Sketch Challenge 123

Hello Everybody!

I'm excited about today's sketch challenge from stampin411. Mainly because the sketch is so simple! I just love simple sketches!

I saw this cute color combination when we were out to have breakfast at the cracker barrel last weekend. They were showing a snowmen display and Christmas tree with whisper white, real red and bashful blue! (at least that's what I saw!)

I used the ornament stamp set from the mini, and used the three little stamps that are not ornaments. They seem to get neglected in my stamp box! I did use one of the ornament stamps. (the one with the snow flake in the middle) and punched that one out. I layered it with a dimensional to pop it up a bit.

So here's my measurements:
Base: 11 x 4 1/4"
Second layer: 4 x 5 1/4"
Third layer: 4 1/4 x 3 1/4" * note you can get 6 from one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11, by cutting the 8 1/2" side in half at 4 1/4" first, then flip your cardstock and cut the 3 1/4" sides next.
Fourth layer: 3x4" **Note, you can get 12 pieces of 3x4" cardstock from one 12 x 12 sheet.
Fifth Layer: 4 x 1 1/2"

I used a wheel and white craft ink to apply a similar pattern to the left hand side of the red. I used the scallop edge punch to make the scallop edge going across and used snail adhesive to stick my ribbon to the back of the card. I tied a second piece of ribbon on the front for a faux knot. Quick and easy, I made a bunch of these for a swap last Sunday in under an hour. :)

Happy Weekend and Happy Halloween!

Bloggers Challenge ~ FrankenArmy

This weeks bloggers challenge theme is Halloween! I hope everyone has a fun and safe upcoming holiday. With all the junk food that comes along with the holiday, I decided to make treat bags for the children in Alexis's preschool. Here is my Frankenarmy. I added tags made to look similar, with each childs name. I added all sorts of fun rainy day things and hope the children will be excited to receive them.

Happy Halloween!

Mojo Monday ~ Faux Parchment

Another wonderful sketch from the gals at the Mojo Monday blog.

When I saw this sketch on Monday, I knew I wanted to play along, but I had an amazing weekend at the Dracut craft fair, and not much downtime. Today I got a few hours to myself and I wanted to try this sketch.

This card will be for my father in law for his birthday next month. I omitted the ribbon. Although I know it would significantly finish off the look and feel of the card, you have to understand who I'm making it for. This will be busy for him. but i think he'll appreciate the thought behind it.

I got this paper over a month ago, and I feel challenged by it. It's not my normal style or colors that I would quickly turn to, but for a masculine card it rocks!

The clock itself is stamped with chocolate chip craft, and embossed with gold embossing powder. The chocolate comes through just enough.

Next, it didnt seem "dirty" enough so I went and got my right hand ink pad (soft suede). I spritzed the cardstock with water to get it very saturated (to the point that it was soaking in the water, then i took a waterbrush and washed my soft suede ink on. I don't think you get the full effect from the photo. it's so pretty IRL. I did the same with my sentiment.

When I was done I spritzed the whole thing with some shimmer paint and alcohol mixture.
It's sparkly, but very subtle.
Behind the circle, I cut a scallop circle with my big shot, then added some of the soft suede and Chocolate craft to the edges.

Gorgeous sketch! Do you think it needs ribbon or do you think that's too foo-foo for my very "guy's guy" father in law?

A quick post. Club card for tonight!

I'm quickly getting ready for card club tonight. Here's one of the projects we're making! Check out the shimmer paint!!

Two Great Cards ~ One Awesome Sketch

I am so excited about this week's stamping 411 sketch, that I made two cards! I started with this card. It uses shimmer white paper, and the reinker float technique. On the center 3x3" square, I embossed a white snowflake.

Next, I spritzed my cardstock with water till there were large pools of water. I added 2 drops of reinkers (soft suede and bermuda bay) to the top of a stamp box, and used a water brush to pick up the reinker, and drop it into my floating pools of water.

It's very important to do this with the right paper. Using shimmer white, is key to making this work, The whisper white would absorb the water and get the paper too wet. Lots of sponging and lots of love for this card.

Many times, I make my stamping 411 cards well in advance, so I won't be rushing. I used the above card in my "over the top" Christmas card class last week. Then, I had some extra packets.

I was asked to demonstrate a workshop wow at the Portland Maine, Stampin' Up! regionals last weekend, and since I had a few extra packets prepped. So ~ here's another card I made. with the exact same layout different stamps! I stamped my whisper white cardstock with stazon. for both flower images and the blossom definition. Then I began to color.

First, I used makeup applicators to apply an even coat of pastels to my image.

Next, I used a blender pen, to pick up the pastels and add it to selected areas of my flowers. When coloring this image I always keep in mind that the artist drew darker lines in the areas where my coloring should be darker. So I added the darker layer of chalk (with the blender pens) to those areas where the artist made the lines.

It seems I can't do a demo for a large group of people without using crystal effects, so I added crystal effects to the flower pot image, and all the flowers. The cool thing about adding crystal effects on top of chalk is, it doesn't move your color around. When applying crystal effects to an image colored with water based markers, you need to first do a thin coat to seal your image, let that dry, then apply thicker layers. On top of chalk, you can just go for it!

Many times in stamping I suggest that "less is more" when it comes to crystal effects, more is more. You don't want to see the brush lines from your paint brush ~ don't be shy ~ slather it on!

When that was dry, I sponged the edges with soft suede ink and assembled my card.

Bloggers Challenge ~ a one layer card

Well, I'm not sure if the ribbon counts as a layer, but I only used one piece of whisper white paper for this beauty. I really feel challenged by this one.

You cant see it in the picture, but I used shimmer paint and alcohol to create a shimmer across the whole card. It's subtle but so pretty in real life. I thought about embossing, but sometimes, less is more!

I used a blender pen to blend the colors of the stamped images, and tied a bow across the top. I'm so not a bow girl, but I like how this one turned out.

VERY MUCH outside my comfort zone ~ but that's why they call it a challenge! See what my friends from bloggers challenge are up to, and how their one layered creations turned out.

Chalk your Flock and Glitter!

Here's a card I showed last weekend at the Portland Maine, Stampin' Up! regional seminar. I have a list of about 16 or 18 ways to use chalk pastels... (I didn't count).

This card covers three of them.

I stamped the "banner" Merry Christmas in versamark ink, then used chalk and sponge daubers using the poppin pastels technique. I think that's one of my all time favorites.

The ornament has two techniques which are very simple. First, I added dazzling diamonds glitter to my card with a two way glue pen, then I colored it with a sponge dauber and chalk.

Stampin' Up! has "flock" on their Christmas Cocoa Designer Series paper. If you don't own this paper, it's all about the touch and feel. It's soft and fluffy to touch. The above ornament was cut from the suspension card I made a few weeks ago. This ornament, is the scrap that was cut. I colored the flock (soft fluffy part) with my chalk pastels using a sponge dauber. It's so striking in real life.

See you in the morning for bloggers challenge! This weekend I'm headed to the Dracut Scholarship Craft fair on Saturday from 9-3. If you're in the neighborhood, come on down and say hello!

Christmas Stamp Camp

This Christmas Stamp Class is a fantastic way to start your Christmas preparations. Everyone will want to make these beautiful cards and matching tote. It makes a great gift or has everyone prepared to start their Christmas card giving.

Date: Friday, December 4th
Time: 6-10PM
or
Date: Saturday, December 5th
Time: 11:30-4

Cost: $35
Location: Selene's Stamping Pad

Please email me to sign up for this class at e.selene@verizon.net. Class is limited to 8 participants per session. Prepayment is needed by November 22nd so I can order all the supplies for your projects.

Shimmery Snowflake Friday night Class

How about another AWESOME Christmas gift that you'll never be able to buy in a store!

Don’t have enough Designer Paper? No Problem. This class will solve that for you. These six cards are all created using a One Sheet Wonder technique. Stamp these beautiful snowflake images as your Designer Paper, add the co-ordinating matchbook and you have an amazing gift set!

In this class you will make 6 beautiful cards, a matchbook case to hold them all in. You will also receive a FULL bottle of shimmer paint and two sponge daubers to complete your projects, with plenty left over for your other creations!

Date: Friday November 20th
Time: 6:30
Cost: $25
Location: Selene's Stamping Pad

Please note: in order to attend this class you must prepay by Tuesday November 10th. I will need to pre~order your supplies by then.

Please email me to sign up for this class at e.selene@verizon.net. Would you like to purchase everything to make the projects and do them at home with directions? This class is also available for demonstrators, please email me for details!

New Friday Night Class Added ~ Dasher

Everyone has been LOVING this AWESOME dasher stamp! Would you like to check someone off on your wish list, and get the directions to make additional boxed sets?

Start preparing for the holidays early with this Dasher Holiday Card Class.

Make a set for everyone you know! With the beautiful vibrant colors and modern print DP, this is a must do class!

Date: Friday November 6th
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: $20
Location: Selene's Stampin Pad

Please email me to sign up for this class at e.selene@verizon.net

Are you a customer that can't make this class? Directions are free with a $50 purchase (outside club). Email me for a supply list. Are you a demonstrator who would like to offer this for your customers? Send me an email for details!

Mojo Fun!

What a yummy sketch to work with today over on the mojo monday blog!

Nothing like a sketch to get your mojo moving on a Monday Morning!

I used chalk pastels on this fun card and used a few of the techniques I showed at the Portland Maine SU regionals this weekend.

First, I applied my chalk using makeup applicators and got a nice soft look. To add variation in color, I added more pastel color slowly with my blender pen.

For the beard, and all the white areas, I added a touch of glitter with my two way glue pen. For the belt, I used Stampin Up's silver shimmer paint. I also used the paint to color some of the circles on my rubon.

I originally tried a white piece of taffeta for the bow, but I thought it was too much, so I took that off and went with a stretchy cord to make the cute bow at the top.

To color the flock on my paper, I used sponge daubers and chalk pastels. I should have used a new dauber, the funky blue color back there, is from my tempting turquoise, and red mixing. :)

I added a bling in the middle of my snowflake, by removing a brad from it's casing. (it's really simple, just flip the brad over and open the prongs holding the stone in ~ then use some glue to attach to your project).

I just love the sketches from the mojo Monday team. If you are in need of a little inspiration this morning, you could try playing along. :) There's some close ups of the elements down below. Thanks so much for looking and have a great Monday!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

It's Saturday Sketch Time!

Well it's that time of the week again! Another fabulous sketch from the operators at stamping411. This week's sketch is super cool, and pretty simple.

Check out the center panel. If you look at the DSP, it is cut 4x3. So you get 9 pieces from one sheet of paper. Now, the layer below it is 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" So ~ this is easily cut from an 8 1/2" x 11. Cut lengthwise on the 8 1/2" side first at 4 1/4", then cut the 3 1/4" length from the other side. From the piece of red paper, you get 6 per sheet. This is a really cost effective way to make cards, wouldn't you say?

Below, I showed the way I attached my bow to the ornament. I tied the bow first, and got it looking the way I like. Then, I added it to the card with a glue dot and trimmed any excess from my bow. I used the left over piece to make the faux hanger. I used the same glue dot and stuck my piece in, then used a tiny amount of tombo multipurpose adhesive to keep the string stuck to the top of the paper.
I'm nervous and excited about tomorrow. I'll be presenting at the Portland Maine Regional Seminar for Stampin' Up! I hope I don't trip! Have a great weekend! I'll have some photos up from Portland.

Hope Blogger's challenge

Today's bloggers challenge was to alter something. I started this yesterday and spent quite some time on it, and I almost didn't post it, because I'm not sure I like how it turned out.

For this one, it's all about the process. I started with some white craft and colored my unfinished frame, then heat set it. I used poppin pastels to put the flourishes on, then embossed the entire top with glassy glaze embossing powder 3 times.

Then I added the word hope. I stamped the ribbon symbol, cut it out ~ attached it ~ took it off, then went with real ribbon, which helped a bit.

I have a good friend from high school that I just found out is mid-way through treatment. I want to make her some thank you cards and mail it along with this frame... but like I said ~ I don't know if I like it...

Certainly a labor of love, just not what I had in my mind's eye.. Oh well ~ guess every crafter has days like these.

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Woo Hoo! Another awesome sketch from your Seven Sensational Operators!

This week I chose the faux shaving cream technique for my card. For the main element (the christmas trees), I inked them in bashful blue ink, then took a wheel inked with rich razzleberry and swiped over my inked stamp. This blends the colors together a bit. Stamp your image and you're all set! Make sure you clean your stamp before going back into the bashful blue ink. I used a 1/2" strip of paper to make my paper banner. I save my cut offs from making layers and use them for paper banners.

Bend the banner over your finger so you have a "hill" in the middle of your banner, then shape out two "valleys" on either side, then make two more "hills" just moving the paper around with your fingers. Isnt that fun?? To attach the banner, I use to dimensional cut offs from the pieces left over around the edge.

The embossing folder is the petals folder for the big shot from the mini catalog.

Finally, the stars were stamped with silver shimmer paint. I used a sponge dauber to apply the ink to my star stamp, then stamped them on the tops of my faux shaving cream trees.

On a personal note... I'm up in the mountains camping.. it's raining tonight, so we're spending some time indoors. I may even make some holiday cards tonight. On the way up, I was wondering if coming camping in the rain in October was such a good idea... Do you remember when frosty the snowman comes to life and yells "happy birthday"??? She woke from a dead sleep and said "are we at the campground yet, we're going camping mom and dad" Yes, it's worth being in the rain, it's supposed to clear up. If I peep at some cool leafs, i'll post some photos. For those of you not from New England.... this is "leaf~peeper season" and this weekend is peak foliage.

Rubbah hugs and have a great weekend.

Selene~

Bloggers challenge Sketch..

This weeks bloggers challenge is one of my favorite things. It's a sketch challenge! I've never considered having a favorite color combination, but whisper white, real red and soft suede rock my world these days!

I used sponging to make dasher pop, and you just gotta love that paper with the flock! I stamped the "be merry right on top and it stamped like a champ.

Dasher is white embossed on soft suede. I'm one sleepy Selene. To check out what the other bloggers challenge group members are up to today, click here for the blog roll.

Happy stamping ~ we're off camping this weekend.

A New Halloween Costume Idea and a My Digital Studio Page!

We've been talking about Halloween all week. Deciding what to be for Halloween is always a daunting task. Earlier in the week Alexis shared that she wants to be Tinkerbell.

While playing outside, I suggested she be a bag of leaves. She loves to play with them and suggested we make a craft project out of the leaves in the back yard. However, that idea didn't fly.

Well today we thought of a third option. How about being a Stampin' Up! shipment!??? We got to work with some retired ribbon and a cropadile. Five minutes later we have our first draft! What do you think??

We spent the afternoon crafting. Alexis is holding the card she made using the floating re inkier technique. I don't think she'll ever part with that card. I tried to get her to give it to her teacher at school . No dice! Can you blame her? it's gorgeous!!

If you care to leave a message for miss Alexis, she won't send you hers, but she can pick who mine is going to.. Leave Alexis some love and you'll get a copy of her gorgeous creation!

Happy Craftin!
Selene Kempton

Mojo Monday 107

I just love card sketches! I took a few liberties with this one. I flipped the sketch and the panel that is showing on the right, overlapping, I didn't overlap. I wanted to have it similar on both sides since I flipped the sketch 90 degrees. I have an Over the top Christmas card class this week at my home on Thursday. I need a to design a few more cards. My friends/customers and I will be making a few of my "over the top" card that they really want to learn how to make.

After using this sketch to design my card for the mojo monday challenge, I think this card made the cut!

It's a suspension card. I used the movers and shapers die to create the suspension, then ran a piece of stretchy cord to hang the "joy" ornament from. There are so many details to this card. the GORGEOUS flock paper available in the mini catalog, Bride DSP and more! I hope my girlfriends like this one. I'm going to just show some close up photos, and photos of the inside at the end of the post so you can see some more detail. Suspension cards are so much fun, and they are so easy with the big shot die.

Happy Monday!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 119

It's sketch day again on the stamping 411 blog. This weeks sketch is gorgeous, and having taken a sneak peek at the operators posts for this week, you will certainly not want to miss their work.

I stamped dasher in soft suede ink, then used my sponge dauber to ink up the stamp again, with the champagne shimmer paint. It's a gorgeous combination and in real life it almost looks 3D. I sponged all the edges with soft suede shimmer paint.

My dimensions were as follows.

Kraft Layer 1: 4 1/4" x 11, scored at 5 1/2" and folded in half.
Real Red Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Soft Suede Layer 3: 2 3/4" x 5 1/4", and I used the eyelet border punch on this layer
DSP on layer 4: 2 x 5 1/4"

The rest of the layers you would cut to size based on your image. I like to measure the block of wood for my top layer, and add a 1/4 inch on two sides when adding a matte.

Thanks so much for looking, please check out the 411 blog this week. If you're so inclined, please play along. I would love to see your creations with this cool sketch. Also, you can check out what my girlfriends did with this sketch and their other awesome works here.

• Robin Merriman
• Patti Chesky
• Gretchen Barron
• Connie Babbert
• Lee Conrey
• Tiffany Bauer

Rubbah Hugs,

Selene Kempton

Blogger's Challenge ~ Love ~ Teeny Valentine Wishes

Today's blogger's challenge theme is Love.. :) I made this teeny weenie card and box, using the pizza box die and envelope maker. It's the perfect size for a "chunky" brand candy bar.

I'm a bit excited and want to go back to my room to play with this set some more. For now, I'd just like to share the first project I made with this set.

First ~ This stamp set was a gift from a stampin sister Janice Rosenthal Rock, during the last round of gifts we sent one another. Every 3 months I get a new sister... I haven't mounted the set since I got it and was psyched to see the challenge, so I could pull out my set!.

When I sat down to put it together this morning, I noticed that the sentiments were right below the main images. in many cases when that happens, I like to cut the words apart from the images and mount them on the side of the block (as shown). In my opinion, this increases the value of the stamp set. If I decide I need to stamp 100 trains in one day, I can just ink it up and stamp it, without having to use a marker to color just the portion of the stamp I'm looking for. In addition, this allows me to put the sentiment anywhere on the card I want. The next time you're mounting a set with words, give it some thought.. :)

I also saved the circle piece left over from the die cut set. I'll find a piece of wood and mount that circle to it, and i'll have another coordinating stamp!

Moving along to the project. If you're cutting a piece of 12 x 12 down to make the pizza box and coordinating envelope (that fits a 2x2" card), the die is actually longer than 12". So I cut a piece of 12 x 12 at 5.5" and then cut the 12" side at 3 1/2". The 3.5 x 5" piece is plenty big for the envelope, but you need to turn it to run it through the big shot. This way I didn't get cut off or waste any paper.

I used 4 heart punches to make scallops for the white circle on my box cover, click here for a quick tutorial on that from another post if you like. Next I inked up the heart images and punched them out with my 1 3/4" punch. On top of that there is a layer of pretty in pink, and then whisper white.

Pretty simple ~ I just colored my owl in with markers, and I did cut out the three hearts from the image and glued them on after. He needed those hearts!

When cutting the box, I used the extended premium crease pad. If you don't have one of these, and you are cutting out a pattern that has a score mark, you could end up cutting your card stock instead of scoring, so it's really good to have for dies that have a crease or score line.

As far as the card and envelope are concerned, they are SO tiny!!! The photo doesn't do it justice. The red paper going across the center is less than 1/8" thick.. It's so cute and tiny, this would be great for a treat going to school for a friend or teacher. I had a blast with this challenge and can't wait to continue playing with the set.

If you have some time today, please check out what my friends are doing from the bloggers challenge group. I'm off to go see what they've come up with for this week too! TGIF!

Selene~