Stamp A Little Fun ~ Selene Kempton's Stampin' Up! creations

Class Quilt

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:55:26 PST

A craft project came home this week with a sketch from school. It was on a piece of copy paper, and as a family, we were to decorate a square for a class quilt for my daughter's classroom.

We were to work as a family on our quilt piece and it was supposed to have all our names on it.

So, we sat down as a family, pulled out some retired paper and got to work.

My husband did the measuring and we all picked some of the patterns.

We all colored our own snowman and alexis turned the crank for the big shot pieces. I cut the paper and helped them to assemble the project.

It was really fun to sit down and do a craft project as a family. really cool!

Mojo Monday ~ Week 112

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:04:24 PST

Time for the Monday morning stretch.

This weekend I had two friends tell me that they are headed for divorce. It seems more and more I'm hearing of couples breaking up. When children are involved it makes everything so hard on everyone involved. However, both of these strong, beautiful ladies, have decided it is what is best for their families moving forward.

I feel a profound urge to make cards this week for my girlfriends (who are now single moms) doing their best to make it.

This week's mojo sketch, lent itself well to my kissed butterfly. To make my butterfly, i inked up two bold stamps. I inked my butterfly in pretty in pink, and I inked a flower stamp with rose red. Next I kissed the two stamps together, so the butterfly would pick up the flowers, and I stamped that on my white card stock.

I cut a piece of white cardstock in half at 4 1/4" and folded it in half at 5 1/2" to make my card base. Next, I cut another piece of white, from the same paper and made the second layer 4 x 5 1/4". I cut one piece of 12 x 12 designer paper down to 1 1/4" strip and used this to make the two pink layers, cutting one at 4 1/2" and the other at 3". I punched out a 1 1/4" circle from my leftover whisper white to make the faux tag on the top. I just folded my circle in half and I had that element complete.

Underneath the butterfly I used quite a few punches.

1 1/4" circle in white
1 3/8" circle in Designer paper pink pattern
Scallop circle in white
1 3/4" circle in rose red
then 4 large heart punches to make the scallop on the bottom.

Next, I made the entire card shimmery. I took some white shimmer paint, (about 5 or 6 drops) and mixed it with once ounce alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake the entire mixture and saturate the front of the card. The whole card looks like shimmer paper!

Finally, I took the spritzer tool, and put a marker in that coordinates and spritzed the front with some splotches of ink. I think it adds to my butterfly!

I hope you are having a wonderful week and you have time to stamp something fun. If you have a few minutes you may want to play along with the gals on mojo monday. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Saturday Sketch Challenge

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:39:43 PST

It's time for another fabulous sketch from the wonderful operators at stamping 411.

I admit that I didn't make my card until tonight, and I had 20 minutes from the time i finished prepping for my class tonight and the time when my guests arrived. Within that time, I made this card, photographed it and had it named and in the right folder for posting.

As I was making this card I thought that the whole think might end up being made from one sheet of whisper white card stock, but when I got to the top layers I decided to add some Designer Paper from the mini catalog.

My Base layer is 4 1/4"" x 11", scored at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 2 x 4"
Layer 4: 1 x 3 1/2"
Layer 5: punched ornament.

I used snail adhesive to attach a ribbon to look like the ornament was hanging from the ribbon.

Next I mixed some champagne shimmer paint, with rubbing alcohol and sprayed the mixture over the card twice. The shimmer is so subtle, but it's so beautiful in real life.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and hope you have time to stamp something quick and simple with the stamping 411 crew this week!

Pocket Card Tutorial

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:01:03 PST

Today's Bloggers challenge is to share a technique with directions if possible.

My friend Jody asked me how to make a card that she could use to put her family Christmas picture on. Instantly I thought a pocket card would do the trick and would be good for my bloggers challenge at the same time!

Although you could probably use what you have on hand to make this cool project, here is a list of the exact supplies I used before we start the tutorial.

Stamps:
116517 Delightful Decorations $21.95

Ink:
103133 Real Red Ink Pad $5.95
100052 Real Red Marker $3.25

Paper:
102482 Real Red 8 ½ x 11 $5.50
100730 Whisper White 8 ½ x 11 $7.50

Accessories:
116794 Ornament punch $15.95
116770 Christmas Cocoa Paper $11.95
109052 Real Red Ribbon $ $7.95
105089 Horizontal Slot Punch $5.95
109867 Gold Elastic Cord $4.95 (optional)

Adhesives:
104430 Stampin’ Dimensionals $3.95
110755 Tombo multipurpose adhesive $3.95

Pocket cards are quite simple once you know how to measure them.

I took a piece of 8 ½ x 11” cardstock and scored it in half at 5 ½” and then at 2”
Fold the cardstock in half, like a regular card, then fold the 2” lip down.
Staple the two sides, under the flap (where the staples will be hidden. Or use your cropadile to punch a hole through all 3 layers and tie the sides with a ribbon.
On this card after the staples, I used some tombo multipurpose adhesive to glue the flap down. Then tied a ribbon on. This covers the staples on both sides of the card. The trick to using this adhesive is to remember…. Less is more! If you use to much, you will buckle your paper. It is wonderful adhesive and I use it on all my cards now, except when I’m attaching ribbon.
Both of the decorative Designer papers were cut to 4 x 1 ¾”
Next, I made the insert or large tag. I cut the red layer 5 x 3 ¾” and the white layer 4 ¾” x 3 ½”
I cut a ¾” x 3 ½” piece of leftover DSP to make the strip going across the bottom of my tag to finish it off.
I used the horizontal punch to punch a hole for my ribbon.
I had some magnet strips, so I put that on the back of my “tag” so that someone who receives it might be able to add it to the fridge.
For the front of the pocket, I stamped the joy ornament on whisper white card stock, then tied some gold cording on. I attached the ornament with stampin Dimensionals. I attached my photograph and my card is ready to mail!

Finally, here is another idea for a pocket card. I used the top note die to make sleeping bags for my build a bear invitations. I used up some retired paper, and plan to make personalized party favors for the guests. We need to be a bit frugal this year, so we were only able to invite 7 children. If it were up to Alexis, we would invite 25+ children. Can you tell she's a social butterfly? While I'm not one to leave anyone out, the smaller amount of children will make it easier for me to do favors that are more personal. I'm excited about that.

Each child who is invited to the party got a different invite that was made for them based on age and what they are in to.I cut two top note dies, and folded one back at the top. then just used tombo glue to glue around the edges. On the back of the sleeping bag, there are magnets so that they may be removed and played with or added to the fridge. Functional AND fun! Doesn't get any better than that!I'm really excited about what my friends are up to this week on blogger's challenge! they never disappoint and I'm sure that I'll learn a technique or two that I've never seen. Please check them out by clicking here.

Mojo Monday!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:52:37 PST

I just love Monday's. I really try whenever I can to play along with the mojo monday sketch challenge.

This week is a fantastically simple sketch (which I love).

Starting out with a sketch is like going to the gym. It helps jumpstart my creativity and get the blood moving!
I started with this stamp (on the left) and inked it up with bashful blue and real red markers.

I knew I wanted this one to have some shimmer, so I stamped it on a shimmer card stock starting out. Next, I added some brads to the main image.

I pulled out my embossing folder and embossed some red designer paper, then sanded it down to make it soft.

When the card was assembled I took some champagne shimmer paint (about 6 drops), and mixed it with 1 ounce of rubbing alcohol and sprayed the mixture over the whole face of my card. I know this second photo is dark, but it shows the shimmer paint a little bit, it is so beautiful in real life. It has gold tones that really bring out the brads.

Happy Monday!

Selene Kempton~

Sketch Challenge 123

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:01:00 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:03:08 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:26:41 PDT

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!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:46:25 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:00:01 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:08:00 PDT

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!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:38:18 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:27:02 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:06:22 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:40:07 PDT

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!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:02:49 PDT

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!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:00:01 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:52:59 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:09:59 PDT

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..

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:30:02 PDT

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!

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:59:28 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:19:56 PDT

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

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:09:49 PDT

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.

Rubbah Hugs,

Selene Kempton

Blogger's Challenge ~ Love ~ Teeny Valentine Wishes

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:21:29 PDT

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~

Mojo Monday Coolness and mini tutorial

e.selene@verizon.net (Selene Kempton) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:31:12 PDT

When I saw the sketch at mojo monday this morning, I almost didn't do it. I thought to myself that there were too many elements and I really try to keep it simple.

Well, one hour later, some embossing, bigshot~ting, and a whole lotta shimmer paint I'm excited with my end result. This is most certainly over the top.

Starting from the beginning...

Layer 1: I cut to 10 1/2" x 5 1/4" and folded in half with my bone folder.

Layer 2: I cut to 5" square.

The strip down the middle is 1 3/4" of red, with 1 1/2" of striped paper on top.
Then I used random measurements and shapes for the side panels to follow the sketch.

To make the white pocket, I used a 3x7" piece of whisper white. Scored on the long ends at 2 3/4" and down the middle at 3 1/2" this formed my pocket. I over cut the notches a bit so my flaps would fold over easy.

Next, I punched a notch out of my cardstock using my one inch circle punch for my bookmark holder.

Notice the notches on the SU! punch as in the photo below? Every SU punch has these. They indicate the middle on your punches. So in this case, if you wanted, you could create a punch that looks like 1/2 circle and have it be perfect, or you could even do a 1/4 inch circle by lining it up with two of the notches. So, I punched out a half circle in my pocket for my bookmark to sit in. This would also fit a gift card size pocket.

The bottom two photos show a close up of the snowflake punch, with a rhinestone that I removed from the casing, then colored with shimmer paint to get it to match my "gold tone" project. I also colored my bling and brad on the bookmark with the champagne shimmer paint to keep it all the same.

I embossed the sentiment with red craft ink and gold embossing powder, but tried to keep the stamp on the dry side, so you would see some of the red coming through.

the background snowflakes were inked in soft suede and i added shimmer paint to the stamp using a sponge dauber (picking the paint up from the cover after shaking) then stamping that on my cardstock!

What a fabulous start to the week!