Our FIRST Sketch Challenge and some BIG NEWS!

Sorry for the technical difficulties! Mr. Linky is back. :)

Isn't it a beautiful day for a sketch challenge? On behalf of our designing operators, let me welcome you to the Stamping411 Blog!

I know I speak for the entire group when I say that we're thrilled that you decided to check out our new space, and encourage you to play along. If you wish to participate in this challenge, please submit a link to your post on splitcoaststampers.com or your blog. Please link directly to your post, and not just to your blog, so that in a few days, people will easily be able to find your submissions.

This blog will focus on stamping basics for new and occasional stampers, but will feature tutorials, videos and weekly sketch challenges on Saturday mornings for everyone! I encourage you to visit the blog on a regular basis for fabulous inspiration and stamping advice. And if you're having a stamping 911, you can call on us for the 411, just email theoperators@e-selene.com. If your question is for a particular designer on our panel, please just list that in your subject line.

So here's some big news! To celebrate, just for creating a card with this sketch and posting it, you could win some blog candy! We will be giving away a level 3 hostess set from the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog Goody-Goody Gumdrops. Good Luck to All!!

For anyone that has never done a sketch challenge, they are done mainly for your inspiration. To make it easier for you to come up with a card, without stress. If you have never cut your own paper, the idea of cutting can be a stressful proposition.

I'm going to give you potential measurements for this layout. Please note, some of our design team members have taken liberties and changed up the sketch. We encourage you to do the same. These guidelines are to help someone who might be new start with cutting paper. To keep this for people who really need it, I'm going to put these measurements at the bottom of the post.

For now, grab some stamps and play along with the operators! Here are what our designing operators have come up with for this week. Here are some samples for you to be inspired by, click on any of the samples to be directed to that operator's personal blog.

Lee Conrey

Connie Babbert

Robin Merriman (had so much fun, she did two cards)

Gretchen Barron

Selene Kempton

Patti Chesky

Saturday Sketch Challenge Participants

1. Tracy 2. Germaine Ferrao 3. Cindy Rio 4. Janice Webb (Aloha Jan) 5. SHERRI 6. robynann 7. Barbara Joyce

8. Monika 9. Roxie Nitti 10. Elaine Wilson 11. Joan Ottevanger 12. Tami Black 13. Erna Logtenberg 14. Krista Drissen

15. Jenn D 16. Annemiek 17. C@ro 18. Lisa Martz 19. Tiffany Bauer 20. Amy Schultz 21. Susan Shields

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

This weeks sketch challenge is closed for entries. Check back on Saturday morning for sketch number 2!

To make a basic card, take a regular "computer sized" 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper and cut it in half. I like to score it in half going in the opposite direction. So if you cut at 5.5" score at 4.25".

For the next layer "white in the sketch", try using another regular sized piece of card stock and cut it in half at 4 1/4" You will be able to cut six pieces out of one sheet down to 3 1/4" x 4 1/4".

Now the 3rd "green" layer could be designer series paper (DSP). if you cut your 12 x 12" card stock down to 3" x 4" you can get 12 pieces out of one sheet of DSP.

For the 4th and 5th layers, you would want to base the size on your image. I like to matte my images with a piece of card stock that is a 1/4" larger when cutting on two sides. Then you can assemble and enjoy your card!

If this all seems as clear a mud, have no fear. As time moves forward, we will have graphics and some basic cards for your viewing that will help you.

Die Cutting with Stampin Up!

Learn more about the new die cutting options from Stampin' Up! The Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! product line is a big deal! With the Big Shot you can cut over 50 different material types and duplicate creative and intricate designs quickly and easily. We've designed exclusive dies that coordinate with current Stampin' Up! product lines--such as our stamps and punches--as well as Sizzix dies that coordinate with the Stampin' Up! look and feel. Our product line will continue to expand, so check back to see what exciting new things are on the way.



If you have questions, email one of the operators at asktheoperators@e-selene.com If your question is for a particular operator, please put their name in the title.

Window Sheets Video

Have you seen the gorgeous new window sheets from Stampin' Up!? Well, today we would love to show you the fun things that you can do with them. Just click below to view this terrific video and order your window sheets from your demonstrator today!

How To Read A Ruler

Today's Stamping 411 post comes to us from Lee Conrey, a Stamping 411 designer from Florida.

We know that "how to read a ruler" may be not where all our readers are coming from, but what better place to start than at the very beginning! Have a friend who's new to stamping?? You can refer them here and the articles within, will help them get started!

Lee writes "Understanding all of those little marks on the ruler. A standard tape measure (or ruler) in the United States is divided up into feet and inches. Each foot is divided into 12 inches. The problem starts with the subdivision of the inches. In each inch there are a number of lines of different length. The longer the length of these lines, the larger the unit of measurement.

For example. 1. The longest line in the inch is in the middle. This is the half-inch mark and there is only one. 2. The next shortest line is the 1/4" (one quarter of an inch) inch mark and there are only two of these. 3. The third shortest line is the 1/8" (one eighth of an inch) mark and there are four of these. 4. The fourth shortest is the 1/16" (one sixteenth of an inch) mark and there are eight of these. 5. Some rulers will go a step further, down to 1/32" but this is often more precise that most woodworking cuts need to be.

On the typical ruler the basic (smallest) unit of measurement is 1/16". If you count the distance between two inch marks (one inch) you will find sixteen lines. This is because an inch is 16/16th of an inch long. Because we like to express fractional numbers in the largest unit possible we call it one inch. So it follows that if you have 8 lines, or 8/16" you have a half-inch or ½". And likewise, if you have 4 little lines, or 4/16" you have a quarter inch and so on.

At first it can be a little cumbersome to count these lines but over time you will learn to recognize the lengths and the different units of measurements they represent. This often starts with the ½" mark and progresses down the line. Over time a measurements like 59-3/8" can be located quickly.

OTHER MEASUREMENTS You might have noticed that every 24" on the tape measure are marked with a contrasting black background and every 16" is marked with a red background. The marks are used by construction workers for spacing wood studs in a wall or joists in a floor/roof. 16" spacing is used most commonly for load bearing walls and 24" for non-load bearing walls. The small black diamonds represent a less common spacing scheme.

The Operators

Welcome To The NEW Stamping 411 Blog!

Thanks for coming to visit our blog. We hope that you like what you see! Here you will be able to get the 411 and basic instructions for stamping with style! Learn how to:

• cut your paper
• condition your stamps
• basic design principals
• techniques

and so much more!!!

Please bookmark this site, or subscribe in to get messages when we post directly to your inbox! Either way, we hope you enjoy!

The Operators