Stamping 411

Saturday Sketch Challenge 124 ~ SSC124

2009-11-06T22:41:00.011-05:00

Hello Everyone! Are you ready for another fun sketch from the 411 operators?

This week's sketch offers a quick and easy lay out for your next project. Want to play along? It's easy!

Make a card
Post it somewhere on line
Add a link to "Mr. Linky" below so we can see your awesome work!

You might even win a gift!

For this week's sketch here is one possible set of measurements.

Base Layer: 4 1/4"" x 11", scored at 5 1/2"
(optional) Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 2 x 4"
Layer 4: 1 x 3 1/2"
Layer 5 and 6: try measuring your block of wood and cut layer 6 to that size. For layer 5, it should be 1/4" larger on two sides, than layer 6.

Clear as mud? Well, check out what our operators did this week and see if you find some inspiration here!

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

Please keep in mind that links will close on Thursday morning at 8AM. We're looking forward to seeing your awesome creations!

Stampers Showcase 123

2009-11-05T21:25:00.005-05:00

Another fantastic week of submissions and a hard time deciding on posting just 5. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

For the original post, click the thumbnails below.

Blog Candy Winner!!

2009-11-05T10:45:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to our Blog Candy winner Mariah Oliveira who played along and made this gorgeous card below! Please contact our operator Robin at stampwithrobin@yahoo.com to collect your prize!

Saturday Sketch Challenge ssc123

2009-10-30T16:13:00.011-04:00

Happy Halloween! Thanks so much for visiting and for playing along!

This week, just for playing along our operator Robin is offering up some candy for one lucky player. Just by playing along you could win the mini note kit "a note of thanks". The winner will be chosen randomly and at any time, so stay posted during the week!

Here is another fabulous sketch from your operators! We hope you have time to play along with this simple sketch this week! Those who play along always amaze us with their talents!

Here are some potential measurements you could use for this layout.
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"

Now here is what our operators have come up with for this week! Please remember that links will close on Thursday morning at 8AM EST. Thanks so much!

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

Thanks so much for playing! Links are closed for this week. Join us for stampers showcase tomorrow morning!

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Judy Jackson
2. Krista Visser-Driessen
3. Ida
4. Lynn
5. Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway
6. Kathy White
7. Diana Eichfeld
8. Cindy van Oorschot
9. Jennie Maier

10. Mariah Oliveira
11. Billie Anderson
12. Janelle Lavelle
13. Tanja Fussell
14. April Bench
15. Jenna Crawford
16. Cindy van Oorschot 2nd card
17. Jonia
18. Yapha

19. Jenna C (2nd card)
20. Jaydee
21. Beverly Gotthardt
22. stamperbeth
23. Erna Logtenberg
24. Kay Kalthoff
25. Celine de Noisy (france)

Stampers Showcase

2009-10-30T12:02:00.005-04:00

What an amazing and talented group of players. All the operators had a tough time voting this week. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

For the original post, click the thumbnails below.

Saturday Sketch Challenge SSC122 ~ a square card

2009-10-24T08:00:00.004-04:00

Happy Weekend!

There's just something about a square card that makes me feel like I've taken my creation to the next level ~ it's so elegant.

This week's sketch challenge is for a square card or scrapbook page. You can make YOUR creation any square size you like, but I'm going to give you measurements for a square envelope that fits a 5 1/4" card.

Base: 5 1/4" x 10 1/2" (scored at 5 1/4")
Layer 2: 5x5
Layer 3 (pink color): 5 x 2 1/2"
Layer 4 (dark green): 1/2" x 5 *Note: for this layer you might consider using ribbon.
Layer 5 & 6: you would want to go by your stamp, but for this sketch you could use 3x3 ~ if you cut from a 12 x 12, you will get 12 pieces from one sheet.
Layer 6&7: Again, measure the wood on your stamp for exact measurements for your creation, but if you were going exactly by the sketch, you could make this layer 1 1/2"

Above all, please have fun! Take creative liberties and change the sketch to suit your card, stamps, and style.

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

Links are closed for this week, come back tomorrow and see our stampers showcase!

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Krista Visser-Driessen
2. Elly Kreutzer-van Ginkel(NL)
3. Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway
4. Cindy van Oorschot
5. Billie Anderson
6. Stamping SAM
7. Ida
8. Pam Browne

9. Yapha
10. Lynn
11. Jennie Maier
12. Diana Eichfeld
13. Annemieke
14. jaydee
15. Kim Mc (Living in Paradise)
16. Céline de Noisy ( France )

17. Carrie Gaskin
18. Kay Kalthoff
19. Jenna C
20. Monika Davis
21. stamperbeth
22. Erna Logtenberg

Stampers Showcase 121

2009-10-23T11:03:00.006-04:00

Here are your operator picks for this week! See you bright and early tomorrow morning (or late tonight) for another awesome sketch challenge by your 411 operators.

As a side note, we will be posting stampers showcase on Friday's from now on. :) To see the full cards and hear a little from the artists, just click the thumbnail pictures below. Thanks for playing along.

Are you ready for SSC121?

2009-10-16T10:08:00.015-04:00

On a personal note ~ this week's operator examples are my favorite to date! I'm always amazed at the talent of not the operators, but all that play along and I'm so happy to see all the beautiful work. Thanks to all that play along and to the operators who ~ week after week ~ share their talents with the rest of us!

Now let's get down to measurements!

Layer 1: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored in half to form the base of your card
Layer 2: 4 1/4" x 1" *Note ~ you can consider using a piece of ribbon for this layer.

Layer 3: 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" (if you cut a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" in half at 4 1/4", then you can get 6 pieces out of one piece of paper.
Layer 4: 4x3" (consider using 12 x 12 or Designer Series paper for this layer ~ you will yeild 9 pieces with no waste!)
Layer 5 & 6: Measure your block of wood for layer 6, then matte that layer with a piece of cardstock that is 1/4" larger on two sides. (or you may eliminate this layer all together and cut out your focal point and place it in the same spot.

Above all, create! Use the sketch as a jumping off point and make something beautiful! Now prepare to be amazed at what your operators have to offer today!

Links are a little different this week ~ Please click the pictures to go to the original artist's blogs if you choose.

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

Something NEW!! Links closed Thursday AM at 8. Check back tomorrow for our stampers showcase, AND again on Saturday for a great new sketch challenge!

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Laura Thorpe
2. Rosemarie Diehl
3. Lisa Kmiec
4. Kim Mc (Living in Paradise)
5. April Bench
6. Lynn
7. LILY
8. Billie Anderson
9. Tena Cross
10. Yapha

11. Diana Eichfeld
12. Jasmina
13. Janelle Lavelle
14. Bonita
15. Krista Visser-Driessen
16. Jennie Maier
17. Liane Peden
18. Tammy Fite
19. Erna Logtenberg
20. Elly Kreutzer-van Ginkel

21. LeAnne
22. Jenna
23. Kay Kalthoff
24. Krystal/skdeleeuw
25. Loni - TX
26. Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway
27. Beverly Gotthardt
28. Shari

Stampers Showcase 120

2009-10-15T10:41:00.005-04:00

Once again, there was some beautiful artwork going on this week! Here are your operator picks for this week. To see and read more about their beautiful creations, just click on the pictures below!

Hope to see you for another great sketch this weekend!

It's Saturday Sketch Time ~ SSC120

2009-10-09T21:16:00.017-04:00

Before we get started today... there was a comment on the blog that had a question I'd like to answer. Sometimes if one person has a question, others may have the same question.

Anonymous said... "It would be much nicer to see the entire card..the artists put so much work and thought into their cards they should be displayed not just have a very small portion shown. Just my opinion. What I can see they were probably all really nice."

Thank you so much for the feedback.. We do the tiny photos to encourage you to click on them. You will be instantly transported to the artist's full cards and their original posts about how they made the card. I hope that clears up any confusion for you. If you have any further questions please send an email to operators@e-selene.com and we'd love to hear from you.

Now ~ how about a new challenge to play along with from your Sensational Seven Operators?

If you are going exactly by the sketch there are only 3 full paper layers. I'm going to give the measurements for Selene's card below (first one listed this week). If you want to use the sketch true ~ skip layer 2 and 3. However, it's nice to have the measurements if you are looking to add extra layers. note, they are 1/4" larger on two sides, to make a 1/8 border all the way around.

Layer 1: 4 1/4" x 11" scored in half at 5.5"
Layer 2: 4" x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 3 3/4" x 5"

Layer 4: 4x3 (note, you will yield 9 pieces ~ with no waste ~ if you cut this layer from a 12x12).
Layer 5: 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" (six pieces from one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" piece of card stock.

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

We hope you are as excited about this weeks challenge as we are. We will keep the links open until Wednesday night. Have a great weekend and have some fun with this one!

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Erna Logtenberg
2. Annemieke
3. LeAnne
4. Laura Thorpe
5. Eve (age 6)
6. Yapha
7. Jonia
8. Lynn
9. Rebecca
10. Rebecca #2

11. Tena Cross
12. Lesley :)
13. Janelle Lavelle
14. Caro
15. Liane Peden
16. Tory B
17. Jenna
18. LaToya
19. Tanja
20. Billie Anderson

21. Janelle Lavelle
22. Robbie
23. Krystal/skdeleeuw
24. Jennie Maier
25. Kay Kalthoff
26. Sue Erickson
27. Jasmina
28. SueB of Blondin Blogs
29. Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway

Stampers Showcase

2009-10-08T08:45:00.005-04:00

This week ~ when the operators sent their votes ~ there were very little overlaps! It is SO hard to choose a favorite!

Thanks to all who play along on a regular basis. We look forward to seeing what you create every week! Here's the showcase!

Try A Scrapbook Page With your next Sketch Challenge!

2009-10-07T20:12:00.003-04:00

When I saw Tiffany Bauer's post today on her blog, I knew that the readers of Stamping 411 would want to see this. Tiffany made a fabulous scrapbook page with the sketch from this week. You have 12 hours!!!

Your mission if you choose to accept is to make a scrapbook page with this weeks sketch and link it back here so we can all oooh and ahhhh

Tiffany Wrote on her blog:

"This layout is one I did for the Stamping 411 Blog using this weeks sketch!! Gotta love sketches!! As you can see I took this simple sketch and did a great layout with it.

For my layout I used the Night & Day Specialty DSP, Whisper White, Basic Black & Brocade Blue Cardstock, Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Scallop Border Punch, the stamp sets called Baroque Motifs & Things I Love, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker and the Big Shot using the Stampin' Up! Timeless Type Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Die.

I just love how my DSP turned out stamping some color onto it. And my faux stitching looks so real!!! I hope some of you will join in on our fun over at Stamping 411!!

Have a great day!!"

Saturday Sketch Challenge 119

2009-10-02T21:12:00.009-04:00

Happy Weekend! It's time for the Saturday Sketch Challenge from your Stamping 411 Operators! This week's sketch is GORGEOUS! I'm so excited by all the creations from the operators and can only imagine the creative genius we will see from our readers (as usual),

Here are some possible measurements for this weeks layout.

Layer 1: 4 1/4" x 11, scored at 5 1/2" and folded in half.
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 2 1/4" x 5 1/4"
Layer 4: 2 x 5 1/4"

The rest of the layers you would cut to size based on your image and maybe use punches for the decorative elements. 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.

Here is what your operators came up with this week.

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

Just a quick reminder that links will close on Wednesday night. Thanks for visiting and playing along!
Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Lynn
2. Cindy van Oorschot
3. Amy Caraluzzi
4. Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway
5. Jennie Maier
6. Rebecca
7. Cindy van Oorschot 2nd card
8. Karen Bernier
9. Shari
10. jaydee
11. Cindy van Oorschot 3rd card

12. Jenna
13. Krista Visser-Driessen
14. glenda calkins
15. Erna Logtenberg
16. Yapha
17. Laura Thorpe
18. Tammy Mendiola
19. Kay Kalthoff
20. Janny Ligtenberg
21. Sharon Carr
22. Leigh (Australia)

23. Jasmina
24. Janelle Lavelle
25. Nikki Bond
26. Sandy S.
27. Diana Eichfeld
28. Kathy White
29. Rachel Verbrugge
30. **Lesley**
31. Kristen (queen of nostalgia)
32. Ali Manning
Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Stampers Showcase 118

2009-10-01T12:59:00.004-04:00

Here are your operator picks for this week!
See you on Saturday for another fun challenge sketch!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 118

2009-09-25T22:11:00.012-04:00

Good Morning!

Hopefully it's a beautiful day where you are! This week's sketch is super simple AND if you take a peek below you'll notice that your operators have very different interpretations of the same sketch. Isn't that fun? One of our operators even turned her creation into a 3x6 shaped card!

Here is one way to break down the sketch if you want to play along this week. However, there is no right or wrong. Play with what YOU see in the sketch and make something fabulous!

Layer 1: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored in half at 4 1/4" to make the base.
Layer 2: 4 x 2 1/2"
Layer 3: 4 x 1 (layered on top of layer 2)
A piece of ribbon across and some shape for a focal point. Easy peasy, rice and cheesy. (did I just say that??) I hope you have a fantabulous weekend and am looking forward to seeing all your creations!

Please keep in mind that links close on Wednesday night.

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

Links are closed for this week. Please join us early Saturday AM for a really wonderful sketch. I think you're going to love next week!Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Loni - TX
2. Jennie Maier
3. Cindy Rio
4. Janny Ligtenberg
5. Yapha
6. Sarah Miller
7. Rebecca
8. Rebecca
9. jaydee
10. Laura Thorpe

11. **Lesley**
12. Diana Eichfeld
13. Carole'Anne aka" Stampin Stressaway
14. Sue Erickson
15. Janelle Lavelle
16. Tammy Mendiola
17. Tara
18. Rachel Verbrugge
19. Erna Logtenberg
20. Lynn

21. stamperbeth
22. Krista Visser-Driessen
23. Kay Kalthoff
24. Allison Ohran
25. Carrie Gaskin
26. Caro
27. LILY
28. Lori Stilger

Stampers Showcase 117

2009-09-24T14:50:00.002-04:00

411 Operator Picks for this week! See you Saturday morning for another great sketch!

Using the Aqua Painter

2009-09-22T18:44:00.008-04:00

For coloring, I use my Aqua Painter all the time. For me, it gives me the best control over light and dark shading. Here is a tip sheet compiled by fellow demonstrator, Roxanne Mussell. I thought you'd enjoy the tips, too! Thanks for letting us share this, Roxanne!

For this card, I used two different watercolor techniques using the Aqua Painter. The first, I scribbled the Watercolor Crayons directly onto Shimmer cardstock, then used my Aqua Painter back and forth across the scribbles to blend and soften the background colors. In the second, I used the Aqua Painter to color the pumpkins/gourds by picking up the color directly from my Watercolor Crayons and coloring in the Basic Brown images (on Shimmer paper again.)

Aqua Painter™ Tips

Basic Care & Use:

1. Choose paper that is of heavier quality, such as the Watercolor, Shimmer, Confetti or Naturals cardstocks (Ultrasmooth cardstock is ok if you don’t plan to do a lot of blending).

2. Stamp with an ink that won’t bleed such as Basic Black, Basic Gray or Basic Brown or emboss your image.

3. Fill the barrel with the liquid of your choice.

4. Squeeze the barrel so the liquid fills the reservoir and begins to drip from the brush, though not so much that liquid runs from the brush tip. If you get too much water, dab off on a paper towel. Keep one next to you during the entire coloring process.

5. Use the painter as you would a blender pen or standard paintbrush – practice first on scrap paper to get the feel for this handy tool. Unlike a blender pen you control the amount of liquid that mixes with your color choice. If your paper gets too wet; dry with a heat tool to stop colors from unintentionally bleeding together.

6. Between colors, clean your painter by running the brush across a paper towel or scrap paper while gently squeezing the barrel until the brush runs clear.

7. Clean your Aqua Painter™ after each use and let the 2 pieces air dry before storing (this will prevent mold and bacteria from forming and possible damage to the tool).

If you forget to clean up for a few days…fill the barrel with warm, slightly soapy water; shake a bit to clean the barrel then squeeze quite a bit of soapy water though the reservoir and out till the brush is clean. Rinse with clean water to remove soap and air dry.

Try these liquids in your Aqua Painter™:

1. Water is great for blending and creating a soft watercolored look.

a. Pick-up ink pad color, reinkers, or even markers colored on a palette to watercolor a stamped or embossed image.

b. Use to blend watercolor crayons and pencils within a stamped image.

c. Use the Aqua Painter filled with water to color wash a background or create beautiful sunsets.

d. Don’t use directly with chalks – use a sponge to pick up some chalk and rub on scrap paper – use the painter to pick-up this “scrap” chalk.

2. Liquid Bleach is great for bleaching out areas of your embossed image. When the image is bleached out as desired use a heat tool to dry the cardstock and stop the bleach processing. Then use markers to color your image. Try this with darker cardstocks. Make sure to rinse out your Aqua Painter thoroughly after you are done.

Other uses:

1. Use a water filled Aqua Painter™ to dampen cardstock prior to distressing.

2. Reach for your water filled Aqua Painter™ to seal envelopes.

Hope you enjoyed these tips for using your Aqua Painter. Now go out and create!

Connie Babbert
Stamping 411 Operator

2009-09-19T00:02:00.015-04:00

Good Morning~ It's time for another cool sketch from your stamping 411 operators.

This week, the sketch is pretty simple, but it does have a different twist. A shape that is a point, that could look like a building, a door, a crayon or another image. I was so very excited to see all the creations from our operators. They are all so talented, and the ideas that came back were all very different.

Measurements:
Layer 1: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: any square or rectangle shape (maybe this will be the same size as your wood block.

Layer 4: the topper for the square. To achieve this, cut a square shape, then cut it in half corner to corner.

We are looking forward to seeing your awesome creations this week. Please remember that Mr. Linky closes on Wednesday night.

By Gretchen Barron

By Connie Babbert

By Selene Kempton

By Lee Conrey

Thanks so much for playing along. See you on Saturday for another fun sketch!

By Patti Chesky

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Happy Stamper
2. Lori Stilger
3. Carole'Anne aka" Stampin Stressaway
4. Kathy White

5. Jennie Maier
6. Sharon Carr
7. Jaydee
8. Janelle Lavelle

9. stamperbeth
10. Tina Luntsford Rucker
11. Lynn

Crimped Over the Top Tutorial

2009-09-18T13:11:00.001-04:00

Today's stamping "how to" comes from our operator Lee Conrey, from Jacksonville Florida.

This card features “Autumn Days” from Stampin’ Up! I’ve had so many requests to share this so I hope you enjoy it.

First you need a piece of card stock measuring 4’ x 5 1/4”…you will need to have this piece marked on the center edge of all sides as seen below. The center is 2” on the short sides and 2 5/8” on the long sides. Mark with pencil so you can erase

Then you want to score from a long side to a short side as seen here marked by a broken line (dashes).

and score….

Once you have scored it you will need to fold it in….like this;

then you will place it folded into your crimper……as shown below

try and keep it folded

Run it though the crimper and don’t despair when it hasn’t totally crimped in the center. Simply open and crimp again from both sides to the center to get full crimped coverage.

like this….

do this from both sides to fill in the center and you’re done!!!! Now that wasn’t hard was it?

Now to get the cute little diamond shapes for the inside of the center…I crimped another piece and cut the center out (large diamond) and cut it down to where I wanted it. Make sure to cut equally on all sides to make your templates and then trace to cardstock. That’s it!!!"

Great Technique Lee!

Here are your operator picks for sketch 116

2009-09-17T09:07:00.004-04:00

There are some really beautiful cards here! Thanks for playing along!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 116

2009-09-11T21:13:00.008-04:00

Oh Happy Weekend! It's time for another addition of the operator's sketch challenges. Please remember to link to your post and not just to your blog, so we can find your cards later in the week! I try and fix them when I see them. :)

As far as the measurements... I'm going to give the most simple scenario to help those readers who are newest to stamping!

Layer 1: Score a piece of 8 1/2 x 11" cardstock in half at 4 1/4", then cut the piece in half the other way at 5.5". This will yield two card bases.
Tip** by scoring first, you do half the work on a large job.

Layer 2: 4 3/4 x 2 1/4"

Layer 3 and 4: Measure the block for your wooden stamp for layer 4 and cut to size. Matte with a piece of cardstock thats 1/2" larger on two sides. (note, this is different than your normal 1/4" matte. ~~ Getting Fancy!!

Thanks for all the wonderful messages that you leave for our operators. It encourages us and we're excited to be helping so many. However, we are lucky... because we get to see YOUR awesome creations. Every week it becomes more challenging to pick the top 5 and many of the operators don't vote for the same entries. You are all exceptional and we thank you for playing! Here's what our operators have for you this week.

by Patti Chesky

by Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

by Lee Conrey

Thanks for playing along~ our links close on Wednesday night. Please join us early Saturday morning for another fun sketch!
Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Paula (Inking Addict)
2. Krista Visser-Driessen
3. Ilse Vargas
4. Jenna Crawford
5. Carole'Anne aka" Stampin Stressaway
6. Adriana Benitez
7. Paige Grabau
8. Kay Kalthoff
9. Sue Erickson
10. Lisa Kmiec
11. Yapha

12. Nicole Stalker
13. Lynn
14. Happy Stamper
15. Lily
16. Jennie Maier
17. Janelle Lavelle
18. kivonne tucker
19. Laura
20. Shelly Koskinen
21. Cam Cao
22. jaydeestamping

23. Nichole Banh
24. sharon field
25. Krystal/skdeleeuw
26. Lynn Put
27. Tina Luntsford Rucker
28. Sharon Carr
29. jaydee card 2
30. Tammy Fite
31. C@ro
32. stamperbeth
33. Tami Black

Stampers Showcase 115

2009-09-10T22:57:00.002-04:00

Here are your operator picks for this week's sketch 115. Enjoy!

How To Condition Your Stamps

2009-09-09T09:00:00.002-04:00

Hello stamping friends! It’s time for another “How to…..” installment here at the 411. This week we will deal with the problem of your stamped images coming out less than – shall we say – crisp? How about clean, or fully inked, or maybe even plain ol’ Yukk!

There is a stamping term for what needs to be done to get a lovely, clean image each time you stamp with it. It’s called Conditioning. Yes, I know thats normally what you do to your hair after you shampoo it, but trust me, this is much less messy and no hair is involved!

You may ask, “Why do I need to do anything to my stamps, after all, they are brand new.” Well, when your stamps come from the manufacturing facility, they have a slight haze or film on the surface of them. This is noticeable when you ink your stamp for the first time. When you’ve transferred the image to cardstock you get an image that looks something like the one on the left of this picture:

Yep! It’s especially noticeable with SOLID image stamps like this one where there are no lines to color in after stamping. But sometimes even your LINE ART images and GREETINGS need conditioning as well to make sure you are getting the best image transfer possible. We here at Stamping 411 know that you always want your images to look great from the first time you stamp them – us too! And the image on the right of the above picture shows you what a well conditioned, well inked stamp on cardstock looks like.

Now, there are several ways to Condition your stamps. The one I use almost exclusively is to lightly sand the stamp surface with my Sanding Block. I hold the stamp in one hand like this:

Then, I rub my Sanding Block back and forth a few times in one direction:

And then I turn the stamp a half turn and sand back and forth a few times in the opposite direction.

Once this is done, I spray some Stampin’ Mist on my Stampin’ Scrub and clean the stamp like this:

making it ready to use. It’s really that easy folks!

Two other methods that stampers use are equally easy.

One is to use your Staz-On Cleaner and simply clean off the stamp, clearing away the residue. Here is an example:

You can also use a pencil eraser and rub it lightly across the stamp surface, like this example:

Whatever method you choose is really up to your personal preference, but the main thing is to “Just Do It!”

Be sure to clean your stamp before use with Stampin' Mist and the Stampin' Scrub when using either of these examples as well.

One other thing to consider when stamping with a conditioned SOLID image stamp is to make sure it has plenty of ink on it.

The way I do this is to use the “Twist and Tap” method. I first twist the stamp on the surface of the ink pad – dye or Classic inks only for this, Craft or pigment inks are different – about 3 to four times. Then I tap it a couple of times on the ink pad to evenly distribute the ink across the stamp surface. This results in a crisp, clean image almost every time.

I’ll leave you with an example of a cleanly stamped card I cased recently. The main image is a SOLID image stamp from the set “Enjoy Every Moment”.

You'll find that you'll "Enjoy Every Moment" of your stamping time when your stamps are well conditioned, well inked and well LOVED!

We're so glad you visit us here at Stamping 411! Come back soon and play along with our weekly Saturday Sketch Challenge - we'd love to see your creativity at work!

Stamped Blessings,

~~Robin

A fun place to play

2009-09-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for visiting the stampin411 blog and for those of you that play along thank you.

There has been a few concerns raised with some policies that went out to all Stampin' Up! demonstrators this week. I feel that this does not affect our efforts here at the Stamping 411 blog. Let me explain a little bit.

I'm not sure if you have noticed, but all of our operators have agreed that Stamping 411 is a place to share information only. Each of us, send our customers to this blog and on the 411 post, we do not market to you. So, you will not find "buy from me now" or "sign up with me today" in the posts that are for this blog from the operators. We have agreed not to use our blog in that way.

When this blog was brand new, the vision was simple. We wanted a place to send our customers so they could learn the basics. They can go back to "how to read a ruler" over and over again, if they forget what 4 and 7/16" looks like on a ruler. It is a shared resource for the seven of us with one another and you. We want you to feel comfortable sending your customers here, knowing that they will not be sent onto a "sales floor." We want to help our customers, and help anyone who would like to play along and read our posts at the same time.

As a blogger, the world is your marketplace, and everyone has the right to blog about what they wish in their own space.

We humbly request that when you play along, that you refrain from putting sales stuff in your posts, and know that we will too. If someone sees a card that you make here, and they seek you out, you will hear from them (so fun and wonderful for you)! We just do not want 411 to become another marketing tool. The blog was made for fun and sharing. More importantly, it was made to help the new stamper/paper crafter learn the basics.

The seven of us realize, we can do this much better together, (training our customers who are new, how to use their awesome products) than we can separately.

By following this one rule, we will also be within our guidelines with the contracts that we all signed for non competition. There has been much speculation this week about what the rules are from Stampin' Up! and I would refer you to your demonstrator to get the specific details on that. The rule was released and clarified this week, and there are all sorts of rumors, so I am only commenting on what we are doing moving forward.

I'm pretty sure this will be the one rule that we need, but we're new at this too... Our operator, Robin wrote back to someone who was asking about the announcements and I like the way that she explained it, so I'm "casing" her words.

Robin wrote:
"As much as the operators love SU! and are loyal to the company and their products, we and SU! understand that there are many products that can spur your creativity. We want you to feel free to play with the challenges each week with your choice. We only ask that you help us to honor our contracts by not selling directly from your blog and then linking back to us."

Thanks so much for your understanding. We look forward to seeing your awesome creations!
Selene Kempton ~ list mom

Saturday Sketch Challenge 115

2009-09-04T22:31:00.001-04:00

Happy Challenge Day Everybody! Take at look at the below examples carefully. This week, we all look quite different, and there's even a scrapbook page in the mix! It's so fun to take a sketch and let your imagination run free. When you play along this week, we encourage you to go as big or as small as you wish.. turn this into a 3x3 card, or into a 12x12 scrapbook page. Sky's the limit!

Since Lee's card is at the top of the examples tonight, I'm going to talk about the measurements that she might have used.

Base: 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper cut down to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" and folded in half at 4 1/4.
(note: if you score your card stock the long way at 4 1/4 first, then make your cut, you only need to do your scoring once, and you yield two card bases from each sheet)
Layer 2: 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
layer 3: (green layer shown below) 5 x 2 3/4"
For layers 4 and 5 and for where the ribbon will make sense to go across you need to use your stamps for size. I like to sometimes cut my paper the same size as the wood block. for layer 5, then matte it with a slightly larger piece 1/4" larger on two sides, makes an 1/8" border all the way around!

Well the operators had fun with the sketch this week and we hope that you do to if you have time to play along. We look forward to seeing your creations.

Please note: Mr. Linky closes on Wednesday night.

By Lee Conrey

By Patti Chesky

By Robin Merriman

by Gretchen Barron

by Connie Babbert

by Tiffany Bauer

by Selene Kempton

Thanks so much for playing along, links are closed for this week. Please check back next week for another fun sketch!

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Heidi @ Stuck on Stampin'
2. Loni H. - TX
3. Laura
4. Jennifer Jones
5. Carole'Anne aka" Stampin Stressaway
6. Laura Thorpe
7. Cindy Rio
8. Tamarra Corel
9. Jaydee
10. Paula (Inking Addict)
11. Lynn
12. RobynAnn
13. Cindy van Oorschot
14. Lisa Kmiec

15. Jaydee Card #2
16. Sharon Burkert
17. Diana Eichfeld
18. Yapha
19. Jenn Zinck
20. Nancy Horn
21. stamperbeth
22. Rachel Verbrugge
23. Erna Logtenberg
24. Tammy Fite
25. Jenna Crawford
26. Kay Kalthoff
27. Janice Rosenthal Rock
28. Kathryn Brown

29. Sharon Carr
30. Kim Mc (Living in Paradise)
31. C@ro
32. Krista Visser-Driessen
33. Happy Stamper
34. Sandy S
35. Teresa Hafso
36. Shari
37. Nichole Banh
38. Liz Goldhawk
39. Carole Jordan
40. Teressa Thompson
41. LeAnne