

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

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

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

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

Technostamper Challenge

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

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

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

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

DCBD 133 ~ Friend-ship

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

Last Day of 3 year old preschool

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

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

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

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

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

Mojo Monday

Another fun sketch from the mojo makers.

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

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

Saturday Sketch Challenge!

Another fun and fabulous sketch from the stamping411 operators.

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Determination!

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

DCBD 132 ~ A color challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is it Friday yet?
Selene~

How to ~ Apply Decor Elements to your walls

This week my friend Amy was over to visit and explained that she had a friend who didn't know how to apply her decor elements. Stampin' Up! created this wonderful video on how to do just that, so Amy, this post is for you!

Mojo Monday 91

Another fun sketch challenge from Mojo Monday.

I'm so going to miss heartfelt thanks. It's one of those "staple" stamp sets that I think everyone should have.

I put this one together in no time. It's funny how when you have a sketch as a jumping off point, your creations just happen!

I decided to make this one a 3x6" so the polka dot panel for my second layer is 4x3". When i matted my image and the blue panel, I cut my paper only 1/8" inch larger, so my matte is a tiny 1 1/6" of an inch all the way around. I think it makes it more girlie. :)

Another wonderful sketch from the mojo makers, if you want to upload your creation somewhere and add a link to play along, just click here.

Saturday Sketch Challenge

It's Saturday sketch time with the stamping 411 crew! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have time to play with the operators this week.

I have to admit when I got this stamp set and saw the image that's supposed to be tree leaves, I thought" how in the heck does that make nice leaves. Well, when you stamp it on your cardstock, it transforms right before your eyes and makes beautiful, whimsical leaves. I omitted one butterfly, and stamped just one first, then added the pair that comes with the set for 3. I'm not a big fan of two's in general with design. I like odd numbers when I'm adding things and really need a good reason if i'm using 2, 4 or 6.

I stamped the thanks for all you do and sponged around my punched out large oval. I'm so going to miss this set "you're fabulous" To obtain either of these sets, just contact your stampin up demonstrator.

Layer 1 (base): cut a piece of 8 1/2" x 11 paper in half so that it measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Quick Tip: if you score your card stock first at 4 1/4", then cut it, you will yield two card bases and only need to score your card stock once!
Layer 2(pink): cut a piece of paper at 5 1/4, then at 4" (you should get 4 pieces from one sheet for this layer)

Layer 3 (white): For this layer, many of our operators chose to use designer series paper. Cut a strip of dsp at 4", then cut that 4x12 sheet at 1" intervals. You can get 36" out of one sheet of dsp! How is that for economical??
Layer 4 (green): is similar. First cut your dsp at 3 1/2" then at 1".
Note: if you are only making one card, cut a 1" strip of dsp, then cut that at 4 adding 3 1/2". then you'll still have a piece of 12 x 11 DSP to play with!
For layers 5 & 6. Try measuring the block of wood from the stamp you're using and cut your layer 6 to that size. Layer 5 (which lays below it) would need to be either 1/8" or 1/4" inch larger to frame it (if you wish). I ended up cutting mine down to fit the sketch, but my tree looks a little cramped in there.
Layers 7 and 8: you can make this any shape you want, It doesn't have to be two layers.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I hope you have time to stamp something fun!

Blogger's challenge ~ A sketch challenge.

This weeks' challenge was to make a card using this sketch by Lisa Somerville. I had a lot of fun making my card.

I started by cutting my base layer at 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in artichoke, and a craft layer was cut to 4 x 5 1/4". Next, I sponged the craft layer with artichoke ink. I stamped the right hand element with versamark and used my chalk pastels to add some color using the poppin pastels technique. I added tow more layers of paper. These layers happen to match up nicely to continue the lines.. so it looks like I stamped the background when the patterns just sort of fit...

I started making this butterfly a few days ago with my bigshot. I knew i wanted a butterfly on masculine paper, but didnt know what i was going to use it for until I started playing with this sketch.

For the butterfly body, I cut a piece of designer series paper super thin, folded it in half, then fed 8 crystal beads on to make the butterfly body. I painted the paper with crystal effects and the beads themselves to hold them all together. Cool Sketch Lisa!

Check out what the other bloggers challenge ladies are doing this week by clicking here! TGIF!

Kristina Werner Color challenge

Another cute color set from Kristina Werner. I have to admit, when I saw the colors for this challenge, I thought to myself that it might be hard to lay something out with these colors. I went out into my stamp room tonight for an open stamp night. Only one girlfriend came, but we had a blast. I was looking for my stash of extra card packets for the troops. I found this packet that had to be over 2 or 3 years old with this paper that had the SAME colors as the challenge! Isn't this fun??

Yet another stamp set that I need to reluctantly say good bye to. I'll miss "amazing" Anyway, one note about the brads. They looked a little plain when i finished the card. So, I mixed crystal effects with dazzling diamonds and painted them. I added some teal reinker to the mix to make the center. By rights, I should have let the first clear layer dry before adding the one with color (to prevent a color meld) but I was too excited and just dropped it on there.

Measurements for this card: I cut my base layer 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored it at 4.25" My green layer is 4 x 5 1/4". The dsp is 1" x 5 1/4". the blue piece is 2.75" square and the white focal point is 2 1/2" square. I had fun with this one! Thanks for another great challenge Kristina!

Mojo Monday ~ Week 90

What a yummy mojo card this week. I started playing with the reinker technique and I couldn't stop!

I love sketch challenges because they provide a jumping off point to any design!

To do the floating reinker, you need to emboss a line art image on shimmer white card stock. Next you spritz your cardstock with water till you have puddles of water. Next, use a waterbrush and one or more reinkers to drop random ink onto your cardstock and the water will carry it into the crannies of your design. Let the puddles dry naturally, then use this to make your card.

I cut my card to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" and scored it down the middle. the second layer is 4 x 5 1/2" and sponged with baja ink. The bottom panel measures 2 3/4" square and my main panel is 3x3.. I ad a boat load of fun with this and think i might play some more today.

DCBD 131 ~ Sketch Challenge ~ Floating Reinker Technique

Well, I had fun with this one! Sometimes if you see a technique too much, you think to yourself that you might want to skip it, because EVERYBODY'S doing it.. Well, now I know why everyone is doing the floating reinker. (Sounds like a dance, doesn't it?)

To start, you need to emboss a line art image on shimmer white card stock. Next you spritz your cardstock with water till you have puddles of water. Next, use a waterbrush and one or more reinkers to drop random ink onto your cardstock and the water will carry it into the crannies of your design. Let the puddles dry naturally, then use this to make your card.

SO stinkin fun! I also wanted to share, that I used my scallop oval punch to make a negative design in the flower panels, to frame my thank you which was done with the same technique. It almost looks like a punched layer, but it's the negative of the white panel below it, isn't that cool? I can see myself playing with this technique in days moving forward. Imagine this with christmas trees??

I'm really happy with this one!

Chipboard Clipboard Stamping411 Sketch

I couldn't resist doing another project for the stamping411 sketch this week.

I've often struggled with covering these chipboard clipboards, because getting the paper to sit perfectly, without being able to remove the hardware from the chipboard is some tricky business! I started by covering an 1 1/2" worth of my clipboard using craft ink, and a waterbrush. The craft ink is heavy enough that it really covers well, and the waterbrush helps to move the ink, even into the crevaces where you could never reach with paper!

Next I cut some DSP to size and used a retired corner rounder to get the perfect corners. I didn't need to sand the edges at all. I used the tombo multipurpose adhesive, (very sparingly) to attach the paper to the front of my chipboard clipboard, then ran a piece of ribbon all the way around.

I covered my owl with coordinating paper and tombo adhesive, then cut around, sanded and sponged some chocolate ink. for the eyes and nose, i colored my chipboard with a marker, then painted crystal effects over the top to get some shine.

I had a wonderful time with this sketch and project. There's still time to play over on the stamping411 blog. You could end up in the stampers showcase and have your card on display! Happy Tuesday!

Selene Kempton~

Saturday Sketch Challenge

It's Saturday Sketch Time over at the Stamping 411 blog and I'm so excited about this card! I had a wonderful night tonight. I ran a scrapbook class, and only 3 people came, but we had so much fun. Sometimes I think a small class is a blessing. We relaxed, enjoyed some good conversation and some really fudgy brownies. What could be better? We made 6 pages each and they all used the onboard chipboard. I just love chipboard.

I'd like to give you some measurements and then give a little more info on how I made my card.

Most new stampers find that the measurements are the hardest part, so I'll start there.
For the base layer, I cut a piece of kiwi kiss paper in half at 4 1/4" (note: this is the long way, so the card opens from the bottom. Next, I scored this same layer in half at 5 1/2" and used my bone folder to make a sharp crease.

The second layer was cut from pacific point cardstock to 5 1/4" x 4". Cutting this layer, you can get 4 pieces out of one standard piece of paper, or 6 from a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock.

The third layer I cut my designer series paper at the 4" mark and then flipped it and cut 1" off. This made the layer going across the top of my card.

Next, I stamped the grass image from the inspired by nature stamp set using versamark ink, and stamped a single flower from the flip side, using whisper white craft ink. I used a sponge dauber to ink up the stamp to omit the other flowers, but also, I like doing this so my stamp doesn't get all full of craft ink. Tip: it makes it easier to clean up.

I used old olive craft to cover the chipboard branch (also using a sponge dauber as an applicator). Then, I used a heat gun to set the color. You will know that the chipboard is "cooked" enough, when there is no variation in color on the chipboard.

To cover my little birdy, I cut a piece of DSP down to 2x2 1/2" and used the tombo multipurpose adhesive directly on my chipboard, then stuck the paper to it. I cut around the chicky, sanded the edges, then sponged some kiwi kiss on for effect. I used a clear brad for the eye. If you wanted to, you could use a sharpie to color the plain bling on the eye. I sort of like the diamond color. :)

For my sentiment, I used one word from a retiring stamp set "cute!" and punched that out with a 1/2" circle punch. For the flower, I used my bigshot. and then layered a crystal clear button on top of the word cute, from the build a brad kits. Many times I have a bunch of those left over, because I typically lay crystal effects on top of a build a brad instead of the puffy sticker it comes with. I had a blast with this week's sketch and hope you play along with the operators! Not to mention, you get to see what awesome creations they all made! You could end up in the stampers showcase if the operators pick your card!

Bloggers Challenge ~ Summer

Oh No!!! Where's my mojo?? Well I did two cards for today's challenge. I didn't care for the first one at all, so i'm going to start with the second one I made. I just couldnt find my mojo. I like this one with the tiki truck, but I think it's still missing something.. Maybe a brayered sky, maybe a texture plate somewhere? I do like this one better than the first.. LOL What can you do, good days and bad ones, right?

The second card in this post is the first card I made. Now, I'll be honest when I tell you I'm not very good with chalk pastels. So I was excited to try a technique I've never heard of and try adding chalk to my die cut shapes. You apply the chalk pastels to your die cut shape and then seal it with krylon acrylic sealer. I added some subtle blue to the background of the life is a breeze.

I hope my mojo comes back soon. :)

Crystal Effects Paper Pin, and a double challenge

Oh did I have fun with this one! The sketch is from Mojo Monday, and I also had a challenge from the Diva Coffee Break Design group to make a project using the big shot. I combined all of that, and started with a paper pin I made for a demonstrator event that I got to speak at this past weekend.

Tami White asked me to present at her demo extravaganza and show the paper pin technique. I was so excited. I had a few paper pins leftover from this weekend, and when I saw the mojo Monday sketch for this week, I though it would be a good combination challenge.

For this paper pin, I took 5 pieces of dsp from one of the hostess paper packs and glued them together with mod podge.

Second, I cut the 6x6 paper in half, and ran half through my big shot with the butterfly die. So i get 2 pins out of one 6x6 pack of 5 sheets glued together.

Next, I sponged the edges with some lovely lilac ink to give them some dimension. Then, you would want to paint both sides (one at a time) with crystal effects. Start with a few thin coats and let them dry about 20 minutes on each side. Note: Dont lay them on paper.. make sure your work surface is plastic. When they have several thin layers on both sides. then lay a heavy layer of crystal effects on top. let this dry for at least 2 hours before handling. I used a little more crystal effects to stick the butterfly pieces together.

To make the butterfly body, I used my stampin up tabletop paper trimmer to trim a very thin layer of cardstock I folded the piece in half so that the two ends are at the top and become the top of the butterfly. The bottom I twisted, to make it easy to slide a few beads from the pretties kit onto the body.

So one pin, ends up being 10 layers of designer series paper, and has crystal effects also. The dimension of this element on a card front is nothing short of breathtaking!

Again, I stuck everything together with the crystal effects including the body of the butterfly (to hold the beads on the paper and to stick them to the butterfly wings.

Next, I went to see the sketch from the Mojo Monday blog. I really liked the panel in the middle, but made it a bit larger to show the next technique I had in mind. I really like the decor element's stencils that are our right now from stampin up, but I havent had the extra money to purchase another one. So, I took a piece of paper and cut out this design from a piece of paper, and made my own stencil. I sponged two colors over, amethyst and eggplant. Leaving gaps with both colors so that my sponged image (on shimmer white) would have different shades of colors floating throughout the whole image. It's so pretty in real life. I love the way it turned out.

Soft Summer Card Class

The soft summer colors of the Bella Birds DP paired with black create a striking combination that perfectly showcases the beauty and elegance of the Soft Summer Stamp Set. In this class you will create this one-of-a-kind purse and 4 coordinating cards. Beautiful to look at, but so simple to make it’s the perfect class for even the least experienced stamper!

Join us on June 19th at 6:30 for this fun class to make this gorgeous project!

Are you a demonstrator who would like to offer this class to your customers? Please send me an email at e.selene@verizon.net