Color Inspiration #104

It's hard to believe that it is the last day of 2009. The year certainly has flown by.

How do you celebrate the New Year?

Do you like to attend a party, stay home with family, go to bed before midnight?

Regardless of how you celebrate, it's fun to imagine what the new year will bring.

This week I bring you a new color challenge. I was inspired by something I found when I was cleaning and reorganizing my Stampin' Studio. I was looking through some retired designer series paper and came across a pack that was near and dear to my heart. It was called Cutie Pie. Oh, how I miss using this patterned paper in my classes.

Well, this week I am going to live in the moment of "Cutie Pie". I've chosen Rose Red, Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery for this week's Color Combination.

If you decide to take the challenge, please leave a comment on this post containing the link to your project. I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 131

Here we are! Another fantastic sketch from your operators at 411. You may notice we are running a little lean this week. Our operators are spending time with their families as I hope you have been able to.

This week's sketch is on the simple side, with the hopes that we will make it easy to play along, during the most busy time of the year.

Here are some potential measurements:
Layer 1: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded at 5 1/2" to make your card base
Layer 2: 1 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Layer 3: (maybe a ribbon?) or 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Layer 5: (center white) try measuring the block of wood on your stamp and make your white layer this large.
Layer 4: Make layer four, 1/4" larger on two sides than layer 5

The other shapes off to the side could easily be made with punches, or by cutting out a photograph or stamped image. Use your imagination!

Never played before? Well, it's easy!

1. Make a card
2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
3. Post a link to Mr. Linky (Please be sure to link to your post and not just to your blog so we can find your post a few days later). need directions on that? Check out our posts on "how to use mr linky"

We hope you have a ball with this week's sketch! Until then Happy New Year!!!
Connie Babbert

Tiffany Bauer

Selene Kempton

Lee Conrey

Stampers Showcase and a Christmas message

Good evening everyone.

This post is a bit later than normal. I spent a quiet day with my husband, daughter, and mom. We turned off the tv and turned the radio on. We played a few board games and just spent some time. It was amazing. I haven't had much time to blog surf over the past few days, but I did take a peek at 411 operator, Robin Merriman's blog, that I will share below. She posted a short quote and story on her blog that really spoke to me. No matter what holiday you celebrate, the message is easily translated and beautiful. Wishing you all blessed time with your friends and family near. Merry Christmas to you all.

We know it is a busy time of year, and are so happy to have so many still playing along. Thank you so much for everything! Here are your operator picks of the week.


"The girls tore into their presents with squeals of delight. "Oh, Mom, I love this! Thank you!" said Abby, our oldest daughter.
"Here Mommy, take this out of the package, please!" said Hannah, our youngest.
After everything was unwrapped, we had our special Christmas morning breakfast. And then everyone had some free time before we left to celebrate with other family members.
That's when I felt it; the Christmas Day ache. Have you ever felt it? After weeks of secrets and excitement, decorating and baking, shopping and planning, I felt a tiny spark of wanting. It wasn't about the presents. Instead, the glitter of the season, the high expectations set by advertisers, the music, the parties all combined to leave me with a longing.

I let the longing lead me to worship the Baby in the manger, just like the shepherds did so long ago. In Luke 2:15, after the angels made their stunning appearance and shared the glorious news of the birth, the shepherds said to themselves: "Let's go.....and see." After they found Jesus and worshipped Him, they went into the village and told everyone what they had seen.
And so, like the shepherds, He bids me: Go and see. Go and tell. "

Color Inspiration #103

Happy Thursday everyone!! Every Thursday it's my pleasure to present you with the Stamping 411 Color Inspiration.

There's a BIG 'ol snowstorm blowing here in MN right now!!! The snow started this afternoon and isn't expected to end until sometime Saturday. They're not even forecasting how much snow we are going to get.....they're just saying "significant".

Well, with a forecast like that, I wanted this week's color challenge to be BRIGHT!!!!

Actually, these colors were inspired by a card I made this week......but I can't show it to you just yet. I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I'm sorry to keep this post short, but it's just one day until Christmas. And to quote the magician from Frosty the Snowman, we are "busy, busy, busy".

I know many of you are so incredibly busy as well. If you find the time to play over the next week, please leave a comment with a link to your project. We just love taking a peek at your creations.

Thanks for playing along........the operators truly appreciate it!!

Happy Holidays and Happy Stamping everyone!!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 130

Hey Everybody!

Here's another sketch for you to try on for size. I'm sure everyone is busy getting ready for the holiday. Hopefully you can take time out to stamp something beautiful using this clean and simple European style design.

I usually start by doing the measurements of the card on top.. Since I've already done the measurements for my card in another document, I'm just using what I've already written. :)

Measurements for Selene's red and White Card Below:
Layer 1: 11 x 4 ¼”, scored at 5 ½” and folded in half as your white base
Layer 2: 4 x 5 ¼” (real red)
Layer 3: Curly Label punched shape with thank you stamped and attached to layer 4.
Layer 4: 3 5/8” x 2 5/8”
Layer 5: 3 ½” x 2 ½”
Layer 6: 3 5/16” x 1 5/8”
Layer 7: 1 ½” x 3 ¼”
Layer 8: punched ornament with dimensionals underneath

WHEW!!! There's a lot of funky measurements on my card.. But that doesn't mean that you need to follow mine exactly. You could skip layers 4 and 6. The idea is NOT to stump you! These measurements are just a jumping off point. Go Create!!

Also ~ if you are having trouble knowing what 5/8" looks like on a ruler, check out this post by Lee Conrey on how to read a ruler. I know it sounds funny, but it makes life much easier if you are new to cutting these funky measurements. I still go back to it myself sometimes!

Never played before? Well, it's easy!

1. Make a card
2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
3. Post a link to Mr. Linky (Please be sure to link to your post and not just to your blog so we can find your post a few days later). need directions on that? Check out our posts on "how to use mr linky"

Above all, please have fun with it!! And if you're so inclined, leave us a comment so we know you are still there! We love reading all the comments.


Robin Merriman







Gretchen Barron







Connie Babbert








Tiffany Bauer








Selene Kempton







Lee Conrey






Patti Chesky

Stampers Showcase 129

Here are your operator picks for this past week. See you later tonight for another super cool sketch!

Color Inspiration #102

It's the week before Christmas, and I'm having fun.


A new color combination is here at the Stamping 411.


Garden Green, Certainly Celery and lastly Real Red,


will make beautiful holiday cards, you have nothing to dread.


These colors are so pretty, and I made a card too.


If you decide to make one, make sure to leave a comment pointing to you.


The operators love to see your creations, we know you work hard.


So go on and get busy.....and go make that card!!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Four the Holidays
paper: Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White
ink: Garden Green, Certainly Celery

accessories: Real Red Wide Grosgrain, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, sponges, embossing stylus

Saturday Sketch Challenge SSC129

Another super sketch from your operators on the 411 blog! What do you think of when you look at this sketch?? We can't wait to see.

First, let's talk measurements. This card only has a few layers before you start embellishing.

I could give you the measurements exactly by the sketch (because there are almost no layers) but instead I'll do Patti's fantastic creation, because she's on top this week!

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

You could add a 4th layer to your project or run a piece of ribbon. The 4th layer might measure 1x4"

Substitute whatever shape you like, or even move some of the elements. Notice Lee moved her centered element to the left? I think it's cute!

Both Robin and Connie added a third element (instead of just two) I think they're all fantastic. Take our sketch and use it for inspiration to make your own creation.

Want to hear what we were thinking when we made our cards? You can click on the large photos below to be transported to our personal blogs, where you can read more about how we made our specific creations. Many of our operators do a tutorial weekly, so make sure you check them out!

Never played before? Well, it's easy!

1. Make a card
2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
3. Post a link to Mr. Linky (Please be sure to link to your post and not just to your blog so we can find your post a few days later). need directions on that? Check out our posts on "how to use mr linky"

Above all, please have fun and make something beautiful!

Patti Chesky

Robin Merriman

Gretchen Barron

Connie Babbert






Tiffany Bauer

Selene Kempton







Lee Conrey

Stampers Showcase 128

Hey Everybody!

What a week of talent we had! A quick side note before I post this week's showcase stampers...

We had blog candy, some of you won!!!! and some have not claimed their prizes yet! Did you win the blog candy? Click here to check out the post of the blog candy winners, and scan for your name.

Without further delay!!!! Here are your operator picks of the week.

Color Inspiration: 101

It's Thursday and that means it's time for the weekly Color Inspiration.

Thank you for all your kind words on last week's first Color Inspiration post. I'm glad you liked it!!!

I've been busily working on my holiday cards. When I started thinking about this week's color combination I knew I wanted to keep away from traditional holiday card colors.

Well, my Occasions Mini catalog pre-order arrived the other day. As I was putting together one of my stamp sets, I was inspired by the colors of the animals in the stamp set.

This week's colors are Certainly Celery, Really Rust, Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip.

I chose to make an any occasion card for a child. I used a brand new stamp set called Fox and Friends. These images are so adorable.



This is also my first stamp set using Stampin' Up's new Clear Mount option. The images are still the fabulous red rubber we are all know and love. The difference is how they are mounted. Rather than being permanently mounted on a wood block, the Clear Mount stamps have a cling back on them that you place on an clear acrylic block when you are ready to stamp. Clean them, peel them off the block, put back in the stamp case (which looks like a DVD case).

The owl is inked with Chocolate Chip ink. The turtle was inked with my Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke markers. The lion was also colored with markers (More Mustard and Really Rust). The monkey was inked with Chocolate Chip ink. I then colored in his belly with a Creamy Caramel marker.

The images can easily be punched with the 1 3/8" square punch. I sponged the edges of each square with my beloved Close to Cocoa ink. Seriously, if you don't sponge with this color, you need to try it!!!!

The squares are matted on a 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. This is then matted on a 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" piece of Really Rust cardstock. In the center of the focal image I added a 3/4" Barely Banana circle with a Certainly Celery button in the middle (note how I used a sliver of Really Rust cardstock as the "thread").

The Barely Banana layer was texturized with my Perfect Details Texturz Plate and the Big Shot. I also lightly sponged this layer with Close to Cocoa ink. I wrapped a length of Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon and tied it into a classic knot. This is then glued to the Certainly Celery base card.

Would you like to play our Color Challenge? If you make something, please leave a link to your project in the comment section for this post.

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!!


Card Recipe
stamps: Fox & Friends
paper: Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Really Rust, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Fresh Favorites buttons, 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" square punch, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Big Shot, sponges, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon

Sketch Challenge 128

Another amazing week of card submissions from our readers. We thank you so much for your readership, friendship, and for playing along with some fabulous creations (of course!)

We had a wonderful time giving away blog candy, and hearing thoughts from all of you on how to make our blog even better! Thanks to all of you who left comments. We really enjoyed reading them and talking about some changes.

Speaking of changes, wasn't Patti's new color inspiration fantastic? If you want to get really fancy, you could try this new sketch on for size, and use Patti's Color Inspiration to make it a double challenge! Double fun!

This week, Operator Lee is at the top of the list. So let's give measurements for her fantastic card. (Now ~ isn't that paper piecing adorable?)

Layer 1: 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2" and folded in half to form the base.
Layer 2: 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" (black)
Layer 3: 1 x 4" (designer paper)
Layer 4: 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 5 4 7/8" x 3 5/8" ~ not sure how to do that? Check out Lee's post on how to read a ruler.

Never played before? Well, it's easy!

1. Make a card
2. Post it online somewhere to your blog or other online forum
3. Post a link to Mr. Linky (Please be sure to link to your post and not just to your blog so we can find your post a few days later). need directions on that? Check out our posts on "how to use mr linky"

Above all, please have fun and make something beautiful!




Lee Conrey







Patti Chesky







Robin Merriman








Gretchen Barron








Connie Babbert







Tiffany Bauer






Selene Kempton