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

Mojo Monday Inspiration

My sweet little one is still in bed. I snuck into the craft room to do a quick card for mojo Monday before I start my day.

It's really rainy and dreary here today, so I wanted to play with some bright colors!

The base layer is craft 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"

The regal rose layer is 3 1/4" x 4 1/2", then I took an exacto blade and cut the decorative edge freehand.

The regal rose designer paper is 3x2, and I tied some daffodil grosgrain around the two layers stuck together. The sentiment and flower base are stamped in razzleberry.

I know some of you are waiting for the pictures from the breast cancer event this week... They will be up later. I have a lot of them ~ and put them on facebook.

Making a quick (and quiet) card.. a great way to start the week! Have a great one!

Selene Kempton

Today's the Big Day!!!

Good Morning Friends!

Well Today is the Big day... World Card Making Day, and more importantly... It's the day for the big Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event. I'm so excited to be seeing some of my fellow demo's from across Massachusetts and their friends.

When you make a purchase this weekend on my Online Store, (click shop now) I will be donating my 20% instant income to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. In fact EVERY demonstrator participating in this event is doing the same thing!!! We have already raised about $1000 just with registrations and donations for the event.. It's going to be a remarkable weekend!

We are coming together to raise money for the most wonderful cause, Breast Cancer.

Here's a picture of some of the little gifties I made for all the wonderful demonstrators that are helping today.. I dont usually "do" 3D projects, so this one is pretty special. Each little pocket book has 4 note cards. I should have photographed more, but what can you do!

With camera and all KINDS of prizes, I'm armed and can't WAIT for today! I will have all kinds of photos from the event over this week! I hope to see you there! It's not too late to register.

To register for the event, just make a $20 donation to our team member "event registration" by clicking the link. After next Wednesday, and at the door, registration will go up to $25. We want to encourage you to make your donation DIRECT to the charity!

To receive the directions, to recreate the projects shown below, click here and make a $20 donation to our team member "stamping team"

For more details, here's a link to the flier..

We hope to see YOU at the event in Burlington Massachusetts on TODAY! Bring your friends, bring you family members.. Make a day of it and leave with some handmade cards, while helping a WONDERFUL organization.

Rubbah hugs,

Selene Kempton

Good Evening Friends!

I'm so very excited about my stamping event in the AM for Breast Cancer and I have small amount of time to share tonight.

Miss Gretchen has taken another turn at the sketch board and I'm loving her sketches!

This is an adorable fall set from the mini. I used more mustard, baja breeze and espresso. I colored my pearls with the espresso marker and because they are not really prepared to take ink, you get a cool vintage effect with little effort. I just set them aside and let it dry for a few hours...

For more great cards using this sketch and measurements, hop on over to stamping411. If you're local, I hope to see you tomorrow!