Saturday Sketch Challenge 223

I had so much fun with this week's sketch challenge from stamping 411.

I started with the top note die and cut a Cajun craze and shimmer white piece from it. I cut that white border off the shimmer and sponged it with cajun ink. I used pumpkin and cajun ink on the pumkins and used the rock and roll technique.

So measurements:
Base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2 Whisper white 5 1/4" x 4
layer 3: 3 pieces of DSP cut to 3 3/4" x 1 3/4"
Very easy but lots of fun! I love the layered ink and the fun sentiment from petite pairs!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 222

Good Evening Friends!

It's time for another sketch challenge from my girlfriends and I from Stamping 411! This week's sketch has a big circle in the middle of a square card!

When I sat down to make my card today ***late*** I was with my daughter Alexis, who reminded me that daddy has a birthday coming up, so this card is for my honey.

I started with a few big shot dies and a punch. I used the smaller scalloped circle, then cut it in half twice, and pasted it back together to make it smaller.. (i'm crazy... but you knew that). The "life is daring" sentiment fits perfectly in a 2 1/2" circle punch and I cut off "hellen keller" so I stamped that part again and used the small circle from the bitty punch trio to punch out her name. It also made my not so circular scalloped circle make sense... it sticks out in just the right place!

I used the 113468 scalloped circle die for the piece behind my designer paper, and used the bigz clear circle die 114533 for the striped designer paper. Then, I had Alexis stamp the foot prints.. She said this was a "muddy" card that dad was gonna like because we camp! She's so cool.

Now how about some measurements?

Base: Naturals Ivory 5 1/4" x 10 1/2", scored and folded in half at 5 1/4"
Layer 2: For this layer I cut the above layer to cut the circle out in espresso, then covered the damage with layer 3.
4 3/4" square :D
Layer 3: Well worn designer series paper.
Layer 4: Espresso scalloped circle cut out of layer 2 (it's like not painting behind the toilet, who's gonna notice?)
Layer 5 is some ribbon.. notice how it tucks under the designer paper on layer 6? Love that!!
Layer 6: is the flip side of the same designer paper.. I could have probably cut that from layer 3, but I didn't ;-)
Layer 7: My crazy re-cut not so circular scalloped circle.
Layer 8: 2 1/2" circle punch with the sentiment
Layer 9: bitty circle punch, from the punch trio.
Layer 10: A cute bow with that gorgeous ribbon in the mini!

I know that seems like a lot of layers, but it went together fairly quickly.. It took me longer to write about it, than it did to make the card!

Please check out what my good friends are doing this week over on stamping 411. Last week we welcomed Tammy Fite to our little operator family and her work is simply amazing.. You should check all the ladies out, they are amazing and their work is so inspiring.

Saturday Sketch Challenge 221

It's that wonderful time of the week again, that is, it's time for your stamping411 operators to bring you this weeks sketch! This week we have a BIG announcement about a brand NEW operator joining our team!!! Betcha want to know!!! Please click here and read all about it! I took this week's sketch and turned it on it's side, and I absolutely LOVE this week's card!

I'm not sure what it is... maybe it's the time of year, but I just digg it!!

When I saw this week's sketch, I knew right away that I wanted to use the new "Leaves of a Tree" stamp from the holiday mini. Because of that, I took some creative liberties with the sketch, but all the elements are still pretty much there... That's how a sketch is intended to be used. Just use the sketch as a jumping off point, and change it based on your need for the stamps you are using.

This tree stamp comes by itself.. Isn't it pretty? The sentiment comes from the occasions alphabet stamp set. There is a saying to go with every letter of the alphabet and I just LOVE that the set works so well with an oval punch the long way instead of the way that we usually see it. :D It's the little things that makes me happy. I love it when a design concept works, but it doesn't look like what everyone else is doing. I've always been like that. :D

Supplies
Stamps: Leaves of a Tree and Occasions Alphabet stamp sets
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, tangerine tango, and espresso markers. Cherry cobbler ink pad (with a sponge for adding color to the two white layers.
Paper: Crumb cake, cobbler, tangerine tango, and vanilla cardstock
Accessories: crumb cake taffeta ribbon, elegant bouquet embossing folder, sanding block, stampin sponges, and crystal effects on the spotlighted leaves (of course)

Measurements:
Base Layer: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: cherry cobbler 5 1/8 x 3 5/8"
Layer 3: tangerine tango 5 x 3 3/4", embossed then sanded with a sanding block to make the floral pattern "pop"
Layer 4: crumb cake ribbon
Layer 5: Crumb Cake 3 1/4" square
Layer 6: Cherry Cobbler 3 1/8" square
Layer 7: Very Vanilla 3" square
Layer 8: Cherry Cobbler modern label punch
Layer 9: Very Vanilla large oval
Layer 10: the crumb cake bow was added to the card with glue dots.

Well that's it for tonight! I hope you have time to play along this week.
Rubbah hugs!
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge 220

Good Evening Friends!

So can you tell that I'm addicted to this stamp set, Gift Givers? This is the third week in a row that my stamping 411 card uses the same stamp set and paper...

I like what I like! What can I say!

This week's card is my favorite yet. I've been telling my local customers that I had THIS CARD in my head for weeks. They, of course, told me that they couldn't imagine what I was talking about.... and basically dared me to make it! :D

First of all I have to talk about the window. I used shaker frames, this particular card uses the largest of the nested circles that form a pop up. Leaving you an area to fill with glitter, fluff, beads or in this case micro flakes... which is like snow.

I punched a circle in the top layer of designer paper, and punched it with a 1 3/4" circle punch. Then added a window sheet in the same size as the dsp. Then I punched holes in the corners using a matte pack and put 4 matching polka dot brads. This is the in color pool party.

How about some measurements
Base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4", embossed with the lattice embossing folder
Layer 3: Spice Cake Designer paper cut to 4 x 2" (love that pool party pattern with this girl stamp)
Layer 4: Velvet Vanilla Ribbon from the mini catalog. (i just want to touch it over and over ~ forgive me...lol) I think I need to add some of this to my PJ's.
Layer 5: 2 3/8" x 2 7/8" very vanilla
Layer 6 and 7: clear window sheet and espresso patterned DSP 2 3/4" x 2 1/4"

And that's all folks! I hope you have a wonderful week. Please check out the operator blogs and play along with this clean and simple gorgeous sketch by operator Gretchen Barron

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

You're Invited! Stamp Out Breast Cancer October 1

Good Morning Friends,

I have been waiting FOREVER to share this event with you and we've finally put all the finishing touches on an event that is going to be AMAZING!!

You are cordially invited to the SECOND Annual Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event. This is a very special event in that, ALL supplies are donated by demonstrators and friends. This means that EVERYTHING that we collect for the fundraiser goes straight to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Charity. I couldn't be more excited!

This year's event will be held in Dracut MA, at the GORGEOUS Harmony Hall. It is a historical building that was actually moved up Lakeview Avenue. Then, it had a major restoration. It sits beautifully preserved at 1660 Lakeview Avenue in Dracut.

There are two ways to Participate. Register under "event registration" and come and join us to make these 5 projects for your $25 donation. Register ONLINE and save $5.

If you cannot make it for any reason, you can make a donation to "directions only" and for your $20 donation, you will receive the instructions to recreate these gorgeous projects.

To do either, click here.

Here are more details about this very special event.

All supplies for the projects you will be making, have been donated. Therefore, 100% of your donation is going to Making Strides. We will also be selling raffle tickets for items to be raffled off during the day. There will be lots of stamping loot and maybe even gift cards raffled off (we are still working to get more raffles). All raffle proceeds will also be donated to the Making Strides. Last year; our first year, we raised over $2,000!!! We were so excited! Enjoy munchies and be inspired Display Boards with lots of great project ideas.

• Donate an item for our Raffle and receive an extra entry for the grand prize! There are two Grand Prizes for the raffle this year. A Big Shot and a basket with supplies to recreate the projects shown including the two stamp sets as well as many other fun things.

• Interested in some great card ideas? Participate in our Stampin Up Only Card Swap. Design one card using Stampin Up supplies and make 10-20 copies of that card and bring them along that day. You can swap your card design with others at the event for copies of their card design! You may also bring more than one design and swap multiple designs. You will go home with lots of great card ideas in hand!! Full cards only please. These cards should reflect your best work. Clean lines and straight layers. If you would like to label your card with your name, please do that on a post it note inside. We would all like to be able to use the cards after.

• Donate one of your swap cards to the swap basket and it will be donated to the cancer center at Lowell general hospital. You could win a prize for your generosity. And last but not least - Don't forget to wear Pink!! The fashion police will be on patrol and handing out surprises!! We hope to see you on October 1st!

Your Stamp Out Breast Cancer Team,

Barbara Kupfria
Christine Miscia Crutcher
Diane Giarrusso
Jeanne Nielsen
Joanne Cardone
Judy McCullough
Kathy Doucette
Lisa Fuller
Marilyn SanClemente
Priscilla Grunes
Regina Maginnis
Selene Kempton
Tami White

Saturday Sketch Challenge 219

What a crazy week it was here! I'm very thankful this week for electricity! After the wake of Irene, we lost power (and the contents of our freezer), but all in all things could have been worse, right?

This week's sketch from Gretchen at stamping411 is very straight forward and I had a wonderful time putting this "Be Thankful" card together.

Base: very vanilla 11 x 4 1/4"
Layer 2: Soft sky 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 3: espresso 5 x 3 5/8" (note it's the same size as layer 2.. the embossing folder on the brown layer, shrinks my cardstock by 1/8".
Layer 4: 3 1/4" square soft sky
Layer 5: 3" square designer paper from the NEW holiday mini

The cute "BE THANKFUL" stamp comes from the gift givers set in the mini catalog. I love that there is a different punch and holiday for every stamp in the set! It's such a useful set! :D I am loving every minute of this new designer paper and matching fabric. So totally awesome.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!
Rubbah hugs,
Selene