Perfect Chemistry

Sometimes as a teacher, you never fully recognize the impact that you have on the lives of your students. And thus we have the story behind this card! Thomas was a foreign exchange student from Germany. Every day that I had him in class was a delight! Bright and engaging, he was definitely a student that you would not soon forget. While studying in the States, he met another of my students, the vivacious and personable Catherine. Needless to say, love blossomed between these two. Although Thomas eventually returned home, their romance withstood the test of time and distance. When selecting a college, Thomas enrolled at the University of Iowa, where Catherine attends medical school, and the two married.

I recently received a letter from the happy couple. Thomas is a PhD candidate and plans on teaching computer sciences at the college level. Catherine is in her fourth year of medical school and is seeking a family practice residency. The reason they wrote was to simply thank me for the impact that I had on their education. Knowing the state of the economy and that many schools are making cuts, they enclosed a check with their letter to be used by me for the science department of my high school. However, their letter held more wealth than just the monetary value of their donation. It was a reaffirmation to me as a teacher that we really do make an impact on our students in ways that we may never know...

When it came time to design their thank-you card, there was no doubt in my mind what set I would reach for...Perfect Chemistry! Ready to make an all-occasion Periodic Table? Put on your safety goggles, and step into my card making laboratory!

• 
  
  Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from textured Basic Black.
• 
  
  Layer with the "Houndstooth" pattern from Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper.
• 
  
  Ink all of the stamps from Perfect Chemistry with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and mat onto Basic Black.
• 
  
  Arrange the "elements" onto the Houndstooth paper as illustrated.
• 
  
  Select the appropriate symbols for the sentiment that you wish to convey. Ink these with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and pop onto the same symbols using Stampin' Dimensionals. In this case, I selected Thank You, Surprise, Hi & Hello and Happy.
• 
  
  Using a printer and Whisper White card stock, print out "Periodic Table" in Ariel Rounded MT Bold 24 point font, and mat onto Real Red. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.
• 
  
  Add a snippet of Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and adhere everything to the card base.

What a fun card to make! It will be winging its way to Iowa City tomorrow morning. I know that Thomas and Catherine will get a kick out of the design. Plus, I have always wanted to create my own Periodic Table!

Although deadlines are drawing near, there is still time to join "The Schach Pack" as my newest recruit. I would love to serve as your mentor. Click here for details and to see the incentive which I am offering. Plus, there is still time to play the latest Pals Paper Arts challenge. This week it is a Halloween challenge! Mr. Linky does not close until Noon CST Tuesday, so dust off the witches, goblins and ghouls and "treat" us to a Halloween project.

As always, please feel free to leave me a comment or drop me an email! Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them. And if you are in need of any Stampin' Up! supplies, you can always order from me 24/7!

Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Set: Perfect Chemistry (114383)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133)
Designer Series Paper: Night & Day (116768)
Card Stock: Real Red (102482), Basic Black textured (108693---Assorted Neutrals), Whisper White (100730)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (109052)

Trim the Tree at OCC

This card has it all...embossing, bling, and 3-D! The Tree Trimmings stamp set and the nostalgic Merry Moments Designer Series Paper are paired to create a seasonal card with 1950's flair! This week's Our Creative Corner sketch was perfect for showcasing the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder, which debuts this Tuesday when the Holiday Mini Catalog goes live. Join me for our own little Merry Moment as I outline the steps used in creating this card!

• Create a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from Old Olive.
• Ink the Ornaments from Tree Trimmings with Old Olive, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. (Stampin' Schach Tip: The Chocolate Chip ornament was stamped onto a separate piece of Very Vanilla and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. This adds a shine that makes this ornament "pop" when you see it in person. In addition, this ornament was snipped out with Paper Snips, embellished with a Yellow Circle Fire Brad and popped onto the image mat with Stampin' Dimensionals to give the card depth.)
• Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement, stamp the Ornament Hangers with VersaMark ink and heat emboss with Gold Embossing Powder. Once again, the hanger for the Chocolate Chip ornament was stamped on another piece of Very Vanilla, and snipped out. A Mini Glue Dot firmly affixes it to the ornament.
• Lightly distress the edges of the image mat using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink. Mat onto Old Olive, followed by Real Red.
• Ink the sentiment "Christmas Greetings" from Grateful Greetings (available September 1) with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. (Stampin' Schach Tip: Select a sentiment that compliments the size of your card base and the style of the card. Your card will look more balanced this way!) Mat onto Old Olive and back with a Real Red Designer Label. (The label has been cut in half horizontally. Each half is then adhered to the Old Olive mat. ) A Yellow Circle Fire Brad adds just the right amount of bling.
• Select the "Ornaments" pattern from Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and mat onto Real Red. Add a snippet of Sleigh Bells ribbon and adhere to the card base.
• Position and adhere the image and sentiment blocks.
• Zip a piece of Real Red card stock through the Big Shot, using the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder. Burnish using a Sponge Dauber and Gold Encore Ink! (Stampin' Schach Tip: Accentuate any Textured Impressions embossing with Sponge Daubers and ink of your choice. To keep with the festive feel of this card, Gold was the perfect choice!) Adhere to the card base.
• Ink a Snowflake image from Serene Snowflakes with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the 1" Circle Punch, add a medium Yellow Circle Fire Brad and mat onto a 1-1/4" Real Red Circle which has been embossed with Petals-a-Plenty. Layer onto an Old Olive small Nestabilities Scalloped Circle.

Stampin' Schach Design Tip of the Day: Think odd! Design elements usually look better when present in "threes", a little trick I learned while moonlighting at an interior design store! Here we have three rhinestone brads, three ornaments, three matted elements, and even the layout is in thirds with the ribbon dividing the large designer paper block!

Looking for a challenge? One of the highlights of my summer was being selected as a member of the Pals Paper Arts Design Team. If you have never visited the PPA Challenge Blog yet, please make it a point to do so! This week's challenge is a theme challenge...Halloween! Along with my Design Team Pals, we have created a variety of cards to spook and inspire you!

Have you subscribed to the Stampin' Schach yet? I would love to share my work with you on a regular basis. Just visit my sidebar to sign up. Of course, I always appreciate your comments. I read each and every one of them. And, please feel free to email me with your questions! Until next time...

Please Click Here to Order Stampin' Up! 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Tree Trimmings (116722), Grateful Greetings (116511), Serene Snowflakes (115438)
Designer Series Paper: Merry Moments (115672)
Card Stock: Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), Real Red (103133), Old Olive (102277), VersaMark (102283), Gold Encore (101017)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824), 1” Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Designer Label Punch (107590), Sponge Dauber (102892), Heat Tool (100005), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Nestabilities
Embellishments: Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), Clear Embossing Powder (109130)

Join the "Schach Pack"

Would you like to become a member of my Stampin' Up! group, "The Schach Pack"? If so, there is still time to take advantage of two Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Specials. The Mini Starter Kit Special runs through August 31st. For only $85, you will receive the following:
For All You Do stamp set; All six In-Color Classic Stampin’ Pads (Bahama Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede); Whisper White Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”) ; In-Color Assorted Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”); Business Tools including (8) 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogs, 8 Holiday Mini catalogs, 50 Customer forms, Getting Started DVD and more!

And if this is not enough, the Standard Starter Kit is available for $199…with incentives including all 6 In-Color Stamp Pads plus a package of 8-1/2” x 11” Assorted In-Color Card Stock…a $43.65 value! Shipping is free! For more details about either special, please click here.

If you join my group, I will be there every step of the way to coach you and answer your questions. As a member of the "Schach Pack", you will receive newsletters and access to a private blog complete with the latest Stampin' Up! news. I am so proud of my ever-growing downline and what they are accomplishing! And as a special "Welcome" gift from me, if you sign up before August 31st at 11:50 PM (MT) you will receive any stamp set of your choice up to $24.95. After signing up, simply contact me with your choice and I will order it September 1st. Just as soon as I receive it, I will mail it to you! There has never been a better time to join! Whether you aspire to be a career demo or a hobby demo, there is room for you in the Schach Pack!

To join my group, just follow these easy steps:

1. Click here
2. Then click "Start Your Own Business" followed by "Join Now"
3. Enter my recruiting password (Please email me for my recruiting password, or if you have questions)

And I know that it is hard to believe, but I am finally getting into a routine at school, so be prepared for my return to stamping and blogging! Hooray! Until next time...

Halloween Hoot

Yippee Skippee! It's time for another Pals Paper Arts Challenge! This week the Pals are hosting a "Theme" challenge based on Halloween! My talented colleagues on the PPA Design Team have prepared some "sweet treats" to inspire you. So check out my Halloween Hoot card, which also features the Branch Out and Grateful Greetings set, and then head on over to the PPA! No tricks...just some absolutely stunning cards!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from textured Basic Black.
• Ink the Witch and Frog images from Halloween Hoot with Basic Black and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, position and stamp the Broom into the witch's hand. Using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch, punch a full moon from textured So Saffron card stock and position onto the Very Vanilla background as pictured.
• Ink the Tree image from Branch Out with Basic Black and stamp into the scene as shown. Using Basic Black ink and the Bird image from the same set, position and stamp the bird so that it is silhouetted on the moon. (Tip: Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement! Plus, a Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker can be used to darken the branches on the textured "moon".)
• Color the images using Blender Pens and the following inks: Old Olive (Witch's face and hands, frog); Pumpkin Pie (hair); Rich Razzleberry (hat band, dress ruffle, shoe laces); Summer Sun (frog eyes, broom); Sahara Sand (shading); Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (grass under tree); Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (broom).
• Mat the image block onto Basic Black textured, followed by "Old Olive" and "Pumpkin Pie" patterns from the "Cast-a-Spell" Designer Series Paper.
• Add a snippet of Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and three Pumpkin Circle Fire Brads, and adhere to your card base.
• Ink the "Trick or Treat" sentiment from Grateful Greetings using Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using Stampin' Dimensionals, pop onto textured Basic Black which has been punched using the Scallop Square Punch. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.

This card was an absolute "hoot" to make! The Halloween Hoot stamp set has endless layout possibilities. I am sure that I will be creating a few more cards using these adorable images to send to my son and his college friends. Even twenty-year-olds appreciate cards like these when they are away from home. It's as if they are clinging to their early childhood memories! But this can be a topic for another day. Right now, you need to leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today's card, and then scoot on over to the PPA! I am so anxious to see what all of you create for our Halloween challenge! Until next time...

Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!

Stamp Sets: Halloween Hoot (111582), Grateful Greetings (116511---Available September 1st), Branch Out (113200---Dormant List)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Old Olive (102227), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Summer Sun (100537), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Sahara Sand (105208)
Designer Series Paper: Cast-a-Spell (115677)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black textured (108693---Neutrals assorted), So Saffron textured (108696---Rich Regals assorted)
Tools: 1-1/4 Circle Punch (104403), Scallop Square Punch (112081), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker (100079), Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker (105115), Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker (100082), Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker (100071), Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brads (109110), Old Olive ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (113883)

Another Cup of Christmas Cocoa

Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper is one of the most beautiful paper collections that I have ever seen. Its metallic sheen is complimented by the luster of the gold Encore! ink which was used to stamp the tree image from Snow Swirled. Paired with a snowflake medallion from Serene Snowflakes, this card is my favorite of all of the Christmas and winter themed cards that I have created this year. The Mojojanette sketch was the perfect starting point for "Another Cup of Christmas Cocoa". It's oh, so sweet!

• Prepare a standard card base from Soft Suede.
• Ink the "Tree" image from Snow Swirled with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Ink the stamp again with Gold Encore! ink. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp this image slightly to the left of the original image. (Tip #1: This will result in a "shadow" image which is very striking in person. If you have never tried this technique before, please do! I like it better than Gold Encore! by itself.)
• Mat onto Soft Suede. Add a few Red Rhinestones for just the right touch of bling. Although you can "dissect" your Circle Fire Brads to retrieve the rhinestones, I happened to have some small rhinestones on hand, so I did not have to sacrifice five brads.(Tip #2: Because this card borderlines on monochromatic, the red rhinestones, circle brad and ribbon add just the right "pop" of color, transforming an already pretty card into one that is stunning! Try the "color pop" when you want a card to really stand out.)
• Ink one of the "Snowflakes" from Serene Snowflakes with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Shadow with Gold Encore! ink. Punch out with the 1" Circle Punch and layer onto a Real Red circle that has been punched with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. The scalloped circle was prepared by zipping a piece of Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper through the Big Shot with a Nestabilities die. A Red Circle Fire Brad in the middle completes this element.
• Using the Scallop Edge Punch, prepare a piece of Christmas Cocoa paper. (I selected the "Small Metallic Stripe" pattern.) Position and adhere this to the beautiful "Snowflake" pattern from the same designer paper. Add a snippet of Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, and adhere to the card base.
• Position and adhere the Tree mat and the Snowflake medallion to the card base.
• Ink the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Gold Encore! ink and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Word Window Punch and adhere on top of the ribbon.

Stampin' Schach Design Tip of the Day: When participating in sketch challenges, it is acceptable to make the sketch your own. In this case, I deleted a bow in order to maintain the clean lines of the card (and to keep from competing with the swirls). The added sentiment achieved the balance I desired. Challenges are meant to be an inspiration, and Janette Olen did a wonderful job in creating this classic sketch.

This is a classic card, with classic lines, which are just perfect for this paper and the Snow Swirled stamp set. Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper will be available on September 1st, as will the Serene Snowflakes stamp set. Serene Snowflakes is definitely a set that will be usable throughout the year, as the medallion on this card illustrates.

Please remember to leave a comment! I do appreciate them, and read each and every one. Your comments and questions help me improve my card making and blogging skills. Never hesitate to email me your questions about any of the cards that I make or the techniques that I use! Until next time...


Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!

Vintage Style Good Cheer

Many years ago, one of my passions was collecting paper memorabilia, including old Christmas cards. I would display them on my mantel, as well as nestle some of them within the branches of my Christmas tree. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when Stampin' Up! released the Good Cheer stamp set. Coupled with patterns from the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper collection, the result are cards with a definite vintage flair! With this particular card, I switched out the "Happy Christmas" greeting, which is actually on the main stamp of Good Cheer for the "Merry Christmas" image from the Hostess Set, Holiday Best. I wanted to add a little burst of color and bling, and this greeting afforded me the opportunity. The holly berries on St. Nick's wreath have also been "glammed up" with Red Micro Beads. Combined with ink distressing, I have the best of both worlds..."vintage bling"!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from textured Very Vanilla card stock. Round the two upper corners using the Corner Rounder. Distress the edges using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.
• Ink the "Santa and Deer" image from Good Cheer with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Color the images using a Blender Pen and the following inks: Close to Cocoa, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand. Using the Handsome Hunter Stampin' Write Marker, accent the holly leaves. Snip out the image with Paper Snips.
• Using Tombow Adhesive, adhere Red Micro Beads onto the holly berries.
• Mat the image onto Real Red, Chocolate Chip, and Real Red that has been zipped through the Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Petals-a-Plenty Folder (available September 1st!) (Stampin' Tip #1: To make the flowers on the embossed card stock "pop", I brushed over the top with a Sponge Dauber inked with Chocolate Chip ink. Stampin' Tip #2: To simulate the vintage look, ink distress all edges with Chocolate Chip.)
• Position and adhere the image mat to a selection from Merry Moments Designer Series Paper. Add a Chocolate Chip scalloped edge to the bottom, punched using the Scallop Edge Punch. A snippet of Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon completes the look. Position and adhere to the card base. (Stampin' Tip #3: Paper piercing the scallop border allows the Very Vanilla card base to peek through for even more visual interest. I did not adhere this edge to the paper, since I did not want to "smoosh" the paper pierced holes!)
• Ink the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from Holiday Best using Chocolate Chip and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers. Stamp onto Very Vanilla, and mat onto Handsome Hunter. Paper Piercing and a Red Circle Fire Brad add interest to the sentiment block. Position and adhere to the image with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Schach Design Tip: When mixing stamp sets, keep in mind the styles of the set. When using a vintage style image, it is best to stay with a vintage style sentiment, such as what we see with today's card!

What a relaxing feeling it was to be able to create a card today! Last week was a whirlwind, with three days of meetings, an open house, the first two days of students, and taking Brady back to college. Whew! However, I was able to visit the Pals Paper Arts challenges, and leave comments on your entries. Wow! What great projects there are! Of course, there is still plenty of time to participate in the "Anything But a Card" challenge. Mr. Linky will not close until Noon (CST) Tuesday. If you haven't checked it out this week, head over to the PPA!

I want to thank all of you for your patience as I transition into the school year! Your support and understanding about my reduced blogging have been overwhelming. I always knew that stampers were wonderful people. This just validates what I always knew was true! As always, your comments are very important to me. Please add a comment before you leave! And, if you have any questions about any of the techniques that I have used, don't hesitate to ask! Until next time...



Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! 24/7!

PPA4 Desk Set for Me

It's Thursday, and we are quickly learning that Thursday means "It's Time to Play at PPA!" This week's challenge was "Anything But a Card". With school starting, I turned to Designer Paper and the Big Shot to create this "Shabby Chic" desk set! It's fun! It's easy! It had some of my colleagues asking the question "Where did you get your journal?" and my son commenting "She really does love the dog more than me!" It is made entirely from Stampin' Up! products, except for the notebook which I covered and the large metal paper clip. (The cardboard that forms the frame is from a package of Designer Paper!) Plus, you can customize the set to fit your personality. To coordinate with the "lab table gray" of my classroom, I opted for Night & Day Designer Series Paper, a Holiday Mini Catalog selection available September 1st! Sometimes it's just fun to play with paper!

My Chic Journal

• Select two pieces of Night & Day Designer Series Paper. (I selected a darker geometric pattern to cover the spine, and a light pattern for the front and back covers.)
• Cut a strip of Designer Series Paper wide enough to cover the spine, and attach with Sticky Strip.
• Measure two pieces of Designer Series Paper that will fit the front and back covers and adhere.
• At the interfaces of the spine and covers, adhere Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon using Sticky Strip.
• Ink the "Baroque" image from Friends 24-7 with Basic Black and randomly stamp the front of the journal. (Tip: The paper that I selected had a beautiful swirl, which I positioned along the lower edge...No stamping necessary!)
• The teacher next to me wanted one of these so badly, that I made one for her as a "Welcome Back to School" gift!

"Tower of Matchboxes" Paper Clip Holder

• Zip Basic Gray textured card stock through the Big Shot with the Stampin' Up!Matchbox Bigz Die. Do this three times, and assemble each.
• Stack the boxes and adhere to each other using Sticky Strip.
• Size a selection of Night & Day Designer Series Paper to fit around the matchbox tower and adhere.
• Attach a Red Circle Fire Brad to the front of each box to serve as a handle.

Classy Paper Clip/Book Mark

• Punch two scallop circles from Real Red card stock using the Scallop Circle Punch.
• Punch a section from a selection of pattern paper from the Night & Day Designer Series Paper collection using the 1-3/8" Circle Punch. Adhere to one of the Real Red scallops.
• Add a Red Circle Fire Brad to the center of the Designer Paper.
• Use Glue Dots to attach the scallops to each side of the paper clip.
• Yowza! I love this! If I have to bring home papers to grade, what better way to clip them up! Plus, I created a few extra to use as bookmarks!

Circle Scallop Frame

• Cut a piece of card board 4 inches wide x 8-1/2 inches long. (I used the card board from a package of Designer Paper and doubled it for extra strength.)
• Cover the back with a selection of Designer Series Paper.
• Adhere your photo to the front of the frame.
• Zip a contrasting pattern through the Big Shot with the Scallop Oval Frame. Adhere to a selection of Designer Paper that has been sized to fit the front of the frame, and trim out the center using Paper Snips. Adhere to the front of the frame over the picture, so that the picture shows through the center of the Scallop Oval.
• Score 2-1/2" from the bottom of the frame, and bend back to form the base of the frame. The frame will look like a backward "L".
• Add snippets of Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon at the top and bottom of the frame.

I really enjoyed making my coordinated desk set. I even covered the spines of a couple of legal pads to coordinate! Remember the feeling you had as a child when you got a new box of crayons to start the school year? That is exactly how I felt toting my creations off to school! Missy the Boxer will be gracing my computer desk...I have nifty paper clips...and I will be able to take lots of notes at faculty meetings in my chic, new journal. And, oh, just so you know, I also have a picture of my son on my desk!

Hopefully I have inspired you to create "Anything But a Card" today! So leave a comment or drop me an email (you know how much I appreciate them) and then hop on over to the Pals Paper Arts Challenge Blog and be prepared to get inspired! Until next time...

Please Click to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7

Stamp Set: Friends 24-7 (113218)
Ink: Basic Black (101179)
Designer Series Paper: Night & Day (116768---Available September 1)
Card Stock: Basic Grey textured (108693---Neutrals assorted)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Extended Cutting Pads (113478), Matchbox Bigz XL Die (114890), Scallop Oval Frame (114521), 1-3/8” Circle Punch (104401)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Circle Fire Brads (109110)
Adhesives: Sticky Strip (104294), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Mojo Oak

I couldn't let Mojo Monday 100 pass me by without creating a card. I rushed home right after school and began creating! My husband, bless his heart, made supper, while Brady made puppy chow for dessert. (I know...not your typical dessert, but you have to remember that this is a 19-year-old male, and it is one of the few things that he can make! It's the thought, you know!) Luck was with me, as was my mojo, and this card flew together quickly. I love the strength and majesty of the mighty oak, so I armed myself with the Autumn Splendor stamp set and Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper. A little ink distressing and a little linen thread completed the rugged look I was trying to achieve.

• Prepare a standard card base from textured Very Vanilla. Distress the edges with Chocolate Chip ink and a Sponge Dauber.
• Select the "Leaf Montage" and "Wood" patterns from the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper and ink distress the edges. Layer onto Really Rust textured card stock. Add a snippet of Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon layered over Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon at the interface of the two papers. (Tip: Because the ribbon was in stark contrast to the distressed paper, I "muddied" them with a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.)
• Ink the "Oak Leaf" image from Autumn Splendor with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Color with Blender Pens and Dusty Durango, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, and More Mustard inks. Snip out with Paper Snips and distress the edges with Chocolate Chip. Pop onto the "Grid" pattern from Autumn Meadows, which has been layered onto Wood Cuts. Once again, the edges have been ink distressed.
• Punch a Taken with Teal scalloped circle using Nestabilities and the Big Shot. Pierce the center of each scallop with the Paper Piercing Tool and distress with Chocolate Chip. Layer the image mat on top, and add four Vintage Brads in each corner of the image.
• Thread Linen Thread through the holes in two of the bottom scallops and adhere to the card base.
• Ink the "Acorns" with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Color with Blender Pens, along with Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa inks. Punch out with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. Ink distress the edges with Chocolate Chip and pop onto a Nestabilities scalloped circle using a Stampin' Dimensional. Position and adhere on top of the linen threads and ribbons. Add four Vintage Brads to each corner, and add to the card base.

Details, details and details are the trademark of this card. I love the "Wood Grain" pattern from this Designer Paper collection. When I first saw it, I really did not think I would. But seeing it used this way has changed my mind about it. The same thing was true about the Wood Cut sheets. Now I find that I use the Wood Cuts any time that I want to create a card with a more rustic look! And in case you are wondering about the linen thread, I wanted to create the illusion of a hanging sign.

There is still time to participate in the Pals Paper Arts inspiration challenge. Mr. Linky will close at Noon CST Tuesday! Will you be the next Pals "Artist Pick"?

Thanks for all of your "Good Luck" wishes as I started my school year. It was great to reconnect with my colleagues and get back into the swing of things. The only one who somewhat suffered today was "Missy the Boxer". Boy, was she ever happy to see Mom! She has spent the entire evening at my feet. Tomorrow will be an incredibly long day, however. Not only will we be putting in a full day of meetings, but our district's Open House and New Student Orientation begin right after our contract day begins. Yowza!

Please bear with me as I transition into the school year. I really do appreciate your comments! Many times they serve as an inspiration to me! And please do not hesitate to email me if you have a question! Until next time...

Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor (116503---Available September 1)
Inks: Basic Brown (104315), Chocolate Chip (100908), More Mustard (103162), Really Rust (102549), Close to Cocoa (103139), Creamy Caramel (103220), Dusty Durango (115654)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Meadows (116769---Available September 1)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Wood Sheets Texture Cuts (116309), Taken with Teal (101584), Really Rust textured (108697---Earth Elements assorted), Very Vanilla textured (108693---Neutrals assorted)
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Big Shot (113439), Blender Pens (102845), Nestabilities
Embellishments: Vintage Brads (109109), Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115609), Tempting Turquoise ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon (109038)

Good-by to Summer...No Card Today

The last day of summer vacation has always been bittersweet. I love returning to school and my students. I love the organization and the daily routine. I have always said that I could have been a "professional student". Yet the end of summer vacation also means an end to spending time with my family. Brady will be off to Western Illinois University for his sophomore year by week's end, and Missy the Boxer will be left to guard the house alone. I will miss the time that I have spent with them. Hours of doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted will now be replaced with preparing for classes and in my case, grading papers.

I am also saddened as I will no longer have as much time to create my cards and share them. I remember when I first became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I had no desire to maintain a blog or post daily. But with the encouragement of Mary Fish, I entered into "blogland". Making a card daily and posting have become second nature, as has communicating with you, my readers. Brady, bless his heart, has tried to come up with suggestions as to how to balance stamping and teaching, none of which would meet with the approval of my administrators. As much as I would like, I don't think I can justify teaching about the chemistry of ink, complete with stamping lab, or how rubber is processed into stamps, also with lab! (Leave it to Brady!)

But, my sadness only lasts for a day. As soon as tomorrow morning rolls around, I will be stepping back into what has been my routine since 1976. And when I meet my students on Thursday, it will be as if I have never stepped foot outside of the classroom. So bear with me for a few days, as notebook paper replaces designer paper and report cards replace card stock!

As always...

Fall is in the Air

With my school year starting Monday, I decided to spend my last Saturday of summer vacation celebrating my favorite season...Fall. Autumn Splendor, available September 1, is a beautiful stamp set, perfect for watercoloring. This time I paired the Maple Leaf image from this set with Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper. The very versatile sketch is Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge #241. A quick card to create, it features doubled buttons, wood cuts, and ink distressing. Doesn't it just exude autumn in all of it's colorful glory?

• Prepare a standard card base from textured Really Rust. Distress the edges using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.
• Round opposite corners of the More Mustard pattern from Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper with a Corner Rounder, and layer onto the card base.
• For the wider vertical element, ink distress the "Small Maple Leaf" pattern from Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper and layer onto Always Artichoke. Do exactly the same for the narrower element, this time using the "Stripes" pattern from the same Designer Series Paper. Adhere these vertical mats onto the card base.
• For the image, ink the Maple Leaf stamp from Autumn Splendor with Basic Brown and stamp onto Stampin' Up! Watercolor Paper. Color using Blender Pens and the following inks: Rose Red, Close to Cocoa, Dusty Durango, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun. Ink distress the edges and mat onto ink distressed Wood Cuts, followed by Really Rust. Wrap with Linen Thread and pop onto the card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.
• For the finishing touch, prepare three button accents using selections from the Playground and Button Latte collections. Adhere to the card base as illustrated with Mini Glue Dots. (Tip: My buttons were created by using flat Real Red buttons and sewing on the tiny flower buttons with Linen Thread.)

Autumn Splendor is one of my favorite sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I love it paired with either of the new "Autumn" Designer Series Papers. Whether it's Autumn Meadows, which is especially lovely with the Oak Leaf stamp or Autumn Traditions with the Maple Leaf stamp, you have the combination for a winning card!

Have you "Played @ PPA" yet? Are YOU the next PPA "Artist Pick"? Check out the action at Pals Paper Arts. But before you say good-bye, please leave me a comment. And, if you have any questions about a card that I may create or a technique I might use, please drop me an email. Your comments and emails are important to me! Until next time...

Please Click to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor (116503---Available September 1)
Ink: Basic Brown (104315), Ruby Red (102259), More Mustard (103162), Close to Cocoa (103139), Always Artichoke (105219), Really Rust (102549), Dusty Durango (115654), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: Really Rust textured (), Always Artichoke (105119), Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Paper (105019)
Tools: Corner Rounder (109047), Blender Pens (102845), Sponge Dauber (102892)
Embellishments: Linen Thread (104199), Playground Button Collection (116313), Button Latte Collection (114333)
Other: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Ornament Trio

If you are in need of a quick and easy holiday card, then reach for Delightful Decorations! Non-traditional holiday colors of Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, and Old Olive team up to create a fun and festive card that will surely stand out in the crowd! Stampin' Up!s Jumbo Snowflake Punch is used to accent the sentiment, while little snowflakes from Merry and Bright Rub-Ons accentuate the ornaments. And of course, what holiday card would be complete without a little bling, this time in the form of Clear Rhinestone Circle Brads! Sneak peeks abound in this "Trio of Ornaments"!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" square card base from textured Old Olive card stock. Using a Corner Rounder, round all four corners.
• Ink the trio of ornaments from Delightful Decorations with the following inks: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive. Stamp onto Whisper White card stock and punch out using the Ornament Punch (available September 1st). Embellish each with a Clear Rhinestone Circle Brad.
• Pop the ornaments onto textured Very Vanilla card stock which has been matted onto Old Olive card stock, followed by Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry. For added interest, the Rich Razzleberry has been punched with the Eyelet Border Punch. Adhere to the card base.
• Using the tool provided, add a sprinkle of rub-on snowflakes from the Merry and Bright collection (available September 1st).
• Add a snippet of Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon as illustrated in the photograph.
• Punch a snowflake from Bermuda Bay using the Jumbo Snowflake Punch and adhere to the card base with a Mini-Glue Dot.
• Ink the "Warm Winter Wishes" sentiment from The More the Merrier Hostess Level 3 set in Rich Razzleberry, and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Modern Label Punch and adhere on top of the Bermuda Bay snowflake.

I love these colors together! With the new Ornament Punch, available September 1, cards like this will be a snap to make. Of course, being able to pre-order Delightful Decorations and the Ornament Punch, as well as creating your own sneak peeks, are just two of the many perks available to you as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I would love to have you join my group. There is still time to take advantage of the $85 demonstrator special. Click here to learn how you can join my downline! I provide support to my downline every step of the way, from placing your first order to setting up a blog! I also help you keep abreast of all the Stampin' Up! news. As an added incentive, I am offering a set of the new In-Color Stampin' Write Markers to the next three recruits who join me before August 31st! I will also provide you with a retired stamp set of your choice from this past year's Sale-A-Bration, while quantities last! Please email me if you have any questions, or would like my recruiting password!

Update on Yesterday's Card: If you were wondering if yesterday's Non-Traditional Snowflake card was a success, yes it was! My friend was very happy with it, and will be placing an order for Serene Snowflakes and Night & Day Designer Paper just as soon as it becomes available on September 1st.

As always, your comments and emails are important to me! Trust me...I am plotting and planning on a way to reward you...and you know what that means! Details will be coming very soon! So get into the habit of leaving those comments when you stop by! Until next time...

Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Delightful Decorations (116517---Available September 1), The More the Merrier Hostess Level 3 (115322)
Inks: Bermuda Bay (115655), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Old Olive (102277)
Card Stock: Old Olive textured (108697---Earth Elements Assorted), Very Vanilla textured (108693---Neutrals Assorted), Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702), Bermuda Bay (115317), Rich Razzleberry (115316)
Tools: Ornament Punch (116794---Available September 1), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Modern Label Punch (116630), Eyelet Border Punch (113692)
Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613), Merry and Bright Rub-Ons (116801---Available September 1)

Really Non-Traditional Serene Snowflake

After a non-stamping friend of mine saw the "Serene Snowflakes" stamp set, she insisted that I design her Christmas cards for her using this set. In return, she would purchase her supplies from me. It sounded like a wonderful proposition to me. After all, I love to stamp and this stamp set is gorgeous! The wheels in my head were already turning...thinking in terms of Iridescent Ice and glitter. And then came the catch. My friend would be the first to tell you that she "thinks outside of the box" and "marches to her own drummer". Her requirements were that the card be non-traditional, maybe using blacks and reds. It needed to be "edgy" like her! Oh, my! What had I gotten myself into? But, I armed myself with Real Red, Basic Black, and the phenomenal new Specialty Designer Series Paper, Night & Day, and gave it the old college try. I love non-traditional Christmas cards, but my idea of non-traditional is stamping Dasher in Old Olive...Ho! Ho! Ho! Er, I mean Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, what can I say? I think it is a wee bit on the "edgy" side...Let's hope that she does, too!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from Basic Black.
• Ink the Large Snowflake image from Serene Snowflakes with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Color using Real Red and Blender Pens. Punch the corners using the Ticket Corner Punch. Mat onto Real Red, followed by Whisper White and Basic Black.
• Add a Filigree Brad and a small Red Circle Fire Brad to the center of the snowflake. Silver Brads accent each punched corner.
• Layer a selection from Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper onto Whisper White. (Tip: Click on the photo to enlarge the wonderful pattern I selected.) Add snippets of 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbons in Real Red and Old Olive. Adhere to the card base.
• Position and adhere the image mat to the card base.
• Ink the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch with the Modern Label Punch. Adhere to a Designer Label which has been punched from Old Olive and paper pierced.
• Punch a second Designer Label from Real Red and cut into horizontal halves. Adhere each half to shadow the Old Olive label as illustrated in the photograph. Position and adhere the sentiment, and pop onto the card using a Stampin' Dimensional.

The Stampin' Schach Tip of the Day: Designing for someone else can be both fun and stressful. It's important to incorporate the design elements they want, while at the same time letting your own personality shine through, since that is why they were probably attracted to your work in the first place!

Today was spent unpacking and storing my lab supplies at school. As many of you know, I teach high school science. This year I will be teaching two sections of Biology, three sections of Chemistry, and a section each of Anatomy & Physiology and Physics. I am looking forward to settling back into my routine, although I am sure that for a few weeks it will encroach upon my card making time!

Have you participated in the Pals Paper Arts challenge yet? Mr. Linky will close at 12 Noon CST Tuesday. So you still have plenty of time to participate. I am always amazed at the talent there is in the stamping world. As one of the Design Team members, I really enjoy looking at all of our entries and leaving comments. And...of course, as usual...will you please leave a comment for me? I do read them all, and I do respond to questions that I receive. They are important to me. It is great to know that you are indeed looking at my work! Until next time...


Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Serene Snowflakes (115438---Available September 1st), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133)
Designer Series Paper: Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper (116768---Available September 1st)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Basic Black (102851), Old Olive (100702)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Filigree Brads (112577), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Silver Brads (104336), Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109052), Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109054)

You're the Inspiration

It's time for the Pals Paper Arts first inspiration challenge, and I am so excited to share my card with you! With an inspiration challenge, you can draw your ideas from prominent colors, the theme depicted, or even a specific image. In my case, the blue striped rug just jumped right out of the computer screen. And how could I overlook the giraffe! He is stamped onto a tag that mimics the shape of the bulletin boards. I pieced my rug from textured card stock, and actually laid it upon a "hardwood" floor composed of Stampin' Up!s new Wood Sheets! How cool is that! Enjoy the recipe for "You're the Inspiration" and then head right over to Pals Paper Arts to check out the other inspiration cards. Please play along with us! Who knows...You could be the PPA's next "Artist Pick"!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 4-3/4" card base from Sage Shadow (to mimic the wall color) and score at the top.
• Layer with a Texture Cuts Wood Sheet which has had its edges distressed with Night of Navy ink.
• Cut a 4-3/4" x 4" piece of textured Bashful Blue card stock. Cut 1/2" strips of textured Ballet Blue card stock. Angle the Ballet Blue over the Bashful Blue to mimic the rug, and trim off the excess. Mat onto Whisper White, add a snippet of Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon, and adhere to the Wood Sheet. (Tip: I layered the ribbon onto the card stock solid side up, and then constructed my bow with the polka dots showing. A Brocade Blue button from Fresh Favorites II adds a little pop of color!)
• Ink the "Giraffe" image from Animal Stories with Crushed Curry and stamp onto Whisper White card stock. (Note: I cut the card stock 2-1/4" by 4" and the cut the top at an angle.) Using my Paper Piercer and Template, I outlined the perimeter of the tag, and then mounted it on Sage Shadow, which has been punched on its bottom border with the Eyelet Border Punch. This is then matted onto Whisper White. Distress the edges with Night of Navy. Add four Brocade Blue brads to the corners of the tag, and a White Jumbo brad at the top. (For a little something extra, I punched a 1/2" circle from Ballet Blue textured card stock and adhered it to the white brad. Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon completes the look!) Position and adhere the tag to the card base.
• Ink the "hello baby" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Night of Navy and stamp onto Whisper White card stock. Punch out with the Large Oval Punch and distress the edges with Night of Navy. Layer this onto a Crushed Curry Scallop Oval with a Stampin' Dimensional, followed by a Wide Oval which has been punched from the Texture Cut Wood Sheet. Distress the edges with Night of Navy, and adhere to the card base.

I will be the first to admit that I was challenged by this challenge! If you look at my past cards, I do not use a lot of blue. Yet, the blue color in the inspiration photo was what was catching my attention...that and the giant giraffe. SO...hop on over to Pals Paper Arts and get started on your challenge card. I am so looking forward to seeing what you create. As always, I will comment on your entries. And speaking of comments...please leave me a comment or send me an email. I love reading them! As I have said before, your comments and your questions are important to me! Until next time...

Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!

Dasher, Dasher, Dasher

I wanted to try my hand at something quick and easy today, and Dasher seemed to be calling my name! I love this little stamp, which is one of the under $10 stamps featured on Page 208 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. Since Dasher is vintage in appearance, I selected a vintage styled greeting from the Grateful Greetings set, a Holiday Mini selection which will be available September 1st. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine sentiments are also part of this set of twelve. Of course, my new found favorite ribbon, Sleigh Bells, completes the card.

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from Old Olive textured card stock.
• Ink Dasher in Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Repeat with Real Red and Old Olive, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect alignment. Mat onto Old Olive, followed by Real Red. As a final mat layer, use Chocolate Chip which was been punched using the Scallop Edge Punch. Adhere to the card base.
• Add a snippet of Sleigh Bells ribbon as illustrated in the photograph.
• Ink the Christmas Greetings sentiment from Grateful Greetings with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat onto Old Olive. For a unique touch, use the Designer Label Punch on Real Red card stock. Cut into half horizontally, adhering a piece to both the top and bottom of the sentiment mat.
• Add two small Clear Rhinestone Circle Brads for a touch of bling.
• Adhere on top of the ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Wasn't that quick and easy? I like the vintage look and the use of the non-traditional Christmas colors of brown and olive. As for Dasher, I haven't quite decided on his style. At times he looks Deco, and at other times almost Victorian. I guess I would classify him as "Deco Victorian" and "positively precious"!

Don't forget that Wednesday is the big day. The second set of Pals Paper Arts "Artists Picks" will be named. Will you be one of the three? And, if you missed out on last week's sketch challenge, this week the PPA will feature an inspiration challenge. You can view my inspiration card here at The Stampin' Schach at 5:00 AM CST Thursday morning! Remember to "Play at PPA"!

Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Sets: Grateful Greetings (116511---Available September 1), Dasher (116816)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Real Red (103133), Old Olive (102277)
Paper: Old Olive textured (108697---Earth Elements Assorted), Old Olive (100702), Chocolate Chip (102128), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Designer Label Punch (107590), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Embellishments: Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795---Available September 1), Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads (113144)

Christmas Cocoa Mojo

Christmas is my favorite holiday! I enjoy nothing more than decorating the tree with heirloom ornaments that have been passed down through the family. Although I admire trees with newer ornaments, my trees have a penchant for the vintage. And vintage is the look I attempted to achieve with this card! I love this sentiment from the Good Cheer stamp set, and even though its size did not quite fit with today's Mojo Monday sketch, I just adjusted the rest of the sketch and made it my own! The Real Red and Soft Suede hues of the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper (available September 1st) contribute to the vintage aura that I was hoping to achieve. Enjoy a serving of Christmas Cocoa in August! Here's the recipe:

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from Real Red. Layer with the Stripes pattern from Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper which has been matted onto Soft Suede. (Tip: What makes this collection "special" are the two flocked patterns and the metallic touch!)




• Prepare two vertical mats from the "Circle Snowflakes" and "Soft Suede Subdued Stripe" patterns from Christmas Cocoa. Each of these have been matted onto Real Red. Position and adhere to the paper as illustrated in the photograph.




• Zip a piece of Real Red through the Big Shot, using the new Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (available September 1st). Mat this onto Soft Suede. Prepare a rosette from Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and Sleigh Bells Cotton Ribbon (also available September 1st). (Tip: Both the Impressions Folder and cotton ribbon add texture, texture and more texture! I love them both!) Adhere to the card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.




• Punch two snowflakes from "Stripes" Christmas Cocoa using the new Snowflake Punch, and adhere to the textured mat with Mini Glue Dots.




• Ink the "At Christmas" sentiment from Good Cheer with Soft Suede, and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat onto a strip of Soft Suede card stock and adhere to the textured mat with Stampin' Dimensionals.

There are so many elements that I love about this card. The Christmas Cocoa paper is just phenomenal, and I have never used a Textured Impressions Folder that possesses as much depth as Petals-A-Plenty. The Sleigh Bells Cotton Ribbon was just made for this paper with its Real Red and Natural colors! If it sounds like I am gushing, I am...with good reason!

If you like sneak peeks like these, remember that pre-orders are just one of several perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Please click here to learn how you can become a demonstrator for only $85! I would love to have you join my ever-growing group! One of the things that I enjoy the most is helping my new recruits as they discover everything that being a demonstrator has to offer.

As the final days of my summer vacation come to an end, I find it bittersweet. I have enjoyed the luxury of being able to blog and create on an almost daily basis. I know that as I begin the new school year on Monday, that my time will be at a premium as I get back into the routine. I will miss spending my days with Missy the Boxer and Brady the Boy...although Brady will be headed back to Western Illinois University's School of Music. On the other hand, I have missed my "kids". As rewarding as it is to create a card from paper and ink, it will never compare to the reward I receive from preparing my students for their futures. I have been blessed in the fact that for thirty-three years, I have been employed in a profession that I truly love!

As always, your comments are important to me! Please leave me a comment, or if you have questions, send me an email! Until next time...




Please Click to Order Stampin' Up! 24/7!
Stamp Set: Good Cheer (115326)
Inks: Soft Suede (115657)
Designer Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty (116770---Available September 1)
Card Stock: Real Red (102482), Soft Suede (115318), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Textured Impressions Petals-A-Plenty Folder (116824---Available September 1), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628)
Embellishments: Sleigh Bells Cotton Ribbon (116795---Available September 1), Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109052)
Other: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Technorati Test

ywip9xeacj

Brady Rocks...In a Classical Way

I received this image from Friends Rock as part of the recent Pretty Pals image swap. Kris Kilcoyne of Kween Bee Kreations was the Pal responsible for this particular set, and she did a great job of stamping it. Of course, now that I have used it, I want it! As a high school teacher, I think that I could get a lot of use from it stamping up motivational cards for my students! This particular card will be given to my son, Brady, as he leaves for college in a few weeks. Since he is a trumpet performance major with an emphasis on classical music, I added the "In a Classical Way" to personalize it. I know that it looks a little feminine, but I wanted some wilder paper for it. Well, you have seen the cards that I create. I really do not own any paper that is too wild except for the Kaleidoscope Designer Paper. And, I probably would not have purchased it if my friend Krista had not pointed out that this was the only new release paper that I had not added to my collection. (You know me and my Designer Paper addiction!) The added bling can be attributed to my mentor, Mary Fish. Mary's Pals Paper Arts inspiration card for this week's sketch challenge featured this image with Circle Fire Brads. So thank you Kris, Krista, and Mary! If not for you three, I would not have been able to create this card which is so different from what I usually create. But you know what...I still got to use my beloved Blender Pens!

• Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from textured Whisper White.
• Stamp the "You Rock" image from Friends Rock with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Color using Blender Pens and the following inks: Pink Passion and Tempting Turquoise. Accent the "O" in Rock and the exclamation point with Pumpkin Circle Fire Brads.
• Mat onto Basic Black, followed by Tempting Turquoise.
• Select the "Only Orange Floral" pattern paper from the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper collection. Layer this onto Tempting Turquoise, and add a snippet of Basic Black 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. Adhere to the card base.
• "In a Classical Way" was printed in Black onto Whisper White card stock and matted with Basic Black followed by Tempting Turquoise. I used 22 point Scrap Twirly font.
• Position and adhere the image and sentiment mats.

I love this card! The nice thing about image swaps is that they are like test-driving a car! Would I have purchased this stamp set just by looking at it in the catalog? No. Will I buy it after creating this card? Yes!

Remember to participate in the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge this week! You have until Noon Tuesday (CST) before Mr. Linky closes. Who knows? You could be one of this week's Pals Paper Arts "Artist Picks"! So far I have viewed everyone's cards. Let me tell you...there are many talented card makers who are playing at the PPA!

Remember to leave me a comment before you go! They are important to me, and I read each and every one of them. And, if you have a question, don't hesitate to ask! My email button is located on the right sidebar. Until next time...

Click to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Set: Friends Rock (113816)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Pink Passion (101212), Tempting Turquoise (100814)
Designer Series Paper: Kaleidoscope (115680)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Whisper White textured (108693), Basic Black (102851), Tempting Turquoise (102067)
Tools: Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brads (109110), Basic Black 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (115605)

Gifts of the Earth

This gorgeous image is from the new Gifts of the Earth stamp set, which is available beginning September 1st. The four image set also includes a realistic turkey, as well as a crockery bowl filled with apples. As a collector of crocks, I knew I "needed" this set! The image that I used for today's card reminds me of fall on the farm when I was growing up. However, I did take artistic liberties and transform the squash into an eggplant, simply because the color looked better than a typical pale squash color! The "fall" colors have me longing for cooler days and apple cider! As an added bonus, this card also fits the wonderful harvest inspiration challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Having said that, I would like to share the "Gifts of the Earth" with you! Prepare a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" card base from More Mustard.

• Select the Always Artichoke "Vine" pattern from Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, and punch the bottom with the Eyelet Border Punch. Add a snippet of Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, solid side showing. Layer onto the card base.
• Ink the "Pumpkin" image from Gifts of the Earth with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Color using Blender Pens and the following inks: Really Rust (pumpkin, bird); Pumpkin Pie (pumpkin); Old Olive (pumpkin leaf); Close to Cocoa (pumpkin stem, acorn tops, rope on straw, center of sunflower); Creamy Caramel (straw, bottom of acorns, squash stem); Ruby Red (apples); Summer Sun (sunflower, apple highlights); Elegant Eggplant (squash); Garden Green (grass); Bordering Blue (can)
• Mat the image onto Really Rust, followed by More Mustard.
• Zip a piece of Always Artichoke through the Big Shot along with the Small Dots Texturz Plate. Layer this onto More Mustard. Position and adhere the image mat onto the Always Artichoke.
• Add a vertical snippet of Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, solid side up, beside the image mat. Add three Chocolate Chip Button Latte Buttons which have been threaded with Linen Thread.
• Ink the "Grateful" sentiment from Falling Leaves with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Modern Label Punch, and ink the edge using a Sponge Dauber and Close to Cocoa ink. (Tip: I selected Close to Cocoa, as it is softer than Chocolate Chip, and blends with the Basic Brown of the image.) Layer this onto a textured Chocolate Chip oval, which has been punched with the Large Oval Punch.

If you are a fan of coloring with inks and Blender Pens, this is an excellent set to purchase. Like the Falling Leaves set, it coordinates so well with the Autumn Traditions Designer Paper. I give this set "Two thumbs up!"

I would also like to congratulate my mentor, Mary Fish, of Stampin' Pretty. Mary has been named Stampin' Up!s #1 Rising Star and Demonstrator of the Year #24. Mary is as classy as her cards, and is truly deserving of this honor! Hugs to you, Mary! I am proud to be a Pretty Pal!

Speaking of Pals, don't forget that there is still time to participate in the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge. Jump on over to the PPA and have fun playing!

And as always, before you leave The Stampin' Schach, please leave a comment or drop me an email! I feel blessed with the large number of friends am making in the stamping community, and I love reading your comments. I know that I end every post by saying how important your comments and emails are to me...and that is because they truly are! So, until next time...

Click Here to Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies 24/7!

Stamp Sets: Gifts of the Earth (116501), Falling Leaves (115368)
Inks: Basic Brown (104315), Creamy Caramel (103220), Sahara Sand (105208), Close to Cocoa (103139), Chocolate Chip (100908), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Really Rust (102549), Old Olive (102277), Garden Green (102272), Summer Sun (100537), Bordering Blue (102265)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: More Mustard (100946), Always Artichoke (105119), Really Rust (100661), Very Vanilla (101650), Chocolate Chip textured (108697---Earth Elements Assorted)
Tools: Large Oval Punch (107305), Modern Label Punch (116630), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Big Shot (113439), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Stampin’ Up Backgrounds 1 (114512)
Embellishments: Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115609), Linen Thread (104199), Button Latte Collection (114333)

The Splendor of an Autumn Meadow

From the moment I unpacked it, I knew that the Autumn Splendor stamp set would be the first set I would ink up from my Holiday Mini pre-order. Since the Oak Leaf image was made to curl perfectly within a circle, it only seemed fitting to get my mojo on a second time this week and use the Mojo 98 sketch. Distressing was called for in order to mute some of the brighter colors, and a little jute completes the "natural" look. Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper is the perfect partner for this set. So settle back in your comfy chair and enjoy the Splendor of an Autumn Meadow!

• Prepare a standard card base from textured Really Rust and score at the top. Layer with More Mustard.
• Using the Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Mat, prepare a 2-3/4" circle from Very Vanilla. Load a Taken with Teal Stampin' Write Marker into the Color Spritzer Tool and spritz away! (Tip: Practice on scratch paper first in order to perfect the technique.) Ink the Oak Leaf image with Basic Brown and stamp onto the spritzed circle. (Tip: You will need to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement.) Using Blender Pens and the following inks, color the leaf: Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Chip. Distress the edges using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.
• Layer the image onto a scalloped circle which was created from Taken with Teal using the Big Shot and Scallop Circle Nestabilities. Mat this onto textured More Mustard followed by Really Rust.
• Using Stampin' Dimensionals, "pop" the above layers onto the "Brown Leaves" pattern from Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, which has had its corners punched with the Ticket Corner Punch. This is then layered onto Taken with Teal, which has had its edges distressed with Chocolate Chip.
• Layer all of this onto "Very Vanilla/Taken with Teal Faux Wood" from Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper. Add a snippet of Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, knotted and tied off with jute. (Tip: To tone down the Taken with Teal, sponge it lightly with the Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.)
• Add a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button, through which a sliver of Really Rust card stock had been threaded.
• Ink the "Acorn" image from Autumn Splendor with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Spritz with Taken with Teal as outlined above. Color the acorns using Blender Pens and Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel inks. (Mmmm...Cocoa and Caramel!) Distress the edges by using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.
• Punch the colored image out using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. Layer onto a Taken with Teal scalloped circle, which was cut using Big Shot and Nestabilities. Distress the edges of the Taken with Teal with Chocolate Chip. Position and adhere to the Oak Leaf with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Although this card may look relatively simple, trust me...it takes a lot of time! There is spritzing, distressing, tying, watercoloring, and punching. Of course, each technique is quick and easy in itself. It's only when you combine several! For my background paper selection, I have my son, Brady, to thank. He was so mesmorized by the faux wood in the Autumn Meadows collection, that he wanted me to use it. Since I only have him at home for another two weeks, I gave in! I think that the Taken with Teal lends the entire card an almost Southwestern look.

Don't forget to play the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. Mr. Linky will close Tuesday at Noon, CST. So you still have plenty of time to participate. Who knows...You could be one of the three new Pals Paper Arts Artists Pick for Challenge 2! Congratulations to this week's winners Nancy Riley, Paula Goff, and Leigh Ann. Head on over to the PPA to see these talented designers' creations!

The Stampin' Schach Healthy Living Tip: I want all of you to enjoy your stamping and card making for years to come. That is why I am reminding you of the importance of routine screening tests, especially for those of you who are my age...which is a nice age, by the way! Routine tests allow our health care professionals to discover certain problems early on, when treatments are the most successful!

And as always, I love your comments and emails! I read them all, and respond if necessary. If you ever have questions about any of the techniques that I use, do not be afraid to email me and ask. I am the teacher of teenagers...I have been asked a myriad of questions on all topics over the past 33 years...so I can tell you that no question is ever a silly question! How else can you learn? Until next time...

Order Your Stampin' Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor (116503---Available September 1)
Inks: Basic Brown (104315), Chocolate Chip (100908), Close to Cocoa (103139), Creamy Caramel (103220), Really Rust (102549), More Mustard (103162), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Taken with Teal Stampin’ Write Marker (100068)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper (116769---Available September 1)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla (101650), Taken with Teal textured (108696---Rich Regals Assorted), More Mustard textured (108697---Earth Elements Assorted), More Mustard (100946), Really Rust textured (108697---Earth Elements Assorted), Really Rust (100661)
Tools: Corner Rounder (109047), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Big Shot (113439), Nestabilities (Non-Stampin’ Up!), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Sponge Dauber (102892), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Embellishments: Tempting Turquoise ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon (109038), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button (114339), Jute (Non-Stampin’ Up!)