Christmas Punch and Cocoa for the PPA

I always look forward to Thursdays and the Pals Paper Arts challenge! This week we are hosting a sketch challenge designed by talented Pal, Margaret Moody. This sketch is definitely a classic. I knew the moment that I saw it that I wanted to incorporate a repeating motif in the center squares. Since I am already in the holiday spirit, I opted for snowflakes stamped from the Christmas Punch set paired with the beautiful Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper. On this cold, crisp Iowa morning, will you share a cup of Christmas Cocoa with me? Or would you prefer a cup of Christmas Punch?



The Stampin' Schach Tips:

• Common design elements make your card look "pulled together"! The gold snowflakes on the Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper look as if they are encircled. Therefore, after stamping the "Snowflake" images from the Christmas Punch set, they were punched out using the 1" Circle Punch. This was followed by layering them onto 1-1/4" Circles punched from coordinating paper from the same collection.


• Burgundy and gold are traditionally elegant Christmas colors, and the perfect choice for a classic card. In this case, Bravo Burgundy pairs beautifully with the gold metallic touch on the Snowflake paper!


• Invest time into creating the little extras that will set your card apart from the rest! What better way to accent the sentiment than a tiny Bravo Burgundy heart punched with the Trio of Hearts Punch.


• Sometimes no bling is a good thing! Frequent visitors to The Stampin' Schach know that I will "bling" anything! However, with this card, no bling was necessary. The understated country elegance of the rich burgundy and gold hues was perfect just the way it was!

Usually I am my own worst critic...I think many of us are this way. However, this card, which was quick and easy to create; which combines a classic holiday color palette; and which follows a classic sketch, is one of my all-time favorite cards. And maybe, just maybe, it lies in the sentiment..."Welcome Christmas into your heart".

I loved your Pals Paper Arts creations last week. I know that my fellow design team members have really rocked this sketch, and I know that you will, too! So hurry on over to the PPA and check out all of the other inspiration cards. But first, let me know what you think about today's card by leaving me a comment. Your comments are important to me, as are your questions. Remember, if you ever have a question about any of my cards, or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

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Stamp Sets: Christmas Punch (115366---Hostess Level 2), Heard from the Heart (111644); Inks: Bravo Burgundy (105214); Designer Series Paper: Christmas Cocoa (116770---Holiday Mini); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Bravo Burgundy textured (108696---Rich Regals assorted); Tools: 1" Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1-1/4" Square Punch (104400)