Friday, July 30, 2010

Saturday Sketch challenge 162

Good Evening Friends!

It's time for another Saturday Sketch challenge with your operators! Tonight, we have an uber simple sketch.. the measurements I'm going to give you are for my card (I'm on the top tonight). I recommend you check out the operator blogs for their measurements, but here's one potential set of measurements you could try.

You can use this sketch and embellish any way you wish, let your imagination go crazy! I've heard from several people that these punches are challenging, but our Girl, Gretchen wrote an awesome tutorial on the measurements you need to make it all come together! Love that!

Base: Shimmer White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
note** I added a 7" piece of regal rose grosgrain ribbon and stuck it in between the base and layer 2.
Layer 2: 5 1/4" x 3 13/16ths (these measurements work perfectly with the two scallop edged punches.. I punched the corners first and then connected the sides by looking through the back of my punch.
Layer 3: Regal Rose 4 5/8" x 3 1/4"
Layer 4: Espresso 4 1/2 x 3 1/8"
Ribbon banner:
Layer 5: 3/4" strip of scrap regal rose
Layer 6: 1/2" strip of scrap shimmer white, stamped with the sentiment

Does the thought of cutting your card stock using measurements baffle you? Well, you can check out the most awesome post on how to read a ruler written by the very lovely and talented Lee Conrey, by clicking here.

Now without further delay, here are your operator samples for this week's sketch..

Selene Kempton




Connie Babbert




Lee Conrey




Patti Chesky




Gretchen Barron




Kerin Sylvester




Tiffany Bauer



Now, it's your turn!!!

Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit!
  1. Make a card
  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!
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.


Thursday, July 29, 2010

Stampers Showcase 161

Thanks to all who played along with this week's sketch challenge. Here are your operator picks for this week!

Color Inspiration #134


I love looking at home decor magazines not only for ideas for updating my home, but for color inspiration as well.

This week, our color inspiration challenge uses the colors on these pillows from Pottery Barn.





This week's colors are Daffodil Delight, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.

These lemons are making me crave some of my Mom's lemon pound cake and a good glass of iced tea. Mmmmmm!

Are you ready to take the Color Inspiration challenge? If you decide to play, please use the Linky Tool below to link your project to our blog.

We can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Saturday Sketch challenge 161

Good Morning!!

Sorry this is being posted a bit late. Many of our operators are at convention (as I am sure some of our readers are too) and I had some technical difficulties.. but we're doing great now! :D I don't have the full scoop because I'm not there, but I got some really cool information about some of our operators. First, Tiffany achieved demonstrator of the year #30somthing. (forgive me that I don't have the right number, I'm only getting bits and pieces), and our very own Robin has been asked to serve a second term on the advisory board! These are both very special honor's ~ so congratulations to both of you for being recognized for all your hard work!

Tiffany's card at the top is a beauty isn't it? Here are the measurements (i'm guessing). What's cool about this sketch is that there really isnt a lot of cutting for you to do.

Base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
The decorative strip going across is the second layer @ 5 1/2" long, with DSP layered on top.
The simply adorable comes from our new accents and they are self adhesive die cuts
The hearts are all punches.

Does the thought of cutting your card stock using measurements baffle you? Well, you can check out the most awesome post on how to read a ruler written by the very lovely and talented Lee Conrey, by clicking here.

Tiffany Bauer

Selene Kempton




Connie Babbert



Lee Conrey



Patti Chesky


Gretchen Barron


Kerin Sylvester

Now, it's your turn!!!

Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit!
  1. Make a card
  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!
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 EST.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Stampers Showcase 160

Good Morning Friends! What a wonderful week of challenge cards. I'm impressed with the number of players even though many are traveling this week to the SU convention! Gorgeous creations by all, here are your operator picks for this week.

Thanks so much for playing along and we'll see you for another fun sketch tonight! Don't forget to check out Patti's color challenge below. She chose some really beautiful colors this week!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Color Inspiration #133




Hey everyone! It feels so good to be back after a 2 week road trip to the east coast.

While I was visiting family and friends in New York, my friends Jenn Turoff (in red) and Selene Kempton (in green) cooked up a BIG surprise with my husband. You see, I had a stamping afternoon planned with Jenn, but Selene made a 3 1/2 hour roadtrip to visit me!!! I was SO surprised to see her!! Everyone said they should've taped my reaction to seeing her!!!

We stamped and chit chatted for hours! What fun!!!

Let's get started with this week's Color Challenge.

I chose Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake.

This combination is so peaceful.

Of course, I used some new goodies to make a card using the color combination.

The base card is Not Quite Navy.

The patterned paper is from the Elegant Soiree designer series paper pack.

The focal image used one of my favorite new stamp sets called Aviary. I just adore this little owl. He is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink. The bird cage is stamped in Baja Breeze ink. The edges of the cardstock are sponged lightly with Chocolate Chip ink. I also used my Color Spritzer Tool and a Chocolate Chip marker to add some subtle spattering. This layer is matted on some Crumb Cake cardstock.


I also used used a brand new border punch on this card (using Crumb Cake cardstock). It's called Dotted Ribbon Scallop Border punch. I love how it creates a paper ribbon! I placed it atop a strip of Baja Breeze cardstock to make an interesting treatment on the card.

The sentiment (from Fabulous Phrases) is inked with Chocolate Chip ink onto Whisper White cardstock. I punched it with the Small Oval punch, sponged the edges and added it to my card.

Very simple.....but also very cute!!!

Are you ready to try this color challenge? I sure hope so!!! Leave a comment on this post with a link to your project so we can all "ooooh and ahhhh" over it, okay?

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!

Card Recipe
stamps: Aviary, Fabulous Phrases
paper: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Elegant Soiree dsp
ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
accessories: Dotted Ribbon Scallop border punch, Small Oval punch, Color Spritzer Tool, Chocolate Chip marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, sponges


Friday, July 16, 2010

Saturday Sketch challenge 160

Good Evening Stampers!

It's time for another wonderful sketch from your operators here at stamping 411. Try checking out the operator blogs to see the different variations on measurements by clicking on their creations below. Make sure you say hi, so we know you've visited! We read all your awesome comments and they keep us going!

Just a friendly reminder, to be fair to all, please do not link to online stores in your 411 post. If you link to a non SU site, that will put all the operators out of compliance, and we need to follow the rules. To make it fair for all we ask that you keep the sales out of your posts and just keep it for fun! Please use any supplies that inspire you.

Many of our operators are convention bound this week. I'm so excited for them and wish them "God's speed" in their travels. I'll live through them while they are gone. This is the first convention I will miss since I became a demo (sniff sniff)..

Moving right along to tonight's post... :D

Measurements: I'm going to take a stab at Kerin's STUNNING card because she's on top. She can correct me later if I get the measurements incorrect. For other measurements, you may try visiting the individual operator blogs.

Base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
Layer 3: 5 1/4" x 4"
Strip across 4 1/4" x 2 and torn for effect
Layer 5: 2 3/4" square
Layer 6: 2 5/8" square

I'm very impressed with all the operator cards this week and notice as you look below there's also a scrapbook page by Tiffany Bauer. :) Love that!!

Does the thought of cutting your card stock using measurements baffle you? Well, you can check out the most awesome post on how to read a ruler written by the very lovely and talented Lee Conrey, by clicking here.


Kerin Sylvester


Tiffany Bauer


Selene Kempton



Connie Babbert



Lee Conrey


Patti Chesky


Robin Merriman



Gretchen Barron


Now, it's your turn!!!

Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit! Use this sketch to inspire you and let your imagination go wild! (well ~ keep it clean, this is a family show after all).
  1. Make a card
  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!
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 EST.

Stamper's Showcase #159



Fabulous job again this week, everyone! Here are your Operator Picks for Challenge #159. Thanks so much for playing along with us. We look forward to the inspiration that you offer! Keep up the great work and keep sharing with Stamping 411!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Patti's Color Challenge 132 ~ Pretty Rich Espresso

Good Morning Friends!

Can you believe that Patti is still on vacation?? :D Lucky Girl! A little birdy told me that Patti was going to be in New York at a mutual friends house (Hi Jenn). So I drove 3 1/2" hours out there and surprised her! Patti lives in Minnesota (I'm in Massachusetts) and when would I get another chance like that?! I wish we had gotten her reaction on video. We stamped the day away, then had a lo calorie dinner at Panera's, then I got to try Cold Stone Creamery's Ice cream. We had a great time! Patti has always told me she would sponge her children going to school if she could, and I sort of believe her. Thanks for adding some pretty in pink to my cheeks GF! :)
While we were there, Patti did the color challenge for this week. :)

I was able to bring some goodies so we could all have a play date. Both Jen and Patti did not have their new catalog items yet, so they were excited to see that I brought some new sets with me.

Here is Patti's creation for the challenge. She used the new smoosh top coat on the top tea cup and it's super shimmery in real life. I think Patti's card is "tea" riffic!

Now it's your turn.. Just make a card and post it somewhere online linking back. We encourage you to play along no matter what crafting products you use! However, we kindly ask you to not put a link to an online store in your post or we may have to delete your link. (to stay within our agreements ~ and to keep it a safe place to play for all) Thanks so much for understanding.


Friday, July 9, 2010

Saturday Sketch challenge 159

I just love this time of year. And I just loved seeing all this new rubbah getting so much love and attention. (that's my Boston accent coming thru ~ sorry bout that).

Another simple, but fun sketch from your operators... This week, try checking out the operator blogs to see the different variations on measurements.

I'm going to give you the measurements for my card below, primarily, because it's already done! :D

For you card measurements:
Base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 1: Cherry Cobbler 3 x 5 1/2"
Layer 2: Crumb Cake 2 7/8 x 5 1/2"
Layer 3: Very Vanilla 3 1/8" x 2 1/8"
Layer 4: Cherry Cobbler 3x2"
Layer 5: 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" watercolor paper

Does the thought of cutting your card stock using measurements baffle you? Well, you can check out the most awesome post on how to read a ruler written by the very lovely and talented Lee Conrey, by clicking here.


Gretchen BarronKerin SylvesterTiffany Bauer




Selene Kempton

Connie Babbert



Lee Conrey




Patti Chesky


Robin Merriman

Now, it's your turn!!!

Never played with us before?? Well, it's easy! Sky's the limit! Use this sketch to inspire you and let your imagination go wild! (well ~ keep it clean, this is a family show after all).
  1. Make a card
  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!
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 EST.