Friday, December 30, 2011

Saturday Sketch Challenge 235

Good Evening Friends!

We hope that you had a wonderful holiday filled with joy and look forward to 2012! Can you believe it's already time to ring in a new year?

On a personal note, operator Gretchen Barron had surgery this past Thursday to remove a tumor from her leg. When she woke up from the surgery and was finally out of pain, she cried tears of joy! Her recovery period is expected to be six weeks. If you have a moment, please wish her well by leaving her a comment. We look forward to welcoming her back when she is ready.

So how about some potential measurements for this week's sketch?
Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: Consider this! 4 1/4" x 2 3/4", you would not have any waste and get 8 per sheet!
Layer 3: 4 x 2 1/2"

Above all, thanks for playing along and have fun! To get specific measurements from each of the operators, just click the link below their card. :D






Are you ready to play along? We sure hope so! Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit!
  1. Make a card using your Stampin' Up Supplies!
  2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
  3. Post a link to the free linky tool below (please point the link to your post and NOT just your blog).
  4. Have some fun and leave comments for each other (and for the operators if you like their work). ~ Everyone loves comments!
  5. Please note, we reserve the right to remove links with non-Stampin' Up! product, "sales pitches", links to online stores, or requests to join your team. We're here to have fun, learn from one another and share.
We hope you join us this week and play along with this sketch! But don't delay our links will close at 8AM on Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Stampers Showcase 235

Good Morning 411 Friends!

What beautiful submissions this week! Thanks to all that take time out to play along! We look forward to seeing what you come up with every week. Here are this week's operator picks.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Welcome to Saturday Sketch Challenge #235

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Sketch Challenge at Stamping 411! It's difficult to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! On behalf of all the Stamping 411 Operators, we want to wish you all the best this Holiday season! We hope in the midst of family activities, you will find a few moments of solice in your stamping space and will be able to play along with us this week! We've got another fun and exciting sketch for you this week. Here you go ...




As always, we encourage you to begin with the sketch and to make it your own!  Here's some potential measurements to help you out:


1. Layer One -- Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded to make your card base.
2. Layer Two -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 4 x 4"
3. Layer Three -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 3.75 x 3.75"
4. Layer Four -- Ribbon, punchies and embellishments, as desired!

Are you ready to see what the Stamping 411 Operators have created this week? Just click on each Operator name to find out more details about their project. Let's go ...





















Are you ready to play along? We sure hope so! Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! The sky's the limit!

1.Make a card using your Stampin' Up Supplies!
2.Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
3.Post a link to the free linky tool below (please point the link to your post and NOT just your blog).
4.Have some fun and leave comments for each other (and for the operators if you like their work). ~ Everyone loves comments!
5.Please note, we reserve the right to remove links with non-Stampin' Up! product, "sales pitches", links to online stores, or requests to join your team. We're here to have fun, learn from one another and share.
We hope you join us this week and play along with this sketch! But don't delay our links will close at 8AM on Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time.

Have fun and Happy Stamping ... and Happy Holidays!

Blessings, Gretchen

Stamper's Showcase #234


Can you say BUSY! Whew! It's that time of year, isn't it? We so appreciate our Stamping 411 followers taking time out to playing along with our Sketch Challenge this week! Here are your Operator Picks for Sketch Challenge #234. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sneak Peek Set Sampler!!

Good morning! It's my privilege to share a new set sampler with you this morning! I chose a fun new stamp set coming in January! (in the Occasions Mini Catalog). It's called Bordering on Romance, and it's so very pretty!! I really tried to do a masculine card, but failed! :-) If you come up with one using this set, please share with me!! I did manage to use all the colors groups--to give you some variety! Supplies for will be listed for each card! Enjoy!!!

Bordering on Romance Stamp Set
Calypso Coral & Whisper White Card stock
Calypso Coral Classic Ink
5/8" Organza Ribbon; Big Shot; Adorning Accents Edgelits

Bordering on Romance Stamp Set
Basic Gray, Whisper White & Baja Breeze Card stock
Basic Gray Classic Ink; Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze & Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Markers
Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Twitterpated Designer Paper


Bordering on Romance & Curly Cute Stamp Sets
Black Stazon Ink pad; Riding Hood Red Classic Ink Pad
Riding Hood Red, Whisper White and Vellum cardstock
Twitterpated Designer Paper; Aqua Painter; Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon

Bordering on Romance & Curly Cute Stamp Sets
Black Stazon Ink Pad; Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black and Whisper White Card Stock
Basic Pearls Jewels

I hope you enjoy this feature! If there is a stamp set you'd like to see me use, leave a comment!

Happy Holidays!!!



Friday, December 16, 2011

Saturday Sketch Challenge #234

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Sketch Challenge at Stamping 411! Can you believe that we are just a week away from Christmas! WOW!!! The Stamping 411 Operators hope that you'll find a few moments this weekend to stamp and play along with our challenge! It's great therapy to clear your mind and releve some of that pre-holiday stress that we're all feeling this time of year! Here's our sketch for this week ...



Don't let the layers keep you from playing! This sketch can be used to create a simple and beautiful card or something extra special! As always, you start with the sketch and make it your own! To help you get started, here's some potential measurements to help you out:
  1. Layer One -- Cardstock cut at 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded to make your card base.
  2. Layer Two -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 4 x 5.25"
  3. Layer Three -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 2.5 x 5.25" -- use a border punch on the bottom
  4. Layer Four -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 2 x 5.25"
  5. Layer Five -- Cardstock or DSP cut at 2.5 x 3.5"
  6. Layer Six -- Cardstock cut at 2.25 x 3.25 -- stamp your focal image on this layer
  7. Layer Seven -- Add a flag or banner with your sentiment

Add embellishments or sentiments to your taste (and in keeping with the sketch) and most importantly, have fun!!!!


Are you ready to see what the Stamping 411 Operators have created this week? Let's go ...





















Are you ready to play along? We sure hope so! Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! The sky's the limit!

  1. Make a card using your Stampin' Up Supplies!
  2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
  3. Post a link to the free linky tool below (please point the link to your post and NOT just your blog).
  4. Have some fun and leave comments for each other (and for the operators if you like their work). ~ Everyone loves comments!
  5. Please note, we reserve the right to remove links with non-Stampin' Up! product, "sales pitches", links to online stores, or requests to join your team. We're here to have fun, learn from one another and share.
We hope you join us this week and play along with this sketch! But don't delay our links will close at 8AM on Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time. Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Blessings, Gretchen

Stamper's Showcase #233


Friday morning means a new Stamper's Showcase! We so appreciate all who play along with us each week. We promise to keep the sketches coming if you promise to show us your stuff! Here are your Operator Picks for Sketch Challenge #233!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Seriously EASY card box for gift giving

Good Morning Friends!

It's time for another anything goes post from your operators at stamping411.

This week, I was hoping to finally keep my promise to do a tutorial for this cute box that comes together in minutes. There are literally 4 score marks and 4 cuts, then you stick it together! Really, that's it!

I'll be whipping up a few more of these next week, as I'm planning to give those "card worthy" relatives a stack of cards for their pantries. This box is made from some new items, some existing items, and some sneak peeks, so put your spectacles on and take a peek at this!

Stamps: 123779 You are Loved Stamp set (will be going away forever on January 3rd ~ so hit up your demo to get your set before they are gone...)
Ink: Riding hood red, basic gray, blushing bride and pear pizazz (just a few of the colors in the new DSP coming out)
Paper: whisper white, riding hood red and Twitterpated Designer series paper (which will be out on January 4th! again, ask your demo!).
Accessories: Tombo multipurpose adhesive, 3 dimensionals to pop up the heart, riding hood red pleated satin ribbon (gasp!), vintage brads, 1 1/6" circle punch, the NEW heart framelit die!, and (of course) the Simply Scored Scoring tool with place markers!

and away we go... First, I set up my score tool for marks at 1 1/4" 4 1/2" and 6 1/2"

Take a piece of 8 1/2" x 11", cardstock, on the 8 1/2" side, score at 1 1/4" (both sides)
Note** notice how I'm holding the stylus? I have my thumb on top and I'm pulling towards me. After scoring 170 wedding invitations for my cousin (in two places), I realized when I hold my stylus this way, it doesn't slip out of the groove on me.


Then flip your card stock 90 degrees and score at 4 1/2" and 6 1/2".
Now, using your paper snips, cut in 1 1/4" inches where you see black on the template below.Next, fold on all lines VERY well! If you like, you can use a bone folder to get a nice crisp edge.Apply some tombo multipurpose adhesive to one side of the flap that's folded up, and attach this side of the box. I like to do this on both sides, so that when I put the box together, my flaps match. Some notes about the tombo glue (I call it green glue because it comes in a green tube). The picture above shows a little too much. you can use sticky strip, but if you make a mistake you're either stuck, or using a heat gun to try and reposition. The idea of the green glue is to use a TINY amount. I use it for everything except ribbon and designer paper. If you try it, and have it all over your hands, you're probably using too much!

Some of my customers say that I scratch it on the paper or make a dotted line. Below is a better amount to use.


Now that we have one side stuck to the bottom flap (left and right), add a thin line of green glue down the spine of your box and seal up the other two sides.
Oh looky! I'm crooked! Well, the "green glue" lets you reposition for a second.. Love that!!


So here's the raw box. Now, I like to use ribbon for the handles (about 12"), you could cut a strip of paper 1" and use that, whatever works for you!

So, now I'd like to decorate my box. Pick out a coordinating designer Paper (i used twittpated).
Cut this to 4 1/2" x 3". if you're using 2 sheets of designer paper, you'll yield enough for 10 boxes, front and back!

I cut a sheet of whisper white down to 4 1/2" and cut two strips from the ribbon border punch. then I just take the punched piece and cut it in half.
Flip your dsp over, and add a thin line of green glue. Then lay the border on top. Try and use the design to get your sides even on each side.Attach these to the front of the box and decorate to taste! Here's the finished box, and the original box I did when the score tool came out!

Thanks for visiting today and for checking out the tutorial! If you'd like to make one and post it somewhere online, I added a linky so we can see what you did with this tutorial!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Friday, December 9, 2011

Saturday Sketch Challenge 233

Good Evening Friends!

I hope that your holidays so far have been stress free. I know that things have been a little crazy in our household, but it's completely understandable. Life just goes so quickly during this time of year!

Here is another simple sketch to help you to get those last minute cards out in a snap! I love putting elements on a card crooked on purpose. It adds interest to your focal point! Have some fun with this one!

One potential set of measurements for this sketch could be:
Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 1/4" x 3 1/4"
Layer 3: 4 x 3"
Layer 4: 1 1/4" paper strip for your sentiment

Add embellishments or sentiments to your taste (and in keeping with the sketch) and please have fun!

Let's see what the operators came up with for this sketch:

Tiffany Bauer had to sit out this week, but we love her! Please stop by and say hi to our buddy!


Are you ready to play along? We sure hope so! Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit!
  1. Make a card using your Stampin' Up Supplies!
  2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
  3. Post a link to the free linky tool below (please point the link to your post and NOT just your blog).
  4. Have some fun and leave comments for each other (and for the operators if you like their work). ~ Everyone loves comments!
  5. Please note, we reserve the right to remove links with non-Stampin' Up! product, "sales pitches", links to online stores, or requests to join your team. We're here to have fun, learn from one another and share.
We hope you join us this week and play along with this sketch! But don't delay our links will close at 8AM on Thursday morning Eastern Standard Time.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton