Saturday Sketch Challenge 218

Good Evening Friends!

I hope that you are well tonight! It's time for the weekly stamping411 sketch challenge.

I REALLY love the sketch tonight and hope that you take a little time to see what my girlfriends are up to. All the cards are VERY different this week, which equals lots of inspiration for you!

My card this week uses the Forever Young stamp set. I got this set from my upline, Katherine. Isn't that the coolest? I'm planning to put one of these beauties in the mail to her so she knows how much I appreciate receiving this set from her.

Stamps: Forever Young & Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Stazon Black and cherry cobbler
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, basic Black, Very Vanilla and Timeless portrait Designer paper
Accessories: Stampin sponges, black satin 5/8 ribbon and adhesive.

So how about some measurements?

Base: Cherry Cobbler 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: basic black 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 3: Very Vanilla 4 7/8" x 3 5/8"
Layer 4: Timeless portrait designer paper, 3 5/8" x 2" (I ran layers 3 and 4 through the big shot together and embossed them with the vintage wallpaper embossing folder.
Layer 5: Black Satin ribbon 5" piece, cut with a "V" in the end and adhered to the back of layer 3
Layer 6: Top Note die, very vanilla.. sponged with cherry cobbler ink
Layer 7: Basic Black Large Oval Punched Shape
Layer 8: Very Vanilla Modern Label Punched shape with the sentiment.

I did this card at my team meeting this week and I'm totally in love with this designer paper now! Thank you so much for stopping by and if you like my card, please say "hi" by leaving me a comment! I really love reading about what you have to say!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Satuday Sketch Challenge 217

Hello Friends!

It's time for another sketch challenge from the operators over at Stamping411! This week we have a **contest** and the winner will receive a free level 3 hostess set from the last idea book and catalog. Make sure you play along and try to win!

There are also two sketches for this week.. So you can pick which one and play with either OR both! Isn't that fun?!?!

I had limited supplies to work with this week, as I'm on vacation up in the white mountains of New Hampshire. I actually decided to remake a card that I made for my upline's team meeting swap. :D I have to be honest when I say that I'm STILL not sure about this one... I really like the more mustard print designer series paper and the little dots in the pattern reminded me of pumpkins. That's why I decided to pair this cute new dsp "Spice Cake" up to the "Gift Givers" stamp set, which will also be coming out September 1st in the holiday mini.

Is there such a thing as an elegant Halloween card?!? Well, I guess there is now! I literally pulled a card apart and re~assembled this one.. LOL We do what we have to I suppose!

So, let's talk measurements
Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 5 x 3 3/4" espresso cardstock
Layer 3: 4 7/8" x 3 5/8" vanilla cardstock, embossed with the new houndsooth embossing folder.
Layer 4: 3 1/8" x 4 1/8" espresso cardstock (up on dimensionals)
Layer 5: Spice Cake DSP cut to 3x4" then cut again so that I could flip one side over.

I stamped my image in espresso ink, and water colored the image with more mustard and pumpkin pie markers and an aquapainter. I applied a thick coat of crystal effects and waited for it to dry. I added a piece of espresso ribbon in between the layers, so you can see it inside the card, I stuck down the pieces under that layer of dsp so it looked like a cool ripple in the ribbon. Super simple layout, and a really elegant halloween card.. Maybe it would be for a grown up? :D

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Happy Birthday to my BFF ~ SSC346

When it rains it pours as far as being busy, but you never want to be too busy to send a card to your BFF.

Roxie over on SCS was looking for a few volunteers to make a sample card! How excited am I that she emailed me back?? When I saw the sketch from split coast stampers this week, I knew that I wanted to make a card for my BFF. I just hope that she receives this card BEFORE she sees it here.

A true BFF is someone you can be YOURSELF with and no matter what, they just GET you. So this one is for my BFF, Barbie. This is so US!

So First, I'd like to share my measurements:
Base layer: is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: 5 1/8" x 3 5/8" in espresso.
Layer 3: 5 x 3 3/4" GORGEOUS new DSP from the Stampin' Up! holiday mini, holly berry bouquet. (this design looks like spring!)
Layer 4: quilted espresso ribbon from the holiday mini, I used 3 layers to fit the sketch better.
Layer 5: espresso 2 7/8 x 3 7/8"
Layer 6: watercolor paper 2 3/4" x 3 3/4"
Layer 7: espresso scalloped oval punch
Layer 8: Large oval punch

Stamps: Not So Seriously, Occasions Alphabet
Ink: Stazon and markers (cobbler and espresso)
Accessories: Aquapainter, watercolor paper, smooch pearlized accent ink in Gold lame (to paint her earings and shoes), quilted satin ribbon in espresso color (from the holiday mini)

First, I started stamping... I tried stamping the image with sentiment on bright white card stock and instantly knew I'd prefer to watercolor this project. However, I didn't have much DSP that had off white, and I knew she couldn't be bright white. :D

I stamped the images again and cut out the present. Next, I took my markers and aqua painter and water colored the image. For a tutorial on how to watercolor with markers, see this post.

I used blush blossom for the skin color, and added blushing bride to her cheek. I painted the earrings and shoes with gold smooch accent ink to give just the right amount of sparkle. Next, I stuck those layers together and referred back to this week's sketch. I added 3 layers of the quilted satin ribbon to follow the sketch. Then, I tied the gorgeous double bow with Lee Conrey's amazing bow maker.

I inked the sentiment using the two different marker colors again, and punched that out with an oval punch. I LOVE the way the sentiment oval goes up and down instead of the long way. :D Finally I cut two small bouquets of little flowers. One for my BFF's hand, and one for the top of my oval. I cut the flowers right out of the DSP underneath. Isn't that fun??

I hope you have time to play along with Roxie's Sketch over on SCS this week! Thanks for looking!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 216 and a sneak peek

Good Evening Friends!

Its time for another sketch challenge for you to try. You know that I started a new job recently and this past week I was finally "on my own" to go and do my thing. I can honestly say that I have two of the BEST job's in the world, stamping and newborn photography!!

What I really love about a sketch challenge is the fact that it helps take one of the design variables out of the equasion when you sit down to design a card. Many of my customers when they are new explain that they don't know where to start when creating a card. I always suggest, starting with a sketch. Look at what you own in your stamping pantry already, match up some stamps and paper, and go for it! :D I just got this AWESOME stamp set with my holiday mini preorder. The new products sold used on this card will be available through your demonstrator on September 1st.

Let's start with some measurements.
Base Layer: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2", pool party (in color)
Layer 2: 5 x 3 3/4", espresso
Layer 3: 4 7/8" x 3 5/8", vanilla
Layers 4 & 5: 1/2" x 4 inch strip of spice cake designer series paper
Layer 6: 1 3/4" punched circle, I punched this layer out of layer 2, before assembling my card making use of ALL my supplies as much as possible
Layer 7: Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon.. (amazingly gorgeous in person)
Layer 8 & 9: 2 step stamped maple leaf images from the Gently Falling Stamp set.

The leaf images from the Gently Falling stamp set are a 2-step style stamp. So first I inked the bold image in pool party, then I used a more mustard marker to "thump" the accents on. For the technique thumping, you just use the large brush end of your stampin write marker like a drumstick on top of the lighter color, to get the second layer of ink to look random, instead of stroked. I stamped the second, outline of the leaf in espresso ink, then ripped them instead of cutting around the leaf image. I thought tearing the paper would make the leafs more organic.

When the card was complete, I used some "gold glow" smooch spritz across the top of the card (a little bit goes a long way). Layer 3 (vanilla) was embossed with the big shot using houndsooth embossing folder.

This is a camping weekend for my family and I (and next weekend too, yea!). I hope you have time to try out a sketch with us on stamping411. If you're new to cardmaking or an ol' pro, it really helps the mojo! :D Have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 215

Good Evening Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful week. I can't believe it's already been a week since I've posted to my blog. I started my new job and have been working basically full time for the past week to get trained. I'm really looking forward to a little down time tonight. By the time you're reading this, I'll be having dinner with my sister and heading off to see Harry Potter.. Don't tell me what happened, I cant wait to go see and bring tissues myself! :D

I'm sure that things will slow down at the day job soon, and I can get back to crafting, but for tonight... I just want to relax a bit!

I made this card before convention, and I've been making my cards way ahead of time for 411. Hopefully, I'll remember to tell you all the details this week!

Let's start with measurements.

Base: 8 1/2" x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4", turquoise. this layer went through the big shot with the stripes embossing folder
Layer 3: 3 1/4" strip, that was cut from dotted ribbon border punch.
Layer 4: 3 1/4" square real red card stock
Layer 5: Big Top Birthday Designer Paper cut to 3x3. (from a 12x12 piece, you get 16)
Layer 6: 1 3/4" circle punch with the sweet for the sweet sentiment and then cut. I chose to show the red and not go to the edge of the red border
Layer 7: 2 1/8" x 3 1/8" whisper white
Layer 8: 2x3" real red (cut from the leftovers when making layer 4
Layer 9: Real Red Satin Ribbon

Then I made a pop out of the sweets for the sweet stamp set. I took REAL lolly pops and cut the sticks off.. and I threw the candy away (my daughter was horrified... LOL)

I cut some clear crystal bags on my paper cutter and wrapped my paper candy up using some bakers twine in white. I used a 1" punch to cut the stamped candy pieces. I used this for my swap at convention with the utah divas and loved getting to see all my stamping buddies. It's a little bright, but I'm diggin it! What are your thoughts?

Check out stamping411 tonight and see what my girlfriends did with the sketch this week. They're all so talented!

Until later... rubbah hugs,
Selene~

Saturday Sketch Challenge 214

Good Afternoon!

I have today off from my new job, which I'm still coming up to speed on. I hope I do as good a job by myself as I am doing with the comfort of the girl who is training me beside me! :D

So I had a few questions about details on this last card that I forgot to mention... I hope I got all the questions here.

Stamps: 122757 (clear mount) up up and away
Ink: peach parfait, and baja markers
Paper: 124339 Just add cake DSP
Accessories: top note die, cut down, ornament punch, I sponged the balloon with pumpkin ink! I also sponged the white layer with baja, the ribbon is baja seam binding.

The balloon is punched from the reverse of the pattern for the background of the card, so you could punch it out of the piece that's under the white top note... I hope that makes sense.

The balloon bottom and tail come from the stamp set up up and away. It really was a simple card to put together! :D

For the glitter on the balloon, I used a new technique that I came up with a few weeks ago. Simply to add glitter to the tombo multipurpose glue, instead of a 2 way glue pen. It adds a little more dimension, AND you only get the glitter EXACTLY where you want it.

Have a great day and thank you for the questions!

Selene~